How to Free Your Memory at Xiaomi Redmi 5: The Complete 2026 Guide

Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in 2017, is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliability and maintainability. However, its main drawback — only 16/32 GB of internal memory — eventually turns into a headache. Even after switching to MIUI 12/13 (if you upgraded), the system eats up to 10-12 GB, and user files and applications quickly fill the remaining space. In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to free up memory on Redmi 5 without root rights and loss of important data.

The feature of this device is that there is no microSD slot in the base version (Redmi 5 16GB), which makes it difficult to expand memory. But even if you have a memory card-enabled model (Redmi 5 32GB), improper use of an external drive can slow the phone down even further. We will focus on internal cleaning methods that work regardless of the MIUI version (9 to 14) and the state of the firmware.

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 built-in tools and third-party utilities to do this.

Open Settings → Memory of the device. Here you will see a diagram of the distribution of memory by category:

System (MIUI + Android) – usually 8-12 GB

- Applications - games and programs;

Multimedia - photo, video, music;

- Cash, temporary files;

Others are often remnants of remote applications or duplicates.

For a detailed analysis, use Files by Google (free in the Play Market) to show:

• 📁 Large files (video) >500MB, archives, backups);
• 🗑️ Duplicate photos and documents;
• 📱 Unused applications (not opened) >3 months);
• 🔄 Residual files after uninstallation of programs.

⚠️ Note: If the "System" section is occupied >12GB is a sign of bloated firmware or residues of old updates, in which case only a factory reset will help (more about this in section 6).

2. Cleaning cache and garbage without root

The app and system cache is the main memory eater on Redmi 5. Unlike custom files, it can be deleted without consequences (the apps will simply recreate the cache the next time they run).

Method 1. Through MIUI settings:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleaning;
2. Click Clean up garbage (remove the cache of system and user applications);
3. Select Deep Clean to delete residual files.

Method 2: Manual cleaning for individual applications:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management;
2. Select an app (such as YouTube or Facebook)
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

Clear the cache in Settings → Memory.|Remove downloads in Files by Google → Downloads.|Clear the history in the browser|Delete the thumbnails of the video in the gallery (.thumbdata)-->

Method 3: Hidden folders with garbage:

With any file manager (such as Solid Explorer) go to:

• /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ – this is where the caches of games and applications are stored.
• /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails/ – photo and video miniatures
• /storage/emulated/0/Download/ - Old downloads

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete the folder Android/obb/ — This is where game data is stored, for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact: Deleting will cause games to crash!

3. Application optimization: what can be removed without harm?

On the Redmi. 5 s 16 GB of memory, even 10-15 The problem is that many programs create hidden backups and cache data in the background:

Top.-5 "The "Green" Apps on Redmi 5:

How to reduce the weight of applications:

• 🔄 Use the lightweight versions (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite);
• 🗑️ On WhatsApp, turn off auto-download media: Settings → Data and storage → Autoboot media;
• 🎮 Use cloud services for gaming (e.g. Xbox Cloud Gaming or GeForce) NOW);
• 🚫 Remove pre-installed Xiaomi apps (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music) via ADB:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.video


adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.music

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If you don’t know what ADB is, use the App Inspector (Play Market) app to safely remove system programs without commands.

4. Data transfer to SD-card (if supported)

Redmi 5 32GB and Redmi 5 Plus models support microSD up to 256GB, but there are nuances:

• 📱 Applications can only be partially migrated (not all support this feature);
• 📁 Photos/video are transferred in full, but the gallery may slow down;
• ⚠️ Don't use it. SD It's like internal memory, it slows the phone down. 2-3 once!

How to set up correctly SD-map:

1. Insert a memory card (class 10 UHS-I is recommended).
2. In the settings, select Warehouse → SD-map → Settings → Formatting as a portable device;
3. Transfer files manually or via Files by Google
4. For applications: Settings → Annexes → [select] → Warehouse → Change. → SD-map.

⚠️ Note: If, after transferring the application to SD It starts to fly out -- you put it back in. Some programs, like Google Maps, don't work with external memory.

5. Removal of system debris and update residues

After MIUI updates on Redmi 5, often dead files weighing up to 1-2 GB are left. They are not visible in the standard file manager, but they take up space.

Method 1. Cleaning the /cache folder:

• Reboot the phone to the recavery mod (clip Power + Volume up);
• Choose Wipe. → Wipe Cache Partition;
• Reset the device.

Method 2: Removal of old firmware:

In a file. /data/ota_package/ Update files are stored and can be manually deleted via Root Explorer or ADB:

adb shell rm -rf /data/ota_package/*

Method 3: Cleaning Dalvik cache:

If you have a customized Recovery (TWRP), do:

1. Download to TWRP;
2. Choose Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache;
3. Reboot the phone.

6. Factory reset: when is it necessary?

If after all the manipulations, less 1-2 GB is the time to do hard reset. It's a radical method, but it's going to get the phone back to "clean." 5 discharge ~5 It takes minutes and does not require a computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Create a backup copy of important data (contacts, photos, messages);
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings;
3. Select Reset all settings (do not delete all data if you want to save files to SD!)
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

What to do after the discharge:

• 🔄 Don’t restore backup through Mi Cloud – it will bring back old junk;
• 📱 Install applications gradually, checking the occupied space;
• 🚫 Turn off auto-update apps in the Play Market.

⚠️ Warning: If after reset the phone still shows little memory - check the section /data This is a sign of wear and tear on flash memory (typical for older phones). 5 years).

7.Alternative methods: cloud storage and MIUI optimization

If physical memory is catastrophically short and no new phone is planned, consider these options:

Cloud storage:

• 🌥️ Google Photos – Automatic upload of photos / videos in original quality (15 GB free);
• 📁 Mi Cloud – 5GB for backups (but runs slowly);
• 🔗 Symbolic links (requires root) – forwarding folders (for example, DCIM) on SD-map.

Optimization of MIUI:

• 🛠️ Turn off animation: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times, then Developer Settings → Animation. = 0.5x);
• 🔋 Enable Performance Mode in Settings → Battery;
• 📵 Limit background activity: Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start.

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Cloud storage saves space but requires stable internet.On Redmi 5 with slow 4G, it can be inconvenient.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory release on Redmi 5