How to completely clean the memory on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: from cache to factory settings

Xiaomi Redmi 9A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its only 32 GB of internal memory is quickly clogged with garbage. Even after removing photos and apps, the system continues to slow down, and the notification “Memory is full” appears again and again. What is it?

The problem lies in three layers: system cache, residual files of remote applications and hidden MIUI data. Simply removing images from the gallery is not enough, you need to clean deeper. In this article, we will discuss ways to free memory unique to Redmi 9A, including hidden MIUI 12/14 functions and secure reset without losing data.

Importantly, the methods will work for other Redmi 9 series models (9C, 9T), but with firmware in mind. If your phone runs on MIUI 13+, some menu items may differ, we will specify alternative paths.

1.Diagnostics: what exactly is taking up memory on the Redmi 9A

Before you clean it, you need to figure out which files are eating up space. Redmi 9A has a built-in memory analyzer, but it's hidden in the back of the settings. Here's how to find it:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5 times on the MIUI version (this will open the hidden developer menu).
3. Go back to the main settings menu and select Memory (or Storage in newer versions).
4. Click Memory Analysis (may be called Details).

The system will show the distribution of memory by category.

• 📁 System data (more than 5 GB) – here is the MIUI cache and updates.
• 🎵 Audio/Video – often takes up up to 30% of memory due to YouTube and TikTok cache.
• 📱 Applications — Even remote programs leave tails in /data/app-lib.
• 🗑️ Other — there are temporary files and error logs hidden here.

If the Others section is more than 2GB, that's a warning sign, and 80 percent of the time, it's the fault of:

• 🔄 Update residues MIUI (.zip files in /cache).
• 📱 Google Play Services Cache (can weigh up to 1GB)
• 🗃️ System logs (/data/log) that are not automatically cleared.

2 Manual cleaning of cache and debris (without root)

The safest way is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which do not require super-user rights and do not risk data.

Step 1. Clean up the app cache

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Open each application from top-10 and click Clear Cache.

Pay particular attention to:

• 📺 YouTube (video cache can weigh up to 500MB).
• 🎮 Google Play Games (Saves and Temporary Files)
• 🗺️ Google Maps (offline maps and route cache)
• 📱 MIUI System (system cache, cleared only through Settings → Memory → Clean).

Step 2: Deletion of residual files

When you delete the applications, you have folders of data in your memory, and you can find them.

1. Install a file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/data.
3. Delete folders with the names of remote applications (for example, com.tencent.mm for WeChat).

⚠️ Warning: Don't delete the folders of current applications, this will cause crashes, and don't touch files in /Android/obb unless you're sure they're there.

Step 3: Clean up downloads and temporary files

Download and DCIM/.thumbnails folders often contain duplicates and unnecessary files:

• 📂 Open Gallery → Albums → Screenshots and remove unnecessary ones.
• 🗑️ In the file manager, go to /storage/emulated/0/Download and sort files by date.
• 🔍 Search by extensions:.apk (installation files),.tmp (temporary files).

Back up important files | Check free space in Settings | Close all apps | Turn off Google sync while you clean-->

3. Hidden MIUI functions for memory release

Xiaomi Redmi 9A on MIUI has a few hidden tools that few people know about. They do not require root rights and are safe for the system.

Method 1. Cleaning through Safe Mode

In this mode, only system applications are downloaded, which allows you to remove viruses or conflicting programs:

1. Press the power button before the off menu appears.
2. Press and hold the “Switch off” option – a prompt will appear to go to Safe Mode.
3. In this mode, remove suspicious applications through Settings → Apps.
4. Reboot your phone in the usual way.

Method 2: Reset the partition cache (Wipe Cache Partition)

This feature cleans temporary update files and system debris without deleting personal data:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (use volume buttons for navigation).
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data - the second option will erase all your files!

Method 3: Disabling Preloaded Applications

Redmi 9A has Mi Video, Mi Music, Mi Browser and others installed by default, which can not be removed but you can disable:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Pay).
3. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, click Remove Updates first).

This will free up up to 300-500 MB of memory, as disabled applications do not update or cache data.

💡

If it reappears after the MIUI update after disabling the application, use the ADB- command to completely remove it (PC required).

4.Using third-party utilities (TOP-3 for Redmi 9A)

Built-in MIUI tools don't always do deep cleaning, and specialized applications will help.

How do you choose?

• 🛠️ If you want maximum control, SD Maid (but root is required).
• 📱 For quick cleaning without unnecessary settings – Files by Google.
• 🔍 If RAM optimization is important, CCleaner.

Warning: Do not use "cleaners" with aggressive algorithms (such as Clean Master) that often delete the desired files and show false virus notifications.

5. Transfer data to a memory card (the correct way)

The Redmi 9A supports microSD cards up to 512GB, but by default, apps are installed in internal memory.

Step 1: Set up the map as an internal storage facility

1. Insert a memory card (UHS-I U1 or higher is recommended).
2. When a notification appears, select Use as internal storage.
3. Confirm the formatting (all data from the card will be deleted!).
4. After formatting, select Move Data Now.

2 Move applications to SD- card

Not all apps support portability, but it’s worth trying:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook).
3. Click Warehouse → Change → SD Card.

Limitations:

• 🚫 System applications cannot be moved.
• 🎮 Cache games in /obb may not work after the transfer.
• ⚠️ The map will be tethered to the phone, and it won’t be read on a PC without formatting.

Alternative: Use the card as a portable storage and manually transfer files (photos, videos, music) through the file manager.

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Moving applications to a SD- card can slow them down because the microSD read speed is lower than that of the internal eMMC memory.

Extreme measures: reset to factory settings

If nothing works, and the phone still brakes, it's a complete reset, which will delete all the data, but return the Redmi 9A to its original state.

Step 1. Backup

Save:

• 📸 Photos and videos (via Google Photos or PC)
• 📞 Contacts (synchronize with Google Account)
• 📝 SMS (use SMS Backup & Restore).
• 🎮 Game savers (via Google Play Games or Helium accounts)

Step 2: Performing the discharge

There are two ways:

Method A. Through settings (soft reset)

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset all settings (or Delete all data in new versions).
3. Enter PIN- code and confirm.

Method B. Through Recovery (hard reset)

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

⚠️ Warning: Once reset, the phone will require you to enter the Mi Account you previously linked to, and if you forget your password, unlocking it will take up to 72 hours!

Step 3: Data recovery

After discharge:

• 🔄 Restore contacts through Google Account.
• 📲 Install the applications again (do not restore from backup – it will bring back garbage!).
• 📷 Move photos and videos from your PC or cloud.

7.Prevention: How to prevent memory filling

To avoid recurring problems, follow these rules:

• 📵 Turn off automatic media downloads to WhatsApp/Telegram:

• 🔄 Clean the cache once a week:

• 📱 Control background processes:

• 📲 Update MIUI regularly:

Hidden feature: MIUI has a performance mode that limits background processes.

1. Activate Developer Mode (Tap 5 times on the MIUI version).
2. Return to the additional settings → Developer mode.
3. Find Limit Background Processes and select Without Background Processes.

This increases free memory by 10 to 15 percent, but some notifications may be delayed.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Redmi memory 9A