Memory Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 5: A Complete Guide to Freeing Up Place

Xiaomi Redmi 5 is a popular budget smartphone released in 2017, but even after years of heavy use, many owners face memory shortages. Clogged internal memory leads to slowdowns, sudden drops of applications and inability to install updates. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to clean memory on Redmi 5 — from basic to radical, taking into account the features of MIUI and the hardware limitations of the model.

The Redmi's main problem 5 — everything 16/32 GB of internal memory (depending on the modification), from which the system takes up to 8-10 GB: Over time, temporary files, app cache, and duplicate media files accumulate, which can be safely deleted, and it's important to understand that not all methods are equally effective: for example, cleaning the cache gives a temporary effect, and migrating applications to the same location. SD-The map has limitations due to the Android architecture.

We tested each method on Redmi 5 with MIUI 12 (the latest official firmware for this model) and identified those that actually make room without risking damage to the system. If your phone is no longer up-to-date, some features may be missing, we'll warn you in advance.

1. Memory Occupation Analysis: What exactly takes place?

Before you start cleaning, you need to understand which files are clogging up memory. Redmi 5 has built-in tools for this:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Wait for the analysis to be completed (it can take up to 1 minute).
3. Click on the category (such as “Apps” or “Media Files”) to see the details.

A typical picture on Redmi 5 after a year of use:

The critical feature of Redmi 5 is that it reserves up to 2GB of memory for updates, even if you don't install them. This space can't be freed up by standard methods. If the System Files section is more than 10GB occupied, this is a reason to reset to factory settings.

⚠️ Note: If the Other category is more than 5GB occupied, this is a sign of fragmentation of the file system.

2. Cleaning up app cache and system debris

The fastest way to release 1-3 GB is to remove the accumulated cache. In Redmi 5, there are two ways to do this:

Method 1: Through the MIUI settings

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Sort by size."
3. Select an app (like YouTube or Facebook) → Storage → Clear cache.

Method 2: Using a built-in cleaner

MIUI has a security tool (shield icon):

1. Launch the Security app.
2. Select Cleanup. → Deep cleaning.
3. Check all categories (cache, residual files, advertising junk).
4. Press Clean (can take up to 5 minutes).

After cleaning the cache, some applications (like messengers) will load longer when you first run - this is normal.Do not clear the cache of system applications (like Settings or Phone) - this can cause crashes.

Close all background applications

Connect your phone to charge (the process consumes a lot of power)

Backup of important data

Do not interrupt the cleaning process-->

⚠️ Warning: If the phone brakes more after cleaning the cache, it's a sign that the memory is very fragmented.

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

On Redmi 5 with 16GB of storage, even basic apps (like Google Chrome or Facebook) can take up to 500MB each.

Step 1: Remove pre-installed applications (bloatwar)

MIUI is known for its many unnecessary services, some of which can be removed without root rights:

• 📱 Mi Video, Mi Music, Mi Browser - delete via Settings → Applications (the "Delete" button will be active).
• 🔄 Google Play Movies, Google Play Books – Turn off in Settings → Annexes → Three points. → Show all applications.
• 🚫 Clean Master (if installed) – this application consumes resources and duplicates the functions of the built-in cleaner MIUI.

Step 2: Transfer applications to SD-map

Redmi 5 supports memory cards up to 256 GB, but porting apps has limitations:

1. Put it in. SD-card (format as internal memory if you want to port applications).
2. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Select the application → Warehouse → Change. → SD-map.
3. Confirm the transfer (some apps, such as WhatsApp, do not support this feature).

Important: After formatting SD-As internal memory, it can't be used on other devices without formatting again, and not all applications will work correctly with the same internal memory. SD-The maps – it depends on the developer.

Photo and video only | For porting applications | As internal memory |Do not use-->

4. Cleaning of media files: photos, videos and duplicates

Photos and video are the main memory eaters. On Redmi 5 with a 12MP camera, one JPEG photo takes 3-5 MB, and a minute of video in Full HD takes up to 120 MB.

Method 1: Removing duplicates and blurred images

Use the Gallery app from Xiaomi:

1. Open the Gallery → Click on three points → Control → Cleanup.
2. Choose Duplicates or Blurred Photos.
3. Review the proposed files and delete the unnecessary ones.

Method 2: Compression of photo and video

To save space:

• 📸 In camera settings (Settings) → Camera. → Photo resolution: Choose 9 MP instead of 12 MP.
• 🎥 For video, set the permission. 720p instead 1080p (saving up to 50% of the space).
• 🗜️ Use applications like Photo Compress for additional compression without loss of quality.

Tip: Transfer all photos and videos to SD-map or cloud (e.g. Google Photos with Free Place) Once downloaded, the originals can be deleted from your phone.

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If you shoot videos frequently, set a limit on the length of the video in your camera settings (e.g., 3 minutes) to prevent the random recording of hourly files that take up gigabytes.

5. Cleanup of downloads and temporary files

Downloads to Redmi 5 often becomes a dump of junk files: old APKs, memes, documents and archives.

1. Open the Files app (folder icon).
2. Go to the Downloads section.
3. Click on three dots → Sort → By size (to show the largest files first).
4. Select unnecessary files and click Delete.

Pay special attention to files with extensions:

• 📄.apk – Application installers (can be removed after installation).
• 📦.zip/.rar — Archives that have already been opened.
• 🎵.mp3 — Music you haven’t listened to in a long time.
• 📺.mp4 — Videos saved from social media.

Also check the DCIM/.thumbnails folder – it stores thumbnails of photos and videos that can be safely deleted (they will recover automatically).

6. Radical methods: reset to factory settings

If you've had less than 1GB of free time after all the manipulations, and your phone is slowing down, you should consider a full reset. This will delete all the data, but it will return the Redmi 5 to its original state.

Step 1: Backup

Use the built-in MIUI tool:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Local Backup.
3. Tick the necessary data (contacts, SMS, applications) and click Create a backup.
4. Copy the backup file to your computer or SD-map.

Step 2: Performing the discharge

There are two ways:

• 🔄 Through Settings: Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Resetting settings.
• 🛠️ Recovery: Turn off your phone → Hold the volume up + Nutrition → Choose Wipe Data.

After discharge:

1. The phone will reboot and offer a setup as new.
2. Restore the data from the backup (only necessary!).
3. Don’t install all apps at once – do it gradually to avoid clogging again.

⚠️ Note: If the phone still brakes after reset, the problem may be the wear and tear of internal memory (especially important for Redmi 5 over 3 years old), in this case, only replacing the memory chip in the service center will help.

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Resetting to factory settings is the only way to completely clear the “Other” partition, which takes up gigabytes of unidentified files.

7.Memory optimization to prevent clogging

To prevent the problem from recurring, set up Redmi 5 to automatically clean up:

• 🧹 Enable Auto Cleanup in the Security app (Cleanup section) → Settings → Autocleaning).
• 📥 Turn off the automatic download of media files in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
• 🔄 Configure cloud storage (e.g. Google Photos) to automatically upload photos/video and then delete the originals.
• 🚫 Set a limit on the background activity of applications in Settings → Battery → Battery consumption management.

We also recommend:

• 📵 Once a month, reboot your phone – this cleans the RAM and temporary files.
• 🛒 Do not install “cleaners” from the Play Market – they often become a source of garbage themselves.
• 🔍 Regularly check the list of installed applications and remove unused ones.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Redmi memory 5