How to delete other files on Xiaomi Redmi Note 3: Full Guide

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 is a legendary smartphone that is still used by many users, despite the release of newer models. However, over time, even 16/32 GB of internal memory begins to get clogged with unnecessary files: remnants of deleted applications, cache of system processes, duplicate photos and hidden data that take up precious space. If your Redmi Note 3 began to slow down, issue notifications about memory shortages or just work slowly, the problem is not in the “aging” of iron, but in the littered file system.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 proven ways to delete unnecessary files on Redmi Note 3, including hidden system data that isn’t visible through the standard file manager. You will learn how to distinguish secure files from critical ones, what tools to use for deep cleaning, and how to avoid typical errors that lead to malfunctions in the smartphone. ADB and TWRP — methods that are rarely covered in standard guides, but give maximum effect.

1. Standard cleaning methods: what can be removed without risk

Start with the basic tools built into MIUI. They don't require root rights and are suitable for users who don't want to go into technical details. The main goals here are app cache, temporary files and update debris.

Open Settings → Memory. The system will automatically scan the device and show the distribution of occupied space into categories: Apps, Images, Audio, Video and Other Files. The latter category often contains up to 30% of unnecessary data. Click on it, then select:

• 🗑️ Application cache — temporary files that can be deleted without consequences, and the system will restore them the next time programs run.
• 📁 Downloads – a folder where outdated ones accumulate APK, Documents and archives, check it manually before cleaning.
• 🔄 Remains of Remote Applications – folders com.name in /data/data/ (You can only see from the root).
• 📊 Logs and dumps – files with the extension.log or.dmp, created by the system when crashes.

It’s also helpful to look at Settings → Apps → All apps, sort them by size and remove the cache for the heaviest programs (like Facebook, Telegram or Google Maps).Warning: Don’t clear the cache for system applications like MIUI Security or Google Services Framework – this can lead to synchronization errors.

⚠️ Warning: If the app starts to work unstable after cleaning the cache (for example, YouTube constantly reloads the video), reinstall it.

2. Deep Cleanup through File Manager: Hidden Folders and Garbage

The standard MI File Manager on Redmi Note 3 hides many of the system folders, but they can be made visible.

1. Open the file manager.
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner → Settings → turn on Show hidden files.
3. Go to the root directory (/) and examine the following folders:

Pay special attention to the folder /sdcard/Android/data/. It stores application data (like game cache or offline maps), you can only delete folders of programs you have already uninstalled. For existing applications, cleaning this folder is equivalent to resetting their settings.

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Before mass deletion of files, back up important data to your PC or cloud. MIUI Backup (Settings) → Additionally. → Backups or third-party tools like Titanium Backup (requires root).

3. Cleaning through ADB: for advanced users

If standard methods didn’t work and root rights didn’t work, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) will be a powerful tool for removing system debris, a technique that requires connecting a smartphone to a PC and basic command line knowledge.

First, turn on the USB debugging:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate Developer Mode.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.

Install ADB on your PC (download Platform Tools from Google) and connect Redmi Note 3 over USB.

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed. If not, check the drivers.)

adb shell pm list packages -f

(Shows a list of all packages installed with paths to their APKs.)

To remove the remnants of uninstalled applications, search for folders in /data/app/ with names of the form com.example.app-1 and do:

adb shell rm -rf /data/app/com.example.app-1

⚠️ Note: Do not delete folders with names starting with com.android., com.miui. or com.google. these are system components. The error can lead to bootloop (locked on smartphone).

Install Platform Tools on PC|Enable USB debugging on your smartphone |Download backup data |Check the list of packages before deleting |Use only commands from trusted sources-->

4. File Deletion via TWRP Recovery: Maximum Cleanup

If your Redmi Note 3 has a custom TWRP recap, you get access to low-level partition cleaning that is not available through standard means.

• 📉 Smartphone gives the error “not enough memory”, although there should be enough space.
• 🔄 Applications are constantly restarted or crashed.
• 🚨 The system offers to reset settings, but you want to avoid data loss.

To clear unnecessary files through TWRP:

1. Turn off your smartphone and press Power + Volume up to enter the Recovery.
2. Select Advanced → File Manager.
3. Go to /data/ and delete: dalvik-cache/ (Dalvik virtual machine cache, will be restored automatically), lost+found/ (files recovered after file system failures). tomcat/ (remains of temporary web servers, if used).

Wipe → Advanced Wipe

Cache

Dalvik Cache

Critical: Do not delete the system/, vendor/ or.img folders in the root directory, which will cause the device to fail.

5 Automated Tools: What to Use on Redmi Note 3

If manual cleaning seems difficult, use specialized applications, but be careful: many Google Play cleaners litter the system with ads or collect data themselves. We tested the following tools on Redmi Note 3:

• 🧹 SD Maid (requires root) - removes empty folders, duplicates and application residues. Supports cleaning /data/local/ and /sdcard/.trashes.
• 🗃️ Files by Google is a free tool from Google that provides a search function for large and unnecessary files.
• 🔍 CCleaner is a classic cache cleaner, but on MIUI It can conflict with system processes. Use only to clean up user data.
• 📦 App Cache Cleaner – a lightweight application for mass cleaning of installed programs cache.

For SD Maid, we recommend the following settings:

1. Open the app and provide root access (if any).
2. Go to CorpseFinder and see the remnants of the remote applications.
3. In SystemCleaner, tick the boxes: Empty folders, Big files (files larger than 10 MB), Old downloads.

Run

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On the Redmi Note 3 with MIUI 9/10, some cleaning applications (such as Clean Master) can cause a System Interface Stop error, in which case uninstall them and use alternatives like SD Maid or built-in MIUI tools.

6 How to prevent future memory debris

To avoid returning to the cleanup every few months, set up Redmi Note 3 to automatically manage files:

• 📥 Limit the cache to individual applications. Go to Settings → Annexes → [Select the application] → Memory and set a cache limit (e.g. 50MB for Chrome).
• 🔄 Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play. Only update manually when connected to Wi-Fi.
• 📸 Set up a photo backup in Google Photos or Mi Cloud, and then delete the originals from your smartphone.
• 🗑️ Use the "Basket" in MI File Manager: Enable it in the file manager settings – deleted files will be stored for 30 days before final erasure.

It is also useful to disable unnecessary system processes that generate garbage:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Select Application Selection and disable Autoplay for underutilized programs (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, if you don’t use them).
3. In Settings → Notifications, disable notifications from system applications like Cleaner or Security – they often create background processes.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many Redmi Note 3 users experience problems after a faulty clean, and here are typical scenarios and ways to solve them:

If you are not sure if you can delete a specific file, use VirusTotal to download the file (if it is not system-based) and check if it is part of MIUI or Android.

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 3 with older firmware MIUI 11 It is not recommended to use functions such as "Deep Clean" in MIUI Security: They often delete files that are necessary for the design themes and widgets to work.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions