Memory Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 3S: A Complete Ownership Guide

The Xiaomi Redmi 3S, released in 2016, is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliability and maintainability. However, over time, even 16 GB of internal memory (or 32 GB in the Prime version) begin to get clogged with unnecessary files, app cache and update debris. If your Redmi 3S slows down, issues a notification “Not enough memory” or can not install new applications, it’s time for a general cleaning.

In this article, you will find 7 working methods for cleaning memory, adapted specifically for the Redmi 3S, taking into account its hardware limitations (Snapdragon 430 processor, 2/3 GB of RAM and eMMC 5.0 drive). We will analyze both standard MIUI tools and hidden functions that are not written about in the official instructions. Importantly, some methods require superuser rights (root), but most methods work without them.

Before you start, check how much memory is occupied: go to Settings → About Phone → Memory. If less than 1 GB is free, the smartphone begins to actively use the swap file, which leads to lags and overheating. Our goal is to free up at least 2-3 GB for comfortable work.

1. Removal of application cache and system debris

Cache is a temporary file that applications create to speed up work. Over time, they accumulate and can take up to 500 MB-1 GB on Redmi 3S. Cache cleaning is safe: applications will simply create new files the next time they run.

How to clean the cache of all applications at once:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes.
• 🔍 Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Sort by size.
• 🧹 Scroll down to System Apps and click Clear Cache for Everyone (especially for Google Play Services, MIUI System and Browser).
• 🚀 For mass cleaning, use the built-in tool: Settings → Memory. → Clear (button at the bottom of the screen).

For deep cleaning of system debris (update residues, error logs), Files by Google (free in Play Market) can be used to find up to 1.2 GB of unnecessary files that the standard MIUI manager does not see:

• 📁 Launch the application and go to the Cleanup tab.
• 🗑️ Click Delete Unnecessary Files (includes cache, duplicates, empty folders).
• ⚠️ Do not delete files from the Downloads section manually – there may be important documents.

⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the cache for Galery and Music apps – this will remove the thumbnails of photos and album covers, and they will be loaded again the next time you open them.

Data transfer to SD-map (including annexes)

Redmi 3S supports microSD cards up to 256 GB, but by default, the applications are installed in internal memory.

Method 1 (without root):

1. Insert a memory card (class 10 or UHS-I is recommended for speed).
2. Go to Settings → Memory → SD card.
3. Click Format as Internal Memory (⚠️ All data on the map will be deleted!).
4. After formatting, select Transfer Data.

Method 2 (with root rights):

• 🛠️ Install. App2SD Play Market.
• 🔧 In the application settings, enable Force Move option.
• 📲 Select applications for portability (not everyone supports this feature).

⚠️ Note: If you are formatting SD-The card is like internal memory, it can't be retrieved without losing data, and the speed of applications from the card will be slower than from internal memory (especially noticeable on cheap cards of class 4-6).

Buy a Class 10 memory card or UHS-I|Make a backup copy of data from the card|Formatting via phone, not on PC|Check the speed of the recording (should be ≥10 MB/s)-->

3. Remove unnecessary applications and disable system

Redmi 3S has a lot of MIUI and Google system applications that can’t be removed by standard means, but you can turn them off, freeing up to 300-500 MB of memory and reducing background activity.

List of safe applications to disable (do not affect system stability):

• 🎵 Music (if you use it) Spotify/YouTube Music)
• 📺 Mi Video (replace by Mi Video) VLC or MX Player)
• 📰 Mi Browser (install Chrome or Firefox)
• 📡 Mi Remote (if you don't use the remote)
• 💼 Mi Pay (not working in Russia and most CIS countries)
• 🎮 Games (Xiaomi Games Center, consumes resources in the background)

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Select the app from the list above.
3. Click Disable (the button will become active after clicking on Remove Updates, if any).

Use Titanium Backup or System App Remover, but be careful: removing critical components (such as MIUI System or Google Play Services) will result in a bootloop.

