How to Clean Xiaomi Redmi 3: From Cache to Deep Optimization

Xiaomi Redmi 3, released in 2016, is still in demand due to reliability and maintainability, but over time, even this “unkillable” device begins to slow down: applications open for a long time, the system hangs, and free memory is only a few gigabytes, the reason is not the “aging” of iron, but the clogged system: temporary files, remnants of deleted programs, fragmented memory and duplicate media files eat resources.

In this article, we’ve taken a full look at Redmi 3’s cleanup methods, from basic (cache removal) to advanced (manual system folders cleaning), and we’ve taken into account the features of MIUI based on Android 5.1/6.0 that are relevant to this model, and eliminated universal tips that don’t work on older firmware versions, and you’ll find a list of secure cleaning apps that won’t delete critical files, and instructions for restoring performance without resetting to factory settings.

1.Diagnosis: Why Redmi 3 is slowing down and how to fix it

Before you start cleaning, it’s important to understand what exactly slows down the smartphone. Redmi 3 with a Snapdragon 616 processor and 2 GB of RAM have typical bottlenecks:

• 📱 Cache overflow – temporary application files take up to 1-3 GB of memory, and the system does not clean them automatically.
• 🗑️ Disposal after deleting applications - the folders remain in /data/data and register MIUI.
• 🔄 Memory fragmentation – due to frequent write/delete files, the speed of reading eMMC memory drops by 30-40%.
• 🦠 Background processes — MIUI Runs up to 20 services even in standby mode (e.g. com.xiaomi.midrop for file transfer).

To pinpoint the problem, check:

1. Free Memory: Go to Settings → Device Memory. If less than 10% is free, the system starts to crash.
2. RAM download: open Settings → About Phone → System Status → Memory. Normally up to 60% occupied in idle.
3. Processor Temperature: Use the AIDA64 app. When heated above 50°C, Redmi 3 compulsively reduces performance.

Critical: If you see mediaservers in Settings → Battery with a mediaserver consumption of more than 15%, this is a sign of corrupted media files. They need to be manually deleted (for this, see the section on cleaning memory).

2.Cache cleaning: safe and risky methods

Cache is a temporary file that speeds up applications, but on Redmi 3, it's often a source of problems, taking up space, fragmenting memory, and being damaged, and consider all the cleanups we can do, from the safest to the heavy artillery.

Standard cleaning through settings

The simplest method that does not require superuser rights is:

1. Go to Settings → Memory of the device → Cleanup.
2. Click Clear cache (usually frees 500MB-1.5GB).
3. In the Garbage Files section, tick Residual Files and Logs, then click Clean.

Important: Do not clear the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui) through Settings → Applications – this can cause MIUI interface failures.

Deep cleaning with SD Maid

The SD Maid app (available on Google Play) can remove cache that is not visible by standard means.

Open the CorpseFinder tab (search for remnants of remote applications)

Select Run Now and Wait for the Scan

Check all the files found and click Delete

Go to AppCleaner and clear the cache for all apps-->

Warning: Do not use SystemCleaner without root permissions – it can delete critical MIUI files, which will lead to a reboot cycle.

Manual cleaning through Recovery

If the smartphone is severely slowing down and does not respond to commands, you can clear the cache through the recovery mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (control – volume buttons, choice – power button).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

⚠️ Warning: Don't choose Wipe Data - this will result in a complete reset of the phone! on Redmi 3 with custom Recovery (for example, TWRP) This item may be called Format Data.

3. Memory Cleanup: delete unnecessary files without loss

On Redmi 3 with 16 GB of memory (of which ~12 GB is available), each megabyte counts.

• 📸 Duplicate photos — MIUI creates thumbnails in a folder DCIM/.thumbnails.
• 🎵 Cash music – apps like Mi Music save tracks to the music /Android/data/com.miui.player.
• 📥 Downloads – Download folder often contains outdated APK archives.
• 🗃️ Backup copies — MIUI automatically creates backups in MIUI/backup.

To find and remove garbage, use Files by Google (formerly Files Go):

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open the Cleanup tab and select Unnecessary Files.
3. Check the suggested items for removal and click Clean.

