How to clean the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 5: from garbage to system optimization

Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in 2017, is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliability and the possibility of upgrading to the market. MIUI But over time, even this "unkillable" machine starts to slow down, overheat and emit "not enough memory" errors, and the reason is not because of the "aging" of the iron, but because of a clogged system: application cache, residual files, duplicate photos and unnecessary ones. APK It takes up gigabytes of space.

Unlike the new models with 128 GB of memory, Redmi. 5 In the basic version, it has everything. 16 GB, of which the user is available about 10-12 GB, and the Android system. 7.1.2 (or updated MIUI 11/12) self-employed 4-5 GB, and standard applications from Xiaomi – more 1-2 GB: After a year of active use of free space remains less 1 GB, which leads to disruptions.

This article is not just a collection of "delete unnecessary files" tips. 4 Cleaning level: from basic garbage disposal to deep system optimization with Redmi features 5 (codename rosy. you'll learn how to safely remove before 30-40% Unnecessary data without root rights, what settings MIUI Smartphones are slowing down, and why Xiaomi’s standard “cleaner” removes only the tip of the iceberg.

1 Preparation: What to do before cleaning

Before you start deleting files, follow three critical steps: skipping them risks losing contacts, photos, or even locking your smartphone.

First, check the battery power. The deep cleaning process may take up to 30-40 It's a minute, and a bit of interruption will cause a file system error — ≥50%. If the battery is worn out (capacity is lower) 70% from the factory, connect Redmi 5 charging with the original cable - cheap analogues can cause overheating.

Second, back up critical data. Even if you don't plan to reset your settings, clearing the cache of some applications (e.g. com.android.providers.contacts) can cause you to lose contacts.

• 📱 Local Copying: Transfer the photo/video to a memory card or PC via a computer MTP (Transfer of files").
• ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud: Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud and enable sync for Contacts, Notes and Gallery".
• 🔄 Third-party services: Google Drive is suitable for messages and calls (setting in Settings) → System system → Backup).

Third, determine the current state of memory. Go to Settings. → Memory and write it down:

Total volume (16 GB or 32 GB).

- Occupied space (if) >14GB of 16GB – Cleanup is urgently needed).

- Section "System Memory" (should be ≤5GB; if more, a reset is required).

⚠️ Note: If in the "Memory" section you see the "Other" item in volume >3GB is a sign of fragmented files that cannot be deleted by standard means, but will require manual cleaning (see section 4).

Basic cleaning: remove garbage without software

Start with built-in tools MIUI. They're removing up to 1-2 GB of unnecessary data without affecting personal files.

Step 1. Clean up the app cache

1. Open Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Select cache apps >100 MB (e.g. YouTube, Facebook, MIUI Gallery).
4. Click Clear Cache (not "Clear Data"!).

Step 2: Removing unnecessary APK and update

• 📦 Go to Settings. → Memory. → Files. APK Remove all unused installation packages.
• 🔄 B Settings → Annexes → Application management → System Updates Delete Old Update Files (They Can Weigh Up to 1.5GB).

Step 3: Cleaning up downloads and baskets

• 📁 Open the Files app (com.android.fileexplorer) and go to the Download folder. Delete everything except the current documents.
• 🗑️ In the Gallery, go to the Recycle Bin and clean it (files are stored there for 30 days and take up space).

Step 4: Disconnecting the garbage loading

Many apps (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music) automatically download content in the background to prevent it from happening:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Autostart Management.
2. Turn off auto-run for all applications except instant messengers and system services.

3. Deep Cleanup: Hidden Files and System Garbage

Built-in tools MIUI leave out:

• Residual files after uninstallation of applications (folders) /data/data/).
• Logs of the system (/data/log/), weighable 500 MB.
• Duplicate photos and videos created MIUI Gallery in editing.
• Google Play Services cache (com.google.android.gms) that often exceeds 1GB.

Deleting them will require manual access to the file system, using two methods:

Method 1. Through the Files application (without root)

1. Open Files and activate the hidden folder display (click on three dots) → Settings → Show hidden files).
2. Move to the /storage/emulated/0/ and delete: Folder DCIM/.thumbnails (sketches of photos, before 200 MB. Folder. Android/data/ — This is where game and application data is stored. Delete the remote folders. MIUI/debug_log (log of errors, before 1 GB).

