Memory Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: A Complete Guide with Proven Methods

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5

In this article, we’ll look at 7 proven ways to clean up memory, from basic (cache and debris removal) to radical (factory reset), how to free up to 15 GB of space without losing important data, which applications are eating away memory, and how to automate the cleaning process. All methods tested on Redmi Note 5 with MIUI 10-14 firmware and are relevant for Note 5 Pro, Note 5A models.

We'll focus on hidden folders that take up gigabytes but don't show up in a standard file manager, and why Settings cleans up only 20 percent of the effect -- and what to do to remove the other 80 percent of the trash.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly is the memory?

Before you start cleaning, you need to understand which files are eating up precious gigabytes. Redmi Note 5 has built-in tools for this, but they show an incomplete picture.

Open Settings → Storage. Here you will see a diagram of the distribution of memory by category:

• 📁 Applications – installed programs and their data (cache, settings).
• 📷 Images and videos - photos, screenshots, downloads from messengers.
• 🎵 Audio – music, podcasts, voice messages.
• 📄 Documents — PDF, Word, Excel and other files.
• 🗑️ Other – here hides the main garbage: system logs, temporary files, remnants of remote applications.

Note the “Other” item, which is more than 3 to 5 GB, and it’s a sign of a serious clogging, and check the “Apps” section, where some programs (like Telegram or WhatsApp) can weigh 1-2 GB just by cacheing media files.

For detailed analysis, use third-party utilities:

• 🔍 Files by Google – shows junk files (duplicates, large folders, unused files) APK).
• 📊 SD Maid – Finds Remnants of Remote Apps and Empty Folders.
• 🛠️ CCleaner – Clears cache and temporary files (caution: not all features are free).

⚠️ Note: If you see the "System Data" item in the Storage section 10+ GB, it could be a firmware failure, and then you can only reset to factory settings.

2.Cleaning App Cache: A Quick Way to Free 1–3 GB

Application cache is a temporary file that is created to speed up programs, accumulates over time and can take up to several gigabytes. Delete the cache is safe: applications will simply create it again the next time they run.

Method 1: Clearing the cache for individual applications

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like YouTube or Chrome).
3. Press "Storage» → «Clear the cache».

Method 2: Mass cleaning the cache of all applications

1. Open Settings → Storage → Cache data.
2. Confirm the removal (the system will show how much space will be freed).

Method 3: Automatic cleaning with MIUI Optimizer

• 🤖 Launch the Security app (shield icon).
• 🧹 Go to the Cleanup tab and click Deep Cleanup».
• 🗑️ Check the boxes “Residual Files” and “App Cache” and then confirm.

Close all active applications | Check free space before cleaning |Do not delete application data (cache only) |Reboot phone after cleaning-->

Important: Don’t confuse Clear Cache with Clear Data**! The second option will delete all settings and application files (e.g. saves in games or chats in instant messengers).

3. Delete unnecessary files: photos, videos, APKs and duplicates

Media files are the main memory eater, and even if you regularly transfer photos to your computer, you still have:

• 📸 Screenshots (daddy) Pictures/Screenshots).
• 🎥 Video from messengers (folders) WhatsApp/Media, Telegram/Telegram Video).
• 📦 APK-files (remain after installing applications from third-party sources).
• 🔄 Duplicate photos (created when editing or backup).

How to find and delete:

1. Open Files (standard file manager MIUI).
2. Go to Categories → Images/Video.
3. Sort files by size (click on three dots → “Sort” → “By size”).
4. Delete unnecessary files (for mass deletion, keep your finger on the file and select the rest).

To find duplicates, use Files by Google:

• 🔍 Launch the application and go to the “Cleanup” tab».
• 📋 Select “Duplicate Files” or “Disamage/Dark Photos».
• 🗑️ Review the proposed files and delete unnecessary ones.

⚠️ Attention: Folders DCIM/.thumbnails and Android/data They contain service files. Delete them only if you know exactly what they're responsible for! For example, deleting the com.whatsapp folder in the Internet. Android/data This will result in the loss of all WhatsApp chats.

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To avoid losing important photos when cleaning, enable auto-reservation in Google Photos (Settings → Backup and Sync). Files will be available in the cloud even after you delete them from your phone.

4. System garbage cleanup: hidden folders and logs

MIUI creates a lot of temporary files that are not automatically deleted, including:

• 📜 Error logs (daddy) /data/log).
• 🔄 Update files (folder) /cache or /data/ota_package).
• 🗃️ Empty folders from remote applications.
• 📦 Firmware archives (remain after updates) OTA).

To remove them, you will need a file manager with root permissions (such as Root Explorer) or ADB-If you don't have root rights, use this safe method:

1. Install SD Maid from Google Play.
2. Run Recycle Bin (deletes empty folders) and System Garbage** (finds logs and temporary files).

For power users: Cleaning through ADB (PC connection required):

adb shell pm trim-caches 256m # Clears the cache of all applications


adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Deletes temporary files




adb shell rm -rf /cache/* # Clears the cache folder (safe)

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Cleaning /cache through ADB or recovery can free up up to 2GB of space, but don’t manually delete files from /system, it will cause firmware to crash!

5. Application Optimization: What Can Be Delete Without Harm?

Many pre-installed MIUI applications take up space but are never used, and can be disabled (if there is no root) or removed (with root rights).

List of safe apps to remove/disable on Redmi Note 5:

• 🎵 Mi Music - standard player (can be replaced by Spotify or VLC).
• 📺 Mi Video - Video Player (alternative — MX Player).
• 📰 Mi Browser – a browser with ads (better Chrome or Firefox).
• 📡 Mi Remote – Remote (if not used).
• 🛒 Mi Store, GetApps - branded stores (you can disable it).
• 📊 Analytics, MSA — Service applications for statistics collection (removed only from root).

How to disable pre-installed applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Browser).
3. Click “Disable”** (the button will appear if the application cannot be removed).

To completely remove system applications, root rights and Titanium Backup or System App Remover are required. Deleting some system APKs (e.g. com.xiaomi.finddevice) may disrupt Find Device!

6. Transfer data to a memory card or cloud

If internal memory is critically lacking, some of the data can be transferred to microSD (up to 256 GB) or cloud storage. Redmi Note 5 supports exFAT (recommended for cards >64 GB).

How to transfer applications to SD-map:

1. Insert the memory card and format it as internal memory (all data on it will be deleted!).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select an app (like Spotify) and click on Storage → Change → Memory Map.

Limitations:

• ❌ Not all applications support the transfer to SD.
• ❌ After the transfer, the application may work slower.
• ❌ System applications cannot be moved.

The alternative is cloud services:

• ☁️ Google Photos – Automatic Photo/Video Upload (up to 15 GB free).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud – 5GB free (integrated into the MIUI).
• ☁️ Yandex Disk – 10 GB free (comfortable for documents).

⚠️ Note: If you are formatting SD-The card is like internal memory, it can't be retrieved without data loss.

7.Extreme measure: reset to factory settings

If all previous methods failed and the phone is still slowing down or is still giving out memory deficiencies, it’s time to do a hard reset.This will delete all data, including apps, photos and settings, so back up first!

How to reset Redmi Note 5 to factory settings:

1. Save important data to your PC or cloud.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select “Settings Reset”** and confirm.
4. Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

If the phone is not turned on or freezes, reset via recovery:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the recovery menu, select “Wipe Data” → “Wipe All Data”**.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

After discharge:

• 🔄 Install only the necessary applications.
• 🚫 Refuse to sync unnecessary data (e.g. game backups).
• 📱 Clean the cache regularly (once every 1-2 weeks).

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Redmi Note 5