Xiaomi Redmi 9A is one of the most popular budget devices, but its built-in storage capacity of 32 or 64 GB is often not enough for modern users. Over time, the MIUI operating system is becoming overgrown with temporary files, app cache and hidden logs, which leads to a noticeable slowdown in the interface and the appearance of notifications about space shortage. Understanding how to effectively free up space becomes critical for comfortable use of the gadget.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available cleaning methods: from standard system tools to advanced file system techniques. You will learn which folders can be deleted without risking job stability, how to find hidden "eaters" of places and why simply removing applications does not always give the desired result. 9A work fast and responsive again.
Analysis of storage occupancy through settings
Before you start taking any drastic measures, you need to know exactly what is taking up precious gigabytes. The MIUI shell has a built-in analyzer that visually displays the distribution of data. To access it, go to the Settings menu, then select About Phone and click on Warehouse, and here the system will show the percentage of resources occupied.
The system automatically categorizes files to accommodate applications, images, video, audio, and system data. Users are often surprised to find that a significant portion is "Other" files, a category that may contain messenger cache, remnants of remote programs, or update files that require separate attention.
⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from system folders that you do not know the purpose of, even if the analyzer shows them as taking up a lot of space, this can lead to a failure in the interface or loss of important settings.
Use the built-in cleaning function by pressing the Clean button at the bottom of the screen. While this method is safe, it is often shallow and does not affect the structure of the garbage. For a deeper analysis, it is recommended to use third-party utilities or manual browsing through the file manager.
Cleaning the cache and application data
The most voluminous source of temporary files is the app cache. This is data that programs save for fast content loading, but over time it inflates to giant sizes. This is especially true for social networks and messengers such as Telegram, WhatsApp and VK. To clear the cache of a particular application, go to Settings → Apps → All applications.
Select the program you want from the list and click on Memory, and you'll see two main buttons here: Clear cache and Clear all data. The first one deletes temporary files without affecting your logins and correspondence. The second one resets the app to factory status, removing all accounts and local settings.
- 📱 Application cache is a temporary file that can be deleted regularly without harming data.
- 🗑️ Application data contains your authorization and settings, their removal requires re-entry.
- 📸 The gallery and camera also accumulate thumbnails that take up space in the "Other" section".
For instant messengers, it is better to use built-in cleaning tools. For example, in Telegram you can set up automatic deletion of the media cache, which significantly saves memory on the Xiaomi Redmi 9A. Go to the chat settings and select "Data Use", then set a limit on the cache size.
☑️ Weekly cleaning of messengers
Working with the file system and Android folder
Manual file management gives you the most control over freeing up space, but requires caution. Standard Explorer Explorer (or File Manager) allows you to view the structure of directories. Particular attention should be paid to the Android folder where application data is stored, and the root directories where downloads from the browser are often stored.
Inside the Android/data folder are files that are essential for the games and programs to work. Deleting the contents of this folder can lead to loss of progress in games or reset application settings. However, if you delete the program but its folder is still there, it can be safely cleaned. It is also worth checking the DCIM folder for.thumbnails video files, which are thumbnails of the gallery.
/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/
/storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails/
/storage/emulated/0/Download/Often users forget about the Download pack, which accumulates.apk installation files, documents and images from the Internet. Regular revision of this directory allows you to free up hundreds of megabytes. Files with the.apk extension in the download pack can be deleted immediately after installing the corresponding applications, since they are no longer needed.
What is a folder.thumbnails?
Use of the application Security and optimization
Each Xiaomi smartphone has a system-based Security app preinstalled, which includes a powerful garbage cleaner. Despite criticism from some experts, the tool effectively finds residual files, advertising debris and large files that the user may have forgotten.
Not only does the app analyze the cache, it also suggests removing rarely used programs, large video files, and similar photos. Cleanup scans the device using the algorithms it's given, and suggests removing what it finds. It's important to look carefully at the system's suggestions so that important documents don't accidentally be deleted.
- 🧹 Deep cleaning finds hidden debris in system partitions.
- 📹 Large File Analysis Helps You Find Forgotten High-Res Videos.
- 📦 Removing rarely used apps frees up space and speeds up work.
In the Security settings, you can enable automatic cleaning when you reach a certain memory occupancy threshold, a useful feature for the Redmi 9A, as it prevents critical storage overflows that could block your phone.
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Turn on the Auto Clean function in the Security app, setting a limit of 85% memory occupancy, which will prevent sudden system brakes due to lack of space for temporary files.
Comparison of Memory Cleaning Methods
There are many ways to free up space on your smartphone, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The method you choose depends on how deep you are willing to dive into the settings and what you want to get. Below is a table comparing the basic approaches to cleaning.
| Cleaning method | Efficiency | Security | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Integrated MIUI cleaning | Medium | Tall. | Low. |
| Manual cache removal | Tall. | Tall. | Medium |
| Delete folder.thumbnails | Tall. | Medium | Tall. |
| Reset to factory settings | Maximum | Low (Data Loss Risk) | Tall. |
As you can see from the table, the safest, but less effective method is standard cleaning. To achieve maximum results, often requires a combination of methods. For example, using a built-in analyzer in conjunction with manual cleaning of the Download folder gives an excellent result without the risk of losing important data.
If none of the sparing methods work, the last resort is a complete reset.Be sure to back up all the important data to the Mi Cloud cloud or computer before doing so, as this process will completely destroy all the information on the device.
Memory Map and Cloud Storage
Xiaomi Redmi 9A is equipped with a microSD card slot, which is a great solution for expanding storage. By transferring photos, videos and music to an external card, you will free up internal memory, which is critical for system performance and application operation. To install the card, use a special key included in the kit and remove the sim card tray.
Once installed, the system will suggest using the card as a portable storage device or as part of internal memory, the former being preferred because it makes it easy to transfer files to a computer in case of a phone change, the latter being encrypted and only working with that particular device.
- ☁️ Use cloud services (Google Photos, Yandex.Disk) to automatically upload media files.
- 💾 Set the camera so that it saves the photo on the default SD-map.
- 📂 Regularly transfer heavy files from internal memory to external media.
Cloud technology allows you to not store files physically on your device. Google Photos offers a "Free Space" feature that removes photos from your phone that are already stored in the cloud, which instantly frees up gigabytes of space without losing access to your archive.
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The combination of using a memory card for media files and cloud services for backup is the best strategy for owners of devices with a small amount of internal memory.