Not enough memory for Xiaomi Redmi 9A — What to do in 2026?

Xiaomi Redmi 9A — One of the most popular budget smartphones, but its main drawback is the fact that it is a big one. 32 GB of internal memory (of which the user is available near the 20-25 Over time, even this modest memory is clogged with photos, apps and system files, and the phone starts to slow down, giving the message: "Not enough memory. Make room for the device to function properly." 10 How to Clean Your Memory on Redmi 9A without loss of important data, including hidden functions MIUI and the nuances of working with memory cards.

Feature of Redmi 9A — lack of slot for second SIM-While microSD cards are used, porting data to an external drive requires caution, and many users face the problem of not allowing applications to be installed on a memory card even after formatting it as internal storage. We will show you how to get around these limitations and make the most of the available space.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly eats memory?

Before you clear memory, you need to understand which files take up the most space. 9A There are built-in tools for this. MIUI, But they don't always show the whole picture:

1. Through phone settings: Go to Settings → The phone. → Memory. Here you'll see a diagram of the memory distribution by category: System, Applications, Images, Videos, etc. Click on any category to see the details.
2. With the File Manager: Open the Files app (from Xiaomi), go to Storage Analysis, and sort files by size and date of creation.
3. Third-party apps: Utilities like Files by Google or SD Maids show hidden files (such as.thumbnails cache or remnants of deleted applications) that are standard tools. MIUI non-reflect.

Pay attention to the following memory eaters:

• 📸 High-resolution photos and videos (especially if the camera saves the images in the image) HEIF/HEVC — They weigh more than JPEG).
• 🎮 Cash games, for example, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty can be used for 2-5 GB).
• 📥 Downloads (APK-files, archives, documents that are downloaded and forgotten).
• 🤖 System updates (.zip firmware files remain in the folder) /sdcard/Downloaded_rom).

2. Clear cache and temporary files without data loss

Application cache and system temporary files can take up to 3-5 GB on Redmi. 9A. They can be safely deleted without fear of losing important information:

Clearing the cache of all applications

The fastest way is:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Open each major app (social networks, instant messengers, games) and click Clear Cache.

Disposal of system debris through MIUI

MIUI has a built-in cleaning tool:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleanup section. → Deep cleaning.
3. Select Garbage Files and App Cache, then click Clean.

⚠️ Note: Do not manually clear the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui or com.miui.home) through Settings → All applications. This can cause interface failures. MIUI.

2.3 Delete.thumbnails files and thumbnails

folder DCIM/.thumbnails It stores thumbnails of all images and videos. It can weigh up to 1 GB, but it can be safely removed:

1. Open the file manager and enable the display of hidden files (in Xiaomi Files: three dots) → Settings → Show hidden files).
2. Move to the /sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails and delete all files inside.

Clean up the social media cache (VK, Telegram, Instagram)

Delete the cache of Google Play Services and Play Market

Check Downloads folder for unnecessary files

Clear the history in the browser (Chrome, MIUI Browser)

Remove thumbnails from.thumbnails-->

3. Transfer data to a microSD memory card

Redmi 9A Supports microSD cards up to 512 GB, but there are nuances:

• 📱 The card can be used either as a portable storage (files are copied manually) or as internal memory (applications can be installed on it).
• ⚠️ When formatted as internal memory, the card is encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
• 🔄 Not all applications support the transfer to SD-map (especially games and system utilities).

3.1 Formatting the card as an internal memory

If you are willing to sacrifice the card’s compatibility with other devices, follow the instructions:

1. Put the card in the slot (if necessary, remove the second one). SIM-map).
2. Go to Settings → Memory → Memory Map.
3. Click Format as Internal → Clean and Format.
4. After formatting, select Transfer Data to move supported applications.

⚠️ Note: After formatting as internal memory, the card will not be retrieved without losing data, and some applications (such as WhatsApp or Banking applications) will refuse to work with it.

Manual transfer of files to SD-map

If you do not want to format the card as an internal one, you can manually transfer files:

1. Open the files. → Select a category (such as Images or Videos).
2. Press and hold the file, then select Allocate (or the files you want).
3. Click Transfer and select Memory Card.

To automatically save new photos/video to the map:

1. Open the camera → press the gear (settings).
2. Select a Retention Site → Memory map.

4. Removing unnecessary applications and optimizing installed applications

Many Redmi users 9A They're installing dozens of apps that they forget over time, and even unused programs can take up space because of updates and cache:

Removal of pre-installed applications (bloatwer)

MIUI It's known for a lot of pre-installed apps, some of which can be removed without root rights:

• 🎵 Mi Music and Mi Video – if you use other players.
• 📰 Mi Browser – if you prefer Chrome or Firefox.
• 🛒 GetApps (Xiaomi Store) – if you only use Google Play.
• 📡 Mi Community – if you are not participating in Xiaomi forums.

