How to securely delete unnecessary files on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: from cache to hidden data

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (codenamed mido) is still a popular device due to its reliable hardware and custom firmware installation. However, over time, even 16/32/64 GB of internal memory is clogged with unnecessary files: remnants of deleted applications, MIUI cache, duplicate photos and messaging. If your phone starts to slow down, issue notifications about memory shortages or spontaneously close applications, it’s time to do a general cleaning.

In this article, you will find 7 working ways to clean Redmi Note 4, including hidden system folders that are not visible through the standard file manager.We will understand which files can be deleted without risk to the system and which should not be touched (even if they take up gigabytes). Special attention will be paid to the unique feature of Redmi Note 4: the tendency to fragment memory with long use without reset, which is why cleaning through Settings → The storage often has a temporary effect.

All methods tested on current versions MIUI 12.5-14 (including global and Chinese builds) and do not require root rights, unless otherwise stated. ADB and TWRP.

1. Standard cleaning through MIUI: what removes and what is missing

Starting with the obvious, the built-in MIUI tools, go to Settings → Storage (or Settings → Memory in older versions), and it shows you how the memory is categorized into Apps, Images, Audio, Video, and other categories, and the last item often takes up to 30 percent of the memory — that's the main "junk."

Click on category Other → Clean. The system will delete:

• 🗑️ Application cache (including remnants from long-deleted programs)
• 📁 Temporary download files (e.g., under-quality updates)
• 📄 System Logs and Error Dumps (useful only for debugging)
• 🔄 Duplicate miniatures from the gallery (created when editing photos)

However, this method has three critical drawbacks:

1. Does not clear the cache of system applications (e.g. com.miui.gallery or com.android.providers.media).
2. Does not delete files from /data/local/tmp, where update remnants accumulate.
3. Do not touch the MIUI/Backup folder with backups of settings (can weigh up to 1-2 GB).

⚠️ Warning: If the free space has not increased after cleaning through Settings, check the Download folder for old ones. APK-Files (.apk extension) are often left behind after installing applications from third-party sources and can take hundreds of megabytes.

2. Manual garbage removal through file manager

Xiaomi’s standard Explorer (Files) hides many of the system folders, but it can remove the most obvious memory eaters. Open the app and go to the Categories → Large Files tab. Here sort files by size and check:

• 🎥 Video in resolution 4K (500+ You can compress them through Google Photos or transfer them to PC.
• 📸 Photo format HEIC (If you've used an iPhone or a Mac, they weigh 2 times less. JPEG, But not all apps support them.
• 🎵 Audio files without metadata (type name) AUD-20231015-WA0001.m4a — These are voice messages from WhatsApp).
• 📦 Archives (.zip,.rar) are older than 6 months, and unpacked files are often stored in memory, and the archive is no longer needed.

Now go to Internal Drive → MIUI → Backup. This is where you back up your settings, theme and application data.

• Older folders 3 months, for example, backup_20230515).
• .mbk files are backups of SMS (unless you restore them regularly).

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete the folder MIUI/Extra — It's where you store files to recover the system after you reset. MIUI/Drm, Widevine services will stop working (no access to Netflix in the Internet) HD).

For advanced cleaning, install a file manager (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer) and enable the display of hidden files. So you can see folders like /data/data (requires root) or /sdcard/Android/obb, where game caches are stored (for example, com.tencent.ig for PUBG Mobile can weigh 3-4 GB).

3. Cleaning the cache of applications: what can be deleted and what can not

Cache speeds up applications, but it grows to giant sizes over time, such as Facebook can accumulate 1-2 GB of cache in six months, and Google Play Services can accumulate up to 500 MB.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort the list by size (click on the three dots in the upper right corner).
3. Select the application → Storage → Clear the cache.

Which apps to clean first:

What can't be done:

• ❌ Clearing the cache of com.android.systemui will cause the interface to crash MIUI.

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If the app is slower after cleaning the cache, restart the phone, and the system will rebuild the cache from scratch, and the speed will return to normal.

4. Removal of duplicate photos and videos: tools and life hacks

The gallery on Redmi Note 4 automatically creates duplicates when editing the photo (original + edited version), and also saves thumbnails for previews.

