How to Clean Xiaomi Redmi 5: 7 Proven Ways

Xiaomi Redmi 5 is still a popular choice for its balanced specs and affordable price, but over time, any phone starts to slow down: apps slowly open, memory is clogged with unnecessary files, and the battery goes down faster than usual, most often due to accumulated digital debris — cache, remnants of remote programs, duplicate photos and unoptimized settings.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways Redmi 5 can be cleaned, from basic methods through built-in tools to deep cleaning with third-party utilities and even manually deleting system files (for power users), how to free up memory, speed up the phone and restore its performance without risking damage to the firmware, and we’ll also reveal some hidden MIUI features that aren’t mentioned in the standard instructions.

1. Cleaning through built-in MIUI tools

Xiaomi Redmi 5 runs on the MIUI shell, which out of the box includes powerful tools to optimize the system, and let’s start with them – this is the safest and fastest way to return the phone to performance.

The first step is to use the Security utility (the shield icon), run it and go to the Cleanup tab, where the system automatically scans the phone for:

• 🗑️ Application cache – temporary files that take up to 1-3 GB of memory.
• 📁 Unnecessary APK — Remnants of Remote Programs.
• 📂 Duplicate files – repetitive photos, videos or documents.
• 🔍 Garbage files – logs, dumps and other technical data.

After scanning, click Clean - this will free up 500MB to 2GB of storage in a few seconds. But don't stop there! In the same Security section, there's a Deep Clean tab that removes older files, including the cache of system applications (like Google Play Services or MIUI Launcher).

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If the phone still brakes after cleaning, restart it. MIUI resets the cache completely only after the reboot.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache for applications that store important data (such as messengers or banking programs).This may lead to loss of chat history or the need to re-authorize.

2. Manual removal of unnecessary files

Built-in MIUI cleaning doesn't always deal with hidden files and folders that have been accumulating for years, such as browser downloads, old updates or backups can take up gigabytes of memory to manually delete:

1. Open the Files app (yellow folder icon).
2. Go to the Category tab → Downloads.
3. Sort files by date (Sort → Date) and delete anything older than 6 months.
4. Check the folders: 📂 DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo miniatures (can be removed without consequences). 📂 Android/data — Game and Application Data (Delete Remote Program Folders). 📂 MIUI/Backup — backups.

Pay special attention to the Android/obb folder – it stores heavy game files (from 500 MB to several GB).If you have not played PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty in a long time, feel free to delete the corresponding folders.

Outdated. APK download|The folder.thumbnails in DCIM|Remote game data in Android/data|Backup copies are older 1 yearly MIUI/Backup-->

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files with the.odex or.vdex extension in the folder /system — These are the components of the firmware, and if they're damaged, they're going to crash the system and need to flash it.

3. Cleaning the cache and application data

Even after the program is deleted, its settings and temporary files can remain in the phone's memory, and this applies to system applications that cannot be completely removed.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook or MIUI Gallery).
3. Click Warehouse → Clear the cache and Clear the data.

For mass cleaning:

1. In the same Application Management section, click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
2. Select Sort. → By size.
3. Clear the cache for applications that are more than 100MB.

Especially "gluttonous" to the cache:

• 📱 Social networks (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok – up to 1 GB of cache).
• 🎮 Free Fire, Genshin Impact (up to 3 GB).
• 📺 Streaming services (YouTube, Netflix – up to 500 MB).

Social media|Games|Messengers|Streaming services|Other-->

4. Optimization of autoloading and background activity

Redmi 5 with its 2/3GB of RAM is particularly affected by apps that run when the phone is turned on or run in the background.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Autorun.
2. Turn off auto-run for all applications except system (Settings, Phone, Messages).

To limit background activity:

1. In Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Choose Energy Saving or Balanced.
3. Manually turn off background activity for unnecessary apps (such as games or stores).

It is also useful to disable notifications from unnecessary applications:

1. Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification management.
2. Turn off notifications for games, news apps, and other spammers.

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Turning off autoboot and background activity can increase battery life by 15-20%!

5. reset to factory settings (hard reset)

If the phone is extremely slow, overheats frequently, or makes errors, the last chance to bring it back to life is a complete reset, which will delete all data, so first:

• 🔄 Make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 📱 Transfer photos and videos to your computer or cloud (Google Photos, MI Cloud).
• 📝 Write down logins and passwords from important accounts.

For discharge:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose Reset all settings.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Once reset, the phone will look like new, but don't restore data from the backup -- often it contains garbage that will slow down the system again. Install only the necessary applications and keep your memory clean.

6. Cleaning up viruses and malware

Redmi 5 on the MIUI Rarely exposed to viruses, but if you install applications from unverified sources (APK-- files, there's a risk of infection:

• 📱 Advertising in the notification menu.
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge.
• 📈 Unexplained traffic consumption.
• 🔄 Installation of applications spontaneously.

For testing and treatment:

1. Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light from Google Play.
2. Run a deep scan.
3. Remove any threats you find.
4. Go to Settings → Apps and manually remove suspicious programs (such as those with names like System Update, Flash Player, or Clean Master).

If the virus blocks access to the settings:

1. Load your phone in Safe Mode (clip Power, then hold off Power until a request appears).
2. In safe mode, remove malicious applications.

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To avoid viruses, disable the installation from unknown sources: Settings → Privacy → Unknown sources (uncheck all boxes).

7. Phone flashing (for experienced users)

If all previous methods have failed and the phone is still unstable, it's a last resort, requiring care, but it will bring the Redmi 5 back to a factory state with a clean system.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or quality).
• 📥 Fastboot firmware ROM Redmi 5 (download from Xiaomi's official website).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool Programming.

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder on your computer (the way without Cyrillic!).
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Select the firmware folder and press Refresh (should appear) COM-port).
5. Press Flash and wait until it is finished (10-15 minutes).

Once you flash it, the phone will turn on with a clean system. Don't restore data from backups - this can bring back old problems.

⚠️ Note: Fastboot flashing erases all information, including data in internal memory (photos, videos, documents), and there is a risk of a brisk (phone breakage) when interrupting the process or using unofficial firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Xiaomi Redmi 5