Memory Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 4: From Cache to Deep Optimization

Xiaomi Redmi 4 (including Redmi 4A, 4X, 4 Pro) is still popular years later due to reliability and low price. However, over time, owners face a typical problem: memory is crammed and the system begins to slow down. The reasons lie not only in the accumulation of unnecessary files, but also in the features of the MIUI firmware, which actively caches data to speed up work. In this article, we will discuss how to effectively clean up Redmi 4 memory without risking losing important data, from basic methods to hidden MIUI functions.

It's important to understand that Redmi 4 came with different internal storage (16/32/64 GB), but even on the top versions, users are facing a lack of space, because the system reserves some of the memory for their needs, and MIUI updates take up more space over time, for example, after upgrading to MIUI 10 on a 16-gigabyte model, there may be less than 3 GB of free space — and this with a minimum set of applications. We tested all the cleaning methods on real devices and selected the ones that give maximum effect.

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

Before you start cleaning, you need to figure out which files are taking up space. Redmi 4 has built-in tools for this, but they don't always show the whole picture.

1. Open Settings → Memory of the device. Here you will see a diagram of the distribution by category: System, Applications, Images, Audio, etc. Pay attention to the Others section - this is where garbage is often hidden.
2. Use third-party analyzers like Files by Google or SD Maid to show hidden files, duplicates, and remnants of deleted applications. On Redmi 4, these utilities work stable, but require storage permissions.
3. Check the /sdcard/MIUI folder through any file manager (e.g. Mi File Explorer) that stores backups, system logs, and temporary update files that can weigh several gigabytes.

A typical picture on Redmi 4 with MIUI 9/10:

Nana 16-gigabyte models of Redmi 4 after 2–3 The years of use of the free space are often less 1 GB – and this despite the fact that the user did not install heavy games or shoot videos in the video 4K. Main memory eaters: Google Play Services cache, backups MIUI file /MIUI/backup, and old versions of the firmware in /cache.

2.Cache cleanup: A quick way to release 1–3GB

Application cache is a temporary file that is created to speed up programs, and over time, it accumulates and can take up gigabytes of memory. On Redmi 4, the cache is cleared in two ways:

Method 1: Through the MIUI settings

The safest method that does not require additional programs:

1. Go to Settings → Memory of the device → Cleanup.
2. Click Clear Cache (usually frees 500MB-1.5GB).
3. For deep cleaning, tap Deep Cleaning and select unnecessary files (logs, temporary data, thumbnails).

Method 2: Manual cleaning for individual applications

Some programs (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Google Chrome) can accumulate cache up to 500-800 MB each to clear them separately:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as YouTube) and click Storage.
3. Tap Clear cache and Clear data (Warning: this will reset the program settings!).

Important: Do not clear the cache of system applications (for example, com.android.systemui or com.miui.home) - this can lead to interface failures. Also, you should not clear the cache of Google Play Services more than 1 time a month, otherwise Google services will deteriorate.

📱 Google Play Services cache (can weigh up to 1GB)

📸 Gallery miniatures (/DCIM/.thumbnails)

🎵 Cash of music applications (Spotify, Yandex Music)

📦 Temporary download files (/Download/temp)

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3. Removal of unnecessary applications and transfer to SD-map

Even if you haven’t installed games, Redmi 4 has a lot of pre-installed apps out of the box. MIUI, But some of them can be disabled, and some of the user programs can be moved to the standard. SD-map (if installed).

How to Disable System Applications

Many MIUI applications (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, Mi Browser) duplicate the functions of Google services and only take up space.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Drop).
3. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, the application is critical to the system).

List of safe apps to disable on Redmi 4:

• 🎬 Mi Video (if you use YouTube or YouTube) VLC)
• 🎵 Mi Music (replace with Google Play Music or Spotify)
• 🌐 Mi Browser (better to use Chrome or Firefox)
• 📱 Mi Drop (unless you use Wi-Fi file transfer)
• 📰 Mi News (news aggregator that loads data in the background)

Transfer of applications to SD-map

On the Redmi. 4 s MIUI 8/9 There is a limitation: SD-The card can only be moved to a part of the application (usually no more than one part of the application). 50%). However, it will help to save money. 1–2 GB of internal memory. How to do this:

1. Put it in. SD-card (class 10 is recommended or UHS-I speed).
2. Format it as internal memory in Settings → Memory. → SD-map (Warning: all data on the map will be erased!).
3. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management, select the program and click Move to SD-map.

⚠️ Note: After formatting SD-It cannot be retrieved without data loss, and some applications (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) may not work properly with porting to the Internet. SD.

4. Optimization of multimedia: photos, videos and music

Photos and video are the main memory eaters on any smartphone. On Redmi 4 with a 13MP camera, one JPEG photo takes 3-5 MB, and a minute of video in Full HD takes up to 100 MB.

