Memory cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: from cache to reset settings

Xiaomi Redmi 4X

santoni

16 GB of internal memory

"Not enough memory."

Android and MIUI actively cache data

clean-up

SD-map

Many Redmi 4X owners are faced with a paradox: the phone shows that the memory is full, but the gallery does not have gigabytes of photos, and the list of applications is only messengers and social networks. The reason for this is the system cache, remnants of deleted programs and duplicate files. The feature of MIUI on Redmi 4X is aggressive reserved memory for updates, which can “eat” up to 3-4 GB without the user’s knowledge. If you see that less than 1 GB is free, it’s time to act.

Before you start cleaning, check what exactly occupies space. Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory. Here you will see the distribution by category: System, Applications, Images, etc. Pay attention to the "Other" item, which is often where the main debris is hidden.

1. Cleaning the cache of applications and systems

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up work, and over time, it accumulates and can take up to several gigabytes. On Redmi 4X, the cache is divided into two types:

• 📱 Cache of user applications (messengers, browsers, games)
• ⚙️ System cache (files) MIUI Android)

Clearing the cache does not delete important data (messages, photos, accounts), but it can reset some settings in applications (for example, authorization in games).

To clear the cache of individual applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose an app (such as Chrome or Facebook).
3. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data button – it will delete all settings!).

For mass cleaning of cache of all applications:

1. Open the settings → Memory → Clean.
2. Check the box against "Cash" and click "Clear".
3. Confirm the action (a password may be required).

The system cache is cleared through Recovery mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (control – volume buttons, choice – power button).
4. Wait for completion and restart the device.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option will reset your phone to factory settings and delete all your data.

Close all background applications

Connect your phone to charge (the process can take 5-10 minutes)

Backup of important data (in case of failure)

Check the vacant space before and after cleaning-->

2. Delete unnecessary files and duplicates

MIUI on Redmi 4X has a built-in garbage detection tool called "Cleanup." It's in the Settings menu → Memory → Cleanup or on the desktop (broomstick icon).

• 🗑️ Unnecessary files (remains of remote applications, temporary files)
• 📁 Duplicates (repeated photographs, documents)
• 🎵 Large files (video, archives, unused files) APK)

How to use the built-in cleaning correctly:

1. Launch the tool and wait for the scan to be completed.
2. Check each item manually! For example, in the "Big Files" section, you may find important videos or backups.
3. Pay special attention to the Download folder - unnecessary ones often accumulate there. APK-file.
4. Click "Clear" and confirm the action.

For deeper cleaning, use third-party utilities, for example:

• 🛠️ Files by Google (free, no ads)
• 🧹 CCleaner (there is a function of searching for duplicates)
• 🔍 SD Maid (Paid version cleans system folders)

Pay attention to the hidden folders:

• .thumbnails – image thumbnails (can be removed)
• .estrongs – File Manager Cache ES Explorer
• Android/obb – game data (delete if games have already been deleted)

To see hidden folders, enable the display of hidden files in the file manager settings.

💡

If the phone gives an error "Not enough memory" when installing applications, check the folder /sdcard/Android/obb. Often there are gigabytes of data from long-deleted games.

3. Transfer of applications and data to SD-map

Redmi 4X supports microSD up to 256GB, but not all applications can be transferred to a memory card. MIUI allows you to move only some programs, and some (for example, system) remain in internal memory.

Method 1: Through application settings

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Telegram or VK).
3. Press "Storage" → "Change" → "SD-map".
4. Confirm the transfer (reboot may be required).

Method 2: Setup SD-card-based

⚠️ Warning: This method formats a memory card and it won't be used on other devices.

1. Put it in. SD-phone-card.
2. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Memory. → SD-map.
3. Select Settings (three dots in the upper right corner) → Format as an internal drive.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (the process will take 5-10 minutes).

After formatting:

• 📲 Annexes will be installed on SD-default-card.
• 📁 Some of the system files will remain in internal memory.
• ⚠️ The map cannot be retrieved without data loss!

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Transfer of applications to SD-The only way to do this is if you don't have enough space for new programs, and if you have a problem with your system files or cache, this method won't solve it.

4. Removal of system applications (debloating)

The MIUI on Redmi 4X by default contains many pre-installed applications (bloatver) that cannot be removed in standard ways.

• 🎵 Mi Music and Mi Video (if you don't use them)
• 📰 Mi Browser (can be replaced with Chrome)
• 🛒 Mi Store, Themes, Game Center
• 📡 Cleaner (duplicates the built-in cleaning)

Removing them will require root rights or using ADB (no root).We will look at a secure way through ADB that does not require unlocking the bootloader:

Instructions for removing system applications through ADB:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (ADB and Fastboot) on PC.
2. On your phone, turn on USB Debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times until the message “You’re a developer” appears). Then go to Settings → Additional → Developer → Debugging by USB.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
5. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
6. Uninstall an unnecessary application (e.g. Mi Music): adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.player A list of system application packages can be found here.

Once the command is executed, the application will disappear from the menu, but its data will remain in the system. To return the application, you just need to reset the phone settings or execute the command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.player

⚠️ Note: Do not remove system applications called com.android. or com.miui. unless you are sure of their purpose.

5. reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

If all the previous methods didn't work, and the phone still gives you an error, "Not enough memory," even though there should be enough space, it's time to completely reset.

• 📱 All installed applications and their data
• 📷 Photos, videos and music (if stored in internal memory)
• 🔑 Accounts, passwords and Wi-Fi settings
• 📋 Messages, calls and contacts (unless synced with Google)

Before resetting, make a backup copy:

• 📁 Copy photos and videos to your PC or cloud (Google Photos, Yandex.Disk).
• 📋 Export contacts to the file VCF: Contacts → Settings → Exports/imports.
• 🔐 Write down Wi-Fi passwords (you can find them in Settings) → Wi-Fi → Save networks).
• 🎮 Save game data via Google Play or social media.

Resetting methods on Redmi 4X: Method 1: Through settings

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
2. Select "Settings Reset."
3. Check the box "Clear internal memory" (optional if you want to delete all files).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Method 2: Through Recovery

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Recovery menu appears.
3. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

Once reset, the phone will turn on in a boxy state, you will need to reconfigure accounts, Wi-Fi and restore data from the backup.

💡

Factory reset is a last resort, and if memory problems are caused by physical wear and tear on the drive, even Hard Reset won’t help for long.

6.Memory optimization after cleaning

To prevent memory problems from returning in a week, follow these tips:

• 📸 Set up automatic upload of photos to the cloud (Google Photos, Yandex.Disk) and delete the originals from your phone.
• 🎮 Delete the cache of games after passing (especially for Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile and other “heavy” games).
• 📥 Change the default file download path to SD-Map: Settings → Warehouse → The default saving path.
• 🔄 Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play or limit it to Wi-Fi only.

It is also recommended that:

• 🛡️ Install antivirus (such as Malwarebytes) to look for malicious files that can clog memory.
• 📊 Regularly check the occupied space in the Settings → Memory.
• 🔧 Use lightweight versions of applications (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite, Twitter Lite).

For advanced users:

• 🐧 Install custom recovery (TWRP) And use scripts to clean up. /data/app and /data/dalvik-cache.
• 🔧 Turn it off. MIUI Optimization (requires root) to reduce background system activity.

If, even after all the manipulations, the memory runs out quickly, this may indicate wear and tear on the internal drive, in which case only replacing the eMMC chip in the service center will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleaning on Redmi 4X