Cleaning memory on Xiaomi Redmi 5A: a complete guide to free up space

Xiaomi Redmi 5A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its modest ones 16 GB of internal memory quickly become clogged with garbage. Even after deleting applications, the system may show that the space is occupied by “unknown files”. In this article we will look at 7 proven methods memory cleaning Redmi 5A —from basic to advanced, including working with cache, duplicates and hidden data MIUI.

Feature of this device - outdated version of Android 7.1.2 with a shell MIUI 9/10where many modern optimization methods do not work. We will take into account all the nuances: from manual cleaning through Settings to using ADB to remove system garbage. We will also look at why memory is not freed after deleting files and how to fix it.

Important: Redmi 5A does not support memory cards microSD as an internal drive (function Adoptable Storage is disabled in the firmware). All methods below are focused specifically on cleaning internal memoryand not transferring data.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly is taking up memory?

Before clearing, you need to understand what files take up space. There are built-in tools and third-party utilities for this. Let's start with standard tools: Redmi 5A There are built-in tools and third-party utilities for this. Let's start with standard tools:

• 📊 Built-in memory analyzer: go to Settings → Device memory. The categories of busy data (apps, images, videos, etc.) are shown here. Click on each category to see details.
• 🔍 MIUI File Manager: open the application Files, go to the section Analysis. Here you can see which folders take up the most space (often it is DCIM, Downloads or Android/data).
• 🛠️ Third-party utilities: if the built-in tools are not enough, install Files by Google or SD Maid (available in Play Market) They will show hidden files and duplicates.

Pay attention to the category "Other" in the memory analyzer Often under it. hiding:

• 🗑️ Residual files of deleted applications (folder /Android/obb)
• 📁 System application cache (for example, MIUI Gallery or Mi Video)
• 📄 Logs and dumps system (folders /data/log or /data/tombstones)

⚠️ Attention: If more than 3-4 GBare occupied in the "Other" category, this is a sign of system garbage. It cannot be removed using standard methods - manual cleaning will be required (see section 5).

2. Clearing the application and system cache

Cache - temporary files that are created by applications to speed up work. The cache can take up Redmi 5A cache may take up up to 1-2 GB, especially if you actively use social networks, instant messengers or games. ways:

Method 1: Clearing the cache for individual applications

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Select an application (for example, Facebook or YouTube).
3. Click Storage → Clear cache.
4. For complete clearing, click Space management → Clear all data (this will also delete application settings!).

Method 2: Mass clear cache of all applications

1. Open Settings → Device memory.
2. Click Clear in the Cache section (usually the button at the bottom of the screen).
3. Confirm the action. This will delete the cache. all applications, except for system ones.

To clear system cache (for example, cache MIUI Launcher or Google Services) you will need recovery mode:

Turn off the phone|Hold down Volume up + Power|Select Wipe Cache Partition (volume button control)|Confirm cleaning|Reboot the device (Reboot System)

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⚠️ Attention: Clearing the cache Google Play Services or MIUI System may lead to temporary disruptions in the operation of Google services or the shell. After cleaning, restart the phone.

If memory quickly fills up again after clearing the cache, the problem may be automatic data recovery. For example, Facebook or Instagram immediately after startup, download media files to the cache. Solution:

• 📵 Limit background app activity in Settings → Battery and performance → Battery management.
• 🚫 Disable auto-downloading media in messenger settings (for example, in WhatsApp: Settings → Data and storage → Autoload media).

3. Removing unnecessary applications and their remnants

There are many system applications preinstalled Redmi 5A many system applications are preinstalled MIUI and Googlethat cannot be removed by standard ones methods. However, some of them can disable, and the remains of deleted apps can be cleared manually.

Step 1: Removing user applications

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Select an unnecessary application (for example, Mi Drop or Mi Community).
3. Click Delete. If there is no button, press Disable (this hides the application and stops its operation).

Step 2: Clearing the remains of deleted applications

After deleting applications, files often remain in the folders:

• 📁 /Android/obb —game cache files (can be deleted manually).
• 📁 /Android/data — application data (delete folders with the names of deleted apps).
• 📁 /DCIM/.thumbnails — image thumbnails (you can safely clear them).

