How to clean Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus: from cache to complete reset

Why Redmi 5 Plus Needs Cleaning and When to Do It

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (codenamed vince) is still popular years later due to its balanced features: Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, 3/4 GB of RAM and 32/64 GB of memory. However, over time, any Android device begins to “brake” – and the fault is not only hardware limitations, but also clogging the system with unnecessary files, application cache and fragmented data.

The first signs that it’s time to clean the device: apps open for a long time, MIUI hangs when switching between tasks, and free space on the disk melts away. This is especially true for users who have never done a deep cleaning or updated firmware “over the air” without prior preparation. In this article, we will analyze all the methods from basic garbage cleaning to hidden MIUI functions, which Xiaomi does not advertise in the official documentation.

It's important to understand that cleaning isn't a panacea for all problems. If the Redmi 5 Plus overheats, discharges quickly, or reboots spontaneously, it could be battery wear or hardware malfunctions, but 80 percent of the time, cleaning properly returns the device to its former frolicity.

Method 1: Cleaning up cache and debris through built-in MIUI tools

Let’s start with the simplest and most secure way, which does not require superuser rights or third-party utilities. MIUI (even in older versions for Redmi 5 Plus) has a built-in Cleanup tool that deletes temporary files, remnants of uninstalled applications and system cache.

How to start:

1. Open the Settings menu → Memory.
2. Slip the "Clear" button at the bottom of the screen.
3. Wait for the analysis (may take 1-3 minutes).
4. Select file categories to delete (cache, APK, download) and confirm the action.

What removes this tool:

• 🗑️ Application cache – temporary data that programs save for fast operation (for example, thumbnails of images in a gallery).
• 📁 Residual files – “tails” from remote applications (folders in the /data/data).
• 📥 Downloads – files from the Download folder that you haven’t opened in a long time.
• 📦 APK-Files – Application installers left over after installation.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files of the Documents or Images category through this tool without first checking. MIUI Sometimes it is referred to as “junk” important PDF screenshot.

This method is safe, but it only cleans surface debris, and deep cleaning will require other approaches.

Method 2: Manually clean folders through file manager

The built-in MIUI cleanup doesn’t affect some of the system folders where garbage accumulates, such as Dalvik cache, log files, or debugging services data, and you’ll need a file manager with access to root folders (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer) to delete them.

What folders can be manually cleaned:

Instructions for manual cleaning:

1. Open the file manager and enable the display of hidden files (in Mi File Manager: Settings → Show hidden files).
2. Go to /data (you may need to grant superuser rights).
3. Delete the contents of the cache, log and local/tmp folders.
4. Return to the root directory and clear DCIM/.thumbnails.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete system, vendor or file extensions.odex/.apk into /system/app — It's going to crash the system!

Backup important data | Charge your phone at least 50% | Make sure the file manager has access to the root folders |Disable automatic application updates-->

Method 3: Cleaning through Recovery Mode (without data loss)

If your smartphone is slowing down a lot, but you don't want to reset to factory settings, you can use Recovery mode, which has the option of Wipe Cache Partition, which deletes the system cache without affecting user data.

How to get into Recovery on Redmi 5 Plus:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds.
3. Release the buttons when the Mi logo and menu appear in English.

Further action:

• 🔄 Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
• 🧹 Select the Wipe & Reset option → Wipe Cache.
• ✅ Confirm the action (Yes).
• 🔙 After completion, select Reboot. → Reboot to System.

This method helps if:

• 🐢 The phone has become slower since the update. MIUI.
• 🔄 Apps fly out with the error "Unfortunately, [app] has stopped".
• 📱 The screen is long “hangs” when unlocking.

Method 4: Complete reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

If previous methods didn't work, the last resort is factory resets, which will delete all data, including apps, photos, accounts and settings, and use this method only after you have backed up!

How to make a Hard Reset:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
2. Select "Settings Reset."
3. Check the box “Clear internal memory” (optional if you want to delete files).
4. Confirm the action with a password from Mi Account (if tied).