4. Cleaning Dalvik cache and system optimization

Dalvik cache is a temporary file created by the Android virtual machine to speed up the launch of applications. On Redmi 3S with limited memory, this cache can take up to 500 MB-1 GB, especially after MIUI updates.

Method 1 (through recovery):

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Dalvik Cache (Manage volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
4. Reboot the device (Reboot).

Method 2 (with root rights):

• 🛠️ Install. SD Maid from Play Market.
• 🧹 Start the scan in the SystemCleaner section.
• 🗑️ Mark Dalvik Cache and press Run.

After cleaning the Dalvik cache, the first launch of applications may take longer - this is normal. ART-cache (in new versions of Android replaces Dalvik), but this requires root and a team:

su


rm -r /data/dalvik-cache/*




reboot

⚠️ Warning: If after cleaning the Dalvik cache, the phone is stuck on the logo MI longer than 10 minutes, reset via Recovery (Wipe Data), which is rare but possible on custom firmware.

💡

After cleaning the Dalvik cache, run the Greenify app (requires root) and freeze unnecessary background processes, which will reduce the load on the Snapdragon 430 processor and extend battery life by 15-20%.

5. Use of cloud storage and backups

If Redmi 3S has little space left, but you don’t want to delete photos or documents, move them to the cloud. MIUI has built-in integration with Mi Cloud, but it’s limited to 5GB.

• ☁️ Google Photos: Unlimited storage of compressed photos (up to 16 MP) and videos (up to 16 MP) 1080p). Set up autoboot in Settings → Backup.
• ☁️ Yandex Drive: 10 GB free, there is an automatic photo download (Settings) → Autoboot).
• ☁️ Mega: 20GB free, data encryption.

How to set up autoload in Google Photos:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Open Settings → Backup and Synchronization.
3. Turn on the switch and select High Quality (free compression).
4. Click Start backup.

Once files are uploaded to the cloud, they can be deleted from your phone:

1. Open the Gallery or the Files.
2. Select unnecessary files (long-term press → tick mark).
3. Click Delete and confirm.

⚠️ Note: When using Mi Cloud on Redmi 3S Turn off Notes and Bookmarks sync if you don't use these features, and they take up space in the cloud and put background load on the processor.

6. reset to factory settings (hard reset)

If all previous methods failed and the Redmi 3S has less than 1 GB of free memory, do a full reset. This will delete all data, but return the phone to a "clean" state, as after purchase. Be sure to back up your contacts, photos and messages!

Method 1 (via settings):

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
2. Select Settings Reset.
3. Check the box Clear internal memory (optional if you want to delete all files).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (takes 5-10 minutes).

Method 2 (through recovery):

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
3. Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm and wait for completion.

After discharge:

• 🔄 Do not restore data from backup MIUI — It may contain garbage. You'd better move the files manually.
• 📱 Don't install all apps at once. Add only the necessary ones (messaging, social media, banking).
• 🔧 Turn off auto-update apps in the Play Market → Settings.

💡

Factory reset on Redmi 3S solves 90% of memory and performance problems, but requires re-configuring the phone. Use this method last when other methods have failed.

7.Memory optimization for games and heavy applications

Redmi 3S With its 2–3 GB of RAM and Snapdragon 430 processor, it is not designed for modern games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile. PUBG Mobile or Free Fire can be optimized:

• 🎮 Install Game Turbo (built-in app) MIUI): It closes the background processes during the game.
• 🔧 In the game settings, select Graphics: Balanced and Frame: Average.
• 🗑️ Clear the game cache after each session: Settings → Annexes → [play-name] → Clear the cache.
• ⚡ Use L Speed (requires root) to optimize the CPU core for games.

For additional acceleration:

1. Turn off the interface animation: activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone), then in Settings → Additional → For developers, install:
2. Install Greenify and “freeze” apps that are not needed while playing (e.g. Facebook, Instagram).

⚠️ Note: Do not use "memory boosters" such as Clean Master or DU Speed Booster - they consume more resources than they free up. 3S This can cause overheating and accelerated battery discharge.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleaning on Redmi 3S