Method 2. ADB (skilled)

If you know me, ADB, execute commands to clean the cache of all user applications:

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep -E '^/data/app' | cut -d= -f1 | xargs -n1 adb shell pm clear

To clean up the Google Services cache:

adb shell pm clear com.google.android.gms

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete files in folders: /system/ — This will lead to a device blink. /data/dalvik-cache/ — Dalvik cache, required for application operation. /data/app-lib/ — If you're in doubt, you'd better skip the file.

4. MIUI Optimization: Disabling Unnecessary Functions

Xiaomi Redmi 5 is working on the MIUI, And that's the default, which includes a lot of background processes, and if you turn them off, you'll free up to 500 MB of RAM and reduce the heat.

What can be safely disabled:

Autostart optimization:

Many Xiaomi system applications are automatically launched to disable them:

1. Install App Inspector from Google Play.
2. Find apps with rights BOOT_COMPLETED (for example, com.miui.weather2, com.miui.videoplayer).
3. Turn off auto-start via Settings → Battery → Autostart control.

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If gestures stop working after the functions are turned off (for example, double tap to wake up), return the settings to Settings. → Lock screen and password → Additional settings.

5. Memory cleanup with third-party applications

Standard "cleaner" in MIUI It only removes surface debris:

1. SD Maid (requires root for full functionality)

• 🧹 Deletes residual files (corpses) after uninstallation of applications.
• 🗃️ Cleaning up the databases (DB Vacuum, reducing their size by 20-30%.
• 🔍 Finds duplicate photos and videos (including hidden.nomedia folders).

For Redmi 5 without root, AppCleaner is suitable – it removes cache and temporary files deeper than the built-in tools.

2. Files by Google

• 📂 Automatically finds large files (>100 MB) and unused applications.
• 📋 Offers to clean up junk files (e.g..apk,.tmp).
• ☁️ Integrated with Google Drive for backup.

3. CCleaner (only for cache cleanup!)

Do not use the Optimization function – it kills background processes that are on Redmi. 5 s 2/3 GB of RAM will lead to even bigger brakes:

• 🗑️ Cleaning up the app cache.
• 📥 Delete files from Download and DCIM.

⚠️ Note: Do not use "radiation boosters" (e.g. Clean Master, DU On Redmi 5, they: Increase wear and tear on flash memory due to frequent write operations. MIUI, This will cause a cyclical reboot, slowing down because of the constant scan in the background, and the only safe way to free up RAM is to restart the phone.

Extreme measures: reset to factory settings

If after all the manipulations of the free space is less than 1 GB, and the smartphone slows down when opening even standard applications, there is a hard reset. On Redmi 5, this can be done in two ways:

Method 1. Through the settings menu (stores data on the memory card)

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset → Resetting.
2. Select Delete all data (do not Reset settings!).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Method 2. Through Recovery (if the phone is not turned on)

1. Turn off Redmi 5.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (control – volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
4. After reset, select Reboot.

What to do after the discharge:

• 🔧 Don’t restore backup through Mi Cloud – it will bring back all the trash.
• 📲 Transfer applications to the memory card (if installed) through Settings → Annexes → Move it to SD.
• 🚫 Don’t install antiviruses and “optimizers” – they will only worsen performance.

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The factory reset on Redmi 5 only removes user data, not system updates. If you want to roll back to the factory firmware, you'll need firmware through Fastboot.

7.Prevention: How to avoid repeated clogging

To prevent Redmi 5 from becoming a brick in a month, follow these rules:

1. Control of installed applications

• 📵 Remove unused programs immediately after installation.
• 🛒 Before installation, check the size APK Google Play (Do not play games) >500MB).
• 🔄 Use Lite versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).

2. Data storage configuration

• 📷 In the Gallery, turn off Auto-Save Screenshots (Gallery Settings) → Additionally).
• 🎵 In Mi Music and Mi Video, turn off Auto Cover Download.
• ☁️ Configure Google Photos to automatically upload photos to the cloud, and then delete local copies.

3. Regular cleaning

• 🗓️ Once a week, run the built-in cleaner (Security) → Cleanup).
• 📊 Check the Download folders once a month and DCIM presence of unnecessary files.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone once every 3 months – it clears up tmpfs (Temporary core memory).

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If you often shoot videos, set the camera to record in resolution. 720p instead 1080p. The difference in quality is minimal, and the place is saved by 2 times.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Redmi 5