Manual cleaning of internal memory on Xiaomi Redmi 5: 7 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi 5 with its 16 or 32 GB of internal memory is a reliable, but not a young smartphone that eventually begins to “brake” due to clogged storage. Even if you regularly delete photos and applications, the MIUI system (especially versions 9-12) leaves behind tons of temporary files, cache and “garbage” that are not visible to the user. Unlike the new models with MIUI 14+, where cleaning is automated, Redmi 5 has to act manually – otherwise there will be less than 1 GB of free space, and the phone will begin to emit errors when installing updates or shooting videos.

This article is not just a list of standard tips like “remove unnecessary apps.” We will break down the hidden methods that work specifically on the Xiaomi Redmi 5 (including the Redmi 5A and Redmi 5 Plus versions), taking into account the features of its firmware and hardware limitations. You will learn how to safely clear memory without resetting to factory settings, which files can be deleted without risk and which should not be touched, even if they take gigabytes. At the end, a checklist for quick verification and an FAQ for typical problems (for example, why memory is refilled in a day after cleaning).

1.Diagnostics: What exactly is taking up memory on Redmi 5?

Before you clean, you need to understand which files are eating up space. On Redmi 5, the built-in memory analyzer (Settings → Memory) often shows incomplete data — especially if the phone is rooted or stitched with a custom version of MIUI. Here's how to get an accurate picture:

• 📊 System Analyzer: Go to Settings → The phone. → Memory. This shows the categories "Apps," "Images," "Video" and "Other." Click on each to see the details. Attention: The "Other" section often hides up to 3 to 5 GB of garbage!
• 🔍 File Manager: Use the standard Files app (or Total Commander from Google Play (/storage/emulated/0/) And sort the files by size. Android/obb, Download and MIUI — first-time clean-up candidates.
• 🛠️ ADB-commands (for advanced): Connect the phone to the PC and execute in ADB Shell: df -h The command will show the memory distribution by partition. /data filled 90%+, urgent cleaning is required.

At Redmi 5, you should pay special attention to:

• 📁 pup MIUI/Backup — Backups of applications are stored here (may weigh up to a maximum of one). 1–2 GB).
• 🎮 pup Android/obb — game cache (e.g, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty files are left here. 1–3 GB).
• 📱 pup DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo and video miniatures (sometimes up to) 500 MB).

2. Cleaning the application cache and system

Cash is the main memory eater on Redmi 5. Unlike the new models, where MIUI manages the cache itself, it accumulates here for years. Danger: if you just click Clear cache in the settings, some applications (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) may not work properly.

Method 1: Manual cleaning for individual applications

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook or YouTube) and click Storage.
3. Tap "Clear Cache." Don't click "Clear Data" - it will delete accounts and settings!

Method 2: Mass cleaning of the system cache

• 🧹 Open the Security app (shield icon).
• Go to the Cleanup. → Deep cleaning.
• Check the boxes “App Cache” and “Junk Files”, then click Clean.

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If the app is slower after cleaning the cache, restart the phone. MIUI will restore the critical cache files automatically.

Method 3: Removing the recovery cache (hidden section)

On Redmi 5, the recovery cache (cache partition) can take up to 1 GB.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Select Wipe Cache Partition (use volume buttons for navigation, power buttons for confirmation).
4. After cleaning, restart (Reboot System).

⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse Wipe Cache Partition with Wipe Data.

3. Delete unnecessary system files and MIUI "junk"

MIUI on Redmi 5 is known for leaving behind tails, files that are not deleted even after the apps are uninstalled.

How to delete:

1. Open the files. → Categories → Others.
2. Find the folders from the table above and delete their contents. Don't delete the folders themselves, just the files inside!
3. For your Android/data folder, check which apps are removed and which ones are installed. Only delete the remote folders.

Additional: Cleaning Dalvik cache

This cache is used by the system to speed up applications. On Redmi 5, it can take up to 1 GB to clear it.

