How to completely clean internal memory on Xiaomi Redmi 5A: from cache to reset settings

Xiaomi Redmi 5A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its main drawback is only 16 GB of internal memory (in the basic version). Over time, even this modest amount is clogged with photos, apps and system debris, and the phone begins to slow down, give out “Insufficient memory” errors and spontaneously close programs. In this article, we will discuss 7 working ways to clean the memory on the Redmi 5A – from simple (cache removal) to radical (reset to factory settings).

The feature of this model is the lack of a microSD slot in some versions (for example, in the version with 2 GB of RAM). Even if you have memory card support, porting applications to SD often does not work properly due to the limitations of MIUI. So we will focus on methods that are guaranteed to work on any Redmi 5A, regardless of the firmware version.

Before you start, check what exactly takes up space: go to Settings → Memory. If the System or Other partition takes up more than 5-6 GB, this is an excuse for deep cleaning. If the bulk goes to Apps or Media, surface methods will suffice.

1. Delete cache and unnecessary files through settings

The safest way to free up 1-3GB of storage is to clear the app cache and system debris. On Redmi 5A, it's done in a few clicks:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Tap the Cache section (or Garbage Files in newer versions of MIUI).
3. Click “Clear” and confirm the action.

For deeper cleaning:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
• 🔍 Sort the list by size (click on the three dots in the upper right corner).
• 🧹 Select the heaviest apps (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) and click Clear Cache for each.
• 🗑️ In the Storage section of these same apps, check for unnecessary data (e.g. uploaded videos to Telegram or offline maps to Google Maps).

Note: The cache of Google Play Services and MIUI System can weigh up to 500-800MB. It can also be cleaned, but after that, the first launches of applications will be slower – the system will recover temporary files.

Data transfer to SD-card (if supported)

If your Redmi 5A is equipped with a microSD slot (a version with 3 GB of RAM), you can transfer some files to an external drive.

• 📸 Photos and Videos: Use the built-in Gallery app – highlight files → «More» → «Move it» → choose SD-map.
• 🎵 Music and documents: Move folders manually through any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager.
• 📱 Annexes: MIUI You can only transfer a portion of the software. → Annexes → Select the application → Warehouse → Change. → SD-map.

Important: Redmi 5A System applications cannot be ported (e.g. Google Play, MIUI Launcher or games with OBB-files (e.g., Genshin Impact, PUBG). Also, after the transfer, some programs may run slower or give errors.

⚠️ Note: If, after transferring the application to SD-It's gone, put it back in internal memory. Some programs (like WhatsApp) don't support external storage.

3. Cleaning “Other” files (hidden garbage)

The Other partition in memory settings often takes 3 to 5 GB, but not everyone knows how to clean it up: temporary files, system logs, remnants of deleted applications and a cache of updates.

Delete the folder.thumbnails in DCIM|Clean the Download folder|Remove the old ones APK-file|Clear the cache of Google Play Services-->

Detailed instructions:

1. Install a file manager with access to system folders (e.g. FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
3. Go to the root folder of internal memory and delete: folder.thumbnails (miniature photos / videos); folder Download (if there are no files); files with the extension.apk (installer residues); folder Android/obb (game cache if games are deleted).

Android/data

For advanced users: you can use ADB for deep cleaning. Connect your phone to your PC, enable USB debugging (Settings → About Phone → 7 times click on MIUI → Developer → USB debugging) and execute the command:

adb shell pm trim-caches 1000G

This command will forcefully clear the cache of all applications.

4. Removal of pre-installed applications (bloatwer)

Xiaomi is known for downloading its smartphones with unnecessary system applications (called a bloatver). On the Redmi 5A, it can be Mi Video, Mi Music, Browser, Cleaner, and others. These cannot be removed by standard means, but can be disabled or uninstalled through ADB.

Method 1: Disconnect (without root rights):

• Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
• Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Drop).
• Click "Disable" (if the button is active).

Method 2: Complete removal (ADB required):

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable debugging via USB.
2. Enter the command to view the list of packages: adb shell pm list packages | grep 'miui'
3. Remove unnecessary package (e.g. Mi Video): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer

List of safe packets to remove on Redmi 5A:

• 🎬 com.miui.videoplayer — Mi Video
• 🎵 com.miui.player — Mi Music
• 🌐 com.android.browser – Standard browser
• 🧹 com.miui.cleanmaster – Cleaner (can be replaced by CCleaner)

⚠️ Note: Do not delete packages with the names com.android, com.google or com.qualcomm - this may cause your phone to fail. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

5. Use of cloud storage and external storage

If the internal memory is filled with photos or documents, but transferring to the SD-The card is not possible (or not), use cloud services:

• ☁️ Google Photos: automatically uploads photos/videos to the cloud and allows you to delete them from your phone. Enable "Free space" in the app settings.
• 📁 Mi Cloud: Xiaomi has its own cloud (5GB for free) Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
• 💾 OTG-storage: if you have USB-plug-in USB-C/OTG, Connect it to your phone and transfer files via Mi File Manager.

For automatic synchronization:

1. Install Google Photos and enable autoload (Settings → Backup and Sync).
2. In Mi Cloud, activate sync for Gallery, Notes and Contacts.
3. Use the Files by Google app to find and remove duplicate files.

💡

If you take a lot of pictures in RAW format, turn on the compression “High quality” in Google Photos – this will reduce the weight of the photo 3-4 times without noticeable loss of quality.

6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of the methods worked, and the phone still makes errors about the memory shortage, then a complete reset will be left, which will delete all data, including apps, photos and accounts, so first:

Make a backup copy of contacts|Save photos/videos on PC or cloud|Record logins/passwords from accounts|Get out. SD-card (if any)-->

Resetting instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase all data” (if you want to clean and SD-map, mark the corresponding item).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• 🔄 Do not restore backup via Mi Cloud – it will return junk files.
• 📥 Install only the necessary applications.
• 🔧 Turn off auto-update apps in Google Play (Settings) → Auto-update of applications → Never).

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 5A Reset via Recovery (Power buttons) + Vol Up) can cause a "No command" error if the firmware is damaged, in which case you will need to flash through the Mi Flash Tool.

7.Memory optimization to prevent filling

To avoid recurring problems, follow these tips:

• 📵 Limit cache: In Google Chrome, set a cache limit of 50–100 MB (Settings) → Confidentiality → Clear the data → Settings → Cache size).
• 🚫 Block ads: they consume traffic and cache. Use AdGuard or Blokada.
• 🔄 Update the firmware: in new versions MIUI Optimized memory. Check the updates in Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📂 Use the easy alternatives: instead of Facebook, install Facebook Lite, instead of Google Maps, install Maps.me.

For automatic cleaning:

• Turn on the built-in cleaner: Settings → Battery and performance → Cleanup.
• Install SD Maid or CCleaner for regular trash cleaning.

💡

Regularly cleaning the cache and eliminating heavy apps (such as TikTok, Instagram) can increase free space by 20-30% without drastic measures.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Redmi memory 5A