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

Xiaomi Redmi 4X smartphone was released in 2017 and quickly became a favorite thanks to the metal body and successful processor Snapdragon 435. However, time is inexorable: modern applications grow in size and photos become heavier, which makes built-in storage of 16 or 32 gigabytes is no longer catastrophically lacking. When the free space runs out, the device begins to work slower, and the system may stop installing updates or taking pictures.

Owners of this legendary budgetary should not rush to buy a new gadget, because competent optimization can give the device a second life. There are many proven methods to safely remove unnecessary data and redistribute resources. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to free up memory on the Redmi 4X, using both standard MIUI tools and advanced techniques for experienced users.

Storage Occupancy Analysis and Search for Hidden Giants

Before we start taking drastic measures, we need to determine exactly what eats precious gigabytes. The standard MIUI shell provides an inbuilt analyzer, but it doesn't always show the full picture, especially with regard to junk files in system folders. We recommend starting with a detailed study of statistics to understand the pattern of space consumption.

Go to the settings and find the Storage option or use the Security app that is preinstalled on each Xiaomi. Here you will see a color diagram of the data distribution. Pay attention to the Other section, which is often where remote app caches or residual files are hidden after the system update. Visual analysis will help you understand whether to sacrifice a photo archive or it is easier to remove a couple of heavy games.

Don't ignore the download folder, where browsers and messengers default to save all files. Often users forget about downloaded APK installers, presentations or videos from social networks, which take hundreds of megabytes. Regularly checking this directory is the easiest way to maintain order without using third-party software.

⚠️ Warning: When cleaning folders manually, be extremely careful not to delete files with the.obb extension or unknown system files, as this may lead to incorrect operation of installed games or the operating system itself.

Cleaning the cache and removing system debris

The fastest way to recover a few hundred megabytes is to clear the app cache. Cache is a temporary file that speeds up programs but inflates over time to the unthinkable size. Unlike the user's data, deleting the cache is safe and will not lead to loss of logins or progress in games.

To do this, go to Settings → Memory → Cache or open the Security app and select Clean. The system will prompt you to delete temporary files accumulated over the entire time you use your smartphone. On Redmi 4X, this feature works quite efficiently, but it does not affect the deep remnants of remote programs.

Special attention should be paid to messengers such as Telegram and WhatsApp, which store media files in their internal memory, which is often not displayed in the general statistics of the storage as “Photos”. Go to the settings of each messenger, find the section “Data and memory” and use the built-in cache cleaning function. This can free up up to 2-3 gigabytes of space.

• 🗑️ Use the built-in Cleanup tool in the Security app to quickly delete temporary files.
• 📱 Clear the cache of each heavy app (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok) individually through the Apps menu».
• 🔄 Regularly check the settings of autoload media in messengers so that they do not clog up memory again.

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Turn on the function "Autoclean" in the Security app by setting a schedule for cleaning the cache every 3 days - this will help keep the system in tone automatically.

Application management and data transfer to the map

One of the biggest problems with budget smartphones is that it's not possible to install a lot of apps in internal memory. Fortunately, the Redmi 4X supports microSD cards, which allows you to transfer some of the load. However, not all programs can work correctly from an external drive, so the approach should be selective.

To transfer the application, go to Settings → Annexes → All applications. Select the program you want from the list. If the developer has made it possible, move to the button. SD-The map will be active, most often it's about heavy-resource games, galleries and some utilities. MIUI not transferable.

If standard methods fail to transfer the program, you can use the function "Format as internal storage", which will combine the memory of the card and phone into a single pool, but the card will only be available on this device after formatting. Importantly, before you do this, make sure to back up the data from the flash card, since all files will be deleted.

Don't expect to have all the apps on the map to solve the problem completely. Some programs, when moved to the map, start to run slower or more often fly out, because the microSD read speed is lower than the internal flash memory speed. The optimal strategy is to keep only frequently used applications on the internal drive, and transfer archived games and media.

Working with multimedia and cloud services

Photos and video are the main consumers of space on any modern smartphone. The Redmi 4X camera shoots in a decent resolution for its class, and one minute of video can take up to 100 megabytes. Store archives in a phone for years does not make sense when there is cloud technology.

Use Google Photos or similar cloud storage. Set up automatic Camera and Screenshots folder sync. Once the copies are uploaded to the cloud, use the Free Space feature, which will remove the originals from the device, leaving them available for viewing over the Internet, allowing you to access all the pictures without taking up a single byte of internal memory.

For those who don't trust the cloud, you can transfer files to your computer or external hard drive regularly, plug your phone into a USB cable and select file transfer mode (MTP), create a folder on your computer by month, and move the contents of the DCIM and Pictures folders there, and then safely delete the originals from your phone.

Advanced Methods: ADB and System Software Removal

For experienced users who want to make the most of Xiaomi Redmi 4X, There is the ability to remove system applications that cannot be uninstalled in the usual way, which requires connecting to a computer and using debugging. USB. This method allows you to release 1-2 gigabyte.

First, activate the developer mode. To do this, seven times click on the build number in the About Phone section. Then, in the Developer menu, turn on the USB Debugging option. Connect the phone to your PC and install ADB drivers. You can send commands to delete packets from the command line.

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

The above command will remove the standard video player, which can be replaced with a lighter counterpart.Be careful: removing critical system components (such as com.miui.securitycenter) can lead to a cyclical reboot of the phone.Be sure to find out its purpose online before removing any package.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-commands to remove system applications voids the warranty (if it is still relevant) and carries the risk of turning the phone into a "brick" if you carelessly handle it.

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Removing pre-installed junk through ADB is the most effective way to free up the system partition, but requires high skill and care.

Prevention and setting up of automatic maintenance

To keep the memory problem from returning in a week, it's important to maintain the device regularly. MIUI has good automation tools that you just need to use correctly. Prevention is always more effective than emergency cleaning.

Set up a scheduler in the Security app. Go to the cleaner settings and set the automatic scan frequency. It is also recommended to disable auto-update applications over the mobile network, leaving this feature only for Wi-Fi, so that you do not accidentally download gigabytes of updates in the background.

Check the Recycle Bin folder in the gallery regularly. Deleted photos are often stored there for another 30 days, continuing to take up space. Cleaning the Recycle Bin is a simple step that many forget about. Also, the habit of removing unnecessary screenshots immediately after use will help keep the storage in order.

• 📅 Set a weekly reminder to check the Downloads and Recycle Bin folder».
• 🚫 Turn off auto-run for rarely used apps so they don't accumulate cache in the background.
• ☁️ Set up synchronization of contacts and notes so that when resetting settings, you do not lose important information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)