How to Clean Memory on Xiaomi Redmi 5: From Cache to System Files

Xiaomi Redmi 5 with its modest 16-64 GB of internal memory often faces a shortage of space, especially after several years of use. Even if you delete photos and applications, the system continues to clog up with temporary files, cache and remnants of remote software. In this article, 7 proven ways to free up memory, including hidden MIUI features and secure manipulation of system partitions.

Redmi 5 (codenamed rosy) is a feature of splitting memory into userdata (for user files) and system (for OS), and even after resetting to factory settings, some of the garbage can remain in protected sections, and we'll figure out how to clean everything without damaging the system, and what to do if the phone says "Memory is full" even though there's enough space.

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

Before you clean it, you have to figure out what's taking up space. MIUI has an inbuilt analyzer, but it doesn't show all the files.

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Memory. Here you will see the categorization of Apps, Images, Videos, etc. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg — system files and cache are not fully displayed.
2. Install a third-party analyzer, such as Files by Google or DiskUsage, which will show hidden folders with cache (for example, the same file is used for the same purpose, /data/data/com.xiaomi.market/cache), gigabyte.
3. Check the DCIM/.thumbnails folder – it stores photo and video thumbnails that can weigh up to 1-2 GB.

Typical memory allocation on Redmi 5 after a year of use:

⚠️ Note: If the Other is more than 5GB in the Other section, it is a sign of memory fragmentation or virus, in which case only a complete reset or flashing will help.

2.Cleaning the app cache: Quick and secure

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up work. On Redmi 5, it can take up to 3-5 GB, and many programs (such as Facebook or TikTok) do not clean it automatically.

How to remove cache without harming data:

• 📱 For one application: Settings → Annexes → Select an application → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🧹 For all applications: Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache (button at the bottom of the screen).
• 🔍 Hidden cache: Folders /data/data/ and /cache/ You can only clean with root rights or through TWRP.

After clearing the cache, some apps (like Google Maps or YouTube) will load longer on the first run - that's OK. Don't clear the cache of system applications (like com.android.systemui), this can cause crashes.

Close all applications

Connect your phone to charge (the process can take 5-10 minutes)

Backup of important data

Do not interrupt the cleaning process-->

3. Removal of unnecessary applications and their residues

Even after removing the application through Settings → Apps for Redmi 5 remain:

• 🗑️ Folders with settings in /data/data/;
• 📁 Cash and temporary files in /sdcard/Android/data/;
• 🔗 Symbolic links in system partitions (if the application was system-based).

How to remove everything without a trace:

1. Use SD Maid (requires root) or Files by Google to search for the remaining files, and search for the name of the remote application, such as com.whatsapp.
2. For system applications (e.g. Mi Video or Mi Music), use ADB: adb shell pm uninstall-k --user 0 com.xiaomi.video Warning: Do not remove applications with the names com.android.* or com.xiaomi.updater - this will lead to system failure.
3. Check the /sdcard/MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder – it stores backups of applications that can be removed.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 5s MIUI 9–11 Bug: After removing system applications ADB The solution is to restart the phone or return the application with the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.xiaomi.video

Through Settings.

Through ADB

With root rights

I do not remove system applications-->

4.Storage optimization: file transfer and cloud services

If Redmi 5 has a microSD, you can transfer some of the data to a memory card, but not all files support porting.

• ✅ You can transfer: photos, videos, music, some applications (if you support Adoptable Storage).
• ❌ Can not be transferred: system applications, cache, data messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).

How to transfer files correctly:

1. Insert microSD (class 10 or UHS-I is recommended).
2. Format it as internal memory (Settings → Storage → Memory Map → Format it as internal). Attention: After that, the card will only work with this phone!
3. Move files through Explorer or Settings → Applications → Select Application → Storage → Change → Memory Map.

The alternative is cloud services:

• 🖥️ Google Photos (unlimited storage for compressed photos);
• ☁️ Mi Cloud (5GB free, integrated into the MIUI);
• 📁 Mega or pCloud (up to 20 GB free of charge).

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If, after transferring the applications to SD-They're slowing down the card, re-memory it, even the class. UHS-I It is slower than the built-in memory of eMMC 5.1 in Redmi 5.

5. Hidden MIUI functions for memory release

MIUI has built-in cleaning tools that you can't see in the basic settings. Here's how to activate them:

• 🔧 Developer Mode: Go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times. Then in Settings. → Additionally. → For developers, turn on Do Not Save Actions (reduces the size of logs).
• 📊 Hidden statistics: Enter ##4636## in the phone number dialer, select Usage statistics → Storage. This shows all the memory processes, including the system.
• 🗑️ Cleaning dumps: In Settings → The phone. → All specifications → Click on the kernel 5 times and the Engineer Mode menu will appear, where you can delete logcat and dumpstate (take up to 1 GB).

On the Redmi. 5 s MIUI 10+ There is an undocumented command to reset the system cache: on behalf of the superuser, run the echo 3 > /proc/sys/vm/drop_caches. It'll free up until 500 MB of RAM and reduce storage fragmentation.

6. Radical methods: resetting and flashing

If after all the manipulations, the memory is still full, radical measures remain:

1. Soft Reset: It doesn't delete data, it reboots the system. Squeeze Power + Volume Up for 10 seconds. It's good if the phone is slowing down because of a crowded cache.
2. Hard Reset: Deletes all data. Performs through Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge → Resetting settings or through Recovery (Powering) + Volume up. → Wipe Data).

The advantages and risks of each method:

⚠️ Warning: On Redmi 5 with a blocked bootloader, flashing through Fastboot will cause an anti-rollback error. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool before firmware (requires Mi Account binding and wait 72 hours).

7.Prevention: How to avoid memory filling in the future

The memory of Redmi 5 doesn’t end too quickly.

• 📸 Configure Google Photos to download in “Economic” quality (saves up to 70% of space).
• 🔄 Use Lite versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).

For advanced users:

• 🐧 Install Magisk and Universal Module GMS Doze to limit background activity of Google Services (saves up to 1 GB per month).
• 📦 Replace the standard launcher MIUI Nova Launcher – it does not cache icons and widgets.

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Even when used carefully, Redmi 5 loses 10-15% of memory per year due to fragmentation and system updates. SD-The card can extend the life of the device for 2-3 years.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up memory