How to delete:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the unnecessary app and click Delete (if the button is active).
3. If there is no Delete button, click Disable – this will stop its operation and updates.

4.2. Transfer of applications to a memory card

Even after formatting the card as internal memory, not all applications can be moved.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application → Warehouse.
3. If there is a Change button, click it and select Memory Card.

⚠️ Attention: Transfer of applications to SD-The card can slow them down, especially if the Class 4 or Class 6 card is used. UHS-I (Class 10 or higher.

4.3 Use of lightweight versions of applications

Many popular services have "light" versions that take up much less space:

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If you can’t uninstall the system app, try disabling its updates. Open Google Play to do this. → Menus. → Settings → Auto Update Applications and select Do Not Update Automatically for Specific Programs.

5. Optimization of photos and videos

Photos and videos are the main memory eaters at Redmi 9A. Even if you put them on a map, the new images will fill up the internal memory again:

Change in camera resolution

By default, the Redmi camera 9A It takes pictures at maximum resolution, but it can be reduced:

1. Open the camera → press the gear (settings).
2. Select Photo Resolution and set 8 MP instead of 13 MP.
3. For video, choose 720p instead of 1080p.

This will reduce the size of one photo with 3-5 MB to 1-2 MB without significant quality loss on small screens.

5.2 Compression of existing photos and videos

To compress already taken pictures, use the applications:

• 📸 Photo Compress – compresses photos without loss of quality.
• 🎥 Video Compress – Reduces the size of the video 2-3 once.
• 🖼️ Google Files – has a built-in tool for cleaning duplicates and compressing media.

5.3 Automatic uploading of photos to the cloud

If you have access to the Internet, set up an automatic upload of photos to the cloud and delete them from your phone:

• 🌥️ Google Photos – Freely Stores Photos in Compressed Quality).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud – 5GB free for Xiaomi users.
• 📧 Yandex Disk or Mail.ru Cloud - give 10-20 GB free.

After uploading the photo to the cloud:

1. Open Google Photos → Photo Photo → press three points → Make room.
2. Confirm the removal of already uploaded photos from the device.

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Compression of photo with 12 MP to 8 MP and video translation 720p can be released 2-3 GB of memory on Redmi 9A several months of use.

6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If all of the above methods fail, and the phone still gives you an error "Not enough memory", then the last option is a complete reset.

• 🔄 Backup your contacts, photos and important files.
• 📝 Write down your account logins and passwords (or use Google Smart Lock).
• 📋 Save it. SMS (for example, through SMS Backup & Restore).

How to perform the reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 9A discharge may take up to 10-15 Do not interrupt the process, even if the phone seems to be stuck on the logo. MI. Once reset, the phone will turn on as new and you will need to reconfigure it, including logging in to your Google account and Mi Account.

7 Hidden MIUI functions for memory release

MIUI It has several hidden tools that help you manage memory more efficiently than standard Android settings:

"Lite" mode (lightweight firmware)

On the Redmi. 9A You can enable Lite mode, which disables animations and background processes:

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities.
2. Select Lite Mode and activate it.

Restriction of background activity

Many applications continue to run in the background, consuming memory and battery power, to limit them:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management
2. Select Applications and set Restricted mode for unnecessary programs.

7.3 Cleaning through Recovery Mode

If the phone is severely slowing down and does not respond to commands, you can clear the cache through recovery mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Select Wipe Cache Partition (Manage – volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
4. Restart the phone (Reboot).

⚠️ Warning: Do not select Wipe Data in Recovery Mode – this will result in a complete reset of the phone!

8. Alternative methods: OTG-drives and cloud services

If internal memory and microSD cards are not enough, consider the following options:

8.1 Use. OTG-flash-drive

Redmi 9A supportive OTG (USB On-The-Go, which allows you to connect external drives:

• 🔌 Buy it. OTG-adapter (stands beside) 100-200 ruble).
• 💾 Connect a flash drive or external hard drive (formatted into a FAT32 exFAT).
• 📁 Transfer files through the file manager.

8.2 Streaming instead of downloading

Instead of downloading movies and music, use streaming services:

• 🎬 YouTube (instead of downloading videos).
• 🎵 Spotify or Yandex Music (streaming instead of downloading tracks).
• 📚 Google Play Books (reading without downloading books).

8.3 Remote access to files

If you need to temporarily free up space, but do not want to delete files forever:

• 🖥️ Upload files to Google Drive or Dropbox and delete them from your phone.
• 📎 Use Telegram as a cloud storage (send files to yourself in Saved Messages).

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If you're hooked up often OTG-Format it in exFAT – this format supports files larger than 4 GB (unlike the one in the file format). FAT32).

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory at Redmi 9A