How to delete other files on Xiaomi Redmi 5A: 6 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi 5A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its modest 16 or 32 GB of memory is quickly clogged with unnecessary files. Even after removing photos and apps, the system continues to show the mysterious category of “Other files”, which takes up gigabytes of space. In this article, we will discuss what these files are, why they accumulate and how to safely delete them without harming the phone.

The memory problem is not only relevant for the Redmi 5A, but also for other Xiaomi models with limited storage. However, on this device, due to a weak processor and low RAM (2 GB), the clogged memory leads to noticeable brakes. We tested all cleaning methods - from built-in tools to manual methods - and selected only those that actually work on MIUI 9-12 (the current versions for the Redmi 5A).

What are Xiaomi’s “Other Files” and Why They Take Place

The “Other Files” category in Xiaomi’s storage is a collection of system data that doesn’t fall into the standard categories (photos, videos, apps).

• 📁 App caches are temporary files that create programs to speed things up, such as Facebook or Instagram can store thumbnails of photos here.
• 🗃️ System logs are records of errors, user actions, and operating systems that accumulate over time and are rarely automatically cleared.
• 🔄 Remnants of remote applications – sometimes after uninstallation of the program, its files remain in folders /data or /sdcard.
• 📄 Downloads and temporary files – downloaded documents, APK, Archives that you forgot to delete.
• 🎮 Game data – saves, textures and cache of mobile games (e.g, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).

On Redmi 5A, this category is often inflated due to MIUI features: the system actively caches data to save traffic and speed up work, but does not always delete it correctly. For example, after updating applications through Google Play, old versions of APK can remain in memory for months.

Another reason is duplicate files, and when you transfer data from a PC or through messengers (like Telegram), files can be saved to several folders at the same time, for example, the same photo can lie in a different folder. DCIM/Camera, Pictures and Telegram/Telegram Images.

Method 1: Cleaning through the built-in MIUI storage

The simplest method is to use the standard MIUI tool for memory analysis, which won't remove everything clean, but it will help get rid of the obvious debris:

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Click on the "Other Files" category (may be called "Other" depending on the MIUI version).
3. Wait until the analysis is completed (on Redmi 5A, it can take 1-2 minutes).
4. Click “Clean” next to unnecessary categories (such as “App Cache” or “Downloads”).

Note that you can't delete system files or logs here, only user data. If the Clear button is inactive, there are no files in this category that can be safely deleted.

Clear the app cache

Delete old downloads (APK, PDF, ZIP)

Remove duplicate photos and videos

Clean the cart (if included in the gallery)-->

Important: On Redmi 5A with MIUI 9-10, the Storage menu may not have any category detail. In this case, use the alternative path: Settings → Additional → Cleanup.

Method 2: Manually clean folders through file manager

If the built-in tools don't work, you'll have to dig deeper, and any file manager, like the standard MI File Manager or the third-party Solid Explorer, will do. We recommend the second option, which shows hidden folders and system files.

Folders that can be cleaned manually (with caution!):

• 🗑️ /sdcard/Download — This is where all the downloads from the browser and messengers are stored. APK, PDF, archive.
• 📷 /sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails — So, miniatures of photos and videos that the system automatically creates, and you can delete them without any consequences.
• 🎵 /sdcard/Music and /sdcard/Podcasts — audio files that may have been left behind after deleting applications.
• 📦 /sdcard/Android/data — This is where the application data is stored. Only delete the folders of the programs you have already deleted!

Redmi 5A has a particularly high amount of debris in /sdcard/Android/data/com.miui.gallery, which stores cache and temporary files from the standard gallery, and can be deleted, but then the gallery can run slower until it recovers the cache again.

Method 3: Clearing the cache of all applications at the same time

The app cache is the main culprit behind the "Other Files" category, and on Redmi 5A, it can be cleaned in two ways:

Method 1: Through the settings

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Open the All tab and click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
3. Select "Clear the cache of all applications".

Method 2: Recovery mode (if the phone is slowing down)

1. Turn off Redmi 5A.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
3. Select "Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache" (control - volume buttons, confirmation - power button).
4. Reboot the phone.

