Memory cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: from simple ways to radical measures

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is one of the most popular smartphones of the brand, but even its 32 or 64 GB of internal memory sooner or later ends. High-resolution photos, app cache, system updates and unnecessary files eat precious megabytes, and the phone begins to slow down. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to clean memory, from basic to advanced, including hidden MIUI functions and working with ADB.

It's important to understand that just delete files is not enough, that you need to find and fix the source of the problem, whether it's a voracious application, a bug in the system or a bad storage setting, and that we're not going to advise you to "delete everything," but we're going to show you how to make room wisely without losing important information.

Why does Redmi Note 5 run out of memory?

There may be several reasons, and most often they are combined:

• 📸 High-resolution photos and videos. Redmi Note 5 captures 12 MP, and one photo weighs 3-5 MB. HD It takes up to 150 MB/min.
• 🗑️ App cache: Social media, instant messengers and games save temporary files that can take 5-10 GB.
• 🔄 System updates. MIUI Downloads update packages in the background, even if you don’t install them.
• 📱 Duplicates and garbage. Files like thumbnails, error logs, outdated APK They remain after the installation of the program.
• ☁️ Offline cache of maps and music. Google Maps, Yandex.Music or Spotify can download gigabytes of data.

The Redmi Note 5 feature is the lack of a memory card slot in some versions (for example, in the 64 GB version), which means that you can not expand the memory, and you have to work with what is, and the system reserves up to 6-8 GB for your needs, which further reduces the available space.

Method 1: Removing the application cache manually

The easiest and most secure method is to clean the cache, which does not delete personal data (logins, messages, game progress), but frees up space occupied by temporary files. On the Redmi Note 5, you can do this in two ways:

1. For a separate application: Go to Settings → Apps → App Management. Select a program (like Facebook or Instagram). Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data!).
2. All applications at once: Open Settings → Storage. Slip on Cache Data. Confirm the cleanup (free from 100 MB to 2-3 GB).

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache for system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui) this can cause interface failures. Also avoid clearing the cache for Google Play Services, which will slow down Google services.

Method 2: Automatic cleaning with built-in MIUI tools

MIUI has a built-in memory optimization tool called Clearer, which analyzes the system and suggests that you delete the files you don't need.

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleanup tab.
3. Click Scan and wait for the check to be completed.
4. Select file categories to delete: 🗑️ Garbage files (remains after uninstallation, temporary data). 📁 Large files (archives, videos, unused files) APK). 🔍 Duplicate photos (if the function of searching duplicates is enabled).

Confirm the cleanup.

🔹 Tip: In the Cleaner settings, you can enable Auto Cleaner, which will remove debris when you lock the screen.However, this can slow down the phone if it is turned on too often.

Method 3: Remove unnecessary applications and their residues

Many users install programs and then forget to delete them, and worse still, even after uninstallation, they still have folders and cache to get rid of the software that they don't need.

1. Remove Settings: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Sort the list by size (Size in the top menu). Delete programs you don’t use (e.g., preinstalled games from Xiaomi).
2. Removing residues with file manager: Open Explorer (or Mi File Manager). Go to Internal Memory → Android → data. Find folders with the names of remote applications (for example, com.tencent.mm for WeChat) and delete them.