Cache Clearing on Xiaomi Redmi 5: Full Instruction for Beginners and Advanced

Xiaomi Redmi 5 is still popular even a few years after its release due to its balanced performance and robust platform. However, over time, many users experience slowdowns, sudden hangs or lack of space. 80% of the time, the cause is crowded cache — temporary files that the system and applications create to speed up repeat operations. But when these files become too many, they start to slow down the phone instead of helping.

In this article, you will find not only the standard ways to clean the cache through settings, but also hidden methods for deep cleaning, which are rarely mentioned in official instructions. We will discuss how to properly remove the cache without risking data, which applications should be cleaned first, and what to do if after cleaning the phone began to work even worse, and we will pay special attention to myths: for example, why regular cleaning of the cache through “cleaners” can reduce the life of flash memory by 15-20%.

What is cache and why should it be cleaned on Redmi 5?

Cache is a buffer memory that stores temporary data for quick access. On Xiaomi Redmi 5, the cache is divided into three types:

• 📱 System cache - files MIUI And Android, which is the interface that loads quickly, and it's only cleaned through recovery.
• 📦 App cache – data of messengers, browsers, games (for example, uploaded maps in Google Maps or thumbnails in Instagram).
• 🗃️ Dalvik cache is an optimized version of installed applications, which can only be removed when reset or through a reset. ADB.

On Redmi 5, with its modest 16/32GB of storage, the cache can take up to 3-5GB — that's almost 20% of the total!

• 🐢 Phone "stutters" when scrolling menus or opening apps.
• 🔄 Apps spontaneously reboot (e.g. YouTube or Chrome).
• 📉 Free disk space decreases without installing new programs.
• 🔋 The battery sits on 15-30% faster than usual (cache makes the processor work harder).

⚠️ Attention: Don't confuse cache with app data! Clearing Telegram cache will only delete temporary files (like preview photos), and cleaning up data will delete all chats and media. On Redmi 5, it's critical: it's almost impossible to recover deleted data without a backup.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications through settings

The safest method that doesn't require superuser rights is suitable for removing the cache of messengers, browsers and social networks. On Redmi 5, the path to the menu may differ depending on the version of MIUI (8-12), but the overall scheme is the same:

1. Open Settings → All applications (or Settings → Applications → Application Management in MIUI 12).
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size, so you will see the most "gluttonous" programs.
3. Select an app (like Facebook or Google Play Store) and click Clear Cache.

Top.-5 Apps that are worth cleaning on Redmi 5 first and foremost:

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 5s MIUI 9 and below after clearing the cache, Google Play Services may stop working push notifications. To restore them, restart your phone and check your Internet connection.

Method 2: Deep Cleaning with Recovery Mode

If the phone is severely slowing down or lacking space even after cleaning the app cache, it is time to remove the system cache and Dalvik cache.This method requires a reboot to Recovery Mode and is suitable for advanced users. On Redmi 5 with an unlocked bootloader, you can use both standard and custom recovery (TWRP).

Step-by-step instructions for standard recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up for 10-15 seconds at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the recovery menu, select the language (if you have a choice) then:
4. To clear the Dalvik cache, select: Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache → Confirm
5. Restart your phone through Reboot → System.

What this method does:

• 🚀 Speeds up the loading. MIUI on 20-30%.
• 🗑️ Releases until 1-1.5 GB space.
• 🔄 Fixes the "app has stopped" error (com.android.phone has stopped).

Method 3: Automatic cleaning with built-in MIUI tools

Xiaomi has integrated several memory optimization utilities into MIUI; Redmi 5 is more efficient than third-party cleaners because it has access to system processes, and the key is to set them up properly.

How to turn on automatic cleaning:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory (or Settings → Storage in MIUI 12).
2. Slip the Cleanup at the bottom of the screen.
3. Activate options: 🔄 Autocleaning – removes cache when charge or memory is low. 🗑️ Deep Cleanup – Analyzes rarely used files. 📊 Usage statistics – shows which apps are the most littered.

Clean up

Features of working on Redmi 5:

• 🔋 Autocleaning is triggered when the battery is under 15% or free space is less than 500 MB.
• 🕒 Deep cleaning can take up to 5 minutes – do not interrupt the process!
• 📱 After cleaning, it is recommended to restart the phone for changes.

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If some applications (e.g. system) don't appear in the Cleanup menu, use the trick: open Settings → Special Features → Special Features Services and disable all unnecessary services. This will cause MIUI to show hidden processes in the cleanup utility.

Method 4: Cleaning the cache through ADB (for advanced)

If standard methods don't work and you don't want root rights, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to remove the cache of system applications that are usually hidden from the user, and is suitable for Redmi 5 with USB debugging enabled.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Cleanup commands:

adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.miui.home # Clearing the launcher cache


adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.vending # Google Play Cleanup




adb shell su -c "rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*" # Cleaning Dalvik cache (requires root)




adb shell su -c "rm -rf /cache/*" # Cleaning system cache (requires root)

⚠️ Note: Su commands require superuser rights; Redmi 5 may block them from being granted OTA-Update and cancel warranty. Without root, these commands won't work.

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Cleaning through ADB is the only way to remove the cache of system applications (such as MIUI Security or Mi Account) that do not appear in the standard Apps menu.

What to do if after cleaning the cache, the phone began to work worse

In rare cases, Redmi 5 users face the opposite effect: after cleaning the cache, the phone begins to warm up, discharge faster or give out errors.

If the problems don't go away,

1. Check the free disk space – if less than 1 GB, the system may not work well.
2. Turn off automatic cleaning in MIUI for 1-2 days (it may delete the files you want).
3. Make a factory reset (Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset), but save the data first!

Cache cleaning myths: what’s really bad for Redmi 5

There are a lot of tips on Xiaomi’s “optimization” that are actually harmful, and we’ll take a look at the most popular myths that are relevant to Redmi 5:

• 🚫 Myth 1: "The more you clean the cache, the better." Reality: Constant cleaning forces the system to recreate the cache files, which increases the load on the flash memory. 5 eMMC-memory 5.1 This could reduce the resource to 10-15% yearly.
• 🚫 Myth 2: "Clean Masters are better at cleaning systems than CCleaners." Reality: These applications often delete files and show false "optimizations." On Redmi 5, they may conflict with the system. MIUI Optimizer, calling out lags.
• 🚫 Myth 3: "Cache clearing speeds up games." Reality: In games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty cache stores textures and levels, and cleaning it will lead to longer loads and jerks when playing.
• 🚫 Myth 4: "Dalvik cache can be cleaned once a week." Reality: Dalvik cache is created to optimize the operation of applications. MIUI.

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On Redmi 5, the optimal cache cleaning frequency is 1 every 2-3 weeks or when specific problems appear (brake, lack of space).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning cache on Xiaomi Redmi 5