Memory Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: A Complete Guide to Freeing Up Place

Xiaomi Redmi 4X is one of the most popular budget smartphones released in 2017, but even after years of active use, many owners face a memory shortage. 16 or 32 GB of internal memory are quickly clogged with photos, apps and system debris, and the lack of a memory card slot in some versions exacerbates the problem.If your Redmi 4X began to slow down, issue space shortage notifications or refuse to install updates, it’s time to clean up.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to free up memory on Xiaomi Redmi. 4X: From basic (removing unnecessary files) to radical (resetting to factory settings). MIUI creates in the background, and also tell how to transfer applications to the SD-a card, if it's supported by your version of the device. MIUI 8/9/10/11 — The most common firmware for this model.

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

Before you start cleaning, you need to know which files are taking up the most space. On Redmi 4X, you can do this in two ways: through built-in MIUI tools or third-party apps.

The built-in memory analyzer in MIUI shows the distribution by category: Applications, Images, Videos, Audio and Other.

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Slip on the chart at the top of the screen.
3. Wait for the analysis to be completed (it may take 1-2 minutes).

If you don't have a built-in analyzer, install a scanner app (like Files by Google or SD Maid) that will show hidden folders with cache, duplicates, and remnants of remote applications that MIUI often doesn't display, such as /data/local/tmp, which can weigh several gigabytes, even though users don't even know it exists.

2. Delete cache and unnecessary files without data loss

The safest way to free up 1-3GB of storage is to clean up the app cache and system debris, which can be done manually or automatically on the Redmi 4X.

Clearing the cache of individual applications

Some programs (such as YouTube, Telegram, or Google Chrome) accumulate gigabytes of temporary files to delete them:

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Select an app (e.g. Gallery).
3. Slip the vault. → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Please note: Do not clear the cache for Google Play Services and MIUI System – This can cause phone malfunctions.

Automatic cleaning through "Safety"

MIUI has a built-in garbage disposal tool:

1. Launch the Security app (shield icon).
2. Select Cleanup. → Deep cleaning.
3. Check all categories (Residual files, Cash, APK-file).
4. Press Clear.

2.3 Hidden folders that can be cleaned

MIUI creates many service folders that grow over time, and these are the most voracious ones.

• 📁 /sdcard/MIUI/backup/AllBackup — Application backups (can be deleted if you do not use the backup function).
• 🎵 /sdcard/MIUI/music/ — album covers and music player cache.
• 📱 /sdcard/Android/obb/ — game data (e.g., game data, PUBG Genshin Impact can be used to 5 GB).
• 🗑️ /sdcard/tencent/MicroMsg/Download/ — Media files from WeChat (if you don't use them).

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Before deleting folders, back up your important data to your computer. Connect Redmi 4X over USB in File Transfer (MTP) mode and copy DCIM, Download, and WhatsApp folders (if any).

3. Transfer of applications to SD-card (if supported)

The Redmi 4X came in two versions: microSD support (up to 128 GB) and no microSD, so if your model supports memory cards, you can transfer some of the applications to an external drive.

• ✅ Only those applications that support this feature are ported (many games and social networks are not).
• ❌ System applications (MIUI Launcher, Google Play Services cannot be moved.
• ⚠️ After the transfer, applications can run slower (depending on class). SD-map).

To move the application:

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Select the appropriate app (such as Facebook).
3. Slip the vault. → Change. → SD-map.
4. Confirm the transfer (may take a few minutes).

⚠️ Note: If the app stops working after the transfer, return it to internal memory. Some programs (such as WhatsApp) do not support the work with the app. SD-map.

4. Delete heavy files: photos, videos and APK

Media files are the main memory eater, and on Redmi 4X, they are stored in the following folders:

• 📸 /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/ — photo and video.
• 🎥 /sdcard/Movies/ — videotape.
• 📄 /sdcard/Download/ — file-upload.
• 🤖 /sdcard/APK/ — application-file.

To make room:

1. Transfer the photo/video to your computer or cloud (Google Photos, Yandex.Disk).
2. Remove duplicates with apps like Duplicate Files Fixer.
3. Compress Media: Use Photo & Picture Resizer to reduce photo resolution from 16 MP to 8 MP (up to 50% space savings).
4. Delete. APK-files after installing applications (they remain in the Download folder or APK).

⚠️ Note: If you delete a photo from the folder DCIM, They will also disappear from the Gallery and Google Photos (if not synced!

5. Cleaning system logs and dumps

MIUI maintains detailed logs of system events that take hundreds of megabytes over time, and these files are only needed by developers, so they can be safely deleted.

To clear the logs:

1. Install Root Browser or any file manager with access to root folders.
2. Go to /data/log/.
3. Delete all files with extensions.log,.dmp,.trace.

It is also useful to clean the folder with the update cache:

/cache/

It stores temporary firmware files that can weigh up to 1 GB. Delete all the contents of this folder (root rights or file manager with appropriate permissions are required).

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Cleaning system logs does not require root rights if you use the SD Maid application (CorpseFinder function) and it will find and delete all unnecessary files automatically.

6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If all previous methods failed and the Redmi 4X has less than 1 GB of free space, you’ll have to resort to a complete reset, which will delete all data, including apps, photos and settings, but return the phone to a “clean” state.

To make the discharge:

1. Create a backup copy of important data (contacts, photos, messages).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select Settings Reset.
4. Confirm the action (a password may be required).

After discharge:

• 🔄 The phone will restart and start setting up as after purchase.
• 📱 Install only those applications that are really needed.
• 🚫 Turn off auto-update apps on Google Play.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4X Reset to factory settings does not delete files from SD-card (if installed) but all data in internal memory (/sdcard/) will be destroyed without the possibility of restoration!

7.Memory optimization after cleaning

To prevent memory from getting clogged too quickly on the Redmi 4X, follow these tips:

• 📵 Turn off autoload media in instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram). To do this, go to the chat settings → Mediavisors → When connected to Wi-Fi.
• 🔄 Clean the cache once a week through Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.
• 📥 Install lighter versions of apps (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite, Twitter Lite).
• ☁️ Use cloud storage for photos and videos (Google Compressed Quality Photos is free).

It is also useful to disable unnecessary MIUI system applications that run in the background.

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Video or Mi Music).
3. Click Disable (Do not delete!).

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After cleaning the memory of the Redmi 4X, it is recommended to restart the phone, which will allow the system to recalculate the free space and close the background processes that could be taking up resources.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleaning on Redmi 4X