How to Clean Up Other Files on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A: 5 Ways to Work

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A is a popular smartphone with limited internal memory (16 or 32 GB depending on the modification). Over time, users face a problem: in the Storage section, there is a mysterious category “Other files” that takes up gigabytes of space. This data does not apply to photos, videos or applications, but prevents you from installing updates or new programs. In this article, we will discuss what is hidden under the term “other files”, why they accumulate on the Redmi Note 5A, and how to safely delete them without risk to the system.

The Redmi Note 5A (codenamed ugg) features MIUI-based firmware that actively caches data to speed up work. Unfortunately, standard cleaning tools (like the built-in Security app) often ignore these files. We tested 5 methods — from simple (via phone settings) to advanced (using ADB) — to return precious gigabytes of memory. Importantly, some methods require root or PC connection rights, but most solutions are available without them.

What are the “Other Files” on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A?

The other files category in MIUI is the garbage box of the operating system.

• 🗑️ Application cache and systems are temporary data that has not been deleted after the program is closed, such as image thumbnails, YouTube or TikTok video preload files.
• 📁 Remnants of Remote Applications – Folders with Settings (/data/data/com.package.name) or cache that remains after uninstallation.
• 🔄 Logs and dumps are error reporting files (.log,.dumpstate) that Android creates when crashes.
• 📄 Uploaded files without extension – for example, data from messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) that were not saved to the gallery.
• 🔗 Symbolic links and empty folders - artifacts after updates MIUI or reset.

On the Redmi Note 5A, this category often grows because of two features:

1. Outdated version of Android: The smartphone came with Android 7.1 Nougat and did not receive official updates to Android 10+, where the cache cleaning mechanisms have improved.
2. Aggressive MIUI caching: The firmware stores duplicate thumbnails, preloads content for weather and news widgets, even if you don’t use them.

In tests in 2026, up to 40% of the “other files” on the Redmi Note 5A are the Gallery app cache (.thumbnails folder) that is not cleaned by standard means, and the system can show the Other category even if the actual amount of garbage is less – a MIUI bug associated with incorrect counting of occupied space.

Method 1: Cleaning through built-in MIUI settings

Start with the simplest method, the standard MIUI tools, which won’t remove everything, but will help you free up 1-3 GB:

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Tap on the category "Other Files" (may be called "Other" in older versions of MIUI).
3. The system will offer to clear the cache of applications - confirm the action.
4. Go to the Cleanup section (the broom icon in the upper right corner) and select Deep Cleanup.

In this section, MIUI will show you a list of large-cache applications, and pay particular attention to:

• 📷 Gallery - clear the thumbnail cache (.thumbnails).
• 🎵 Music – Remove downloaded album covers.
• 🌐 Browser (or Chrome) – Clear your site history and files.
• 💬 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) – delete media files uploaded in chat rooms.

⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the cache of system applications (Settings, Phone, Messages) – this can cause malfunctions in the phone. MIUI Automatically restores critical data, but the process takes up to 10 minutes.

Backup important data |Close all applications |Connect phone to charge |Contact free space after cleaning-->

Method 2: Manual deletion through file manager

If the built-in tools didn’t help, use a file manager with access to system folders. We recommend Mi File Manager (built-in) or Solid Explorer (requires root for full access).

Folders that can be cleaned manually:

Instructions:

1. Open the file manager and enable the display of hidden files (in Mi File Manager: Settings → Show hidden files).
2. Go to /storage/emulated/0/ and find the folders from the table above.
3. Delete the contents of the folders, but not the folders themselves (e.g., delete the files inside the.thumbnails, but not the folder itself).
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files in folders /system/, /vendor/ or /data/app/ — This will lead to a device blink, and if you're not sure about the folder, you'd better skip it.

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Before deleting, take a screenshot of the contents of the folder. If after cleaning there are problems, you can recover critical files via your PC.

Method 3: Using cleaning applications (SD Maid, Files by Google)

Third-party utilities can find debris that MIUI misses. We tested 3 apps on the Redmi Note 5A:

• 🧹 SD Maid is the most powerful root solution, finding app residues, empty folders and duplicate files, and the free version is limited to cache scanning.
• 📂 Files by Google is a simple tool from Google with the Cleanup function. Effectively removes temporary files and duplicates.
• 🔍 CCleaner is a popular cleaner, but on the Redmi Note 5A It is slow because of an outdated version of Android.

How to use SD Maid:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Run the “Basket” (dumpster icon) – the utility will show files that can be safely deleted.
3. Go to the "System Cleaner" section and select the Application Cash, Residues, Logs.
4. Click "Execute" and confirm the removal.

Files by Google is simpler:

1. Open the app and go to the “Cleanup” tab.
2. Tap on the category "Unnecessary files" or "Dublicates".
3. Select files for deletion and confirm the action.

Method 4: Cleaning through ADB (for advanced users)

If previous methods didn’t work, try ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a PC debugging tool that lets you delete system cache and files that aren’t available through the file manager.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB
2. Connect the Redmi Note 5A to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
3. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
4. Follow the commands to clean the cache: adb shell pm clear com.miui.gallery # Clean gallery adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files adb shell rm -rf /cache/* # Clean the system cache
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

⚠️ Attention: Rm teams -rf If you don't specify the correct path, you can delete critical data. 5A Never use the adb shell rm. -rf /data/* — This will erase all user data, including apps and settings.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If the “other files” take up more than 5GB and are not deleted by other means, there is a hard reset, which will remove all data from the phone, including apps, photos and settings, but return the device to the “clean” state.

How to reset the Redmi Note 5A:

1. Create a backup copy of important data (contacts, photos, messages).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select “Resetting” and confirm the action.
4. Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• 🔄 Do not restore data from backup MIUI — It'll bring back the garbage. You better move the files selectively.
• 🚫 Do not install apps that previously took up a lot of space (such as heavy gaming).
• 🔧 Turn off automatic download of media in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).

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Factory reset is the only way to completely remove system debris, but it should be the last thing to do. Once reset, the Redmi Note 5A will run faster, but you'll have to reset it.

How to Prevent the Accumulation of Other Files in the Future

To avoid recurring problems, follow these guidelines:

• 📱 Clean the cache once a month through Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
• 🚫 Turn off autoload media in messengers: WhatsApp: Settings → Data and storage → Autoboot Telegram Media: Settings → Data and memory → Autoboot media
• 🗑️ Use cloud services for storing photos / videos (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
• 🔄 Update your firmware to the latest available version MIUI For the Redmi Note 5A (for example, MIUI 12 based on Android 7.1).
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (such as Malwarebytes) to prevent contamination with junk-creating malware.

If you install/remove applications frequently, consider buying a microSD card (up to 256GB). The Redmi Note 5A supports memory expansion, which will allow you to transfer some of the data to an external drive and reduce the load on the built-in storage.

FAQ: Frequent questions about “other files” on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A