Photo and video compression

• 📸 Use the "Saving Space" mode in the camera: Camera settings → Permission → Choose 8 MPs instead of 13 MPs.
• 🎥 For video, set the permission. 720p instead 1080p (saving up to 50% of the space).
• 🖼️ Install the Google Photos app and enable High Space Savings in your backup settings. It will automatically compress the photo to acceptable quality.

Removal of duplicates and failed images

The Redmi 4 Gallery often contains:

• 🔄 Duplicate photos (e.g. screenshots with the same content).
• 🗑️ Blurred or dark images (MIUI They don't always filter them).
• 📁 Screenshots that are no longer needed (Daddy) /Pictures/Screenshots).

To find and remove them, use:

• Google Photos (automatically grouping similar images)
• Files by Google (there is a function "Clean up" → "Duplicates").
• Gallery Doctor (specialized application for MIUI).

Transferring multimedia to the cloud or PC

If there is not enough space on the phone, and you need photos and videos:

1. Upload them to Google Photos, Yandex Drive or Mi Cloud (MIUI has built-in synchronization).
2. Connect Redmi 4 to your computer via USB (in File Transfer mode) and copy the DCIM, Pictures, Downloads folders to your hard drive.
3. Use it. OTG-adapter for transferring files to a flash drive (Redmi 4 supports).

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Before mass deletion of the photo, turn on the display of hidden files in the file manager – often in the folders.thumbnails or.nomedia store gigabytes of unnecessary thumbnails.

5. Removal of old updates and system debris

The MIUI firmware on Redmi 4 has an unpleasant feature: after an update, the system does not always remove old firmware versions, which can take up to 1-2 GB. In addition, logs and temporary files accumulate in /cache and /data/log folders.

Removing old firmware

Old versions MIUI stored in a folder /sdcard/Downloaded_rom. To remove them:

1. Open any file manager (such as Mi File Explorer).
2. Go to the folder. /sdcard/Downloaded_rom.
3. Delete all files with the.zip extension (e.g, miui_HM4XGlobal_V10.2.3.0...zip).

Cleaning up /cache folder

This folder stores temporary system files that can be safely deleted:

1. Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager with root permissions (such as Root Explorer).
2. Go to /cache and delete all content (files with extensions.tmp,.log,.bak).

Cleaning the system logs

MIUI logs are stored in /data/log and can weigh hundreds of megabytes to delete:

• 🛠️ Use the app. SD Maid (partition of CorpseFinder).
• 📱 Manually through ADB (PC connection required: adb shell su rm -rf /data/log/* rm -rf /cache/*

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /data or /cache If you're not sure, you can only use embedded tools. MIUI.

6.Reset to factory settings: a last resort

If all previous methods have failed, and Redmi 4 has less than 500 MB of free space, it is worth considering a complete reset. This is a radical way that will return the phone to the state of "out of the box", but delete all data.

• 🔄 Make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.
• 📱 Save your contacts in a Google account or on SIM-map.
• 📁 Copy photos and videos to your PC or cloud.

How to perform the reset:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
2. Select Settings Reset.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• 📱 Do not restore the backup completely – select only the data you need (contacts, SMS).
• 🔄 Don’t install all apps at once – do it gradually, keeping an eye on the free space.
• 📵 Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play.

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Factory reset on Redmi 4 frees up to 3-5 GB of storage, but requires a complete reconfiguration of the phone. Use this method only if other methods have not worked.

7. Additional tips for optimizing memory

To prevent memory from getting clogged too quickly on Redmi 4, follow these guidelines:

• 📵 Turn off automatic download of multimedia in instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber). To do this, go to the settings of each application and turn off the option Autoupload photo / video.
• 🎵 Limit the offline cache of music services. In Spotify or Yandex Music, set a limit on downloadable tracks (for example, 1 GB instead of 3 GB).
• 📦 Use the “light” versions of the apps: Facebook Lite instead of the usual Facebook; Messenger Lite instead of the full version; Twitter Lite or Fenix instead of the official client.
• 🔄 Clean up the downloads regularly. /Download often contains unnecessary APK-file, PDF Check it once a month.
• 📡 Turn off background sync for unnecessary accounts. Go to Settings → Accounts and disable automatic sync for underutilized services.

Also, you should pay attention to the application files that take up a lot of space:

• 🎮 Games (e.g., games, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty can weigh 1.5 to 2 GB each. Remove them if you're not playing.
• 🗺️ Offline maps (Google Maps, Yandex Maps, 2GIS) – clear cache or remove unnecessary regions.
• 📚 Electronic books and PDF — transfer them to SD-map.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Redmi memory 4