Cache Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 5: 5 Proven Ways to Speed Up Your Phone

Why Redmi 5 is slowing down and how cache affects performance

Your Xiaomi Redmi 5 has become slower to work, applications are long open, and the system periodically “hangs”? 80% of cases to blame crowded cache — temporary files that accumulate over years and take up precious memory. On the Redmi 5 model with its modest 2/3 GB of RAM and 16/32 GB of ROM, this problem is especially acute: after a year of active use of free space may remain less than 10%, and the system will begin to slow down even for simple tasks.

There are three types of cache: system (Android files), application cache (messaging, gaming, social media) and Dalvik cache (optimized files to speed up the launch of programs). On Redmi 5 running MIUI 9/10 (or custom firmware), cleaning each type requires different approaches, for example, simply removing the WhatsApp cache will free a couple of hundred megabytes, and resetting the Dalvik cache through Recovery can return the “fast” to the system, as after purchase. But here it is important not to overdo it: some files reboot the cache, and you will have to delete the data back when the application.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 ways to clean up Redmi 5 cache, from the simplest (via settings) to the most advanced (using ADB and TWRP). Each method is tested on a real device and adapted to the features of Xiaomi: for example, the hidden /cache partition, which is not visible through the standard file manager, but can take up to 1.5 GB on tired devices, and you will learn which files can be deleted without risk and which should not be touched – even if they take up gigabytes.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications through settings

The safest and most recommended method for beginners is to remove the cache of specific applications through the settings menu.This does not affect system files and does not require superuser rights. On Redmi 5, the path to this menu is slightly different from other Xiaomi smartphones due to the MIUI version:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to All Applications (or Applications → Application Management in MIUI 10).
3. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size, so you will see the most "gluttonous" programs.
4. Select an app (like Facebook or YouTube) and click Clear Cache.

Top.-5 The apps that most often clog Redmi 5:

• 📱 Facebook and Messenger – up to 500MB of cache per month;
• 🎮 PUBG Mobile/Free Fire - before 1.2 GB (cache of textures and maps);
• 📷 Gallery - miniatures of photos and videos occupy 200-400 MB;
• 🎵 Spotify/Yandex Music - cache of songs before 1 GB;
• 🌐 Chrome/Opera — temporal files (300-800 MB).

⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the cache of system applications with an icon MIUI (For example, com.miui.home or SecurityCenter, this can cause shell malfunctions, and avoid clearing the cache of Google Play Services (com.google.android.gms), otherwise Google services (maps, sync, etc.) will stop working.).

Delete the cache of messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)

Clear the game data (if you are not playing)

Clear the browser cache (Chrome, Opera)

Remove miniatures from the Gallery

Check the cache of cards (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps)-->

Method 2: Automatic cleaning through "Safety" (MIUI Optimizer)

Xiaomi has built a powerful optimization tool into MIUI, the Security app (or Security in English firmware), which not only cleans the cache, but also deletes unnecessary files, uninstalled software remnants, and analyzes autoboots. On Redmi 5, it works more efficiently than third-party cleaners like CCleaner, because it has access to system partitions.

Instructions for deep cleaning:

1. Launch the Security app (shield icon).
2. Slip the button Optimization (or Cleaner).
3. Select the Deep Clean tab and wait for the scan.
4. Check the boxes: 🗑️ Cash app; 📁 Unnecessary files (remainders) APK, logic); 🔍 Remains of annexes.

Click Clean and confirm the action.

🔹 Tip: In the same menu there is a function Acceleration - it closes the background processes, freeing up RAM. 5 s 2 GB of memory gives an increase in productivity on 15-20%. However, don’t abuse it: if you close critical system processes (e.g. miui.guardprovider), notifications may disappear or gestures may stop working.

Method 3: Manually clean through file manager (for experienced)

If you're willing to dig through system folders, you can manually delete cache that you can't see through standard settings, and you'll need a file manager with access to root partitions like MiXplorer or Solid Explorer. Importantly, without root rights, you can't delete files from system directories, but even regular access will allow you to clean up user data.

Key folders for cleaning on Redmi 5:

• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ — cache of games and applications (for example, here are downloaded maps of Google Maps);
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo and video miniatures (can be removed without consequences);
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Download/ — Uploaded files that have not been used in a long time;
• 📂 /data/data/ — Application cache (root rights required).

⚠️ Note: Never delete files from folders:

• /system/ – this will lead to a phone blink.
• /efs/ – IMEI and serial numbers are stored here.
• /data/app/ — removal APK-file breaks applications.

Also, don’t touch files with the.odex or.oat extension – they are responsible for optimizing Android.

Method 4: Clean Dalvik cache and /cache partition via Recovery

If your Redmi 5 runs on custom firmware or you have TWRP installed, you can clear the Dalvik cache and /cache partition – this will give you maximum performance gains. Dalvik cache contains optimized versions of applications, and it can take 5-10 minutes to recreate after cleaning the system on the first start, but the result is worth it: the phone will become noticeably faster.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery.
3. In TWRP, select Wipe → Advanced Wipe.
4. Check the boxes: Dalvik / ART Cache; Cache.

Swipe your finger across the screen to confirm (Swipe to Wipe).

Reboot your phone (Reboot System)

🔹 What does this cleanup do:

• 🚀 Accelerating app launches (especially noticeable on Redmi 5 with 2GB of RAM);
• 📉 Liberation. 300-800 MBT memory;
• 🛠️ Fixing some errors (such as sudden reboots).

💡

If the phone is loading for a long time after cleaning the Dalvik cache (more than 10 minutes), don't panic - that's OK. The system recovers optimized files. Don't turn off the device and remove the battery!

Method 5: Hard Reset – a last resort

If all previous methods failed, and Redmi 5 is still slowing down, the last option is a full reset (or Hard Reset) that will remove all data from the phone, including apps, photos, contacts and settings, but return it to factory performance. On Xiaomi, you can do the reset in two ways: through settings or through Recovery.

Method 1: Through settings (if the phone is turned on)

1. Open Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
2. Select Settings Reset.
3. Check to clear your internal memory (optional if you want to erase everything).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

Method 2: Recovery (if the phone is not turned on)

1. Enter Recovery (Power button + Volume up).
2. Choose Wipe Data → Factory Reset.
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

⚠️ After the reset of Redmi 5 will need to reset:

• 🔑 Sign in to your Mi Account (if you have been linked);
• 📱 Install all applications;
• 📞 Restore contacts (if there was no backup).

If you forget the Mi Account password, the phone may lock after reset! before the procedure, check if you remember the login details.

💡

A full reset is a last resort. Before you do it, try clearing the cache through Recovery (Method 4) and optimizing autoboot (turn off unnecessary apps in Settings → Permissions → Autorun).

How to prevent cache clogging in the future

To avoid having to do the cleaning every week, follow these tips:

• 🔄 Regularly clean the cache of messengers and browsers (once in a week). 1-2 weekdays).
• 🚫 Don’t install cleaners like Clean Master – they clog the system with background processes.
• 📵 Limit the background activity of applications: go to Settings → Battery → Power management applications and disable auto-start for unnecessary programs.
• 🔄 Update the firmware - in new versions MIUI optimized work with cache.
• 📱 Use lightweight versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).

You can also enable automatic cleaning on Redmi 5:

1. Open Security. → Settings.
2. Activate the Auto Cleanup option.
3. Choose a frequency (e.g., every week).

🔹 Bonus: If you play heavy games frequently (e.g, PUBG or Call of Duty, set them on a memory card (if any). → Change. → This will reduce the load on the phone's internal memory.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up cache on Redmi 5