How to completely clean memory on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: from cache to factory settings

Xiaomi Redmi 4X

memory-limit

clean-up

MIUI

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to delete a few photos and the problem is solved. In fact, system debris, app cache and fragmented files take up up to 30% of memory, even if you did not download anything. We tested each method on Redmi 4X with MIUI 10-12 (relevant and for newer versions) and identified those that give maximum effect without risk to data.

Important: Redmi 4X doesn't support exFAT cards, only FAT32 (maximum 32GB per partition). If you use microSD as internal memory, some cleaning techniques may not work.

Before you start, check how much memory is occupied right now:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Storage.
2. Pay attention to the “System”, “Apps” and “Other” sections – they are often inflated with unnecessary files.

1.Cache and debris removal through built-in MIUI tools

MIUI has a built-in cleaner, but it only removes surface debris.However, this is the first step worth taking.

How to clear the cache:

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Cleanup (or Security → Cleanup in older versions).
2. Click "Clean" in the "Junk Files" section.
3. Then select the App Cash tab and clear it.

⚠️ Note: Do not remove the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui) manually through Settings → Applications: This can cause interface failure and the need to reboot.

What exactly does the built-in cleaner remove:

• 🗑️ Temporary application files (e.g. thumbnails of images from the gallery).
• 📁 Logs and dumps of the system (files with the extension.log,.dmp).
• 🔍 Download files that haven’t been opened for more than 30 days.

On the Redmi 4X with 16GB of storage, the built-in cleaner averages 1.5-2.5GB when it first runs.However, it does not touch the cache of Google Play Services and some MIUI utility files, which take up to 500MB.

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If the memory is refilled after cleaning up in a few days, check the applications in Settings → Battery and Performance → Memory Protection. Some programs (such as instant messengers) can automatically recover cache.

2 Manual cleaning of folders: what can be removed without risk

Redmi 4X has hidden folders that are safe to manually clean, and you’ll need any file manager (such as the built-in Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer).

Key folders for cleaning:

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from folders:

• /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/ – This is where game data is stored (only if you are not playing).
• /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/backup/ - backups of settings.
• /storage/emulated/0/Alipay/ or MiPay/ are payment system files.

For convenience, use a search by file size:

1. In Mi File Explorer, click on three dots → Categories → Large Files.
2. Sort by size and remove unnecessary videos, APKs, archives.

Remove the cache from /Android/data/|Clean the Download folder|Check it out. DCIM/.thumbnails|Remove logs from /MIUI/debug_log/|Check out large files (>100 MB)

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3. Data transfer to memory card: nuances for Redmi 4X

The Redmi 4X supports microSD up to 256GB, but there are two critical limitations:

1. The card is formatted only in FAT32 (maximum file size is 4 GB).
2. Not all apps can be migrated to SD – many (like WhatsApp, Telegram) block this feature.

How to set up a memory card as an internal storage:

1. Insert microSD (class 10 or UHS-I is recommended).
2. When a notification appears, select “Use as internal memory”.
3. Confirm the formatting (all data from the map will be erased!).
4. After formatting, go to Settings → Storage → SD card and click “Transfer data”.

⚠️ Note: After transferring applications to SD They can work slower, due to the slow read/write speed of memory cards (even Class 10 is not comparable to the built-in memory of eMMC 5.0 in Redmi). 4X).

What data should be transferred:

• 📷 Photo and video (folder) DCIM).
• 🎵 Music and podcasts.
• 📄 Documents (PDF, DOCX).
• 🎮 Game data (if the game supports transfer).

Don't take it.

• 🚫 System applications (Mi Home, Security, etc.).
• 🚫 Applications with high speed requirements (navigators, messengers).

4. Remove system applications (bloatware) without root

MIUI is known for its abundance of preinstalled applications that cannot be removed by standard means, but can be disabled or removed via ADB (no superuser rights).

