Memory Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 4: from cache to hidden files

Why Redmi 4 is fast filling memory and how to fix it

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 4 (released in 2017) often face memory problems, despite the announced 16/32/64 GB of internal storage, not only in modest by modern standards, but also in the features of the firmware MIUI, which actively caches data, duplicates files and creates backup copies. Even after deleting applications, free space can “melt” in front of the eyes — this is normal behavior of the system, but it can be controlled.

The main memory eaters on Redmi 4: app cache (especially messengers and social networks), duplicate photos from cloud services, residual files after uninstallation of programs, system logs and dumps, which MIUI does not always clean automatically.

Without regular cleaning, the phone starts to slow down, apps fly out, and the camera refuses to save pictures.

7 Proven Ways to Free Memory on Redmi 4 Without Root Rights and Losing Important Data, Including Hidden Features MIUI, They're not written in the standard instructions. MIUI 8 MIUI 14 (inclusive).

1. Built-in cleaning MIUI: What is missing and what is missing

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Security → Cleanup tool, which is available on all versions of MIUI and removes:

• 🗑️ Application cache (temporary files that can be restored on the next run)
• 📁 Residual files after deleting programs (not always completely)
• 🔍 System logs (error logs, dumps)
• 📥 Downloads (from folder only) /Download)

However, this method has critical limitations: the cache of system applications (for example, com.miui.gallery) is not cleared, duplicate photos from MIUI Gallery are ignored, update files are not affected (.zip at the root of the memory).

In addition, after cleaning, MIUI can show false space release - the actual amount of freed up memory is often 20-30% less than the declared amount.

Close all apps (especially messengers)

Connect to Wi-Fi (cleaning can download updates)

Check the free space in Settings → About the phone → Storage

Backup important files (in case of a crash)-->

How to start cleaning correctly:

1. Open Security (Shield icon)
2. Slip the cleanup. → Deep cleaning.
3. Select all categories except “Shoot” (it is better to clean separately).
4. Click Clean and wait for the reboot (if required).

⚠️ Attention: If the phone is running slower after cleaning, it is a sign of memory fragmentation, and only a complete reset or transfer of data to the computer will help. SD-card (if supported).

2. Manual cache cleaning: which applications "eat" memory

Built-in MIUI cleanup often skips the cache of system and pre-installed applications. For example, com.miui.player can take up to 500 MB of unnecessary files, and com.android.vending (Google Play) can take up to 1 GB to manually delete them:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Sort by size.
3. Select an app with a large cache (e.g. YouTube, Facebook, Gallery).
4. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

Top.-5 "Cash monsters on Redmi 4 (user data 4PDA):

It can be used to speed up the process. ADB-commands (required to include debugging by USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Additional settings → For developers):

adb shell pm clear com.miui.gallery


adb shell pm clear com.android.chrome

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of com.android.phone and com.android.settings applications – this can lead to call crashes and lost network settings.

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when memory ends

Never cleaned.-->

3. Removing duplicate photos and videos: hidden folders MIUI

Xiaomi Redmi 4 automatically creates duplicate media files in several folders: DCIM/.thumbnails (miniatures), Pictures/Screenshots (screenshots that are also duplicated in DCIM/Screenshots), MIUI/Extra (backup copies of edited photos).

If you were using Google Photos or Mi Cloud, you could still have temporary files with the.nomedia extension.

How to find and remove duplicates:

1. Install a file manager with duplicates (e.g. Files by Google or SD Maid).
2. In the manager settings, enable the display of hidden folders (in MIUI they are disabled by default).
3. Move to the /storage/emulated/0/ and search by criteria: 📷 Photo: extensions.jpg,.png, size >100 CBB 🎥 Video: Extensions.mp4,.3gp, duration >5 sack

date of change

Pay special attention to the folders: MIUI/Extra — Here are backups of photos after editing in the standard gallery. Android/data/com.miui.gallery/cache — A miniature cache that can weigh up to 1 GB. DCIM/.thumbnails — Miniatures that the system will automatically restore.

💡

Before removing duplicates, transfer all photos to your computer and check them with Duplicate Cleaner (Windows) or Gemini 2 (Mac) to help avoid losing important photos.

4. Clean Update and Firmware Files

Xiaomi Redmi 4 Downloads update files to the root memory folder under the name update.zip or miui_HM4X_*.Even after successful firmware installation, these files are often left behind and taken from the 1 before 2 GB. Also in the folder. Downloaded_rom Older versions can be stored MIUI.

How to safely remove unnecessary firmware files:

1. Open any file manager (e.g., Built-in Explorer or Total Commander).
2. Go to the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/).
3. Delete files with the.zip extension that have a name in it: miui_HM4X (firmware 4) update OTA recovery or fastboot

Downloaded_rom

If you are updating your phone through MIUI Updater, after installing the firmware:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Remove the downloaded package.

This will remove update.zip without risking damage to the system.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files with a name persist.img or boot.img — These are critical components of firmware, and their absence will lead to a "brick" of the phone.

5. Transfer of applications to SD-card (if supported)

Xiaomi Redmi 4 modified 16/32 GB of memory supports storage expansion via microSD (up to) 256 GB, however. MIUI There are limitations: not all applications can be ported (especially system applications), SD-The card must be formatted as internal memory (this will delete all data on it), performance may fall due to a slow card (class below). UHS-I not recommended).

How to set up correctly SD-map:

1. Insert a memory card (recommended class is U3 or V30).
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse → Setting up SD-map.
3. Choose Use as an internal memory → Format.
4. After formatting, go to Settings → Applications, select the program → Warehouse → Change. → SD-map.

But it will return the phone to a "clean" state with the maximum possible amount of memory.

Step-by-step discharge instructions:

1. Back up important data (via Settings → Additional → Backup or manually on PC).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select Resetting → Erase all data.
4. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.
5. After rebooting, perform the initial setting (you can skip the account login).

What to do after the discharge:

• 🔄 Update immediately. MIUI Up to the latest version (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 📴 Install only the necessary applications (avoid junk programs).
• 📁 Set up automatic photo saving on SD-map (Chamber) → Settings → Preservation site).
• 🔒 Turn off automatic media download in messengers (chat settings) → Media files in WhatsApp/Telegram).

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the phone requires you to enter a Mi Account that you do not remember - this is protection against theft. Unlock the device can only be through the official Xiaomi service (you need a purchase check).

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Factory reset is a last resort, and try all other methods before you do, because data recovery after reset is not always possible.

7. Alternative methods: for advanced users

If the standard methods do not help, you can try:

• 🛠️ Root access + Magisk: allows you to remove system applications (Debloater) and clean deep caches.Risk: loss of warranty and possible "brick".
• 🔧 ADB-commands to remove unnecessary packets: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.weather2 # Weather adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer #Videoplayer Attention: Do not delete com.android. and com.google.
• 📦 Custom recovery (TWRP): allows you to clean the sections Dalvik/ART Cache and System. Requires unlocked bootloader.
• ☁️ Cloud services: Move your photo to Google Photos (up to 15GB free) or Mi Cloud (5GB), then delete local copies.

For users who are ready to experiment, there is a radical way to run custom MIUI firmware (such as MIUI EU or Pixel Experience), which is devoid of Xiaomi’s junk apps and optimized to save memory.

• Unlock the bootloader (via Mi Unlock Tool).
• TWRP Recovery installations.
• Backup persist and modem partitions.

Detailed firmware guides are available on the 4PDA forums (a section of Xiaomi Redmi 4) and XDA Developers. Remember: wrong actions can turn a phone into a brick.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Redmi memory 4