How to clean Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: from cache to complete reset

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4

clean-up

data-security

Redmi Note 4

Snapdragon 625

Many users mistakenly believe that installing a cleaner from the Play Market is enough — but such programs often delete important system files or, on the contrary, leave garbage. MIUI. And if you decide to completely reset, you will learn how to save contacts, photos and messages before you do it.

Note: Instructions are valid for Redmi Note 4 (mido models) on all versions MIUI 8 to 14, including global and Chinese firmware. For other Xiaomi devices, some items may differ.

1.Diagnostics: Why the phone needs cleaning

Before you start taking action, it’s important to understand what exactly slows down the Redmi Note 4.

• 🐢 Applications open long or suddenly close.
• 📉 Free memory less than 10% (critical threshold for the MIUI).
• 🔋 Battery goes down faster than before (due to background processes).
• 📱 The phone is warming for no apparent reason.

The main causes of these problems are:

1. A filled vault: MIUI It requires a minimum of 1-1.5 GB of free space for stable operation. If there is less memory, the system begins to "hang».
2. Overloaded cache: Temporary application files (cache) can take up to several gigabytes.
3. Background Processes: Some applications (especially Chinese ones) continue to run in the background, consuming resources.
4. Memory fragmentation: Over time, files are “scattered” across the storage, and the system takes longer to read them.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone starts spontaneously restarting or crashes into the Fastboot, the problem may not be the garbage, but the damaged firmware or the faulty battery.

To accurately identify the bottleneck, check:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Storage and see what takes up the most space (usually “Apps”, “Media” or “System Data»).
2. Open the Settings. → Battery → Battery use – if an application consumes >10% in the background, it should be limited.

2. Clearing cache and temporary files

Starting with the safest method, cache removal, which doesn’t delete personal data (photos, messages, contacts), but can free up up to 1-3 GB of space.

Method 1: Clearing the cache for individual applications

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Facebook or YouTube) and click Clear Cache.
3. To clean up completely, click “Clear Data”, but note: this will reset the application settings (for example, exit the account).

Method 2: Mass cleaning of the cache

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse → Cleaning (or “Cleaning up garbage” in older versions) MIUI).
2. Click “Scan” – the system will show how much space takes up cache, residual files and unnecessary APK.
3. Check all the boxes and click “Clear”.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache for system applications like com.android.systemui or com.miui.home – this can cause shell malfunctions. MIUI.

If the applications are slowing down after cleaning the cache, it’s normal for them to re-upload data (like thumbnails in a gallery or map data in Google Maps) and after 1-2 days, the speed will return to normal.

Clear the cache of messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)|Remove downloads (Download folder)|Remove duplicate photos and videos|Clear the browser cache (Chrome, Mi Browser)|Remove unused items APK (folder APK file-manager)-->

3. Delete unnecessary files and applications

Cash isn't the only problem. Over time, the phone accumulates.

• 📁 Duplicate photos (for example, after editing in Gallery or Google Photos).
• 🎵 Unnecessary music and podcasts (especially if you use Mi Music or Spotify).
• 📄 Old documents (PDF, Excel, Word in the Download folder.
• 🎮 Cash games, for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact can take up to 5-10 GB!).

How to find and delete unnecessary files:

1. Open the File Manager (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the category “Audio”, “Video”, “Images” or “Downloads”.
3. Sort files by date or size (click on the three dots in the upper right corner).
4. Remove anything you don’t need (such as screenshots older than 6 months or videos from messengers).

Removal of unused applications:

Many users install one-time programs and forget to delete them to find these applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort the list by date of last use (click on the filter icon).
3. Remove anything you haven’t used for more than 3 months (except system apps!).

⚠️ Note: Do not remove Xiaomi system applications like Security, Mi Account or Finder, which can cause a malfunction. MIUI. If you want to get rid of them, it is better to turn them off (the “Disable” button in the application settings).

On the Redmi Note. 4 s 16 GB memory is especially important to keep track of the folder DCIM/.thumbnails — Here are the photos that can be taken up to 500 They can be easily removed: they will be restored automatically the next time the gallery opens.

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To quickly find large files, use a file manager search for "size:>50MB". This will show all files larger than 50 megabytes.

4. Optimization of work MIUI: background-out

Even after cleaning the cache and files, the phone can slow down due to background processes. MIUI It is known for aggressively controlling memory, but some apps (especially Chinese ones) bypass these limitations.

How to limit background activity:

1. Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Use.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Manage Autostart".
3. Turn off auto-run for all applications except instant messengers and system services.