List of safe apps to remove on Redmi 4X:

• 🎵 com.miui.player – Music (can be replaced by Spotify or VLC).
• 📺 com.miui.videoplayer - Video player.
• 📰 com.miui.weather2 — Weather (if you don't use a widget).
• 📱 com.xiaomi.scanner - Document scanner.
• 🛒 com.xiaomi.shop - Mi Store (Xiaomi store).

How to remove via ADB:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Turn on Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate developer mode).
3. Then go to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable “Debugging by USB”.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.weather2 (replace com.miui.weather2 with the desired application package).

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete:

• com.android.cts.ctsshim, com.android.cts.priv.ctsshim are critical system components.
• com.xiaomi.finddevice is a device search service (can block Mi Account).
• com.miui.securitycenter – Security center (will cause system failures).

If the app reappears after deleting, it has been updated through Google Play, in which case, first disable auto-update for it, then re-delete through ADB.

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Removing system applications via ADB does not require root rights, but is only valid for the current user. After resetting, all applications will return.

5. Reset to factory settings: when necessary

If less than 1GB of free memory is left and the phone slows down even after cleaning, a complete reset may be the only solution. On the Redmi 4X, it takes 5-10 minutes and returns the device to a "clean" state.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup copy of important data (contacts, photos, messages).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select “Reset” → “Delete all data”.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

What will be removed:

• 📱 All installed applications and their data.
• 📁 Files in internal memory (except microSD).
• 🔑 Settings Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, accounts.
• 📋 SMS, call log, alarm clocks.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4X s MIUI 9-11 was a bug that caused folders to disappear after resetting. SD-If it was used as internal memory, retrieve the card or transfer important data to your PC before resetting it.

How much memory will be released?

• 📲 16 GB version: 8-10 GB (of which 3-4 GB will take a new firmware after the update).
• 📲 At 32 GB version: 15–18 GB.

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After reset, do not restore data from the MIUI backup, it may contain junk files, it is better to transfer only contacts, photos and important documents manually.

6.Memory optimization: how to prevent filling

To prevent memory from running out too quickly, set up Redmi 4X according to these rules:

Settings to save space:

• 📸 In the camera, set the resolution of 12 MP instead of 13 MP (the difference is minimal, and files weigh 15% less).
• 🎥 Turn off the video recording in 1080p — for Redmi 4X enough 720p (saving up to 50% of the space).
• 📥 In Google Play, turn off auto-update apps or limit it to Wi-Fi only.
• 🗑️ Enable automatic cleaning in Settings → Battery and productivity → Cleaning (set a schedule once a week).

Applications that “eat” memory:

If you install/remove apps frequently, use lightweight alternatives:

• 📷 Instead of Google Photos, Gallery Go (from Google, weighs 10MB).
• 🎵 Instead of Spotify, YouTube Music (cache clears automatically).
• 📺 Instead of Netflix, Tubi (less weight and no video cache aggressively).

7. Alternative methods: from formatting to firmware

If the standard methods didn't work, consider drastic measures.They take longer, but could bring the Redmi 4X back to life.

Ways for experienced users:

• 🔧 Remarking of memory: With the help of TWRP We can change the relationship between /data and /system, But it's risky and requires unlocking the bootloader.
• 📦 Custom firmware installation: LineageOS or Pixel Experience, for example, takes up less space than MIUI, but it's lost some function. IR-blaster.
• 🔄 Formatting as a new device: B TWRP Choose the Wipe → Format Data (deletes everything, including encryption).

⚠️ Attention: Flashing on Redmi 4X nuanced:

• The santoni (global version) and prada (in India) require different firmware.
• If the firmware is incorrect, the NFC module can break (if it is in your modification).
• After the firmware MIUI 12+ The 16GB version may not have enough space for OTA-update.

If you decide to firmware, use the official tools:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (you will have to wait 7-30 days).
2. Install TWRP for Redmi 4X (the version should match the model!).
3. Download firmware from Xiaomifirmwareupdater.com (choose Stable, not Developer).

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Flashing is the last resort. On the Redmi 4X with 16GB of memory, even the lightweight MIUI can run slowly due to the limitations of iron (2/3GB of RAM and Snapdragon 435).

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleaning on Redmi 4X