Xiaomi Redmi 4X, released in 2017, is still a popular device due to its rugged metal body and autonomy, but its limited storage resources often become a bottleneck. Modern applications and multimedia files take up significantly more space than a few years ago, leading to critical internal memory filling. When free space runs out, the MIUI operating system starts to run slower, and some applications may stop running or update correctly.
There are many ways to optimize disk space, from standard system tools to manually removing hidden files. Owners of devices with a storage capacity of 16 or 32 GB need to regularly review content to keep the gadget at an acceptable level. In this article, we will discuss proven cleaning methods that will help you free up gigabytes of free space without losing important data.
Before embarking on radical measures like a full reset, it's worth trying less aggressive but effective ways to free up space.Proper file system maintenance allows you to extend the life of your device and avoid sudden freezes at the most inopportune moment. Let's look at the basic tools that are already built into your phone.
Use of the built-in “Cleanup” application
The first and most obvious step is to use Xiaomi’s regular tool, called Clearer, which is deeply integrated into the MIUI shell and has access to system folders that are hidden from the average user, and to run the program, you can automatically analyze the state of the drive and identify files that can be safely deleted without compromising the system.
When you first run the utility will offer to clean up the so-called “garbage”, which includes the remnants of deleted applications, temporary browser files and error logs. the scanning process usually takes no more than a minute, after which you will see a list of categories occupying space. It is important to study carefully, as sometimes the “garbage” can get small but useful cache files that speed up the load of frequently visited pages.
Special attention should be paid to the section “Big files”, which helps to find heavy videos or archives that you have long forgotten. Often users download movies to watch on the way and forget to delete them, and they can take several gigabytes.
☑️ Action Plan for Rapid Cleaning
To maximize efficiency, it is recommended to perform this procedure regularly, for example, once a week, this will prevent the accumulation of a critical mass of temporary data that can slow down the processor and RAM of the device.
Analysis and cleaning of the application cache
Social networks and instant messengers like Telegram, Viber or WhatsApp are often the most voracious in terms of space, and these apps store every image, video and voice message viewed into internal memory, creating a huge cache. Over time, this folder can reach 5-10 GB, which is a disastrous figure for Redmi 4X with its modest 16 or 32 GB.
To make room, you need to go to the settings of each heavy application separately. From the Settings menu → Apps → All apps, select the desired messenger and find the Memory option. Here you will see the Clear Cache button, which will delete temporary files but save your correspondence and contacts. Be careful not to confuse this with the Clear Everything button, which will remove the application completely along with the authorization data.
In some cases, like Telegram, it's better to use built-in cleaning tools inside the app itself, where you can set up automatic deletion of media files over a certain date or limit the size of the cache, which is a more flexible approach, allowing you to save important documents, but get rid of old memes and videos that you will not be watching.
Why is the cache growing so fast?
Regularly checking the messenger repository should become a habit, especially if you are in numerous work chat rooms where documents and media are constantly exchanged. Ignoring this section can negate all other efforts to optimize the system. 2-3 GB can significantly speed up the operation of the interface.
Management of gallery and duplicate photos
Multimedia files traditionally take up the lion's share of any smartphone's memory. The Redmi 4X camera takes good quality pictures, but each file weighs between 2 and 5 MB, and 1080p video can eat up hundreds of megabytes per minute. If you've never audited your gallery, you may be in for a nasty surprise of tens of gigabytes of unnecessary shots.
We start by looking for duplicates. Often we take multiple identical frames to choose the best one and forget to delete the rest. Embedded tools or third-party apps can automatically find similar images. It's also worth checking out the "Recently Deleted" folder, which stores files for 30 days and continues to take up space even if you think you've already cleared the gallery.
Screenshots and images from messengers are worth noting: Screenshots folder and download folders from WhatsApp or Viber are often full of promotional images, postcards and other visual noise, these files are of no value and can be deleted en masse without first viewing each of them.
Let’s look at the main types of files that most often clutter up the gallery:
- 🎨 Wallpaper and themes: saved images when changing the design of the system.