Method 1: Built-in MIUI function

Open Gallery → Albums → Duplicates. Here the system will show pairs of identical photos. Click Delete duplicates, but before you do:

• 🔍 Check the date of creation of files (sometimes the “duplicate” is a better version).
• 📏 Compare the sizes – sometimes a difference of 1-2 pixels, but one photo weighs 5 MB and the other 1 MB (compressed).

Method 2: Applications for searching for duplicates

If the built-in tool isn't enough, install Files by Google or Duplicate Files Fixer. These programs look for duplicates not only by name, but also by content (useful for video and audio).

1. Select folders to scan (e.g. DCIM, Downloads, WhatsApp Media).
2. Start searching for duplicates with a 90–95% similarity threshold.
3. Check the results before deleting – sometimes programs confuse similar but different photos (for example, a selfie with a single background).

⚠️ Note: Do not use smart cleaning features in applications like CCleaner or Clean Master. They often delete useful files, such as the cache of Google Maps, which will make the application load longer the next time you run.

5. Memory Cleanup via Recovery and ADB (for Advanced)

If standard methods have failed and there is critically little free space (less than 1 GB), it is time for a deep cleaning. ADB.

Method 1: Clearing the cache with TWRP

If you have a custom recovery (TWRP) installed, follow the following steps:

1. Turn off your phone and press Volume Up + Power to enter TWRP.
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Delete folders: /cache (temporary system files) /data/dalvik-cache (Android virtual machine cache) /data/local/tmp (remainders of updates)

Restart the phone. The first launch can take 5-10 minutes (the system will rearrange the cache).

Method 2: ADB Cleaning Commands

Connect your phone to your PC, enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to activate Developer Mode, then Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB) and execute in the terminal:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.gallery #Cleaning gallery


adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.media # Cleaning up media storage




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

Method 3: Reset the /data partition cache (without data loss)

This command will delete the cache of all applications, but will not affect user data:

adb shell su -c "find /data/data -name 'cache' -exec rm -rf {} +"

⚠️ Attention: Rm teams -rf If you make a mistake on the way (e.g., write). /data/ instead /data/local/tmp/), It's going to cause data loss. Always double-check the paths.

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Deep cleaning with TWRP or ADB gives you +2-5 GB of free space, but requires technical skills. If you are not sure, use standard methods.

6.Memory optimization: how to prevent re-clogging

To avoid cleaning your phone every week, set up the Redmi Note 4 to auto-optimize:

• 🔄 Enable auto-cleaning in Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning up garbage → Automatic cleaning (set a schedule, for example, once a week).
• 📥 Reconfigure messengers: WhatsApp: Settings → Warehouse → Autoboot media → Turn off downloading photos/video on the mobile network. in Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Automedia → Choose Never for Large Files.
• 🖼️ Set up Google Photos to Auto Compress: Open the App → Settings → Free up space. Select High Quality (non-original size) for backups.
• 📦 Use cloud storage for rarely used files (e.g, MI Cloud or Yandex Disk with Autoupload Photos).

Additional advice:

• 🎮 For gamers: transfer the game cache (folder) Android/obb) on SD-card (if supported).
• 📱 Install Lite versions of apps (for example, Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite) – they take up 2-3 times less space.
• 🔄 Regularly (every 3 months) do a soft reset: Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings (without deleting data) This cleans up system settings that get “cluttered” over time».

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If you often shoot videos, set the camera to record in a resolution of 1280×720 instead of 1920×1080. The difference in quality is minimal, and space is saved by 2 times.

7.Extreme measures: reset to factory settings

If all previous methods failed and the phone still brakes or gives out memory errors, it will be a hard reset, which will delete all data, including apps, photos and settings, so first:

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose Delete All Data (not Settings Reset – it’s a soft reset!).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-15 minutes).

After discharge:

• ✅ Do not restore data from backup MIUI — It may contain the same “garbage».
• ✅ Install only the necessary apps (avoid cluttering in the early days).
• ✅ Set up automatic cleaning (see Section 6).

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 4 with firmware MIUI 12+ After reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account. If you forget your password, use the recovery function on account.xiaomi.com before resetting!

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Redmi Note 4