How to clean memory on Xiaomi Redmi 5A without losing files: full instructions

Xiaomi Redmi 5A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its modest 16 or 32 GB of internal memory is quickly clogged with garbage. If the phone started to slow down and there is less than 1 GB of free space, don’t rush to reset it to factory settings! In this article, you will find 7 ways to clean up memory without deleting personal files, including hidden MIUI features and third-party tools.

We will understand how to remove the cache of applications, optimize the system, transfer data to the SD-map (if supported) and even restore "lost" space that doesn't show up in the settings. 5A s MIUI 9-12 and do not require root rights. Important: before you start, check how much memory is actually occupied - often the system shows incorrect data due to file system errors.

If you've tried standard methods (like Settings → Memory cleaning) and they haven't worked, the article has solutions for the hard cases: when the memory "disappears" after an update, or when the system writes "Not enough space" when it's calculated it should be enough. Let's start with the simplest and move on to advanced techniques.

1. Diagnosis: Why does memory end?

Before cleaning, you need to understand what exactly takes up space. On Redmi 5A, the problem is often not in user files, but in:

• 📁 System cache (can weigh up to 3–5 GB, especially after updates) MIUI).
• 🤖 Application data (e.g., Facebook or Telegram cache easily reaches 1)+ GB).
• 🗑️ "Garbage files from remote programs (remain in folders) /data/data).
• 🔄 Duplicates (MIUI Sometimes they make copies of photos when editing).

To see the full picture:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Click on the chart and select "Details".
3. Pay attention to the System and Applications sections – if they take up more than 10GB, it’s time to clean.

🔍 The Hidden Problem: On Redmi 5A s MIUI 10+ A bug is often encountered when the system shows "Memory is full", when in fact it is free. 2–3 GB. This is due to partition mounting error /data. Solution – Reboot in Safe Mode (click the power button) → long tap on "Switch off" → "Restarting in Safe Mode").

2. Cleaning the application cache and system

The fastest way to release 1-3 GB is to remove the cache. On Redmi 5A, there are two ways to do this:

Method 1: Through the MIUI settings

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → "Sort by size."
3. Select apps with a cache >100MB (e.g. YouTube, Chrome, MIUI Gallery).
4. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – it will delete logins!).

Method 2: Completely clean the system cache

If the first method didn’t work, use the hidden MIUI function:

1. Open the Settings. → Additionally. → Memory.
2. Click on "Cleanup" at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select "Deep Clean" and confirm.
4. Reboot your phone – it is a must, otherwise the cache will recover partially.

⚠️ Note: After a deep cleaning, some apps (such as WhatsApp or banking) may request a re-authorization. Check in advance if passwords are saved in Mi Account or Google Smart Lock.

Make a backup of contacts (export to VCF)

Remember passwords from important applications

Connect your phone to charge (the process can take 5-10 minutes)

Do not interrupt cleaning even if the screen is turned off-->

3. Delete unnecessary files and duplicates

Xiaomi Redmi 5A has a nasty feature: even after deleting photos through the gallery, files can remain in the DCIM/.thumbnails or Pictures/Screenshots folder.

Step-by-step:

1. Install the file manager Mi File Explorer (available in GetApps) or Solid Explorer.
2. Turn on the hidden file display: in Mi File Explorer, click on three lines → Settings → Show hidden files.
3. Go to /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/.extras /storage/emulated/0/Download/.temp
4. Delete all files with the extensions.tmp,.nomedia,.thumb.

💡 Useful tip: To find duplicate photos, use the Files by Google app (the Cleanup tab" → "It even finds similar pictures with a difference of 1-2 pixels.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from the folder /data manually, this can cause the system to crash. Use only official tools to clean up system data. MIUI or ADB (see section 6).

4. Data transfer to SD-card (if supported)

Redmi 5A officially supports microSD up to 256GB, but there are nuances: MIUI does not allow you to transfer all applications to the map, only their data.

What can be transferred:

• 📸 Photos and videos (via Gallery) → highlight files → "Move it" → choose SD).
• 🎵 Music and podcasts (in the Mi Music app click on the track) → "Save it on. SD").
• 📄 Documents (through any file manager).
• 🎮 Game data (e.g. cache) PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).

What I CAN'T move:

• 📱 The apps themselves (only on Android 6)+ rooted ADB).
• 🔧 System files MIUI.
• 📥 Updates OTA (They are always in the internal memory).

🔧 Technical life hack: If SD-The card is defined as a “portable storage” rather than “internal memory” and can be formatted as an internal memory via Settings. → Memory. → SD-map → Three points. → Settings → But, after that, the map can't be retrieved without losing data!

💡

Before formatting an SD as internal memory, check its speed class. For the Redmi 5A, optimal use of UHS-I Class 10 cards (such as SanDisk Ultra or Samsung EVO+) Slow cards will slow down the system.

5.Cache reset via Recovery Mode (advanced method)

If standard methods didn’t help, and free memory is critically scarce (less than 500 MB), try cleaning the Dalvik cache and cache partition via Recovery.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (volume buttons) and tap on "Wipe & Reset".
4. Select "Wipe Cache" (not "Wipe All Data").
5. Confirm the action and wait until the completion (takes 1-2 minutes).
6. Reboot your phone through Reboot.

⚠️ Attention: After this procedure, the first start of the system will take up to 10 minutes - this is normal. Do not interrupt the boot, even if the screen remains black for a long time. If the phone is stuck on startup the Redmi logo for more than 15 minutes, perform a forced restart (press the Power for 20 seconds).

Critical information: Some MIUI 11+ firmware may not have the option "Wipe Cache" in place, in which case use the command via ADB: adb reboot recovery, then manually select "Mounts and Storage" → "Wipe Cache."

6.Use of ADB for deep cleaning (for experienced)

If you're ready to work with the command line, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) will help you remove debris that is not available through standard settings, which requires a PC and enabled debugging over USB.

Preparation:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate “Debugging by USB”.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
4. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into the C:\adb folder.

Cleanup commands:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.gallery #Gallery cleanup (miniatures, cache)


adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.media # Media storage reset




adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files




adb shell rm -rf /cache/* # Cleaning the cache partition (requires root)

🔧 Extended cleaning (for confident users only!):

adb shell su


rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*




rm -rf /data/system/package_cache/*

⚠️ Attention: Rm teams -rf No su will not work on an unrooted phone. ADB Can lead to data loss or cyclical reboot! - Create a backup using adb backup before experimenting.

💡

ADB is a powerful tool, but dangerous. If you're not sure about commands, use apps like SD Maid (requires root) or Files by Google (works without superuser rights) instead.

7.Alternative methods: cloud storage and compression

If physical memory is severely lacking, then purchase SD-cards are not an option, consider:

Cloud services:

• 🌥️ Mi Cloud (5GB free): Automatic sync of photos and contacts. Included in Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
• 📁 Google Photos: Unlimited storage for compressed photos (quality "High quality").
• 💾 Yandex Disk or Mega: 10–50 GB free of charge when registering.

Data compression:

• 📦 Use ZArchiver to archive rarely used files (such as old photos).
• 🎬 Video Compress reduces the size of videos by 2-3 times without severe loss of quality.
• 📱 Turn "Light Mode" on MIUI: Settings → Special opportunities → Easy mode. This will turn off animations and reduce the system's memory usage.

💡 Advice for Photographers: Set up Google Photos to automatically delete local copies after uploading to the cloud:

1. Open Google Photos → “Settings” → “Free up space”.
2. Select "Remove already reserved".
3. The photos will remain in the cloud and be deleted from the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up memory