How to clean the cache on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus: all the ways to speed up the smartphone

Why Redmi 5 Plus Cache Should Be Cleaned Regularly

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (codenamed Vince) is a popular smartphone of 2017 with 4/64 GB of memory, which is still in active use. However, over time, even this reliable device begins to “brake” and the free space on the disk melts before our eyes. The main reason is clogged cache. These are temporary files that create applications and the system to speed up work, but when they accumulate too much, the effect becomes reversed: the phone opens programs slower, switches between tasks longer, and sometimes even overheats.

On Redmi 5 Plus, the cache is divided into three types: applications (remains from games, social networks, instant messengers), system (MIUI files, updates, Google services), Dalvik-cache (optimized code for the Android virtual machine).

Cleaning each requires different approaches, from manual removal through settings to using a recovery or ADB.

In this article, you will find the latest ways to clean up the cache for Redmi 5 Plus in 2026, including hidden MIUI features and solutions for cases when the phone is “hang” on the logo or does not respond to clicks. All methods are tested on MIUI 10-14 firmware (including global and Chinese versions).

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications through settings

The safest and easiest method is to remove cache for specific programs, which does not affect user data (photos, correspondence, save in games), but frees up to 1-3 GB of memory if you have not cleaned it for a long time.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. In the list, find the apps with the largest cache (usually YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Google Play Services).
4. Click on the program name → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Clear cache and Clear data! The second option will delete all application settings, including logins and passwords. For example, on WhatsApp this will lead to logging out of your account.

🎮 Games (PUBG, Free Fire, Genshin Impact – up to 500MB of cache

📺 Video applications (YouTube, MX Player - up to 1 GB

💬 Messengers (Telegram, Viber) – up to 300 MB

🗺️ Maps (Google Maps, Yandex.Navigator) – up to 800 MB-->

If there is no Clear Cache button in the application list, then the program does not create temporary files (or they are stored in the system partition), in which case the following method will help.

Method 2: Remove the system cache via Recovery Mode

When a smartphone starts spontaneously restarting or gives an error "Not enough memory", even if there is space on the disk, the system cache is to blame. It cannot be deleted through the usual settings - you will need to go to the recovery mode. This method also helps if the Redmi 5 Plus does not turn on or hovers on the MI logo.

Instructions for standard MI-Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (squeeze the power for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 5-7 seconds until the Mi Bunny logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (if you have a choice), then tap on Wipe & Reset.
4. Select Wipe Cache (not to be confused with Wipe Data!).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 1-2 minutes).
6. Reboot your phone with Reboot → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Attention: If on your Redmi 5 Plus installed custom Recovery (TWRP), The way will be different: Wipe → Advanced Wipe → Dalvik/ART Cache + Do not delete the Data partition or you will lose all files!

Method 3: Automatic cleaning through “Safety” (MIUI Optimizer)

MIUI 11 and later has a built-in optimization tool called Security, which not only removes the cache, but also closes the background processes, saving battery life.

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Optimization tab (or Cleaning in older versions).
3. Click Deep Cleaning → Garbage Files.
4. Check the Cash of applications and System garbage, then tap Clean.

🔹 Useful tip: In the same menu, you can set up Autocleaning on a schedule (for example, once a week). → Automatic optimization.

Once a week | Once a month | Only when the phone brakes | Never cleaned | I don't know what it is-->

The downside of this method is that it does not remove Dalvik-cache, which can take up to 1-1.5 GB on the Redmi 5 Plus. ADB (see next method).

Method 4: Clean Dalvik-cache and Deep Optimization with ADB

If your Redmi 5 Plus is lagging even after resetting the cache through the recavers, the problem may be in the Dalvik-cache section, which stores optimized versions of ART applications. It cannot be removed by standard means, but can be done through ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

What you need:

✅ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS

✅ USB-cable (preferably original)

✅ Installed Xiaomi drivers ([download from official website](https://new.c.mi.com/global/miuidownload/index))

✅ Included Debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap according to the version → return to → For developers)

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS).


2. Enter the command:




adb devices




(The name of your device should appear)




3. grant the rights of the superuser:




adb shell




su




4. Remove the Dalvik-cache:




rm -r /data/dalvik-cache/*




5.Reset the phone:




reboot

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is loading for a long time (5-10 minutes) after this procedure, that's OK. The system restores the Dalvik-cache!

💡

If the su command is not working, then there are no root rights on the phone. Set them through Magisk or use the method from the recaveri (Method 2).

Method 5: Hard Reset – a last resort

If none of the methods worked, and Redmi 5 Plus still slows down, issues errors or doesn’t turn on, it will leave a complete reset.This will delete all data, including photos, contacts and apps, so pre-back up through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

How to reset your phone to factory settings:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Delete all data.
3. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.
4. Wait until it is completed (it will take 5-15 minutes).

If the phone is not turned on, the reset can be done via the receptacles: Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data (or Factory Reset in TWRP).

💡

Once reset, the Redmi 5 Plus will be like new, but all data will be lost, and this method should only be used if other methods have not helped or the phone is locked.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI After the reset, you may need to enter the username from Mi Account, which was attached to the phone. If you do not remember it, restore access in advance on the site. [account.xiaomi.com](https://account.xiaomi.com).

How to prevent cache clogging in the future

To avoid having to clean the cache on Redmi 5 Plus regularly, follow these tips:

• 📵 Remove unused apps. Even if you don't use them, they can update and cache.
• 🔄 Turn off auto-update apps in Google Play: Settings → Auto-update of applications → Never.
• 🗑️ Use the lighter versions of the programs: Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite, YouTube Go.
• 🔋 Reboot your phone regularly (every 2-3 days) and this clears up RAM and temporary files.
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus with a cleaning function (for example, AVG Cleaner or CCleaner, but don’t trust them to delete system files.

🔹 If you play heavy games often (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile), manually clean their cache after each game session.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up cache on Redmi 5 Plus