Memory Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 3S: From Cache to Deep Optimization

Xiaomi Redmi 3S, with its modest 16GB of internal memory (of which about 10-12GB is available to the user), is still a popular device due to its reliability and low price. However, over time, even the most thrifty user faces a problem: the system writes “Not enough memory”, applications are slowed down, and photos cease to be saved. Unlike modern flagships, where 128+GB is the standard, every megabyte counts.

In this article, we will discuss 7 working methods of memory cleaning Redmi 3S, from basic (removal of cache and debris) to advanced (transfer of applications to the SD-map and hidden functions MIUI). We will pay special attention to the nuances related to Android 6.0 Marshmallow and shell MIUI 8/9, You'll learn how to make space without losing data, which files can be safely deleted, and which ones should not be touched, even if they take up gigabytes.

1.Diagnostics: What exactly is taking up memory on the Redmi 3S?

Before you start cleaning, you need to understand which files are eating up precious space. Redmi 3S with MIUI has a built-in memory analyzer, but it doesn't always show the full picture. Here's how to check in detail:

Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory. Here you will see a graph of the allocation of memory into categories: System, Applications, Photos and Video, Audio, Cash and Other. Note the Others section, which often hides temporary files, logs and remnants of remote applications that can be safely deleted.

• 📱 System files: take 3-5 GB and can not be deleted without root rights. These are firmware, Android kernel and preinstalled services Xiaomi.
• 📸 Photos and videos: even in compressed format, they take up a lot of space. One video in Full HD (1080p) Weighs 100-300MB and photos from Redmi camera 3S (13 MP – 3-5 MB each.
• 🎵 Audio: music in format MP3 (3-10 MB per track) and voice messages from instant messengers (such as WhatsApp or Telegram).
• 🗑️ Cache and garbage: temporary application files, thumbnails, error logs. Can take anywhere from 500 MB to 2+ GB.

For more detailed analysis, use third-party utilities such as Files by Google or SD Maid to show hidden folders, duplicate files and large files that have not been used for a long time. For example, the /Android/data folder often contains gigabytes of cache from games (PUBG Mobile, Free Fire) or social networks (TikTok, Instagram).

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete files from folders /system, /efs or /data/data It can lead to a system crash and the need to flash it.

2. Clearing cache and temporary files

The fastest way to free up 500MB-1.5GB is to remove the app cache and system debris, which can be done manually or with built-in MIUI tools on Redmi 3S.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Select an app (such as YouTube or Facebook).
3. Click Clear Cache. For some applications (like Google Play Services), the button may be inactive - that's OK.

Method 2: Mass cleaning of the cache

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Click on "Clean up garbage." The system will scan the device and show how much space can be vacated.
3. Check all points (cache, temporary files, thumbnails) and confirm the cleanup.

Method 3: Delete thumbnail files

The.thumbnails folder at the root of internal memory stores thumbnails of photos and videos that can weigh hundreds of megabytes to clear it:

1. Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager).
2. Enable the display of hidden files (in Mi File Manager: Settings → Show hidden files).
3. Delete the.thumbnails and DCIM/.thumbnails folder.

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After cleaning the cache, some applications (such as cards or messengers) will take longer to load on the first run.

3. Transfer of files and applications to SD-map

Xiaomi Redmi 3S supports microSD cards up to 256 GB, but not all files can be transferred to an external drive without additional manipulation.

Transfer of media files (photos, videos, music)

• 📷 Use Google Photos to automatically upload photos to the cloud and delete them from your device (settings) → «Make room»).
• 🎵 Move the music manually: open Mi File Manager, select the Music folder, click Cut, then go to SD-paste.
• 🎬 For video, use the Files by Google app – it automatically finds large files and suggests moving them.

Transfer of applications to SD-map

Android 6.0 has Adoptable Storage feature that allows you to “tether» SD-The card is part of the internal memory, but on the Redmi. 3S It's a limited-minded business:

1. Put it in. SD-card (preferably class 10 or UHS-I speed).
2. When a notification appears, click “Configure” → “Inner memory”.
3. Follow the instructions (the map will be formatted!).
4. After that, in Settings → Applications, some programs will have a button “Move to SD”.

