Have you noticed that your Honor began to slow down, applications take a long time to open, and the system constantly issues warnings about low memory? These are classic symptoms of a full drive. Even on new models like Honor 90 or Honor Magic5 with 128–256 GB of memory, users are faced with this problem - due to the application cache, duplicate photos, unnecessary files and “digital garbage” that accumulates over time.

In this article you will find 7 working methods Memory cleaning on Honor - from standard tools EMUI/MagicOS to hidden functions and proven third-party utilities. We will look at how to free up space, which files can be safely deleted, and which files should not be touched. We will pay special attention to models with without resetting to factory settings, which files can be safely deleted and which should not be touched. We will pay special attention to models with NM Card (hybrid memory) - their cleaning has nuances.

All methods are tested on current firmware MagicOS 7.2 i EMUI 13, but are also suitable for older versions (adjusted for the menu location). If your smartphone runs on Android 10 and below, some points may differ - we will warn you about this separately.

1. Built-in Memory Cleaner utility in Honor

The fastest way to free up 1-3 GB of memory is to use the standard tool "Cleaning" from Huawei. It analyzes the system and offers to remove unnecessary files: application cache, temporary data, residual files after uninstalling apps and duplicates.

How to start:

  • 📱 Open Settings → Memory → Cleaning (or Settings → Storage → Cleaning on new versions).
  • 🔍 Press "Scan" and wait until the analysis is completed (will take 10–30 seconds).
  • 🗑️ Select file categories to delete (we recommend checking all except "Downloads" —there may be important documents).
  • 🚮 Press "Clear" and confirm the action.

⚠️ Attention: The utility does not delete user data (photos, videos, contacts), but can erase .apkfiles of manually installed applications. If you save installation files for re-installation, check the folder Download.

Application cache (does not affect the operation of apps)

Residual files after uninstalling applications

Temporary system files

Duplicate photos (if the "Search for duplicates" function is enabled)

Unused downloads (older than 30 days)-->

On models with MagicOS 7.0+ (for example, Honor Magic4 Pro or Honor 80 Pro) a section has appeared in the cleaning menu "Deep cleaning". It deletes more aggressively, including log files and analytics data. Use it if your smartphone is very slow, but not more than once a month.

2. Manually clearing application cache

Caches are temporary files that applications create to speed up their work. Over time, they take up gigabytes of memory, although many of them are no longer needed. Unlike complete clearing through the menu "Storage", the manual method allows you to control which cache to delete.

Instructions:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Management applications.
  2. Select an application (for example, YouTube or TikTok) and tap on "Storage".
  3. Click "Clear cache" (do not confuse c "Clear data" —this will delete all account settings!).
  4. Repeat for applications that take up more than 100–200 MB of cache (see column "Cache" in the list).

💡 Tip: Pay special attention to instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), social networks (Instagram, VKontakte) and streaming services (Netflix, YouTube). For example, Telegram can accumulate up to 5–10 GB of cache with media files, even if you did not save them.

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To reduce the cache Telegram automatically, go to Settings → Data and memory → Auto media cleanup and enable deletion of files older than 3 days.

Do not delete system application cache (for example, com.huawei.android.launcher or com.android.systemui) - this can lead to interface failures. If you are not sure that the application is safe to clean, skip it.

3. Deleting unnecessary files manually

The Download, DCIM, Pictures and Movies folders often accumulate gigabytes of unnecessary data: old screenshots, duplicate photos, unsuccessful videos, archives and documents that have not been opened for a long time. They can be deleted manually through any file manager.

How to find and delete:

  • 📁 Open the application "Files" (or install Solid Explorer from Google Play).
  • 🔎 Go to the section "Categories" and sort the files by size (from largest to smallest).
  • 🗑️ Check the folders:
    • Download — installation files (.apk, .exe), archives (.zip, .rar).
    • DCIM → Screenshots — screenshots older than 6 months.
    • WhatsApp → Media — automatically saved media from chats.
    • Android → data — residual files of deleted applications (can only be deleted with root access).
  • 🚫 Do not touch the folders Android (except data), MIUI (if any), Huawei - system data is stored there.

