Cache Clearing on Xiaomi Redmi 5: A Complete Guide to MIUI

Why does Redmi 5 cache require regular cleaning?

Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in 2018, is still popular with users due to its balanced performance and support for MIUI. However, over time, even this reliable device begins to “brake” and the fault is contaminated cache. cache (from English cache — “cache”) are temporary files that applications and the system create to speed up work, but when they accumulate too much, they take up precious memory and slow down the phone.

On Redmi 5, with its modest 3/32GB or 4/64GB of memory, the cache problem is particularly acute.

• 🐢 Slowing down the interface MIUI (delays when opening the menu, "hanging" animations)
• 🔄 Spontaneous reboots or drop-offs of apps (especially Google Play Services and Mi Account)
• 📱 Overheating of the device even with minimal load
• 🚫 Inability to update apps due to “memory shortage” (although there is free space)

In this article, we will analyze 5 proven methods of cleaning cache - from standard MIUI tools to advanced methods through recovery and ADB. You will also learn which cache files can be deleted without risk to the system, and which cannot be touched categorically.

Method 1: Clearing the cache through MIUI settings (the safest method)

If your Redmi 5 is even more stable, start with the built-in tools. MIUI provides two levels of cleaning:

1. Clearing the cache of individual applications (recommended for point removal of problematic files).
2. General cleaning of the system cache (delete temporary MIUI and Google services files).

To clear the cache of a particular application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the app you want (such as Chrome or Facebook).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

For general cleaning of the system:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Slip on Clean in the section "Junk files".
3. Confirm the action (the system will show how much space will be vacated).

Close all active applications

Connect your phone to charge (if the charge is below 20%)

Backup important data (in case of failure)

Check the memory space (should be at least 500MB)-->

Important! After clearing the cache, some apps (like YouTube or Instagram) can take longer to load on the first run - that's OK, as they recover temporary data.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t confuse Clear Cache with Clear Data! The second action will delete all application settings (logins, saves) and you’ll have to reconfigure it.

Method 2: Using the built-in Security App

Xiaomi is equipping its smartphones with its signature Security app, which offers advanced cleaning features. On Redmi 5, it is preinstalled and accessible through a desktop shield icon.

How to use:

1. Open the Security app.
2. Go to the Cleanup tab (or Boost in newer versions of MIUI).
3. Press Deep Clean and wait for analysis.
4. Select Categories to Remove: 🗑️ App cache (safe) 📁 Residual files (remains of remote applications) 🔍 Log files (system logs, can be deleted) 🚫 Do not delete System Files unless absolutely necessary!

Confirm the cleanup.

The advantage of this method is that it automatically analyzes junk files, and it determines what can be deleted without risk to the system, but sometimes it is "re-insured" and leaves part of the cache intact.

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If the phone still brakes after cleaning, try restarting it in Safe Mode (hold the shutdown button → “Reboot Safe Mode”), which will help to determine whether the lags are to blame for a particular application.

Method 3: Clearing the cache with Recovery Mode (for power users)

If standard methods didn’t work, and Redmi 5 is still slow, you can use Recovery Mode, which deletes all temporary system files, including the MIUI update cache and the Dalvik cache (Android virtual machine).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time and hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese).
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
5. Confirm the action by swipe or press Yes.
6. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

Instructions:

1. Open Explorer (or any file manager, such as Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ This is where the cache and application data are stored.
3. Find a folder with the name of the problem app (e.g. com.facebook.katana for Facebook).
4. Delete the cache folder inside it.

For system cache (root rights required!):

1. Go to /data/dalvik-cache/.
2. Delete all files with the.dex extension.
3. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Delete files from folders /system or /vendor If you're not sure, you can do something else without rooting.

Method 5: Cleaning the cache through ADB (for developers)

If you’re familiar with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can clear the cache with the command line, a method that’s useful if the phone doesn’t turn on normally or is getting stuck on the Mi logo.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Fastboot (you can download from the official Android website).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB Redmi 5 (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer settings).

Cleanup commands:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the adb folder.
2. Enter: Adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
3. To clean the cache of all applications: adb shell pm trim-caches 100G
4. To clean up Dalvik cache: adb shell rm -r /data/dalvik-cache/*
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

This is the most radical and requires caution, and if you've never worked with ADB, you'd better use other methods.

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Cleaning up through ADB is the only way to save Redmi 5 if it’s stuck on the boot due to overcrowded cache.However, the wrong commands can lead to data loss!

What if after cleaning the cache problems remain?

If you’ve tried all the ways, but Redmi 5 still slows down, check out the following points:

• 🔋 Battery condition: Worn-out battery can cause lags.Check battery health through AccuBattery app.
• 🔄 Version. MIUI: Outdated firmware often conflicts with new apps.Update through Settings → Updating the system.
• 🛡️ Viruses: Scan through Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light.
• 🗑️ Completed storage: Redmi 5 should have at least 1-1.5 GB of free storage for stable operation.

If nothing works, consider resetting to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset).Be sure to back up via Mi Cloud or Google Drive before doing so!

An alternative is to install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), which will give a “second life” to the old Redmi 5, but requires unlocking the bootloader and Fastboot skills.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning the cache on Xiaomi Redmi 5