Disabling unnecessary system services:

MIUI It contains many services that can be safely disabled:

• 📡 Mi Roaming (if you don't use roaming).
• 🎵 Mi Music (if you use Spotify or YouTube Music).
• 📰 Mi Browser (if you prefer Chrome).
• 🛒 Mi Pay (if you don’t use Xiaomi payments).

To disable:

1. Go to Settings → Apps.
2. Find the app you want and click “Disable” (not “Delete”!).
3. Confirm the action. The app will disappear from the menu, but it will remain in the system.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t disable Google Play Services, Mi Cloud or Security – this will cause errors in your phone’s performance.

After disabling unnecessary services, restart your phone.

• 🔋 The battery was kept longer (by 10-15%).
• 📱 Phone's less warm.
• 🚀 Apps open faster.

5. Reset to factory settings: when and how to do

If previous methods didn't work, the radical way is to completely reset, which will delete all data from the phone, including:

• 📱 Applications and their settings.
• 📞 Contacts (unless synced with Google or Mi Account).
• 📷 Photos and videos (unless copied to a computer).
• 💬 Messages in messengers (if no backup is made).

When you need a reset:

• 🐌 The phone is unbearably slowing down even after cleaning.
• 🔄 There are always errors in the application.
• 📱 The device is infected with a virus that is not removed by the antivirus.
• 🔧 You are selling or transferring your phone to another person.

How to make a backup before resetting:

Step-by-step discharge instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
2. Select “Reset” (or “Erase all data”).
3. If required, enter the password from Mi Account (this is protection against theft).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If you forget the Mi Account password, the reset may lock your phone! in this case you will have to contact Xiaomi support or use Fastboot to unlock.

After the reset, the phone will turn on in the "out of the box" state.

1. Go through the initial setup.
2. Sign in to Google Account and Mi Account to restore contacts and apps.
3. Copy back photos and videos.

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Factory reset is a last resort, and before you do it, try all other cleaning methods. If the phone is slowing down due to physical wear (such as damaged flash memory), resetting will not help.

6. Alternative methods: firmware and cleaning via PC

If the cleanup and reset failed, the problem could be a damaged firmware or memory wear, and it could help:

• 🔄 Fastboot or Recovery Fastboot.
• 💻 Cleaning through PC with Mi PC Suite.

Fastboot flashing:

This method is suitable if:

• The phone is not switched on or is constantly restarted.
• You want to update the version. MIUI last.
• The system is infected with a virus that is not removed.

You'll need firmware.

• A computer with Xiaomi drivers installed.
• The Mi Flash Tool.
• The official firmware for the Redmi Note 4 (model mido).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware from the official Xiaomi website (choose the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on your computer.
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. Select the firmware folder and click "Flash".
6. Wait for the end (5-10 minutes) and restart the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Fastboot removes all data without recovery! There is also a risk of “bricking” the phone if you interrupt the process or choose the wrong firmware.

Cleaning through Mi PC Suite:

If the phone turns on, but brakes, you can use the official utility Mi PC Suite:

1. Download and install Mi PC Suite from the official website.
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (enable USB debugging in the developer settings).
3. In the program, select “Optimization” or “Cleaning”.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen.

The advantage of this method is that Mi PC Suite can find and remove garbage that is not available through the phone’s standard settings.

7.How to prevent a phone from clogging in the future

To prevent the Redmi Note 4 from braked again, follow the following simple rules:

• 📲 Delete unnecessary files once a month (especially from the Download folder).
• 🔄 Clear the cache for heavy applications (social networks, instant messengers, games) once every 2 weeks.
• 🚫 Do not install apps from unknown sources – they may contain viruses or advertising junk.
• 🔋 Turn off auto-run for unnecessary applications (see Section 4).
• 📱 Use lightweight alternatives to heavy programs (e.g. Lite versions of instant messengers).

Useful settings MIUI optimizing:

1. Enable Adaptive Brightness (Settings) → Display – this will save battery power.
2. Turn off the interface animation: go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Click 7 times to open the developer menu, then in Settings → Additionally. → For developers and install "Windows animation", "transition animation" and "Duration of animator" on 0.5x.
3. Limit background activity: Settings → Battery → Battery mode → Saving charge (select Ultra Mode for maximum savings).

⚠️ Note: If you use Redmi Note 4 with 16 GB of memory, try to keep at least 2-3 GB free. Otherwise, the system will start to “glut” due to lack of space for temporary files.

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To make room quickly, install Files by Google, which automatically finds unnecessary files (duplicates, old screenshots, large media files) and prompts you to delete them.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Xiaomi Redmi Note 4