Cleaning up system memory on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: a complete guide for MIUI users

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliability and ability to upgrade to modern versions of MIUI. However, over time, even this “unkillable” device begins to slow down due to the filled system memory. Unlike new models with 128 GB of drives, Redmi 4X is equipped with a modest 16/32 GB of memory, where the lion’s share is allocated to the system. This article will help you understand how to safely clean up system memory without data loss and why standard tips like “delean cache” often do not work on the old version of Android 6/7.

The main problem with Redmi 4X is the memory architecture of eMMC 5.1, which degrades over time with frequent overwriting. This means that the systemless deletion of files may not help, but also accelerate the wear of the drive. We analyzed official Xiaomi recommendations, user reviews from the 4PDA forums and MIUI Russia, as well as tests on real devices to compile a current guide. There are no universal “magic buttons” – only proven methods with explanations of why they work on this model.

Why is the Redmi 4X clogging faster than the new Xiaomi?

The Redmi 4X uses Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) or 7.1.2 (Nougat) with a MIUI 8/9 shell, and that's a key point. Current versions of MIUI 12+ automatically optimize memory, while older versions require manual control.

• 📁 System cache MIUI: takes 1-3 GB and not cleaned by standard means. MIUI The cache is compressed automatically, but here it is not.
• 🤖 Residual update files: after each update MIUI There are temporary packages weighing 500 MB-1 GB, which the system “forgets” to remove.
• 📱 Duplicate media files: the Gallery app in MIUI 8/9 Creates thumbnails and copies of photos in hidden folders (.thumbnails, MIUI/Extra).
• 🔄 Logs and dumps of the system: when Android crashes, it saves reports in the /data/tombstones and /data/anr, which can weigh hundreds of megabytes.

Another feature of Redmi 4X is that the /data partition is formatted in F2FS (rather than ext4, as in the new models), which speeds up work, but leads to fragmentation with frequent entries. For example, if you regularly update applications through the Play Market, the free space is "fragmented" into small blocks, and the system begins to "see" less memory than it actually is.

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse system memory (section) /system and /data) storage-storage (/sdcard). Delete files from the Download folder or DCIM It doesn't free up system resources! It requires special actions, described below.

Method 1: Cleaning the MIUI cache through a hidden menu of engineering settings

This method only works on Redmi 4X with MIUI 8/9 and allows you to remove the system cache that is not visible in the standard Cleanup menu.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
2. In the menu that appears, select Phone Information (or Usage statistics in English firmware).
3. Scroll down and click Clear Dalvik Cache (or Clear Dalvik Cache).
4. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

After restarting, the system will recover the cache, but its size will decrease by 300-800 MB. This method is safe, since it does not affect user data.

Close all apps (especially messengers)

Connect the charger (the process can take 5-10 minutes)

Make sure the battery is at least 50% charged.

Do not interrupt the reboot process.-->

⚠️ Note: If after cleaning the cache Redmi 4X It's normal to start slower, it takes up to 15 minutes for the system to recover critical data!

Method 2: Delete the residual MIUI update files

Every update MIUI Leaves behind temporary files in the folder /cache and /data/ota_package. On the Redmi. 4X They can borrow up to 1.5 GB, but not displayed in the standard file manager.

To remove them:

1. Install a root-access file manager (such as FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Turn on the display of hidden folders in the manager settings.
3. Cross the path: /data/ota_package Delete all files with the.zip or.pkg extension.
4. Clean the /cache folder (remove all its contents).

If you do not have root rights, you can try an alternative method:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Remove downloaded packets.
3. Confirm the action.

Regularly (every month)

Only with critical updates

Never update.

I don't know what my version is.-->

Method 3: Optimize /data partitioning with ADB

For advanced users, if Redmi 4X is slowing down due to memory fragmentation, you can defragment /data via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a PC connection, but gives a noticeable performance boost.

