Memory Cleanup on Redmi 4X: The Complete Guide for Xiaomi 2017

Why Redmi 4X is so fast and how to fix it

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 4X (released 2017 yearly 16/32 GB of internal memory often face a problem: even after removing photos and applications, the free space melts away in front of your eyes. MIUI, It's a system that actively caches data, creates duplicate files, and stores residual information from remote programs. 5.0-a storage device that eventually "degrades" with frequent overwriting, which exacerbates the problem of memory shortage.

In this article, 7 proven ways to clean Redmi 4X without losing important data, including hidden system files that take up up to 30% of total memory (according to 4PDA user analysis), we will analyze both standard MIUI tools and advanced methods for power users, from manually cleaning the /data/local/tmp folder to using ADB to remove system debris.

1.Analysis of occupied space: what exactly eats memory

Before you start cleaning, you need to understand which files are taking up space. Redmi 4X has built-in tools and third-party utilities for this.

1. Go to Settings → Memory of the device.
2. Click on the graph "Occupied" - the system will show the distribution by category (Applications, Multimedia, Cash, etc.).
3. Tap on a category (e.g. Other) – a list of large files will open.

Pay attention to the points:

• 📁 System data – here are hidden logs (.log), temporary update files and cache MIUI.
• 🎵 Audio/Video – Even after deleting the multimedia from the gallery, files can remain in folders DCIM/.thumbnails or Music/.data.
• 📱 Applications – Some programs (such as Facebook or TikTok) store cache in separate folders that are not cleared through standard settings.

For more detailed analysis, use Files by Google (available from the Play Market):

1. Install and open the application.
2. Go to the Cleanup tab - the utility will show unnecessary files, duplicates and large media files.
3. In the Memory Analysis section, you can see folders that occupy >100 MB (for example, Android/obb with game data).

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If the System Data section is more than 3 GB occupied, it is a sign of a log clog. These can be deleted through Settings → Additional → Logs and Reports → Clear (reboot required).

2. Cleaning up the cache of applications and system debris

The app cache is the main memory eater on Redmi 4X. Unlike user data, it can be deleted without risking the software. Here's how to do it as efficiently as possible:

Method 1: Standard cleaning through settings

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the All tab and sort by size (click on the icon) ⚙️ → By size).
3. For each major app (e.g. YouTube, Chrome) click Clear Cache.

Method 2: Deep Cleaning with Safe Mode

Some applications (especially system ones) do not allow the cache to be cleaned in normal mode.

1. Press the switch off button → hold off power until the Safe Mode window appears.
2. In Safe Mode, repeat cleaning the cache for system applications (Theme, Security, Mi Video).
3. Reboot the phone.

To automate the process, use the SD Maid utility (requires root):

• 🔍 Run Recycle Bin Analysis - find residual files of remote applications.
• 🧹 SystemCleaner tab – clears Dalvik cache and temporary files MIUI.
• ⚠️ Do not use AppCleaner for system applications – this can disrupt the work MIUI.

Backup important data |Close all background applications |Connect your phone to charge (process can take 10-15 minutes) |Check out the free space after cleaning-->

3. Delete unnecessary system files and logs

Redmi 4X based on MIUI 8/9/10 actively creates error logs, memory dumps and temporary files that can take up to 1-2 GB.

Manual cleaning through File Manager

1. Open Explorer (standard or MiXplorer).
2. Go to the folders: /data/log/ /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log/ /sdcard/Download/.temp/
3. Delete all files with extensions.log,.dmp,.tmp.

Cleaning through Engineer Mode (for experienced)

The hidden engineering menu allows you to delete system logs without rooting:

1. Enter the dialer: ##4636##.
2. Select Usage Statistics → Storage.
3. Click Clear app data (this will delete usage statistics, but free up to 500MB).

To delete memory dumps (files *.dmp in) /data/tombstones) will require rooting ADB. Team for ADB:

adb shell rm -rf /data/tombstones/*

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from folders /data/app or /system This can lead to a bootloop and require a flashing through Fastboot.

4.Storage optimization: transferring data to SD-map

Redmi 4X supports microSD up to 256 GB, but by default, the applications are installed in internal memory.

Application portability (MIUI 9+ required)

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app → Warehouse → Change.
3. Press. SD-map and confirm the transfer.

Limitations:

• ❌ Not all apps support portability (such as WhatsApp or Banking apps).
• ⚠️ After the transfer, the application may run slower (due to microSD speed).
• 📌 Ported applications will not be automatically updated.

Transfer of media files and documents

For photos, videos and music:

1. Open the gallery or the music.
2. Select the files → More. → Move it.
3. Choose. SD-map.

Use FolderSync to automate (set up folder synchronization tasks) DCIM, Download with SD-card).

5. Removal of duplicates and residual files

When you delete photos, videos or apps on Redmi 4X, you often have tails, such as thumbnails, cache galleries or files in Android/data folders.

Search for duplicates through Files by Google

1. Open the application → the Cleanup tab.
2. Select Duplicate files – the utility will find repeated photos / videos.
3. Check the results (sometimes duplicates are determined by photos with different resolutions).

Manual cleaning of Android/data folder

This store data from remote applications (for example, Instagram or Telegram cache):

1. Open Explorer → go to /sdcard/Android/data.
2. Delete folders with names of remote applications (for example, com.instagram.android).
3. Don’t touch the folders of current applications – this will cause crashes.

To clean the thumbnails:

• 🖼️ Delete the contents of the folder DCIM/.thumbnails (It's a gallery cache).
• 🎬 In a file. Movies/.thumbnails Preview videos are stored – they can also be deleted.

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The Android/obb folder contains game data (like PUBG or Genshin Impact) and can only be cleaned if you no longer play these games or they will stop running.

6. Reset to factory settings: when necessary

If after all the manipulations there is free space <1 GB, and the phone is slowing down, and it's time to do a hard reset, which is a last resort, but it's going to bring Redmi back. 4X Importantly, the reset will delete all data, including:

• 📱 Installed applications and their data.
• 📞 Contacts (unless synced with Google or Mi Account).
• 📸 Photo/video on internal memory.
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords and system settings.

Step-by-step:

1. Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select Reset all settings and confirm.
4. After restarting, perform the initial setup.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4X s MIUI 8 reset can take up to 20 minutes. Do not interrupt the process, even if the screen is stuck on the Mi logo for a long time. If the phone does not turn on after reset, try to go to Recovery (press the Power). + Volume Up) and repeat the reset from there.

After discharge:

• 🛡️ Do not restore the backup immediately – first check how much memory is freed up.
• 📥 Install applications gradually, keeping track of occupied space.
• ⚙️ Turn off automatic app updates in the Play Market.

7 Advanced Methods: ADB and root

If the standard methods didn't work, and you don't have root rights, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to clean system partitions, which is safer than getting root, but requires a computer.

Cleaning through ADB (no root)

1. Install ADB on PC (download Platform Tools).
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
3. Connect Redmi 4X to your PC and execute commands: adb shell pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster # Clear Security cache adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.media # Reset media cache adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files

Cleaning with root rights

If you have root, use Root Explorer or Titanium Backup to:

• 🧹 Deletion of folders /data/dalvik-cache (dalvik).
• 🗑️ Cleaning up. /data/system/package_cache (installer APK).
• 🔍 Search for large files through du -sh * | sort -n Terminal Emulator.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /system Even with root, it can cause a brick device. Always back up the partition. /system through TWRP before experimentation.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Redmi 4X