To access these folders, use MIUI File Manager or Total CommanderTo see hidden files, turn on. option Show hidden files in the manager settings.

Step 3: Removing pre-installed applications (requires root)

If you there root access, you can remove system applications via Titanium Backup or ADB. For example, to remove Mi Music:

adb shell
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.player

⚠️ Attention: Removing system applications without root can lead to cyclic reboot phone. Before experiments, make a backup via Settings → Advanced → Backup and reset.

List safe to remove system applications on Redmi 5A

Can be removed (non-critical for the system):

- Mi Drop (com.xiaomi.midrop)

- Mi Community (com.xiaomi.forum)

- Mi Music (com.miui.player)

- Mi Video (com.miui.videoplayer)

- Browser (com.android.browser)

Deleting is DANGEROUS (can break the system):

- MIUI System (com.miui.system)

- Google Play Services (com.google.android.gms)

- Settings (com.android.settings)

4. Storage optimization: transferring files and using the cloud

On Redmi 5A It is impossible to expand the internal memory using microSD (the function Adoptable Storage is disabled in the firmware), but you can transfer some files to a memory card or to the cloud.

Transfer files to microSD

• 📸 Photos and videos: in the application Gallery select files → More → Move → Memory card.
• 🎵 Music and documents: use File manager to manually transfer to a folder /storage/XXXX-XXXX/DCIM or Downloads on a card.
• 📱 Applications: transfer is possible only for some apps (in Settings → Applications → [select application] → Storage → Edit → Memory card).

Limitations:

• ❌ System applications cannot be transferred.
• ❌ Some games (for example, PUBG Mobile) do not work from the memory card.
• ❌ After transferring applications may slow down (cards microSD classes UHS-I work slower than internal memory).

Using cloud storage

To automatically download photos and videos:

• 🌥️ Google Photos: enable Backup and synchronization in the application settings Photos will be displayed. download in original quality (takes up space in Google Drive) or in compressed form (free).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: in Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud turn on synchronization for Galleries i Notes. Free of charge 5 GB.

To free up space after uploading to the cloud:

1. B Google Photos click on the avatar → Free up space (will delete local copies of already uploaded photos).
2. In Mi Cloud there is no manual cleaning - delete files manually through Gallery.

5. Manual cleaning of hidden folders and system garbage

On Redmi 5A accumulate over time hidden files, which are not visible in the standard file manager, but take up gigabytes of memory. They can be found and deleted manually.

Which folders can be cleaned?

Folder	Path	What is stored	Can it be deleted?
.thumbnails	/DCIM/.thumbnails	Image and video thumbnails	✅ Yes (will be restored automatically)
log	/data/log or /sdcard/log	System and application logs	✅ Yes (if there are no errors in operation)
tombstones	/data/tombstones	Memory dumps during crashes	✅ Yes (if the phone is stable)
MIUI	/MIUI/debug_log	Shell debugging logs	✅ Yes
Android/obb	/Android/obb	Game cache (for example, PUBG or Free Fire)	⚠️ Partially (delete game folders that you do not use)

How to access hidden folders?

1. Install File manager with root support (for example, Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
3. Go to the root directory (/) and find the folders from the table above.
4. Delete unnecessary files (make a backup copy first!).

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete files in the /system, /data/app or /data/data folders without understanding their purpose. This may lead to loss of functionality or loop reboot phone.

If you don’t want to take risks, use the utility SD Maid (requires root). It automatically finds:

• 🗑️ Residual files of deleted applications.
• 🔄 Duplicate photos and documents.
• 📂 Empty folders.
• 🗃️ Cache and temporary files.

6. Resetting to factory settings: when is it necessary?

If after all the manipulations the memory is still full of “unknown files”, the last option is full reset (Hard Reset). initial state. all data, including applications, photos and settings, but will return the phone to its original state.

How to reset?