Critical information for Redmi 3: Never manually delete files from the folder. /data/dalvik-cache — This cache is responsible for optimizing applications for the Snapdragon processor. 616.

4. Application optimization: what can be removed and what can be disabled

Redmi 3 has a lot of MIUI system applications that can't be removed without root permissions, but can be disabled, which will free up up to 300-500 MB of memory and reduce the load on the processor.

List of safe apps to disable (via Settings → Apps → All apps):

• 🎵 Mi Music (com.miui.player) – if you use a different player.
• 📺 Mi Video (com.miui.videoplayer) - alternatives: VLC or MX Player.
• 📡 Mi Drop (com.xiaomi.midrop) – Send Anywhere is better for file transfers.
• 📰 Mi Browser (com.android.browser) – replace it with Chrome or Firefox.
• 🎮 Game Center (com.xiaomi.gamecenter.sdk.service) – if you don’t play games.

How to disable system applications:

1. Open Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Browser).
3. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, the application is critical to the system).
4. Confirm the action. The app will disappear from the menu, but it will remain in memory.

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable com.android.phone, com.miui.home, and com.android.settings, which will cause your phone to fail!

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To return a disabled application, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Menu (three dots) → Show disabled and click Enable.

5. Advanced Cleaning: ADB and Root Methods

If standard methods have failed and the phone is still slowing down, you can use tools for power users, and these methods require caution — the wrong commands can lead to data loss or “bricking” of the device.

5.1 Cleaning through ADB (no root)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to remove system debris without superuser rights. Redmi 3 will suit the following sequence of commands:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Turn on the phone to Debug via USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
3. Connect the phone to the PC and type in the command line:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.analytics # Cleanup of MIUI Analytics


adb shell pm clear com.xiaomi.ab # Delete error logs




adb shell pm clear com.miui.bugreport # Cleanup of crash reports




adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files

The result: these commands will release 100-300MB and reduce the background activity of the system.

5.2 Manual removal of garbage with root rights

If you have root, you can manually clean folders that are not available by standard methods. Use Root Explorer or FX File Explorer:

• 📁 Remove the contents /data/log (logistic).
• 🗑️ Clean it up. /data/tombstones (memory dumps).
• 🔄 Delete. /cache/recovery (update-sheet).

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files in /system — This will lead to loss of serviceability. MIUI! Also avoid changes in the /data/dalvik-cache and /data/app-lib.

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If the root phone stopped turning on after cleaning, try flashing it over the Fastboot using the Mi Flash Tool. For Redmi 3, V8.1.6.0.MALMIDL firmware (stable global version) will work.

6.Optimizing performance after cleaning

Cleaning up memory is only half the battle, and in order for Redmi 3 to work quickly, you need to optimize the system.

• 🔋 Turn off animation: go to Settings → For developers and install Windows animation = 0.5x, Animation of transitions = 0.5x.
• 🔄 Limit the background processes: in Settings → For developers, select Process Limitation. → Maximum 2 background processes.
• 📵 Turn off autosynchronization: Settings → Accounts. → Data synchronization (especially for Mi Account and Google).
• 🛡️ Use a lightweight launcher: replace MIUI Launcher on Nova Launcher or Lawnchair.

It is also recommended that:

• 🔄 Rebooting your phone every 2-3 days cleanses RAM.
• 📵 Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth overnight – background scans waste resources.
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery once a month (discharge to 0%, charge to 100% without interruptions).

7.If nothing helps: reset to factory settings

If Redmi 3 continues to slow after all the manipulations, then there is a last chance, Hard Reset. This will completely clean the phone, return it to the state of the box and delete all data. Before reset, make sure to back up!

How to reset your settings:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
2. Select Settings Reset.
3. Mark Clear internal memory (optional if you want to delete all files).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• 📱 Do not recover data from the backup MIUI — It can contain garbage.
• 🔄 Install only the necessary applications (avoid junk utilities like Clean Master).
• 📵 Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play.

⚠️ Note: Redmi 3 reset via Recovery (Wipe Data) may cause a "No" error OS installed" if the partition structure has been changed before. In this case, you will need to flash through Fastboot.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Xiaomi Redmi 3