Free Memory on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: A Complete Guide to Secret Chips

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 It is still one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its main drawback is the fact that it is not a smartphone. 16/32/64 GB of internal memory (depending on the modification). 64 GBs are littered with photos, videos, apps and system debris, and if your phone is slowing down, issuing notifications about memory shortages or refusing to install updates, it’s time to act.

In this article, you will find 7 working ways to free up memory on Redmi Note 4, including hidden features. MIUI, We'll figure out which files can be safely deleted, how to transfer data to a memory card (yes, even if the system says it's impossible!), and when to resort to radical measures like resetting. MIUI 8-14 and do not require root rights.

We warn you beforehand that some operations (like cleaning the Dalvik cache) can temporarily slow down your phone, and that's okay, after the restart, the speed will recover. Now let's get started!

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly eats memory?

Before you delete something, you need to know which files are taking up space. Redmi Note 4 has built-in tools for this, but they don't always show the full picture.

Open the Settings. → Memory. Here you'll see a diagram of the memory distribution by category: System, Applications, Images, Videos, etc. Click on each category to see the details. For example, in the Applications section, sort programs by size – it often turns out that underused messengers or games take 1-2 GB.

For more detailed analysis, download the free Files by Google app (available on the Play Market) and it will show:

• 📁 Duplicate files (photos, documents, music)
• 🗑️ Temporary files and residues of remote applications
• 📥 Large files (video) >500MB, archives, backups)
• 🔍 Unused applications (the ones you haven’t used) >3 months)

Pay attention to the folder. /sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails — It's a photo and video miniature that you can delete. /sdcard/Download: They often accumulate unnecessary APK-file, PDF and other "forgotten" downloads.

2. Cleaning the cache of applications and system: safe and efficient

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up work, and over time, they accumulate and can take up to 5-10 GB! Cache deletion is safe, but there are nuances:

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as YouTube or Facebook).
3. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – this will delete your account settings!).

To speed up the process, sort applications by cache size: tap on the column of Cash at the top of the screen.

Method 2: Mass cleaning of the cache

MIUI has a hidden function to clear the cache of all applications at once:

1. Open Settings → Memory → Cleaning.
2. Press Deep Cleanup (may be called Cleanup Garbage).
3. Select the app cache and confirm the action.

Method 3: Clearing Dalvik cache (for advanced)

Dalvik cache is a system file that is created when you install and update applications, and when you clean it, you can free up 200 to 500 MB, but you need to restart your phone.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (use volume buttons for navigation, power for selection).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! second option will reset the phone to factory settings.

3. Data transfer to memory card: bypassing restrictions MIUI

The Redmi Note 4 supports microSD cards up to 256GB, but by default many apps and files cannot be migrated to it.

Method 1: Manual file transfer

The easiest method is to use the built-in Explorer:

1. Open the Files (or Explorer) application.
2. Go to the folder with heavy files (for example, DCIM/Camera photo).
3. Select files, press More. → Move and select a memory card (/storage/XXXX-XXXX).

To speed up the process, use Date Select: sort files by date of creation and transfer old photos (for example, for 2020 and earlier).

Method 2: Configure a memory card as internal storage

This method allows you to install applications on a memory card, but has an important caveat: once formatted, the card will not be used on other devices.

1. Put the memory card in the phone.
2. Go to Settings → Memory → SD card.
3. Press Three Dots → Settings → Format as an internal one.
4. Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (may take up to 10 minutes).
5. After formatting, select Transfer Data to move supported applications.

Note that not all apps can be ported – some (like WhatsApp or Banking apps) block this feature for security reasons.

Method 3: Forced transfer of applications through ADB

If MIUI It doesn't allow you to transfer the application to the map, you can do it through ADB (Android Debug Bridge:

1. Install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This will force the system to install new applications on the default memory card.
4. To transfer an already installed application (e.g. Facebook), use: adb shell pm move-package com.facebook.katana (replace com.facebook.katana with the desired application package).

⚠️ Warning: Some applications may not work as well after being transferred to the map.

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If the memory card is not defined, try formatting it into FAT32 computer-based SD Formatter (official utility from the SD Association).

4. Removal of unnecessary applications and "bloat"

Xiaomi is known for pre-installing a lot of its services on phones, many of which can’t be removed by standard means, but there are ways to get rid of them without root rights.

Method 1: Disabling system applications

The apps that are disabled don't take up memory space or use up resources, but they stay in the system to turn off the software that you don't need.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all processes.
3. Find an unneeded app (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, Mi Browser).
4. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, the application is critical to the system).