1. Create a backup copy of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → Advanced → Backup and reset → Reset settings.
3. Select Erase all data and confirm.
4. After reboot, the phone will like new.

Alternative method (if the phone does not turn on):

1. Turn off Redmi 5A.
2. Hold Volume up + Power until the logo appears Mi.
3. In the menu Recovery select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (volume button control).
4. Confirm the reset and reboot the phone (Reboot System).

⚠️ Attention: After the reset Redmi 5A may require input account Mithat was linked earlier. If you have forgotten the data, it will be difficult to unlock the phone - you will need to contact support Xiaomi.

Resetting helps in the following cases:

• 🔄 The phone constantly shows “Memory full”, although you haven’t done anything. installed.
• 🐢 The system is very slow, applications close spontaneously.
• 📱 Errors have appeared MIUI (for example, settings do not open).

7. Additional tips for optimizing memory

To make the memory fill up more slowly, follow these recommendations: Redmi 5A clogged more slowly, follow these recommendations:

• 📥 Limit downloads: in Chrome or Mi Browser change the download folder on the memory card (Settings → Downloads → Download folder).
• 🎮 Games on the memory card: if the game supports transfer (for example, Clash of Clans), use this option in the application settings.
• 📧 Clean up your mail: in Gmail or Mi Mail regularly delete old emails with attachments (they take up space in memory).
• 🔄 Update the firmware: sometimes new versions MIUI fix junk bugs. Check for updates in Settings → About phone → Update systems.
• 🛡️ Use easy alternatives: instead of Facebook install Facebook Lite, instead of Google Chrome — Opera Mini.

For automatic cleaning:

• 🤖 Turn on Auto Clean in Security (Settings → Security → Cleaning).
• 📅 Set up a weekly clearing the cache in Google Files (Settings → Cleaning → Reminders).

On Redmi 5A with MIUI 9/10 there is a hidden "Deep Clean" function that removes system junk. To activate it, enter the code in the "Phone" application. ##4636##, go to "Testing" → "Usage statistics" → click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Deep Clean".

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about clearing memory on Redmi 5A

Why is the memory not freed after deleting files?

This is due to the peculiarities of the file system F2FSthat is used Redmi 5A. Deleted files are marked as free, but are not physically cleared until the reboot. Solutions:

1. Reboot the phone.
2. Use the command fstrim through ADB:

   adb shell fstrim -v /data

3. If that doesn't help, check the folder /data/lost+found ("lost" files go there after failures).

Is it possible to increase the internal memory using microSD?

On Redmi 5A officially there is no function Adoptable Storage (combining a memory card with an internal drive). However, there is a workaround:

1. Install custom recovery (TWRP).
2. Flash the patch Adoptable Storage Enabler (available on the forums XDA).
3. In Settings → Storage the option to format the card as internal memory will appear.

⚠️ Risks: after this the card will only work on this phone, and the read/write speed will decrease.

How to clear memory if the phone does not turn on?

If Redmi 5A does not load, but responds to buttons:

1. Hold Volume up + Power to enter Recovery.
2. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (clears the cache).
3. If you need to erase all data, select Wipe All Data.

If the phone does not respond, connect it to the PC and use Mi Flash Tool to flash it (this will delete all data!).

Which applications are the most occupy memory on Redmi 5A?

Top 5 "gluttonous" applications (according to users):

1. Facebook (cache + data up to 1-2 GB).
2. WhatsApp (media files in /WhatsApp/Media).
3. PUBG Mobile or Free Fire (files in /Android/obb up to 1.5 GB).
4. Google Play Services (cache up to 500 MB).
5. MIUI Gallery (thumbnails and cache up to 300-700 MB).

Regularly clear the cache of these applications or limit their background activity.

Why did the memory begin to fill up faster after the MIUI update?

Updates MIUI often add new system applications and services that:

• Create additional logs (/MIUI/debug_log).
• Cache data to speed up work (for example, MIUI Optimization).
• Add new folders to /data/data.

Solution: after updating, perform full cache clearing via Recovery and delete the folder /MIUI/debug_log manually.