⚠️ Attention: On smartphones Honor with hybrid memory (NM Card) folder Download by default may be located on a removable drive. Before deleting, check whether the file is currently in use (for example, by a torrent client or messenger).

How to distinguish system files from unnecessary?

System files usually have extensions .odex, .vdex, .oat or are located in folders with names like com.android., huawei.. Deleting them without root access is impossible (and dangerous!) All other files with extensions .jpg, .mp4, .pdf, .apk can be checked and deleted.

For convenience, use sorting by date: files that have not been opened for more than a year are most likely not needed. But before mass deletion be sure to check the "Trash" folder in the "Files" application - some models Honor send deleted files there, and they take up space until they are finally cleared..

4. Transferring data to a memory card or cloud

If the built-in memory is sorely lacking and you don’t want to delete anything, transfer some of the data to microSD or to cloud storage. Honor this can be done without root access, but with some restrictions.

Option 1: Memory card (microSD or NM Card)

  • 📱 Insert the card into the slot (on new models Honor a hybrid slot NM Cardis often used, which replaces the second SIM).
  • 🔧 Go to Settings → Memory → Default storage and select the SD card.
  • 📁 Transfer files:
    • Photo/video: open Gallery, select files → "Move" → specify the memory card.
    • Applications: in Settings → Applications tap on the app → "Storage" → "Change" (not all applications support transfer!).

Option 2: Cloud services

Service Free space Startup Features
Huawei Cloud 5 GB Yes (photos, videos, contacts) Integrated into EMUI/MagicOS, synchronizes notes and calendar
Google Photos 15 GB (shared with Gmail and Drive) Yes (customizable quality) Compresses photos up to 16 MP, videos up to 1080p in "High Quality"
Yandex Disk 10 GB Yes (via Wi-Fi only) Automatically uploads photos in original quality
Telegram (Saved Messages) Unlimited* No You can send files up to 2 GB in "Favorites"

⚠️ Attention: On Honor s MagicOS 7.0+ When transferring applications to an SD card, some of the data may remain in the internal memory. This is a limitation of Android - full transfer is only possible on some firmware with root access.

Huawei Cloud

Google Photos/Drive

Yandex Disk

Other cloud

I don’t use clouds

Local backups (PC/hard drive)-->

5. Removing system junk using Safe Mode

If your smartphone is very slow and standard cleaning does not help, try deleting unnecessary files in Safe Mode (safe mode). In this mode, all third-party applications are disabled, and you can delete what is usually blocked.

How to enter Safe Mode on Honor:

  1. Turn off your smartphone.
  2. Press the button power and hold it until the logo appears Honor.
  3. As soon as the logo appears, release the power button and immediately hold down the volume down button.
  4. Hold it until the smartphone boots up with the inscription "Safe Mode" at the bottom screen.

In safe mode:

  • 🛠️ Remove suspicious applications that are not removed normally (they can be a source of viruses or garbage).
  • 🧹 Clear the cache of system applications (for example, com.huawei.hidisk - manager files).
  • 🔍 Check the folder /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb —heavy game files may be there (for example, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile), which can be deleted if the games have not been used for a long time.

💡 Tip: If in Safe Mode the smartphone works noticeably faster, the problem is one of the installed applications. Uninstall recently installed apps or use ADB to uninstall system utilities (skills required).

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Safe Mode helps remove viruses and "uninstallable" applications, but does not clean up memory better than standard tools. Its main task is to diagnose problems.

6. Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If all the previous methods did not help, and there is less than 10% of free memory left, you will have to do hard reset. This will completely wipe the smartphone, return it to its out-of-the-box state and delete all user data. Use this method only if:

  • 📉 The smartphone slows down so that it is impossible to use it.
  • 🦠 There is a suspicion of a virus that cannot be removed in other ways.
  • 🔄 You plan to sell or transfer the device to another person.

How to do reset:

  1. Create a backup copy of important data (photos, contacts, messages) via Huawei Cloud or Google Account.
  2. Go to Settings → System and updates → Reset → Reset all settings.
  3. Select "Erase all data" and confirm the action (you may need to enter a pattern or password).
  4. Wait for the process to complete (takes 5–15 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: On models Honor with MagicOS 7.0+ after resetting, you may need to re-link your account Huawei ID. If you have forgotten your password, restore it before reset, otherwise you risk losing access to purchases in AppGallery and cloud data.

After reset:

  • 🔄 Do not restore data from a backup copy immediately - first check how a “clean” smartphone works.
  • 📥 Install applications gradually, monitoring the free space.
  • 🛡️ Disable auto-downloading of media in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).

7. Third-party applications for deep cleaning

If built-in tools Honor use specialized utilities. They can find hidden junk, optimize startup, and even compress unused files.

Top 3 proven ones. applications:

Application Functions Pros Cons
Files by Google Garbage cleaning, duplicate search, memory analysis Free, no advertising, integration with Google Drive Does not delete system application cache
CCleaner Deep cache cleaning, startup management Can clean APKresidues, optimizes RAM Aggressive advertising in the free version
SD Maid Search for "dead" files, clean databases Finds garbage that other utilities miss Complicated interface, requires root to complete functionality

💡 Tip: Before using third-party cleaners, check their reputation on 4PDA or XDA Developers. Some utilities (for example, Clean Master) are known for loading the system with advertising and collecting user data.

For models Honor with MagicOS it is better to avoid applications that require root access - this may disrupt the operation of proprietary functions like "GPU Turbo" or "Link Turbo" (network acceleration).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about clearing memory on Honor

Is it possible to clear memory on Honor without losing data?

Yes, the first 6 methods from this article (except reset to factory settings) do not affect user files. The main thing is not to delete folders DCIM, Pictures and Documents manually if you are not sure of their contents.

Why does the memory quickly fill up again after cleaning?

Basic reasons:

  • 📱 Automatic downloading of media in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
  • 🎮 Game cache (for example, PUBG Mobile or Free Fire can take 2-5 GB).
  • 📁 System logs and dumps (especially if the smartphone reboots frequently).

Solution: disable autoloading in the messenger settings and regularly clear the game cache.

How to clear the memory on Honor if it does not turn on?

If the smartphone does not respond to the power button:

  1. Connect it to the charger for 30 minutes - the battery may simply be dead.
  2. Hold power button + volume up for 10-15 seconds to force a reboot.
  3. If it doesn’t help, connect to a PC and use Huawei HiSuite for diagnostics (driver installation is required).

If the problem is full memory (and not a hardware fault), resetting to factory settings via Recovery Mode can help. To do this, hold down power + volume up with your phone turned off, then select Wipe data/factory reset.

What to do if, after cleaning, Honor still slows down?

If the memory is freed, but the lags remain, the problem may be:

  • 🔋 Worn out battery (check the status via ##2846579## → "Battery").
  • 🛠️ Damaged firmware (try updating the software via Settings → System → Software update).
  • 🦠 Virus (install Malwarebytes and scan the system).

On models with Kirin 980/990 (for example, Honor 20 Pro, Honor V30) the brakes may be due to overheating - check the temperature through AIDA64.

How to clear memory on Honor using PC?

Connect your smartphone to the computer via USB (select mode "Transfer files") and:

  1. Open "This computer" → find the device Honor.
  2. Go to the folders Internal storage → Download, DCIM, Movies and delete unnecessary files.
  3. For deep cleaning, use Huawei HiSuite (official utility) or ADB (for experienced users).

⚠️ Do not delete folders Android, Huawei or files with the extension .db —this may lead to failures.