How to Free Your Memory on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: The Complete 2026 Guide

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni), released in 2017, is still popular with users due to its reliability and low price. However, its main drawback - only 16/32 GB of internal memory - becomes critical over time. Even after switching to microSD, many people are faced with the message "Not enough space on the device" when the system blocks the installation of applications or updates. In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to free up memory, including hidden MIUI functions that work on the Redmi 4X.

It's important to understand that the problem is not just the size, but the storage architecture, because on this smartphone, some of the memory is reserved for system needs, and the user has even less than the stated volume, for example, 16 GB of "hands" is about 10 to 11 GB. We will not recommend trivial things like "delete unnecessary photos" - we will focus on technical techniques that give results even when the storage is clogged.

1. Cleaning the application cache and system

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up work. On the Redmi 4X, they can take up to 3-5 GB, especially if you are actively using social networks, messengers or games. Unlike the new Xiaomi models, there is no automatic cleaning, so you will have to do it manually.

The fastest way is to use the built-in Cleanup utility (formerly Security), which analyzes junk files and suggests that they be deleted, to run:

1. Open the Settings menu → Cleaning.
2. Click on “Scan” and wait until it is completed.
3. Select the categories “App Cache” and “Junk Files”, then click “Clean”.

For a deeper cleanup, go to Settings → Apps → All apps, select the “heavy” one (like Facebook, Telegram or Google Play Services) and click “Clear Cache.” Don’t delete the app data (the “Clear Data” button) – this will result in resetting and logging out of accounts.

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If the app is slower after cleaning the cache, that's OK, and the cache will recover after a few runs, but without any extra files.

• 📱 Social networks and instant messengers: Facebook, Instagram, VK accumulate up to 1-2 GB of cache.
• 🎮 Games: Even simple games like Candy Crush can take 500+ MB.
• 🔍 Google Play Services: A system app that often inflates its cache to 500MB.

2. Transfer of applications to a memory card

Redmi 4X It supports microSD cards up to 256GB, but by default, applications are installed in internal memory. SD-map:

1. Insert a memory card (we recommend a UHS-I or Class 10 class for speed).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
3. Select an app (such as WhatsApp) and click “Move to” SD-map».

Note that not all apps support portability, such as Google Maps or Gmail, which is stored in internal memory, and some widgets may stop working after the transfer.

Important nuance: after transferring the application to SD-The update card will be installed there, and if you pull the card out, the app will stop working.

3. Removal of duplicates and unnecessary files

MIUI on Redmi 4X doesn't have a built-in duplicate manager, but you can find them manually or with third-party utilities.

• 📸 Photo and video: duplicate images, screenshots, uploaded memes.
• 🎵 Audio files: voice messages from WhatsApp/Telegram, music-up.
• 📄 Downloads: APK-file, PDF-documents, archives.
• 🗑️ folder DCIM/.thumbnails: Photos that the system automatically creates.

To find and remove duplicates:

1. Install Files by Google (free in the Play Market).
2. Open the “Cleanup” tab → “Duplicates of files”.
3. Select unnecessary copies and click “Delete”.

To clean the folder.thumbnails (can weigh up to 1 GB):

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Solid Explorer).
2. Go to the Inner Memory → DCIM →.thumbnails.
3. Delete all files in this folder (they will be restored automatically).

⚠️ Note: Do not delete the Android folder in internal memory, this will cause the installed applications to fail. MIUI, If you don’t know what your files are for.

4. Disabling and removing system applications

The MIUI on Redmi 4X by default contains many preinstalled applications that cannot be removed by standard means, but can be disabled or removed with ADB (for power users).

• 🎵 Mi Music and Mi Video: Occupy ~300 MB, but rarely used.

To disable the system application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Browser).
3. Click “Disable” (the button will appear if the application is system).

To completely remove you will need ADB. Connect your smartphone to your PC, enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging over USB) and execute the command:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

Replace com.android.browser with the package of the desired application (a list of packages can be found on the network).

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Disabling system applications does not free up much space, but reduces background activity, which saves battery power and RAM.

5. Use of cloud storage and data compression

If Redmi 4X is critically space-short but you don’t want to delete files, move them to the cloud. Xiaomi offers its own solution – Mi Cloud (5GB free), but better use:

• 📁 Google Drive or Yandex Disk: 15GB and 10GB free, respectively.

To automatically upload photos to Google Photos:

1. Install the Google Photos app from the Play Market.
2. Open the settings. → «Backup and synchronization».
3. Turn on the option and select “High Quality” (Free Compression).

To compress video directly on your phone, use Video Compress or Resizer. For example, 1080p video can be compressed to 720p, saving up to 50% of space.

⚠️ Note: When using Mi Cloud on Redmi 4X There may be a synchronization error due to an outdated version. MIUI. Update your firmware or use alternative clouds.

6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of these things work, and the smartphone gives you a "Not enough memory" error even when you install small applications, you'll have to reset hard, and it will delete all the data, including apps, photos and settings, so first:

Make a backup copy of photos and videos|Save contacts in a Google account|Record passwords from Wi-Fi and accounts|Make sure there is enough room on the memory card for a backup-->

To reset the Redmi 4X:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
2. Select "Settings Reset."
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• Do not restore data from a MIUI backup – it may contain junk files.
• Install applications selectively, avoiding unnecessary ones.
• Move the possible applications to the SD-map.

Redmi 4X has 1-2 GB more space available after reset than before, as residual files from previous apps and updates are deleted.

7. MIUI optimization to save memory

The MIUI on Redmi 4X has hidden settings that help reduce memory usage:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic app updates: Play Market → Settings → Auto-update of applications → Never.
• 📴 Limit background activity: Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery management → Select applications → Limit background activity.
• 🗑️ Set up automatic cleaning: Settings → Cleanup → Settings → Turn on "Autocleaning" (once a week).
• 📥 Change the download folder by default: In Files by Google or another file manager, set the download folder to SD-map.

You can also disable the interface animation, which will speed up the system and reduce the use of RAM (indirectly affects the storage):

1. Enable Developer Mode (as described above).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find the options “Window Animation Scale”, “Transition Animation Scale” and “Animator Duration” and set the value “Disable Animation”.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory release on Redmi 4X