Smartphones Huawei based on EMUI (or HarmonyOS for new models) begin to slow down over time due to full memory, background activity of applications and accumulated system garbage. Even devices with 128 GB or 256 GB storage may run out of space - especially if instant messengers, social networks or mobile games are actively used. In this article, we'll look at 7 proven methodshow to clean Android on Huawei, free up internal memory and return your smartphone to performance without a radical reset to factory settings.

It is important to understand: simply deleting unnecessary files is not enough. Performance is affected by application cacheduplicates of media files, residual data of uninstalled apps and even operating features EMUI (for example, a function Huawei Optimizerthat sometimes itself creates unnecessary temporary files). We will look at both standard cleaning tools and hidden functions that are not written about in official instructions. Let's start with the simplest - and gradually move on to deep optimization.

1. Built-in cleaning tools: Huawei Phone Manager and Storage Cleaner

The manufacturer has included several utilities for automatic cleaning. Their advantage is that they safely remove junk without affecting critical system files. The main tool is called EMUI/HarmonyOS several utilities for automatic cleaning. Their advantage is that they safely remove junk without affecting critical system files. The main tool is called Huawei Phone Manager (previously - Phone Clone), but for our task the section Cleaning in the settings is more important.

How to use it:

  • 📱 Open Settings → Memory → Cleaning (or Settings → System and updates → Memory cleaning on new versions).
  • 🧹 The system will automatically scan the device for the presence of unnecessary files (cache, temporary data, empty folders).
  • ✅ Press Clean - this will remove up to 1–3 GB garbage at a time (depending on the degree contamination).
  • 🔄 Repeat the procedure once a week, especially if you actively use the browser or social networks.

The second useful section is Storage (Settings → Memory → Storage). Here you can see detailed statistics on the occupied space, broken down by categories: applications, images, video, audio and other files. By clicking on any category, you will see largest files and can delete them manually. For example, here you often find:

  • 🎮 Game saves (can take 500 MB–2 GB per application).
  • 📸 Duplicate photos from messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp).
  • 🎥 Unwatched videos from the cache YouTube or TikTok.
⚠️ Attention: Built-in cleaning does not delete application data, that you use daily (for example, cache Google Maps or Instagram) They will require separate actions (see section 3).
📊 How often do you clear the memory on your smartphone?
Once every a week
Once a month
Only when space runs out
I never clear it

2. Manually clearing the application cache: what can be deleted and what can’t

Cache is temporary files that applications created to speed up work. Over time, they grow to gigantic sizes. For example, the cache Facebook can occupy 1–2 GB, A Google Play Services - up to 500 MBDeleting the cache is safe, but there are nuances:

How to clear the cache of individual applications:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Applications.
  2. Select a app (for example, Chrome or VK).
  3. Click Storage → Clear cache.
  4. For complete clearing, click Space management → Clear all data (but this will also delete your settings in the application!).

Which applications to clean first:

Application Typical cache size Is it possible to clear without consequences
Google Play Services 200–500 MB Yes, but it may temporarily slow down Google services
Facebook, Instagram 500 MB–1.5 GB Yes, but you will have to log in to your account again
YouTube, TikTok 300 MB–1 GB Yes, but videos will take longer to load on first viewing
Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) 100 MB–500 MB Yes, but media files from chats you will have to download again

Critical information: Never clear the cache of system applications with names com.huawei. or android. manually - this can lead to malfunctions of EMUI. For them, use only the built-in cleaning from the section Memory.

☑️ Checklist for clearing the cache

Done: 0 / 4

3. Removing unnecessary applications and “zombie files”

"Zombie files" are the remnants of deleted apps that continue to take up space. They appear when you delete an application, but its data remains in the /Android/data or /Android/obbfolders. called Huawei applications are often preinstalled that cannot be removed using standard means (the so-called bloatware).

How to find and remove unnecessary:

  • 🗑️ To remove pre-installed applications (for example, Huawei AppGallery, HiCare) use ADB (instructions below).
  • 🔍 To search for "zombie files", install a file manager with root access (for example, FX File Explorer) and check the folders: 
    /storage/emulated/0/Android/data

    /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb

    Delete folders with the names of applications you deleted.

  • 📦 To mass delete unnecessary APKs use CCleaner or Files by Google (they can find duplicates and large files).

Removing pre-installed applications via ADB:

  1. Enable Developer mode (click on Build number in Settings → About phone).
  2. Activate USB debugging in Developer settings.
  3. Connect the phone to the PC, open the command line and enter: 
    adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 package name

    For example, to delete Huawei Browser:

    adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.huawei.browser
⚠️ Attention: Removing system applications may disrupt operation EMUI. Before experiments, create a backup via Settings → System → Backup.
List of Huawei packages safe to delete

com.huawei.android.hsf (HiSpace)

com.huawei.appmarket (AppGallery)

com.huawei.himovie (Huawei Video)

com.huawei.music (Huawei Music)

com.huawei.gamebox (Game Center)

Do not delete: com.huawei.systemmanager, com.android.settings, any packages with "provider" or "service" in the name.

4. Optimizing media files: photos, videos and music

Media files are the main "devourer" of memory. One video in 4K can weigh 500 MB, and photos in the format RAW can weigh up to 20 MB each. data-i="184">there are built-in compression tools, but they are hidden deep in the menu. Huawei There are built-in compression tools, but they are hidden deep in the menu.

