Cache Cleanup on Redmi 4X: The Complete Guide for Xiaomi 2017

Redmi 4X (codenamed Santoni) is one of Xiaomi’s most popular budget smartphones, released in 2017. Despite modest by modern standards, the Snapdragon 435 processor, 2/3 GB of RAM, the device is still actively used thanks to the MIUI firmware and the possibility of expanding memory. However, over time, even this “unkillable” device begins to slow down, and the fault of this is cache.

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications and a system to speed up work. But when too much of it accumulates, the effect is reversed: the phone opens programs slower, warms up, and the memory ends at the most inopportune moment. In this article, we will examine all the ways to clean the cache on Redmi 4X — from standard MIUI tools to hidden functions for power users. And also find out why after cleaning the cache, some applications can temporarily run slower (this is normal and fixes automatically).

Why Redmi 4X cache needs to be cleaned regularly

On the Redmi 4X with its 16 or 32GB of internal storage, every megabyte counts.Cash takes up the lion's share of free space, and here's why:

• 📱 System cache (/cache) — Stores update data, log files and temporary files MIUI. It could grow to 1–2 GB.
• 📦 App cache — every messenger, browser, and game creates its own folder, like Facebook or Telegram, easily accumulate 500-800 MB.
• 🔄 Dalvik cache — optimized files to speed up the launch of programs. MIUI It can take up to 300-500 MB.
• 🗑️ Garbage after removal – many apps leave “tails” in folders /data or /sdcard.

According to the tests, after a year of active use, the Redmi 4X accumulates an average of 3-5 GB of unnecessary cache. This is critical for a model with 16 GB of memory, where ~10 GB is allocated to the system, and the user only has 5-6 GB. When filling up 90% of memory, the phone begins:

• ⏳ Hanging up when opening a gallery or camera.
• 🔥 Overheating when multitasking.
• 📵 spontaneously close the background applications.
• 🔋 Quickly discharge (cache increases the load on the processor).

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse cache with app data! Cache clearing is secure and doesn't delete your accounts, messages or settings. But data cleanup (Clear everything in the app settings) will reset the program to factory status.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications through settings

The easiest and safest method is to remove the cache for specific programs, which does not require superuser rights and is suitable for beginners.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Show all apps (to see system ones).
3. Choose an app (such as Chrome or Facebook).
4. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

For mass cleaning:

1. In the same Application menu, tap on the sort icon (three lines) and select Size.
2. Programs are sorted by place – starting with the most “voracious”.
3. Clear the cache for applications that are >100 MB.

⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the cache for system applications called com.android... or com.xiaomi... unless you are sure of their purpose. MIUI.

Method 2: Using a built-in MIUI cleaner

MIUI has a built-in Cleanup tool (formerly Security) that deletes unnecessary files, including cache. On Redmi 4X, it works more efficiently than third-party utilities, since it has access to system folders.

How to use:

1. Open the Cleanup app (icon with broomstick).
2. Press Deep Clean (at the bottom of the screen).
3. Wait for the analysis (may take 1-2 minutes).
4. Select the Cash category and click Clear.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔍 Automatically finds cache of all applications, including hidden ones.
• 🛡️ Does not affect important system files.
• 📊 It shows how much space will be vacated.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Does not clear Dalvik cache (reboot to Recovery required).
• ❌ May miss the cache of some games (for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).

💡

If the phone still brakes after cleaning through MIUI Cleaner, try restarting it, and the system will reassemble the cache for commonly used applications, and they will work faster.

Method 3: Clearing Dalvik Cache with Recovery Mode

Dalvik cache is an optimized file created by the Android virtual machine to speed up the launch of applications. On Redmi 4X, it is stored in the /data/dalvik-cache folder and can take up to 500 MB. Clearing this cache helps if:

• 🐢 The phone is slowing down after the update. MIUI.
• 🔄 Apps are constantly flying out with an error.
• 📱 Memory is full, but you haven't installed any new programs.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the Redmi 4X.
2. Press Volume Up + Power and hold for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (if required).
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Dalvik Cache.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
6. Restart the phone (Reboot).

⚠️ Attention: After cleaning the Dalvik cache, the first launch of the phone will take 2-3 minutes longer than usual!

If your Recovery does not have a Wipe Dalvik Cache, you have a standard firmware without TWRP. In this case, use an alternative method:

1. Install TWRP Recovery for Redmi 4X (instructions are available on 4PDA).


2. Repeat the steps above, but in TWRP, select Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache.

Method 4: Manually clean the cache through the file manager

For power users who want to control the process, manual cleaning through a root file manager (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer) is a good way to remove cache that standard tools don’t see.

What folders can be cleaned:

• 📂 /data/data/*/cache — cache of all user applications.
• 📂 /cache — System cache (all contents can be deleted).
• 📂 /sdcard/Android/data/*/cache — cache of games and programs on the memory card.

Step-by-step:

1. Install a file manager with root support.
2. Give him superuser rights (if requested).
3. Go to /data/data and sort the folders by size.
4. Remove the contents of cache folders in applications that take up a lot of space.
5. Clean the /cache folder completely.
6. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files in folders /data/data//lib or /data/data//databases — It's gonna crash the apps, and don't touch the files. /system, unless they are sure of their appointment.

If you don’t have root rights, you can only clear the cache for those applications that allow access to their folders (for example, through Settings → Memory → Other apps).

💡

Manual cache cleaning is more effective than automatic cache cleaning, but requires caution. An error when deleting system files can lead to bootloop (a looped boot) or data loss.

Method 5: Resetting cache through engineering menu (for advanced)

Redmi 4X’s engineering menu allows low-level cache cleaning, including hidden partitions, which is useful if the phone has become unstable after firmware or upgrade.

How to open the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code: ##4636###.
3. Select Battery Information (or Usage Statistics).
4. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Clear Cache (if the item is missing, use an alternate code).

Alternative codes for Redmi 4X:

• #36446337## - Equipment test (some versions of MIUI have a cleaning option).
• ##7780## - Reset settings (does not delete data, but clears the cache).

If the engineering menu does not provide a cleanup option, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge):

adb shell


su




rm -rf /cache/*




rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*




reboot

This method requires connecting the phone to a PC and installed ADB drivers. Detailed instructions on setting up ADB for Xiaomi can be found on the official developer website.

What to do if cleaning the cache does not help

If the Redmi 4X continues to slow down after all the manipulations, the problem may be deeper:

• 🛠️ Memory Fragmentation: On eMMC phones (like Redmi’s) 4X) The read/write speed deteriorates over time, so the solution is to transfer frequently used applications to a memory card (Settings) → Annexes → Move it to SD).
• 🔋 Battery wear: At a charge below 15%, the Snapdragon 435 processor begins to trott (lower performance.
• 🤖 Outdated firmware: The latest official updates for Redmi 4X They came out in 2020. MIUI 11 or older, consider switching to custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
• 🦠 Viruses or Mining: Some malware masquerades as system processes and loads CPU. Check your phone through Malwarebytes.

If none of these things worked, it might be time to think about hardware upgrades. Redmi 4X is available for:

• 🔄 Replacing eMMC with a faster one (but it’s difficult and expensive).
• 🔋 Replacement of the battery (cost) ~1000-1500 rubles).
• 📱 Switching to a new smartphone (for example, Redmi Note 10 or POCO M4 Pro).

Frequently asked questions