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root)

Some system applications can be removed completely with the help of ADB. For example, to remove the Mi Browser:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate Debugging via USB.
2. Execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

List of packages of popular "bloat" applications Xiaomi:

Method 3: Using the uninstallator

If teams ADB App Inspector (available in Play Market) will show you all the packages installed and will remove unnecessary ones in one click. The main thing is not to delete system services with the names com.android. or com.miui. unless you are sure of their purpose.

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Removing system applications can disrupt some features (such as themes or cloud backups). Always create a backup before a mass clean!

5.Photo and video optimization: how to compress without loss of quality

Photos and videos are the main memory eaters. On the Redmi Note 4, the camera captures video in Full resolution. HD (1080p), And one minute video weighs 100 to 150 MB. Here's how to reduce their size:

Method 1: Compress photos via Google Photos

Google Photos automatically compresses photos when uploaded to the cloud, saving up to 50% of the space.

1. Install Google Photos from the Play Market.
2. Open the application settings and select Free Space.
3. Select the quality High (free) - photos will be compressed to 16 MP, video - up to 1080p.
4. After downloading, remove the originals from your phone.

Method 2: Manual compression through applications

For more flexible control, use:

• 📸 Photo & Picture Resizer – allows you to reduce the resolution of photos to 2-5 MP (enough for social networks).
• 🎥 Video Compress – compresses video without noticeable loss of quality (for example, with a video clip) 1080p before 720p).
• 🗜️ Files by Google – has a built-in tool to clean duplicate photos.

Method 3: Set up the camera to save space

By default, the Redmi Note 4 camera saves the photo in high resolution.

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Click on Settings (cogs).
3. Select Photo Resolution and set 8 MP instead of 13 MP.
4. For video, select Video Quality → 720p HD (instead 1080p FHD).

This will reduce the size of one photo from 3-5 MB to 1-2 MB, and video from 100 MB / min to 30-40 MB / min.

6. Factory reset: when is it really needed?

If all the previous methods didn't work, and there's less than 1-2 GB of space left on the phone, it's time for a hard reset, which will delete all the data, but put the phone back in its "clean" state. Here's how to do it right:

Preparation for discharge

Before discharge, it is mandatory:

1. Create a backup of contacts (export to) VCF via Contact → Settings → Exports).
2. Save photos and videos on your PC or in the cloud (Google Drive, Yandex Drive).
3. Write down logins and passwords from important accounts (or use Google Smart Lock to automatically restore your account).
4. Make sure there is no important data on the memory card – it can be formatted too!

The discharge process

There are two ways to reset the Redmi Note 4:

• 📱 Through Settings: Go to Settings → Additionally. → Reset and Reset. Select Reset. Mark Clear internal memory (if you want to erase everything, including files), Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it takes 5-10 minutes).

Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on):

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
3. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

Post-discharge recovery

After discharge:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi and log in to your Google account – this will restore some of the applications and settings.
2. Install Google Photos and Google Drive to bring back media files from the cloud.
3. Don’t install all apps at once – do it gradually so you don’t clog up your memory again.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is slower after reset, it may be a problem with the worn flash memory, in which case only replacing the memory chip will help (contact the service center).

7. Alternative methods: for experienced users

If you’re willing to go beyond standard methods, here are some advanced ways to free up memory:

Method 1: Transfer applications to a memory card via Link2SD

Annex Link2SD (requires root rights, allows you to transfer to the memory card even those programs that MIUI It's blocking it:

1. Open up. Link2SD And give root access.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook).
3. Click Create a link and select Move to SD-map.

This will free up 1-3 GB of internal storage, but note that some applications may run slower after the transfer.

Method 2: Removing unnecessary language packs

System applications MIUI They contain language files for dozens of languages that you never use. ADB:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate Debugging via USB.
2. Run a command to delete, for example, Japanese: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.systemui.plugin.lang.ja
3. Repeat for other languages by replacing ja with the code of the desired language (ru - Russian, en - English, etc.).

This will free up 50-200 MB of memory.

Method 3: Disabling animation and visual effects

MIUI She's known for her beautiful animations, but they take up RAM and can slow down to turn them off:

1. Activate Developer Mode (see ADB section).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find parameters: Window animation scale -- set Cancel animation. Click animation scale -- set Cancel animations. Set animation animation duration -- set animations. Set animation duration. 0x.

This won’t free up memory directly, but it will speed up the phone and reduce the load on the system.

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Before using advanced methods (root, ADB) Make sure you understand the risks. Mistakes can lead to a phone blink (completely inoperable).

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory release on Redmi Note 4