Once the cache is cleared, some apps (like YouTube or Google Maps) will load longer when they first run, which is normal, but will be free of 500 MB to 2 GB of storage, depending on the number of programs installed.

💡

If the phone is slower after cleaning the cache, reboot it. MIUI sometimes incorrectly restores the cache after forced cleaning.

Method 4: Removing system logs and dumps

System logs (.log,.dump) take up little space individually, but they accumulate hundreds. On Redmi 5A, they are stored in hidden folders and are usually not visible without root rights. However, some logs can be deleted through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or special applications.

Instructions via ADB (for advanced users):

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Connect Redmi 5A to USB and enable Debugging over USB in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times on the line with the version to unlock the developer menu).
3. Open the command line in the ADB folder and type: adb shell su rm -rf /data/log/* rm -rf /data/tombstones/* rm -rf /data/anr/*

If you don't have root rights, use the SD Maid app (a premium version is required for a complete cleanup) and it will find and remove:

• 📜 Logs of the system (.log,.txt)
• 💀 Error dumps (.dump,.trace)
• 🗑️ Empty folders and broken labels

💡

Deleting logs won’t make your phone work faster, but it will free up up to 300-500MB of memory, and don’t delete files in /system or /vendor folders, otherwise the phone may stop booting.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last chance)

If none of the methods worked, and the Other Files still take a few gigabytes, the radical solution is hard reset, which will remove everything from the phone, including system debris, but also delete:

• 📱 All installed applications and their data
• 📸 Photos, videos and music (if not saved to a memory card)
• 📞 Contact and SMS (If not synced with Google or Mi Account)

How to reset to Redmi 5A:

1. Back up important data (via Settings → Additional → Backup or manually on PC).
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).

Once reset, the phone will be like new, but the Other Files category will be reduced to a minimum size (usually 100-300MB) that is guaranteed to solve the problem, but takes time to reset the phone.

💡

Before reset, check if your Mi Account is tied to your phone. After reset, Xiaomi can request a login and password to unlock (anti-theft protection).

Method 6: Transfer data to a memory card

If the cleaning did not help, and you do not want to reset, the solution is to expand memory using microSD. Redmi 5A supports cards up to 128 GB (officially up to 256 GB, but in practice there may be problems with cards more than 128 GB).

How to transfer data to SD-map:

1. Insert the card into the slot (on Redmi 5A it is combined with the SIM-slot, so you have to choose: either 2 SIM or 1 SIM + microSD).
2. Format the card as internal memory (this will allow you to install applications on it): Settings → Storage → Setup → Format as internal memory
3. Move applications through Settings → Annexes → Application management → [select the application] → Warehouse → Change. → Memory map.

Note that not all applications can be migrated to SD. Also, once the card is formatted as internal memory, it cannot be retrieved without losing data (the system will perceive it as part of the main storage).

How to Prevent the Storage of Garbage in the Future

To prevent the category “Other Files” from growing again, follow these tips:

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Storage (once every 1-2 weeks).
• 🚫 Remove unnecessary ones APK After installing applications (they remain in the Download folder).
• 📥 Set up automatic download cleanup in Google Chrome or MIUI Browser.
• 🎮 For games, use cloud-based saves (such as Google Play Games) to avoid storing large files on your phone.
• 📊 Turn off automatic download of media in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).

It is also worth disabling unnecessary Xiaomi system applications that actively cache data:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find and disable (do not delete!) unnecessary services, such as: Mi Video (if you do not watch videos), Mi Music (if you use Spotify or YouTube Music) Mi Browser (if you use Chrome)

💡

The Redmi 5A is particularly quick to accumulate garbage due to the weak Snapdragon 425 processor. The less free memory, the more the phone brakes. Optimal to hold at least 1.5-2 GB of free space.

FAQ: Frequent questions about deleting files on Xiaomi Redmi 5A

If none of these methods worked, there may be a problem with a corrupted file system, and that's where you can just flash your phone over Fastboot or call a service center, which is rare on Redmi 5A, but it's possible after incorrect updates or crashes.