Memory Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus: from cache to hidden MIUI settings

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (codenamed Vince) — popular smartphone of 2017 with 3/4 GB of RAM and 32/64 GB of internal memory. Despite modest by modern standards, the device is still actively used, but owners often face a lack of memory. The reasons are standard: accumulated cache, duplicate photos, heavy messengers and background MIUI processes that “eat” precious megabytes.

In this article, 7 working ways to clean up memory, taking into account the features of Redmi 5 Plus: from basic (hand-held garbage removal) to advanced (transfer applications to the Internet). SD-map, shutdown of system services, all methods tested MIUI 9-12 (current versions for this model) and do not require root rights. MIUI, Which Xiaomi does not advertise in standard settings.

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

Before you clean, you need to understand which files and applications are eating away at memory. Redmi 5 Plus has a built-in analyzer, but it's hidden in the back of the menu.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Slip on the schedule Busy (usually blue).
3. Wait 10-20 seconds for the system to scan the files.

As a result, you will see the distribution of memory into categories: System Files, Applications, Images, Videos, etc. Pay attention to:

• 📁 «Other" - here are often hidden the remains of remote applications, system logs and temporary files.
• 🤖 «System files" - if their volume exceeds 8-10 GB, this is a sign of cache cache cache clogged MIUI.
• 📸 «Images" - even if you delete a photo from the gallery, thumbnails can stay in the folder DCIM/.thumbnails.

Redmi 5 Plus has a bug: the memory analyzer sometimes shows incorrect data for the device. SD-If you have external memory, retrieve it before scanning to get accurate numbers.

2. Cleaning the application cache and system

Cash is the main memory eater on Redmi 5 Plus, and it's divided into two types:

• 📱 Application cache – temporary files that programs create to speed up work (for example, thumbnails in a gallery or instant messenger data).
• 🛠️ System cache - files MIUI, including updates, logs and widget data.

To clear the cache of individual applications:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook or Telegram).
3. Tap Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – it will remove all settings!).

For mass cleaning of the cache of all applications:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Clean.
2. Check the Cash of applications and Unused files.
3. Press Clean (can take 1-2 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 5 Plus with MIUI 9-10 after cleaning the cache, authorization in some applications (for example, in VKontakte or banking services) can “fly off!

To clean the system cache (including MIUI data):

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo (Recovery Mode) appears.
3. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (Manage volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
4. Reset the device.

Delete the cache of messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)|Clear gallery data (folder.thumbnails)|Delete the browser cache (Chrome, Mi Browser)|Scan the Download folder for unnecessary files-->

3. Remove unnecessary applications and junk files

Redmi 5 Plus has many Xiaomi system applications that cannot be removed by standard means, but some of them can be disabled by freeing up to 1-2 GB of memory.

List of safe applications to disable (do not affect system stability):

• 🎵 Mi Music is a standard player that duplicates the functions of Google Play Music.
• 📺 Mi Video - video player with unnecessary functions (can be replaced by a video player) VLC).
• 📰 Mi Browser – a browser with advertising, better to use Chrome or Firefox.
• 🛒 Mi Store, Themes, Game Center – Theme and Game Stores that are rarely used.

How to turn it off:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app from the list above.
3. Click Disable (the button will appear if the application is system).

To delete residual files after uninstallation of applications:

1. Install Files by Google from the Play Market.
2. Open the Cleanup tab → Unnecessary files.
3. Select the Residues of Applications and delete them.

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable apps called com.android., miui. or qualcomm.* – this can cause a cyclical reboot of the phone!

4. Data transfer to SD-map

Redmi 5 Plus supports microSD up to 256GB, but porting apps to a memory card has limitations:

• ✅ It only works for a part of the application (not all developers support this feature).
• ❌ System applications cannot be moved.
• ⚠️ After the transfer, some programs may run slower (depending on the class). SD-map).

How to move applications:

1. Put it in. SD-map (format) FAT32 exFAT).
2. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select an app (like Spotify or Netflix).
4. Slip the vault. → Change. → choose SD-map.

To transfer photos, videos and documents:

1. Open Files (standard MIUI application).
2. Select the files → More. → Move it.
3. Choose. SD-map.

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If SD-The card is not defined, format it in the phone: Settings → Warehouse → SD-map → Format it as internal memory, but remember, after that, you can't read the card on other devices!

An important point: if you are using SD-The card is an internal memory (adoptable storage function:

• The card is encrypted and linked to the phone.
• When you remove the map, the applications on it will stop working.
• Speed depends on the card class: applications need UHS-I (U3) or higher.

5. MIUI Optimization: Hidden Functions for Freeing Memory

MIUI has a few hidden tools that help clear memory, but are not available on the standard menu.

1. Light mode (Lightweight interface)

Reduces memory consumption by disabling animations and background processes:

1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
2. Slip on Lite Mode (some versions of MIUI call it Simplified Mode).
3. Turn on the switch and restart the phone.

2. Limitation of background processes

By default, MIUI stores up to 20 processes in memory, which can be shortened to:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the Process Limit and select the Maximum 2 process in the background.

3. disabling the “Smart Help” (Mi Assistant)

This service constantly scans the phone and consumes up to 500 MB of memory:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Mi Assistant (or Smart Help)
3. Put it on and confirm it.

4. Clearing of the “Security App” data

The Security app (shield icon) accumulates up to 1-1.5 GB of logs:

1. Open Security → Cleanup → Deep Cleanup.
2. Select System Garbage and Logs.
3. Press Clean (can take up to 5 minutes).

Hand-cleaning folders: what can be removed without risk?

Even after using the built-in tools, Redmi 5 Plus still has hidden files that can be manually deleted, and this requires a conductor with access to system folders (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).

List of safe folders for cleaning:

• 🗑️ /storage/emulated/0/Android/data — This is where the application data is stored. You can delete folders of already deleted programs.
• 📷 /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo miniatures (automatically restored).
• 🎮 /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb — game cache files (e.g, PUBG Only remove if you're not playing these games.
• 📥 /storage/emulated/0/Download — Browser downloads. Often unnecessary loads are accumulated here. APK-file.
• 📄 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/debug_log — Logs of the system (can be deleted completely).

⚠️ Note: Do not delete folders with the names com.android.*, miui or system – this will lead to the collapse of the system!

To clean up the cache of Google Play Services (can take up to 2 GB):

1. Open Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Find Google Play Services.
3. Put Memory on it. → Clear the cache.

If you use Telegram or WhatsApp, clear their cache:

• In Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Clear the cache.
• WhatsApp: Settings → Storage → Storage Management (deletes media files older than 30 days).

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Regularly cleaning /Android/obb can free up to 3 to 5 GB if you play heavy games, but remember: once you delete the files, you have to download them again!

7. Factory reset: when is it necessary?

If you have less than 10% left after all the manipulations of your free memory and your phone is slowing down or overheating, consider a full reset, which will delete all data but return the device to a “clean” state.

How to reset:

1. Save important data (photos, contacts, messages) to your PC or cloud.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select Resetting → Delete all data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Alternative method (if the phone is not turned on):

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before Recovery appears.
3. Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm and restart the phone.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 5 Plus after reset may disappear IMEI (To avoid this, check for files before resetting. /data/nvram/md/NVRAM/NVD_IMEI/MP0B_001 (need root or ADB).

After discharge:

• 🔄 Do not restore data from backup MIUI — It can contain garbage.
• 📥 Install applications selectively, avoiding "cluttering».
• 🛡️ Turn off automatic media download in messengers.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleaning on Redmi 5 Plus