Memory Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 5A: from cache to complete reset

Xiaomi Redmi 5A is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017, but its modest 16 or 32 GB of internal memory is quickly clogged with garbage. Even after removing photos and apps, the system can show "memory is full" and the phone can slow down.

The fact is that Android systems (including the MIUI on the Redmi 5A) They use cache, temporary files and backups, and many applications leave behind tails, which are undeleteable folders in the backup. /Android/data/ or /Android/obb/. In this article, we will understand 7 working ways to clean up memory, from the safest to the most radical, with detailed instructions and warnings about possible risks.

Important: Redmi 5A runs on Android 7.1.2 Nougat with a MIUI 9/10 shell, so some methods (like accessing root folders) may require additional rights. If your phone is upgraded to MIUI 11/12, part of the interface may differ, but the way things work remains the same.

1. Cleaning the app cache through settings

The easiest and safest way to free up to 1-3 GB of memory is to delete the cache of applications, which does not affect personal data (photos, messages, accounts), but can reset the settings of some programs (for example, login in games).

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes.
• 🔍 Slip three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size so you will see the most voracious programs.
• 🗑️ Select an app (such as Facebook, YouTube or Google Play Services) and click Clear Cache.
• 🔄 Repeat for all applications where the Clear Cache button is active.

⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse Clear cache and Clear data! The second action will delete all program settings, including logins and saves. Cache are temporary files that the application can recover on the next run.

Delete Google Play Services cache (up to 500MB)| Clear YouTube cache (offline video)|Delete Facebook/Instagram cache (images and stories)|Clean up MIUI Launcher cache (icons and wallpaper)

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If the cache is not cleared (the button is inactive), the application is protected by the system, and special software will help in this case, as discussed in the next section.

2.Use of the built-in MIUI cleaner

MIUI has a built-in memory optimization tool called Security (formerly called Cleanup) that analyzes junk files, remnants of deleted applications and cache, suggesting that they be deleted in one click.

Step-by-step:

1. Launch the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleanup tab (or Accelerate in new versions of MIUI).
3. Wait for the scan to be completed (it may take 1-2 minutes).
4. Click Clean – the system will delete unnecessary files.
5. For deep cleaning, tap Deep Clean and select file categories (such as Application Residues or Large Files).

⚠️ Attention: In the section Deep cleaning MIUI may suggest removing files from the Download folder or DCIM. Before confirming, check if there are any important documents or photos – the system does not distinguish between “junk” and user data!

Once a week | Once a month | Only when the place is out | Never cleaned(a) | Using automatic cleaning

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3. Remove unnecessary system applications (without root)

The Redmi 5A, like many Xiaomi smartphones, comes with pre-installed apps (bloatwear) that can’t be removed in standard ways.

• 🎵 Mi Music and Mi Video (if you use YouTube Music or other video) VLC)
• 📰 Mi Browser (if you use Chrome or Firefox)
• 📱 Du Apps (Cleaner, Battery Saver) – Du Apps (Cleaner, Battery Saver)
• 🎮 Mi Game Center and App Vault (if not playing)

You can remove them without root rights using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the phone to a computer, but does not violate the warranty.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB drivers (you can download from the official Android website).
4. Open the command line in the adb.exe folder and type:

adb devices

(Your device name should appear) Then:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer

Replace com.miui.videoplayer with the batch name of the unwanted application (the list of popular is in the spoiler below).

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications may cause malfunctions MIUI (For example, widgets disappear or update errors. Before the procedure, back up via Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

4. Data transfer to memory card

Redmi 5A supports microSD up to 256 GB, but by default most applications are installed in internal memory.Moving some data to the card will help free up to 5-10 GB if you configure the system correctly.

How to transfer data:

• 📁 Photo and video: Use a file manager (such as Mi File Explorer) to move the folder DCIM The alternative is in the camera settings (Camera settings). → Place of conservation) to select SD-map.
• 🎵 Music and Documents: In the Mi Music or Files app, select files, click Empower → Move it → Memory map.
• 📱 Not all programs support the transfer to SD, But some (such as games with large.obb files) can be moved through Settings. → Annexes → Select an application → Memory. → Change. → Memory map.

⚠️ Note: Class 4 or Class 6 memory cards may slow down applications that have been ported to the PC SD. For Redmi. 5A It is recommended to use a Class 10 card or UHS-I (For example, SanDisk Ultra or Samsung. EVO).

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If the app stops working after you transfer it to SD, return it to internal memory. Some programs (such as WhatsApp or Banking applications) block external media for security reasons.

5 Manually clean folders through file manager

Many files that MIUI does not recognize as garbage can be manually deleted, and any file manager with access to system folders (such as Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer) will do.

Which folders can be cleaned:

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from folders:

• 🚫 /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/ — This is where game data is stored (deleting the game will cause a reset of progress).
• 🚫 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/ — System shell files (may disrupt the operation) MIUI).
• 🚫 /storage/emulated/0/Alipay/ or /Tencent/ — Payment system data (risk of account blocking).

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Before manually deleting folders, be sure to check their contents! System files often have.db,.xml or.dat extensions - they are not worth touching.

6. reset to factory settings (hard reset)

If all previous methods failed, and the phone still shows "memory is full," the radical way is to completely reset, which will delete all data, including apps, photos, messages and settings, so the method is only suitable in extreme cases.

How to reset:

1. Back up your important data (photos, contacts, messages). Use Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset settings.
3. Select Reset your phone settings and confirm the action.
4. Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 5A s MIUI 9/10 After reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account. If you forget your password, your phone may lock.

Alternative resetting method (if the phone is not turned on):

1. Turn off Redmi 5A.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage by volume buttons, confirm by power button).
4. After reset, select Reboot.

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If the phone still shows little memory after reset, check Settings → Memory. Sometimes the system reserves space for updates (up to 3-5 GB), which does not appear as available.

7.Memory optimization with third-party applications

If manual methods seem complicated, you can use specialized cleaning programs. - For Redmi 5A fit:

• 🧹 CCleaner – deletes cache, temporary files and analyzes large folders.
• 📊 Files by Google – Shows junk files and duplicates.
• 🔍 SD Maid (requires root) – deep cleaning of system folders.
• 🗑️ 1Tap Cleaner – Quick cleaning of cache with one tap.

⚠️ Note: Some "cleaners" (e.g., Clean Master or Clean Master) DU Speed Boosters can display false virus alerts or offer paid features. on Redmi 5A They often consume more resources than they free up.

Example of Files by Google:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open the Cleanup tab.
3. Select categories: Unnecessary files, Duplicates or Large files.
4. Look through the list and remove the unnecessary.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Redmi 5A