Instructions:

1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools.
2. Enable USB debugging on your smartphone: Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging over USB.
3. Connect Redmi 4X to your PC and open the command line in the adb folder.
4. Execute commands in order: adb shell su echo 1 > /sys/fs/f2fs/gc_start
5. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 20 minutes).

This command runs a garbage collection on the F2FS file system, which reduces fragmentation and frees up "forgotten" memory blocks, and after the procedure, the smartphone will reboot automatically.

💡

If the su command is not working, then your Redmi 4X has no root rights, in which case defragmentation can only be done via custom recovery (TWRP).

Method 4: Cleaning duplicate media files and thumbnails

The Gallery app in MIUI 8/9 creates up to 5 copies of each photo: the original, thumbnail for preview, copy for editing, backup for the cloud, etc. On Redmi 4X with limited memory, this is critical.

How to find and remove duplicates:

• 🔍 Use Files by Google (formerly Files Go) to find duplicates and large files.
• 🗑️ Manually check the folders: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Extra /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots/.cache
• 📂 Delete the contents of the folder Android/data/com.miui.gallery/cache — This is where temporary gallery files are stored.

You can use a script to automate the process (Termux is required):

pkg install termux-api


termux-setup-storage




find ~/storage/shared/DCIM -name ".*" -type d -exec rm -rf {} \;

⚠️ Warning: Do not delete the.thumbnails folder completely - it will recover automatically, but this will reboot the processor!

Method 5: Transfer applications to SD-map (with reservations)

Many people recommend moving applications to SD-map, but on the Redmi 4X It doesn’t work properly due to Android limitations. 6/7. The system allows you to transfer only part of the application, and the basic data remains in the internal memory, and moreover, this can slow down the smartphone, because the main data is stored in the internal memory. SD-cards (even class) A1) slower than the built-in eMMC memory.

If you want to try it,

1. Put it in. SD-class UHS-I or A1 (minimum 16GB).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select the application and click Move to SD-Card (option not available for all applications).

Alternative: Use it SD-This will combine the memory of the card and the phone, but it will be:

• ✅ Plus: applications will be installed on the map automatically.
• ❌ Disadvantage: the map cannot be removed without data loss.
• ❌ Cons: the speed of work will fall by 20-30%.

💡

On the Redmi. 4X portability SD-It's better to use the card to store media files (photos, videos, music) rather than for applications.

Method 6: Reset to factory settings (last chance)

If nothing works, it's hard reset. On the Redmi 4X, it'll free up 3 to 5 GB of system memory, but it'll delete all the data. Importantly, back up your Mi Cloud or Google Account before reset.

How to reset your settings:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
2. Select Settings Reset.
3. Mark Clean the internal storage (optional, if you need to erase everything).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After discharge:

• 🔄 Don’t restore data from a backup right away – check how the clean system works first.
• 📱 Install only the necessary applications (avoid junk utilities like memory cleaners).
• 🔒 Turn off automatic app updates in the Play Market.

Method 7: Alternative firmware for extending the life of Redmi 4X

If standard methods don’t work, consider installing custom firmware. For Redmi 4X (santoni), you can:

• 📱 LineageOS 16/17 (Android 9/10) — The most stable, but requires manual porting of GApps.
• 🔄 Havoc-OS – Optimized for weak devices, supports MicroG.
• 🛡️ Pixel Experience – mimics pure Android, but can slow down on Redmi 4X.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• ✅ No built-in garbage from Xiaomi (Mi Video, Mi Music, etc.).
• ✅ Support for new versions of Android (up to Android 10 for Santoni).
• ✅ Optimized memory management (e.g, LMK — Low Memory Killer).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Loss of the official guarantee if it is still valid).
• ❌ Risk of “bricking” when installed incorrectly.
• ❌ Certain functions (e.g, IR-blaster) may not work properly.

The installation will require:

1. Unlock bootloader through the official tool Xiaomi.
2. Install TWRP Recovery (Santoni version)
3. Download firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).
4. Swipe through TWRP with full format data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleaning on Redmi 4X