How to clean Xiaomi Redmi 6A from unnecessary files: 7 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi 6A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its modest 16 GB of memory is quickly clogged with garbage. Even after removing applications, the system continues to slow down, and the notification “Not enough space” appears at the most inopportune moment. In this article, we will discuss 7 working cleaning methods that will help free up 1 to 5 GB on the Redmi 6A without root rights and loss of important data.

Feature of the model - an outdated version MIUI (often 9-12), And so many optimization functions work differently than they do on new devices. 6A. You will learn how to remove:

• 🗑️ System cache and residual application files
• 📁 Duplicate photos and unnecessary screenshots
• 🎵 Uploaded files from messengers and browsers
• 📦 APK-Files and undeleted updates

All methods are tested on Redmi 6A with MIUI 10-12. If your device is running on a newer version, some of the features may be in other menu sections (we will warn you about this separately).

1. Built-in cleaning MIUI: What to remove and how to use correctly

The quickest way is to use the built-in Cleanup tool (formerly called Security), which removes the app cache, temporary files and debris, but often works inefficiently. Here's how to make it work to the maximum:

1. Open the Cleanup app (icon with broomstick).
2. Click Deep Clean → select all categories (Cash, Advertising, Residual Files).
3. Scroll down and turn on the Background Process Cleanup option (this will stop unnecessary services).
4. Click Clean and confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: Do not use the Speed feature in this menu - it only temporarily frees RAM, but does not delete files from memory. MIUI: It often deletes the files it needs.

Once cleaned, reboot your phone, which will help the system recalculate the space, which normally frees up 300MB to 1.5GB, but if you have a lot of garbage, the figure can be higher.

2. Manual cleaning of cache applications: which can be removed without risk

The system cache is the main memory eater; on Redmi 6A, it can take up to 3-4 GB, especially if you are actively using social networks, messengers and a browser.

Method 1: Clearing the cache for individual applications

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Facebook or Chrome).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

Method 2: Mass cache cleaning (for MIUI 10–11)

1. Open Settings → Additional → Clean the storage.
2. Select the Cash tab and mark all applications.
3. Click Clear (password confirmation may be required).

🔹 Which apps to clean first:

• 📱 Social networks (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) – cache up to 1-2 GB.
• 🌍 Browsers (Chrome, MIUI Browser - up to 500MB.
• 💬 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) – up to 1 GB (especially if you download media).
• 🎮 Games (PUBG Mobile, Free Fire – cache up to 3GB.

💡

If the app is slower after cleaning the cache, it's normal, and the cache will recover after 1-2 days of use, but without any extra debris.

On Redmi 6A with MIUI 9-10, cleaning the cache through settings may not work for system applications (e.g. Gallery or Camera), in which case only factory resets or using third-party utilities will help.

3. manually removing unnecessary files: where to look for garbage

Many files remain on the phone even after the apps are deleted, and can be found and deleted manually through Explorer. Here are the key folders worth checking on Redmi 6A:

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from folders Android/data and Android/obb For installed games, it's going to crash. Also, avoid folders. MIUI, If you are not sure about the purpose of the files.

For convenience, use a size-sorted conductor (like Files by Google or Solid Explorer) to sort files by date of change, and the oldest ones are probably no longer needed.

4. Cleaning messengers: how to remove gigabytes of media files

WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber are the main garbage storage devices, and on Redmi 6A, they can take up to 5-7 GB just from downloading photos, videos and stickers.

WhatsApp

1. Open WhatsApp. → ⋮ → Settings → Warehouse.
2. Sort files by size and remove unnecessary ones (especially videos >10MB).
3. Click Clean at the bottom of the screen.

Telegram

1. Go to Settings → Data and Memory → Memory Use.
2. Select Clear Cache (will remove all downloaded media).
3. Use File Management for selective cleaning.

🔹 What can be safely removed:

• 🎥 Videos from chats (take up to 80% of memory).
• 📸 Photos sent over a year ago.
• 🎵 Voice messages older than 3 months.
• 🎭 Stickers and GIF (folder Telegram/Telegram Images).

After cleaning messengers, check the /storage/emulated/0/Telegram folder – often there are duplicate files that have not been deleted through the application.

5.Remove duplicate photos and videos: the best apps for Redmi 6A

Redmi 6A duplicates appear because of:

• 📸 Automatic copy creation when editing photos.
• 🔄 Sync with Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
• 📱 Transfer of files between devices.

Use these apps to find duplicates (tested on Redmi 6A):

⚠️ Before mass deletion of duplicates, check each file – sometimes applications are mistakenly identified as duplicates of similar but different photos (for example, taken with a difference of a few seconds).

After removing duplicates, run the built-in MIUI Cleanup – this will remove the residual thumbnails that may have remained in the Gallery cache.

6. Cleaning up system updates and APK-file

On the Redmi. 6A System updates and downloads APK-files can take up to 1-2 GB. They can be safely deleted if:

• 📥 You do not plan to install this update/app.
• 🔄 You already have the latest version of the software installed.
• 📦 APK-The file is in memory for more than a month.

Where to look:

1. MIUI updates: /storage/emulated/0/Download/rom or /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/rom folder.
2. APK-file /storage/emulated/0/Download (Look for files with the.apk extension).
3. Update cache: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⋮ → Remove the downloaded package.

🔹 How to remove:

1. Open Explorer and go to one of the specified folders.
2. Select unnecessary files (for example, miui_HM6AGlobal_V12.0.2.0....).
3. Click Delete and confirm.

💡

Do not delete files from the folder /system or /data — It's going to crash the system. /storage/emulated/0 (internal memory; and /storage/... (SD-map).

7.Reset to factory settings: when it's the only way out

If you've got less than 1GB of space left after all the manipulations, and the phone is slowing down, you've got to do a hard reset. It's a radical method, but it's guaranteed to clean up all the trash from the Redmi 6A.

• 🔄 Make a backup of contacts (export to) VCF).
• 📸 Save photos and videos to your PC or cloud.
• 📝 Write down logins/passwords from accounts (they will disappear).

How to reset Redmi 6A:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
2. Select Resetting → Delete all data.
3. Enter your password (if required) and confirm.

After discharge:

• ✅ Install only the necessary applications.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 6A It can take up to 15 to 20 minutes to reset, and don't interrupt the process, even if the screen is out, wait for the reset.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Xiaomi Redmi 6A