⚠️ Note: After formatting SD-As internal memory, it will not be read on other devices (for example, on a PC through a card reader), and not all applications support portability - for example, WhatsApp, Telegram and most games refuse to work with the computer. SD.

4. Removal of unnecessary applications and their residues

Many Redmi 3S users install dozens of apps that they stop using but don’t delete over time, and even worse, even after uninstallation, they often leave files in /Android/obb and /Android/data folders behind.

How to find and remove unnecessary applications:

1. Open Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Sort the list by size (click on the three dots in the top right corner → “Sort → By size”).
3. Remove the software you don't use. Pay attention to the software you don't use: 🎮 Games (e.g., games, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty can weigh 1-2 GB). 📺 Video players with downloaded movies (for example, MX Player or VLC). 📊 Cache-based social media (e.g. Facebook or TikTok) can accumulate up to 500MB of trash).

Removing Remnants of Remote Applications

After uninstallation, check the following folders (via Mi File Manager or Files by Google):

• /Android/obb – additional game data is stored here (may weigh several gigabytes).
• /Android/data – cache and application settings.
• /Download — Uploaded files that are not needed for a long time.

Delete folders with the names of the remote applications. For example, if you delete Clash of Clans, you can safely delete the folder /Android/obb/com.supercell.clashofclans.

5. Optimization of system processes and background tasks

On Redmi 3S with its 2GB of RAM, background processes can not only slow down the system, but also create temporary files that take up gigabytes over time.

Limitation of background activity

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Select App Selection and turn off background activity for unnecessary programs (such as games or rarely used instant messengers).

Disabling the autoloading of applications

Many apps (especially Chinese ones) are added to the autoload and run when the phone is turned on.

1. Install Autostarts (root rights required) or use the built-in MIUI settings:
2. Go to Settings → Permissions → Autostart.
3. Turn off auto-start for unnecessary applications.

Cleaning the system logs

Logcats can take up hundreds of megabytes, and can be deleted by SD Maid (System Files) or manually:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Additional → For developers → USB debugging).
2. In the PC command line, run: adb shell su rm -rf /data/log/* rm -rf /data/tombstones/* rm -rf /data/anr/*

⚠️ Note: Deleting root-free logs may cause some system functions (e.g., error reports) to fail.

6. Factory reset: when is it necessary?

If all previous methods failed and the Redmi 3S has less than 1GB of free space, hard reset is a radical method that removes all data, including apps, photos and settings, returning the phone to the “out of the box” state.

When to do the reset:

• 🔄 The phone is severely braked, and cleaning the cache does not help.
• 📱 Memory is clogged with unknown files (for example, after a virus attack).
• 🔧 You plan to sell or transfer your phone to another person.

How to reset to Redmi 3S:

1. Save all important data (photos, contacts, messages) on your PC or in the cloud.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select “Reset” → “Erase all data”.
4. Confirm the action (a password may be required).

Once reset, the phone will restart and start setting up from scratch. Do not restore data from the backup if the goal is to free up memory: the copy may contain the same unnecessary files.

7 Hidden MIUI features to save memory

MIUI has a few little-known features that help optimize memory on the Redmi 3S. They’re not as obvious as standard cleaning tools, but can save you hundreds of megabytes.

Light mode function

This mode turns off animations, reduces memory consumption and limits background processes:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Light Mode.
2. Turn on the option. The phone will be less "beautiful" but more responsive.

Cleaning up duplicate files

MIUI has a built-in tool for finding duplicate photos and videos:

1. Open the Gallery → click on the three dots in the upper right corner → “Management”.
2. Select "Dublicates." The system scans the media files and suggests removing the duplicates.

Disabling the preloading of applications

MIUI by default downloads some apps (Mi Video, Mi Music) in the background to disable it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Mi Video) → “Outstart” → disable all options.

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Regular memory cleaning on Redmi 3S should become a habit: every 1-2 weeks, delete the cache, once a month check large files and remnants of deleted applications, this will help to avoid a situation where the phone suddenly stops working due to lack of space.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleaning on Redmi 3S