Using cloud storage, such as Google Photos or Yandex.Disk, allows you to migrate the archive to the Internet and free up local space. The “Free space” feature in these applications automatically removes from the device those pictures that have already been successfully uploaded to the cloud. This is ideal for owners of Redmi 4X, allowing you to access the entire history of the photo without loading on internal memory.
Transferring data to a memory card
One of the key features of the Xiaomi Redmi 4X is the presence of a slot for a microSD memory card, which is a real salvation for models with a small amount of built-in storage. Proper use of an external card allows you to transfer most of the user data, leaving the system and applications the necessary space to work.
There are two main ways to use a memory card: as a portable storage device and as part of internal memory. The first option is safer and more compatible: you simply transfer photos, music and videos to the corresponding folders on the card. The second option (formatting as internal storage) makes the card inaccessible to other devices without formatting, but allows you to install applications on it.
To transfer media files, use the standard MIUI Explorer or file manager. Select DCIM (camera), Download and Music folders, select Move and point the path to the SD Card. After transfer, be sure to check that the files are opening from a new location before you delete the originals.
Below is a table showing the approximate distribution of data before and after optimization using a memory card:
| Type of data | Position to | Post-position | Saving space |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photos and videos | Internal memory. | MicroSD card | Up to 10GB |
| Music. | Internal memory. | MicroSD card | Up to 4GB |
| Documents | Internal memory. | MicroSD card | Up to 1GB |
| Cash app. | Internal memory. | Internal memory. | 0 GB (requires cleaning) |
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Use UHS-I (Class 10) or higher speed memory cards, and cheap and slow cards can cause the system to slow down when trying to record video or run a heavy application from an external medium.
Remember, the memory card is slower than the built-in drive, so system applications and games that require fast texture loading are better left on the phone's internal memory, and the map is ideal for static content that you consume consistently.
Removal of unused applications and services
Every application you install is not just an executable file, but also data, cache, libraries and services that run in the background. On Redmi 4X, with its limited RAM and ROM, having a dozen extra programs can have a significant impact on performance.
Special attention should be paid to pre-installed games and services that you do not use. Although Xiaomi system applications are difficult to remove without superuser rights, many third-party programs that come with a bundle can be deactivated or removed through the application management menu, which will free up not only space, but also CPU time.
Alternatives to heavy native applications can be lightweight versions of programs with the prefix Lite or the web version of services, for example, Facebook Lite or Skype Lite take up significantly less space and consume less resources, which is critical for devices of the mid- and low-end segment.
⚠️ Note: When uninstalling applications, do not remove system components with Chinese names or labeled “System”, “Framework», «MIUI». This can lead to unstable phone operation or cyclical reboot (bootloop).
Also worth checking is the autoboot list. Many apps prescribe themselves to autostart, consuming RAM immediately after turning on the phone. Disabling unnecessary programs in Settings → Applications → Permissions → Autostart will help speed up the system start and free up resources for ongoing tasks.
Hidden folders and system debris
In the Android file system, and in particular in the MIUI shell, there are many hidden folders that start from a dot (e.g..android,.thumbnails). The.thumbnails folder is especially insidious: it stores thumbnails of all the images you viewed and can grow to several gigabytes, although visually in the gallery you will not notice it.
To access hidden files, you need to enable the display of hidden elements in the Explorer settings, usually through the three-dot menu or in the Explorer app settings, and once you detect the.thumbnails folder, you can delete its contents safely — the system will recreate it if necessary, but you will free up valuable space right now.
Another source of garbage is the Android/obb and Android/data folder, which stores game and app cache files, and if you delete a game but the folder with its name is still in the obb section, the tails were not removed correctly. Manually check those directories and delete the folders with the names of the remote programs.
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Regular manual checks of hidden folders can free up to 20% of memory on older devices, as automatic cleaners often bypass these areas due to system limitations.
Using advanced file managers such as Total Commander or FX File Explorer, allows more flexible access to the file system and allows you to visualize the space occupied in the form of a diagram, which helps you quickly find forgotten archives or APK installation files left over after updating programs.