What will be removed:

• 📱 All installed applications and their data.
• 👤 Google, Mi and Other Accounts.
• 📸 Photos, videos and music (if you choose to clean up your memory).
• ⚙️ All system settings (Wi-Fi, brightness, sound, etc.).

After the reset, the phone will turn on as new.

1. Go through the initial setup (selecting language, connecting to Wi-Fi).
2. Sign in to Mi Account if it was tied.
3. Restore data from a backup (if it was created).

⚠️ Note: If you forget your Mi Account password and reset, your phone may be locked (Mi Cloud Lock), in which case you will need to officially unlock through the Xiaomi Service Center.

💡

Before resetting, check if your Mi Account is linked to your phone, and if so, remember your password or untie your device in your account settings at account.xiaomi.com.

Method 5: Cleaning with ADB (for advanced users)

If you’re familiar with the command prompt, you can clean Redmi 5 Plus via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method allows you to remove the cache of specific applications, stop background processes, or even reset settings without using the phone’s menu.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Cleanup commands:

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep 'package:' # View list of all applications


adb shell pm clear com.android.chrome # Clear cache and Chrome data




adb shell cmd package bg-dexopt-job # Optimize Dalvik cache




adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files

For a complete reset via ADB:

adb shell recovery --wipe_data


adb reboot recovery

Advantages of the method:

• 🎯 Point cleaning (only problematic applications can be deleted).
• 🔧 It works even if the phone is not turned on (provided that the phone is not turned on). ADB detector).
• 📊 Allows you to automate the process through scripts.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Don't follow commands that you don't understand!

💡

ADB is a powerful tool, but it requires caution: Always check commands before executing and back up.

Method 6: Optimization after cleaning

Cleaning is only half the battle, and to make the Redmi 5 Plus work quickly and steadily, after the procedures, follow a few steps to optimize:

1. disable the autoload of unnecessary applications:

• Go to Settings → Applications → Autoboot.
• Turn off auto-runs for social networks, instant messengers and games that you rarely use.

2. Set the limitation of background processes:

• Enable the Developer Mode (as described above).
• In For Developers → Process Limitation, select “Maximum 2 Processes”.

Update the firmware:

• Check the relevance of MIUI in Settings → About Phone → System Update.
• If you have an update, install it (pre-clearing the cache).

4. Use lightweight alternatives to applications:

5. disable the system animation (to accelerate):

adb shell settings put global window_animation_scale 0.5


adb shell settings put global transition_animation_scale 0.5




adb shell settings put global animator_duration_scale 0.5

💡

After cleaning, don’t install cleaners like Clean Master or CCleaner, which consume resources and often delete useful data, and which duplicate the built-in MIUI tools.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users make mistakes when cleaning Redmi 5 Plus, which lead to data loss or performance deterioration.

1. Remove system applications without root:

Some people try to remove embedded programs (Mi Music, Mi Video) through Settings → Applications → Delete. This is impossible without superuser rights, but the system can forget the updates to these applications, which will lead to errors.

• Open the app information.
• Click "Disable" (not "Delete").

2. Cleaning the cache too often:

Cache is for fast application operation, and if you clean it every day, it will take longer to load, because they will have to recreate temporary files, and the optimal frequency is once every 1-2 weeks.

Ignoring backup copies:

Even if you just clear the cache, there is always a risk of failure. For example, when cleaning through Recovery, the phone can accidentally restart and lose data.

• 📱 Contacts – sync with Google Account.
• 📸 Photos – upload to Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
• 📄 Documents – copy them to PC or cloud.

4.Using questionable "optimizers":

Apps like DU Speed Booster or 360 Security don’t help either.

• 🛑 Slowing down the system by background processes.
• 📊 Collect data about your applications.
• 🔋 Battery discharge due to constant “optimization».

5. Neglect of updates:

Many people turn off automatic MIUI updates for fear of “slowing down” the phone. However, newer firmware versions often contain optimizations for older devices (e.g., improved memory management for the Snapdragon 625).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions