How to completely clean the cart on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi 4X is one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, but even it accumulates garbage in the form of deleted files that take up space in the cart. Many users do not suspect that simply deleting photos or documents does not free up memory immediately: files first go to temporary storage, which requires manual cleaning. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to clean the cart on Redmi 4X, including hidden MIUI functions, third-party utilities and the nuances of working with different types of files.

Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) has a limited internal storage capacity (16/32GB depending on the modification), so every megabyte counts. If you notice that disk space is running out and the gallery or file manager displays photos you have already deleted, the problem is with a crowded shopping cart, and we'll tell you how to clean it without risking losing important data, and what to do if standard methods don't work.

Why is the Xiaomi Redmi 4X not automatically cleaned?

Unlike the current MIUI 12+ versions, where the basket can be cleaned on a schedule, the Redmi 4X (with MIUI 8/9) requires manual control.

• 📱 Outdated firmware: Versions MIUI The bottom 10 doesn't support automatic basket cleaning. 4X last-of-the-line firmware — MIUI 11 (Android 7.1.2), but many users still use earlier builds.
• 🗑️ Separate Recycle Bin: Files from Gallery, File Manager and Downloads are sent to different temporary repositories, each of which needs to be cleaned separately.
• 🔄 Sync Errors: If you use Mi Cloud or third-party clouds (such as Google Photos), deleted files can be duplicated in the local and cloud shopping cart.

Another common problem is hidden bin files, such as when you update the firmware, the.trash folder (where deleted files are stored) may become invisible to the standard file manager, requiring root rights or special utilities like Root Explorer.

⚠️ Note: If you delete files more than 30 days ago, but they still take up space - check not only the basket in the Gallery, but also the folder /storage/emulated/0/.trash via a covert file supporter (e.g. Solid Explorer).

Method 1: Cleaning the basket through a standard gallery

The easiest method is to use the built-in Gallery app, which is suitable for removing photos and videos, but does not affect documents or videos. APK-file.

1. Open the Gallery app (an icon with colorful photos).
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner and select Recycle Bin (or Recently Deleted in older versions of MIUI).
3. Click Manage (or Edit) → highlight all files (check at the top) → Delete forever.
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

If the button is missing, it means:

• 🔍 You use an alternative gallery (e.g. Google Photos – check the cart there).
• 📂 Files were deleted not through the Gallery but through the File Manager (see Method 2).
• 🛠️ Removed files saved in the settings (check Gallery settings) → Basket).

Check out the updates for the Gallery app in Play Market

Reboot your smartphone and try again.

Remove the cache of the Gallery in Settings → Applications

Try clearing the basket through the File Manager (see the following method)-->

Method 2: Use of the MIUI File Manager

The integrated File Manager on Redmi 4X allows you to clear the Recycle Bin for all types of files, including documents, archives and APK.

1. Open the File Manager (Icon with folder).
2. Go to the Category → Cart (or Recently Deleted) tab.
3. Select all files (long-term press → ticks) → click Delete at the bottom of the screen.
4. Confirm the action by selecting OK.

If the basket folder is empty, but the memory is still occupied:

• 🔎 Check Hidden Folders: Open File Manager Settings → Show hidden files and find.trash,.recycle, or Recycle Bin.
• 📁 Delete the contents of the folders Download/.trash, DCIM/.thumbnails (miniature).

⚠️ Warning: Do not delete the.trash or Recycle Bin folders completely - they will be recreated, but this can disrupt the system utilities.

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when memory ends

Never cleaned.-->

Method 3: Cleaning with Engineering Mode (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use Engineering Mode, a hidden diagnostic menu that is suitable for removing system debris, including residual trash files.

1. Open the phone app and enter the code: ##4636##
2. In the menu that opens, select Storage.
3. Tap Clear Cache – This will delete temporary files, including some of the data from the shopping cart.
4. For deep cleaning, go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup and select Deep Cleanup.

Important: This method does not replace manual cleaning of the shopping cart, but helps to remove files that do not appear in the standard menu.

Method 4: Third-party applications for cleaning the basket

If the built-in MIUI tools don't work, you can use third-party utilities.The best options for the Redmi 4X are:

• 🧹 Files by Google: Free Manager with garbage cleaning function. automatically finds files in the trash and offers to delete them.
• 🗃️ SD Maid (requires root): Deep cleaning, including.trash and Recycle Bin system folders.
• 🔍 CCleaner: Deletes cache and temporary files, but doesn't always see the basket MIUI.

Instructions for Files by Google:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Open it and go to the Cleanup tab.
3. Select Recycle Bin or Recently Deleted Files.
4. Click Clean and confirm the action.

⚠️ Attention: Apps like SD Maid with root rights can delete critical system files. Create a backup through Settings before using → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

💡

If you have not released your memory after cleaning the cart, check the /storage/emulated/0/Android/data folder, which can store remote app caches that take up gigabytes. Delete the folders of programs that you have long since uninstalled.

Method 5: Manual removal via ADB (for advanced)

If the cart is not cleaned by any of the above methods, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the smartphone to a PC.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer (e.g. Minimal ADB and Fastboot).
2. Turn on USB Debugging on Redmi 4X: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode) → Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (cmd) in the folder with ADB.
4. Enter the commands in turn: adb devices (should display your device) adb shell su (allow root access on your phone if requested) rm -rf /storage/emulated/0/.trash/* rm -rf /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Gallery/trash/*
5. Reboot your smartphone: reboot

Critical: Incorrect use of ADB can lead to data loss or system failure.This method is recommended only for advanced users.

What to do if the Redmi 4X is not cleaned?

If none of these methods worked, the problem may be related to:

• 🛑 File system damage: In this case, only a factory reset will help (Settings) → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Resetting settings).
• 🐛 Firmware error: Update MIUI Up to the latest available version for Redmi 4X (See official Xiaomi website).
• 🔒 Rights restrictions: Some basket folders may be blocked. check permissions in Settings → Annexes → File manager → Permits.

If the smartphone does not see files in the cart, but the memory is occupied:

1. Connect Redmi 4X to your PC and use DiskInternals Linux Reader to scan your internal memory.
2. Find folders called trash, recycle, or.delete and delete their contents.

💡

If you haven't released your memory after all the manipulations, check Settings → Memory → Internal Memory. It may not be the shopping cart, but the app cache or update debris.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning the cart on Xiaomi Redmi 4X