Xiaomi Redmi 5 Memory Cleanup: From Cache to Deep Reset

Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in 2017, is still a popular budget smartphone, but its main problem is the lack of internal memory. Even versions with 32 GB are often filled with “junk” after a year of use: app cache, duplicate photos, residual files after MIUI updates. In this article, we will discuss 7 working methods of cleaning, including hidden firmware functions that Xiaomi does not advertise.

The Redmi 5’s eMMC 5.1 drive is a feature that degrades over time when overflowing, meaning that regular cleaning not only frees up space, but also prolongs the life of the phone. We tested all methods on MIUI 9-12 (including global and Chinese versions) and identified those that maximize the effect without the risk of data loss.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly eats memory?

Before you clean, you need to figure out which files take up the most space. Redmi 5 has a built-in tool for this — Settings → Memory. It shows the categorization of applications, media, cache and other. But this data is often inaccurate. For example, MIUI system updates can take up to 3-5 GB in the category “Other”, although they can not be removed by standard means.

For detailed analysis, use third-party utilities:

• 🔍 Files by Google – Shows “junk” files (APK, temporary data, duplicates) and proposes to delete them.
• 📊 DiskUsage – visualizes occupied space in the form of a diagram, helps to find “heavy” folders.
• 🗑️ SD Maid – looks for residual files after uninstalling applications (remain in the file). /data/data).

Notice the folders:

• /MIUI/Backup – This is where MIUI backups are stored, which can weigh up to 1-2 GB.
• /Android/obb – cache of games (for example, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty can take 2-4 GB).
• /DCIM/.thumbnails – Photo and video thumbnails that are not deleted when cleaning the gallery.

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete files from the folder /Android/data — It can break applications. To clean them, use Settings only. → Annexes → [Select an application] → Warehouse → Clear the data.

2. Cleaning the application cache and system

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up work. Redmi 5 cache can take up to 3-8 GB, especially if you are actively using social networks, messengers or games. Clearing the cache is safe, but has a nuance: after it, the applications will load longer on the first run.

Cleaning methods:

• 🧹 Clearing the cache of all applications: Go to Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache. This will delete the temporary files of all applications at once.
• 🎯 Selective cleaning: Go to Settings → Apps, select the desired one (such as Facebook or Telegram) and click Storage → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Auto Cleanup: Include in Settings → Additionally. → Cleaning option "Autocleaning" (works only on the MIUI 10+).

For deep cleaning of the system cache (including the MIUI cache), do:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (not to be confused with Wipe Data!).
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Cleaning the cache in Recovery will reset the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings, and after rebooting, you will have to reset them.

Backup important data |Close all applications |Connect phone to charge (if battery level < 30%) |Control free space before and after cleaning-->

3.Removal of unnecessary applications and MIUI "built-in garbage"

Xiaomi Redmi 5 comes with pre-installed apps, many of which cannot be removed by standard means. for example, Mi Video, Mi Music or Mi Browser take up to 500 MB, but are rarely used. ADB.

Instructions for removing system applications:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Turn on Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate developer mode).
3. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable debugging via USB.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.video (replace com.miui.video with the desired application package).

List of safe to remove MIUI packets:

⚠️ Note: Do not delete packages with the names com.android, com.qualcomm or com.miui.home – this may cause the system to fail.

💡

Before you uninstall system applications, back up via Settings → Additional → Backup. In case of a crash, you can restore the phone from the backup.

4.Photo and video optimization: how to free up 2–5 GB

Multimedia is the main memory eater. On Redmi 5 with a 12MP camera, one JPEG photo weighs 3-5 MB, and a minute of Full HD video weighs up to 100 MB. If you don't clean the gallery for years, 10+ GB of unnecessary files can accumulate here.

Optimization methods:

• 📸 Photo compression: Use Google Photos (settings) → «Free up space.The app will replace the originals with compressed copies (quality is almost not lost).
• 🎥 Video Conversion: Software like Video Compress or CapCut will reduce video size by 2-3 times without any visible loss of quality.
• 🗃️ Transfer to SD-Map: Redmi 5 supports cards up to 256 GB. Move photos and videos to Settings → Warehouse → Transfer of data to SD-map.
• 🧹 Remo Duplicate Photos Remover will find duplicate or blurred photos.

Hidden folders of garbage:

• /DCIM/.thumbnails – miniatures (can be removed without consequences).
• /Pictures/Screenshots – Screenshots (often forgotten to clean)
• /Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Media – Media files from WhatsApp (up to 1-2 GB)

5. Clean up MIUI updates and residual files

Xiaomi regularly releases MIUI updates, but their installers (.zip files) remain in memory and can take up to 3-5 GB. These files are stored in a hidden /cache folder and do not appear in a standard file manager.

How to delete:

1. Install Root Explorer or FX File Explorer (superuser rights required).
2. Move to the /cache and delete all files with the.zip extension and names like update.zip or miui_HM5Global_....
3. Also check the folder. /data/ota_package — There may be some old firmware here.

If you do not have root rights, use an alternative method:

• Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
• Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Remove the downloaded package.
• This will remove the last downloaded but uninstalled update.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from the folder /system — This will cause the system to crash and require a phone flashing.

6. factory reset: when nothing helps

If you have less than 1GB of free space left after all the manipulations and the phone slows down, the last option is a full reset (Hard Reset), which will delete all data, including apps, photos and settings, but return Redmi 5 to a “clean” state.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup or copy important files to your PC.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset → Resetting.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, the phone will look like new.

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

1. Turn off Redmi 5.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Recovery menu appears.
3. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

💡

Reset to factory settings deletes all data, including Google and MI accounts. After the procedure, the phone will require entering a login and password from the last account (FRP protection).

7.Prevention: How to avoid memory filling in the future

To avoid clearing your memory every week, set up Redmi 5 to auto-optimize:

• 📱 Limit the cache for applications: In Settings → Annexes → [Select an application] → Storage set a cache limit (e.g. 500MB for Facebook).
• 🔄 Set up autoclean: Enable in Settings → Additionally. → Cleaning the “Cleaning When Locked” and “Deep Cleaning” option».
• ☁️ Use the Cloud: In Google Photos or Mi Cloud, set up automatic uploads of photos and videos, then delete them from your phone.
• 🚫 Block Autoboot: In Settings → Annexes → Auto-run disable unnecessary apps (such as games or news services).

Also watch out:

• Application updates – some (for example, TikTok or Instagram) after updates begin to take up 2 times more space.
• Download files – The /Download folder is often clogged with old APKs, documents, and archives.
• System logs – /data/log stores debugging files (you can clean once a month).

💡

Regular memory cleaning Redmi 5 not only frees up space, but also reduces wear and tear eMMC drive, extending the life of the phone for 1-2 years.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Xiaomi Redmi memory 5