1. Enter Recovery Mode (as in the previous section).
2. Choose Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache.
3. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: After cleaning the Dalvik cache, the first launch of the phone will be longer than usual (up to 5 minutes!

4. Application optimization: what can be removed without consequences

Redmi 5 has a lot of MIUI system applications that can't be removed by standard means, but some can be disabled or replaced with lighter ones.

List of safe applications to disable:

• 🎵 Music (standard player) - replace it with VLC poweramp.
• 📺 Mi Video – delete if you use YouTube or MX Player.
• 📰 Mi Browser – Replace with Chrome or Firefox.
• 📱 Cleaner is useless if you clean your memory manually.
• 🎁 GetApps (Mi App Store) – You can turn it off if you only use Google Play.

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Cleaner).
3. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, the application is critical to the system).

Removal via ADB (for Advanced)

If you want to remove the system application completely, use ADB:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer

Replace com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer with the package of the desired application (you can find out the package through the App Inspector from Google Play).

Backup of important data

Write down the names of the disabled applications

Check alternative programs (e.g. player)

Make sure your phone is at least 50 times charged%-->

5. Transfer data to a memory card (if supported)

Xiaomi Redmi 5 as a basic configuration (16 GB) does not support installation of applications on microSD, but allows you to transfer photos, videos and documents.

Method 1: Transfer through camera settings

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Tap on. ⚙️ Settings → Warehouse.
3. Select Memory Card.

Method 2: Manually moving files

• 📁 Open Files and go to Internal Memory → DCIM/Camera.
• 📤 Select files, press More. → Move and select a memory card.
• 🔄 Repeat for Download, Documents and Pictures folders.

Method 3: Use Link2SD (requires root)

If you have root rights, Link2SD allows you to transfer some applications to a memory card:

1. Install Link2SD from Google Play.
2. In the settings, select Create a link for the desired applications.
3. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Class Memory Cards UHS-I (For example, SanDisk Ultra A1) They're faster than the cheap Class 10, and on slow maps, they're going to be lagging.

6. Reset to factory settings: when necessary

If you've had less than 10 percent of your free memory manipulations and your phone is slowing down, the last resort is a factory reset, and on Redmi 5, it will delete all your data, including:

• 📱 Google and Mi accounts
• 📸 Photos and videos (if not transferred to the map)
• 🎮 Game saving (if not linked to an account)
• 📞 Call log and SMS

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Resetting settings.
3. Select Reset all settings and confirm.
4. After restarting, set your phone as new.

Alternative: Resetting through Recovery

If the phone is not turned on or stuck on the logo:

1. Enter Recovery Mode (Loudness Up + Nutrition).
2. Select Wipe Data/Factory Reset.
3. Confirm the action and restart.

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Resetting to factory settings on Xiaomi Redmi 5 takes 5-10 minutes. If the process is delayed by more than 20 minutes, then something went wrong - remove the battery (if possible) or wait 1 hour before a forced reboot.

7.Prevention: How to avoid refilling memory

To avoid cleaning Redmi 5 every week, follow these rules:

• 📴 Turn off automatic app updates: Google Play → Settings → Auto-update of applications → Never.
• 📷 Set up the camera to shoot in lower resolution: 8 MP instead of 12 MP save up to 30% of space.
• 🗑️ Regularly clean the folder Download: here accumulate APK-file.
• 🔄 Use the cloud services: Google Photos (High Quality Compression) or Mi Cloud to automatically upload photos.
• 🛡️ Install a light launcher: For example, Nova Launcher or Lawnchair instead of the standard launcher. MIUI Launcher.

Automatic cleaning setting:

1. Open Security. → Cleanup.
2. Activate Auto Cleanup and set a schedule (e.g. once a week).
3. Turn on the option to Clean when the screen is locked.

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On Xiaomi Redmi 5 with 16 GB of memory, it is optimal to leave at least 1.5-2 GB free. With a smaller volume, the system begins to lag, and applications - fly out.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleaning on Redmi 5