Xiaomi Redmi 4X โ One of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, but over time even it begins to "slow down." The main reason is a cache that takes up precious memory and slows down the system. 4X has 16/32 GB of internal memory, so cleaning the cache is especially relevant here.
In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to clean the cache โ from standard tools MIUI We'll also look at which cache can be deleted without risking data, and which ones should not be touched. 4X Become slower, apps crash or constantly appear notification โNot enough memoryโ โ this instruction is for you.
Important: Methods are suitable for all versions MIUI (including global and Chinese), but some menu items may be slightly different. If you have custom firmware installed, some features may not be available.
1.What is cache and why should it be cleaned on Redmi 4X
Cache is a temporary file that creates apps and a system to make things faster, for example, when you open Instagram, the app saves thumbnails of photos so that they load faster the next time you run them, and the same thing happens with your browser, messengers, and games.
Redmi's problem 4X in that:
- ๐ฑ Little memory: even 32 GB cache quickly, if you actively use your smartphone.
- ๐ข Old CPU: Snapdragon 435 canโt cope with overloaded memory, which causes the phone to โlay downยป.
- ๐ MIUI Likes to cache: Xiaomi shell aggressively saves time data to speed up work, but often it gives the opposite effect.
When the cache gets too big:
- ๐ซ Apps fly out or open for a long time.
- ๐ Battery goes down faster โ the system has to spend resources on processing unnecessary files.
- ๐ฒ A notification โNot enough memoryโ appears, even though you have not installed anything.
But there's a caveat: not all cache can be deleted, like cleaning up the cache of system applications like Google Play Services can cause crashes, and we'll show you how to do it safely.
2. Method 1: Clearing the cache through settings MIUI (safest)
It's a standard way, which doesn't require any additional software or root rights, and it's suitable for beginners and those who are afraid of breaking something.
Instructions:
- Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
- Go to the Appendix section โ Application management.
- In the upper right corner, press three dots (โฎ) and select Sort by size so you will see which apps take up the most space.
- Select an app (like Chrome or Facebook) and click Clear Cache.
- For a complete cleanup, repeat the action for all major applications.
To speed up the process, you can use the built-in Cleanup utility:
- Launch the Security app (shield icon).
- Press Cleaning โ Deep Cleaning.
- Select the app cache and confirm the deletion.
Advantages of the method:
- โ No need to root.
- โ Safe for the system.
- โ You can selectively clean the cache of specific applications.
Disadvantages:
- โ Does not clear the system cache (dalvik-cache), which can take up to 1-2 GB.
- โ You will have to repeat the procedure manually once in a while. 1-2 weekdays.
โ๏ธ What to do before cleaning the cache
Method 2: Clearing the cache through Recovery Mode (for power users)
If you're Redmi. 4X It's a big slowdown, and standard cleaning doesn't work -- it's time to look into Recovery, and you can delete dalvik-cache, the hidden files that the system creates to speed up applications, and they can't be cleaned through normal settings, but they can take up to a few hours. 1-1.5 GB memory.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Mistakes in Recovery can cause your phone to reset to factory settings. If you're not sure, skip this method.
Instructions:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the power buttons simultaneously + Loud up and hold until the Mi logo appears.
- Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery menu (in English or Chinese).
- Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
- Select the Wipe & Reset option โ Wipe Cache.
- Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
- Reboot the phone (Reboot) โ Reboot to System).
What exactly is cleaned in Recovery:
| Cache type | What's removed | Safe? |
|---|---|---|
| Wipe Cache | Temporary system and application files (including dalvik-cache) | โ Yes. |
| Wipe Data | All user data (photos, contacts, applications) | โ No (full reset) |
| Wipe Dalvik-Cache | Android Virtual Machine Cache (accelerates application launch) | โ Yes (but apps will be open longer after cleaning) |
After cleaning through Recovery, the first launch of the phone may take 5-10 Minutes are normal, as the system recovers the necessary files.
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If you've cleaned up the cache in Recovery, and it's even slower, don't panic. It's temporary: Android is reassembling the dalvik-cache. Wait. 10-15 minutes, and the speed will return to normal.
Method 3: Using third-party applications for automatic cleaning
If you're too lazy to manually clean the cache of each application, you can use specialized utilities that not only delete unnecessary files, but also optimize the system.
Top.-3 supplant 4X:
- ๐งน CCleaner - a classic utility with the function of cleaning cache, residual files and memory analysis.
- ๐ SD Maid is a powerful deep cleaning tool (includes removing empty folders and duplicates).
- ๐ Files by Google โ Googleโs lightweight app with Cleanup feature (no root required).
How to use (in the example of CCleaner):
- Download and install the app from Google Play.
- Run and press Analysis.
- Go to the Cash tab and select cleaning apps.
- Click Clean and confirm the action.
โ ๏ธ Note: Some โoptimizersโ (e.g, DU Speed Booster or Clean Master can slow down the phone as it's constantly hanging in the background. 4X With its weak processor, this is particularly critical. Use only the proven utilities in the list above.
Advantages of third-party applications:
- โ Automatic cleaning on schedule.
- โ Ability to remove cache immediately for all applications.
- โ Additional functions (duplicate search, memory analysis).
Disadvantages:
- โ Some Utilities Show False Threats to Make You Buy a Premium Version.
- โ They can slow down the phone if they are working in the background.
What applications should NOT be used to clean the cache?
5. Method 4: Clearing the cache of Google Play Services and other system applications
System applications (such as Google Play Services, MIUI System or Android System WebView also accumulate cache, but you need to clean them carefully.
How to safely clean the cache of system applications:
- Go to Settings โ Applications โ Application Management.
- Press three points (โฎ) Select Show System Processes.
- Find Google Play Services (or other system application) in the list.
- Press Warehouse. โ Clear the cache.
- Do not click โClear Dataโ โ this will result in resetting the application settings!
What system applications can be cleaned without risk:
- ๐ Google Play Services โ responsible for Google services.
- ๐ Android System WebView โ used to display web content in applications.
- ๐ฑ MIUI System - Xiaomi shell cache.
- ๐ Google App (Google search).
โ ๏ธ Warning: If errors occur after cleaning the cache of system applications (for example, Google services stopped working), just restart the phone.
Important for Redmi. 4X: On this model, you can not clean the cache of the following applications:
- com.xiaomi.finddevice (search for the device).
- com.miui.securitycenter (security center).
- com.android.phone (phone services).
Cleaning them can result in the loss of the network or the inability to call.
6. Method 5: Manually remove cache through file manager (for advanced)
If you want to have full control of the process, you can manually delete cache files through the file manager, a method that requires root rights (if you want to clear the system cache) or at least access to hidden folders.
Instructions:
- Install a file manager with access to root folders (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
- Go to /data/data/, where all applications are stored.
- Find a folder with the name of the application package (for example, com.facebook.katana for Facebook).
- Inside will be a cache folder - delete its contents.
To clean dalvik-cache (root rights required):
- Go to /data/dalvik-cache/.
- Delete all files with the.dex extension.
- Reboot the phone.
โ ๏ธ Note: Deleting files manually without root can cause crashes. If you are not sure, use other methods.
Benefits of manual cleaning:
- โ Complete control over what is removed.
- โ You can clear the cache even those applications that do not appear in the settings.
Disadvantages:
- โ Risk of removing important files.
- โ Requires technical knowledge.
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Manual cache cleaning is the most effective method, but it's also the most dangerous. If you're not sure what you're doing, use standard tools. MIUI or recovery.
7.How often do you need to clear the cache on Redmi 4X
The cleaning frequency depends on how you use your phone:
| Type of use | Recommended frequency | Signs it's time to clean up |
|---|---|---|
| Light (calls, messengers) | Every 1-2 months | The phone is slowly opening applications |
| Average (social networks, photos, videos) | Every 2-3 weeks | There was a notification โNot enough memoryโ |
| Intensive (playing, multitasking) | Once a week. | Apps fly out or take a long time to load |
Signs that the cache is clogged and it needs to be cleaned urgently:
- ๐ข The phone slows down when opening even simple applications (for example, Calculator or Contacts).
- ๐ฅ Overheats for no apparent reason (cache makes the processor work at its limit).
- ๐ต The โclear memoryโ notification appears constantly, even though you havenโt downloaded anything.
- ๐ Battery sits down for 3-4 hours (cache increases the load on the system).
Tip: If you notice that after cleaning the cache, the phone only works faster 1-2 day, and then again slows down - the problem may not be in the cache, but in the:
- ๐ Worn-out battery (check battery health in Settings) โ Battery).
- ๐ฑ Overloaded memory (remove unnecessary applications and transfer the photo to a memory card).
- ๐ฆ Viruses (scan your phone via Malwarebytes or Dr.Web).