How to reduce the weight of photos and videos:

  • 📸 In the camera, switch to shooting in HEIF instead of JPEG (Camera Settings → Photo Format → High Efficiency). This reduces the weight of pictures by 30–50% without loss of quality.
  • 🎥 For video, select resolution Full HD (1080p) instead of 4Kif no need for professional photography.
  • 🗃️ Use Huawei Cloud or Google Photos for automatic backup and compression: 
    Settings → Huawei ID → Cloud → Photo/video backup

    Enable the option Storage optimization - this will replace the originals on the device with smaller copies.

Search and remove duplicates:

  • 🔍 There is a built-in search for duplicates: open the album, click Huawei Gallery there is a built-in search for duplicates: open the album, click ⋮ → Management → Search for duplicates.
  • 🤖 For automatic cleaning install Files by Google or Duplicate Files Fixer.

If you often shoot videos, pay attention to the folder DCIM/.thumbnails —thumbnails are stored here, which can take up to 1 GB. They can be safely deleted.

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Before deleting media files, check the folder Download —forgotten files from instant messengers and browsers often accumulate here, taking up to 5–10 GB.

5. Transferring data to a memory card or cloud

If the internal memory is full and you don’t want to delete anything, transfer the files to microSD or to the cloud. Huawei there are limitations: not all applications support transferring to a card, but you can move media files and documents.

How to transfer files to microSD:

  1. Insert a memory card (class A1/A2 or UHS-I is recommended for speed).
  2. Open Files (standard manager Huawei).
  3. Select files, click More → Move → Memory card.
  4. To automatically save new photos/videos to the card: 
    Camera settings → Save location → Memory card

Cloud storage:

  • 🌥️ Huawei Cloud gives 5 GB free (up to 50 GB when purchasing a device). Automatically backs up photos, contacts and notes.
  • ☁️ Google Drive (15 GB free) or Yandex Disk (10 GB) - convenient for documents.
  • 📁 To automatically upload photos to the cloud, use Google Photos (unlimited storage in compressed quality).
⚠️ Attention: When transferring applications to memory card they may work slower. Do not transfer games or instant messengers - only media files and documents.

6. Resetting the recovery and Dalvik-cache partition cache (for advanced)

If the smartphone becomes very slow even after cleaning, the problem may be in system cache, which accumulates in the recovery and Dalvikpartitions. Clearing it does not delete user data, but requires a reboot into recovery mode.

How to reset the cache via recovery:

  1. Turn off the phone.
  2. Hold Volume up + Power (on some models Huawei — Volume up + Volume down + Power).
  3. In the recovery menu, select Wipe cache partition (control volume buttons, selection - power button).
  4. After cleaning, select Reboot system now.

This procedure removes:

  • 🗑️ Temporary update files.
  • 🔄 Dalvik cache (speeds up the first launch of applications after reboot).
  • 📱 Residual data from old firmware versions.

Important: Do not confuse Wipe cache partition with Wipe data/factory reset —the second option will erase EVERYTHING from the phone!

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Cleaning cache recovery does not delete your files or applications, but can solve problems with brakes after updating EMUI.

7. Radical measures: reset to factory settings

If nothing helps, and the smartphone has turned into a “brick” - it remains full resetThis will delete everything, including applications, settings and files. will return the device to a “clean” state. Huawei there are two ways to reset:

Method 1. Through settings:

  1. Make a backup (see section 5).
  2. Go to Settings → System → Reset → Reset all settings.
  3. Enter the password and confirm the action.

Method 2. Through recovery (if the phone does not turn on):

  1. Hold Volume up + Power to enter recovery.
  2. Select Wipe data/factory reset.
  3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After reset:

  • 🔄 Restore data from a backup.
  • 🚫 Do not install all applications at once - add them gradually, monitoring performance.
  • 🛡️ Disable automatic downloading of media files in instant messengers (Chat settings → Autoload media).
⚠️ Attention: On new models Huawei (with HarmonyOS 3.0+), resetting may require entering the password from the previous account Huawei ID. it!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about clearing memory on Huawei

🔹 Why does the memory quickly fill up again after cleaning?

This happens due to:

  • Automatic downloading of media files in messengers (disable in settings WhatsApp/Telegram).
  • Streaming services cache (YouTube, TikTok — limit background activity in the battery settings).
  • System logs and dumps (check the folder /sdcard/Log).

Solution: set a limit on background activity for "gluttonous" applications in Settings → Battery → Launch applications.

🔹 Is it possible to clear the memory without losing data?

Yes, if you use:

  • Built-in cleaning (Settings → Memory → Cleaning).
  • Manually clearing the application cache (see section 2).
  • Transfer files to a memory card or the cloud (section 5).

Avoid resetting to factory settings - this is an extreme option measure.

🔹 Why is there little free memory on Huawei, although I haven’t installed anything?

Culprits:

  • Pre-installed applications (Huawei Mobile Services, Petal Search take up to 3–5 GB).
  • System updates (folder /cache can grow to 1 GB).
  • Hidden firmware files (folder /sdcard/HWBackup or /sdcard/Download).

Use Files by Google to search for large files or remove unnecessary system applications through ADB (see section 3).

🔹 How to clear memory on Huawei with HarmonyOS?

Q HarmonyOS The process is similar EMUI, but with changes:

  • Cleaning: Settings → Storage → Cleaning.
  • Application cache: Settings → Applications → [Select application] → Storage → Clear cache.
  • Additionally: HarmonyOS there is a function Mental cleaning (Settings → Battery → Mental acceleration) that optimizes background processes.
🔹 What to do if after cleaning the phone still slows down?

The problem may not be in the memory, but in:

  • Background activity of applications (check in Settings → Battery → Launching applications).
  • Overheating (use CPU Monitor for diagnostics).
  • Damaged firmware (try update EMUI/HarmonyOS manually via HiSuite).

If the brakes appeared after the update, reset the recovery cache (section 6).