Cleaning internal memory Xiaomi Redmi 4X: from cache to deep cleaning

Why Redmi 4X is clogging memory and how to fix it

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codename santoni) often face the problem of lack of internal memory, despite the stated 16/32/64 GB. The fact is that the MIUI system (even in current versions for this device) reserves up to 5-7 GB for their needs, and user data - photos, cache applications, updates - quickly eat up the remaining space. Especially acute problem manifests itself in modifications with 16 GB of memory, where after installing basic applications there is less than 8 GB of free space.

The main “eaters” of memory on Redmi 4X: cache of applications (especially social networks and instant messengers), duplicate photos (created when editing in the gallery), residual files after deleting programs, as well as system logs that MIUI It accumulates for diagnostics, for example, Facebook or Telegram cache can take up to 1-2 GB, and a folder. DCIM/.thumbnails — Hundreds of megabytes of miniatures that are never used.

In this article, 7 working ways to clean up memory without root rights, including hidden MIUI features that Xiaomi does not advertise. All methods are tested on MIUI 9-12.5 firmware (the last official one for Redmi 4X). If your device runs on custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), some instructions may differ - check in the comments.

1. Built-in cleaning MIUI: What is missing and what is missing

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Cleanup tool (the broomstick icon in the app menu).

• 🗑️ Application cache (including system cache)
• 📁 Temporary download files
• 📊 Logs and dumps of the system (if the option is enabled)
• 🔍 Residual files of remote programs

However, this method has critical limitations: Cleaning does not affect: photos and videos (even duplicates), audio files (for example, voice messages in instant messengers), APK-files left over after installing applications, as well as a cache of cards in Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator, which can weigh gigabytes.

How to start a deep cleaning:

1. Open the Cleanup app.
2. Press Deep Clean (at the bottom of the screen).
3. Select file categories (we recommend that you note everything except Downloads – there may be important documents).
4. Slip Clean and confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: If the free space has not increased after cleaning, check the folder /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/ — There may be heavy game files (for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact that the built-in tool doesn't remove.

2. Manual garbage disposal: hidden folders and secure files

For advanced users, the most effective method is to manually clean through the file manager. Use Mi File Explorer (embedded) or Solid Explorer (from Google Play).

How to find these folders:

1. Open the Mi File Explorer.
2. Go to the Inner Memory.
3. Enable the display of hidden files: ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files.
4. Remove the contents of the folders from the table above (leave the folders yourself!).

Backup of important files

Check the free space before and after

Do not delete folders called "system" or "MIUI"

Restart the phone after cleaning-->

⚠️ Warning: Never delete folders /system/, /MIUI/ (except debug_log), /data/ Or files with the.odex,.apk extension at the root of the memory, which would crash the system and require flashing.

3. Cleaning the cache of applications: top-5 «gluttonous

Some apps accumulate more cache than others, and Redmi 4X with 16GB of memory is particularly dangerous:

• 📱 Facebook and Facebook Messenger – up to 1.5 GB of cache (save videos, stickers, temporary files).
• 💬 Telegram – cache of media files can reach 3-5 GB (configured in Settings) → Data and memory).
• 🎮 PUBG Mobile/Call of Duty Mobile - before 2 GB in /Android/obb/ + update cache.
• 🗺️ Google Maps/Yandex.Navigator – offline maps take hundreds of megabytes.
• 🎵 Spotify/VK - cache of music and video (in VK cleaned in Settings) → General. → Clear the cache).

How to clean the cache of individual applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a program (such as Facebook).
3. Slip the Warehouse.
4. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – it will delete accounts!).

💡

If the app starts to slow down after cleaning the cache, restart the phone. MIUI sometimes doesn't release the memory correctly until the reboot.

4. Removal of duplicate photos and unnecessary media files

MIUI automatically creates duplicates when editing photos (for example, after applying filters in Mi Gallery), and messengers (WhatsApp, Viber) save all received media to the folder /WhatsApp/Media/ or /Viber/Media/, even if you did not open them.

How to find and remove duplicates:

1. Install Files by Google (free in the Play Market).
2. Open the Cleanup section → Duplicate files.
3. Check the files and delete the unnecessary ones.

To clean the media from messengers:

1. Go to /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Media/.
2. Delete WhatsApp Images, WhatsApp Video folders (if you don’t need files).
3. In WhatsApp, turn off auto-save: ⋮ → Settings → chat → Gallery preservation.

5. Data transfer to SD-map: restrictions and workarounds

Redmi 4X supports microSD cards up to 256GB, but MIUI imposes restrictions on data portability:

• 🚫 You can't move applications to SD (just their data).
• 📁 Photos, videos and music can be transferred, but they will only be available through the file manager.
• 🔄 After extraction SD-Maps links to files in applications will break.

How to use it correctly SD-map:

1. Insert the card and format it as Internal Memory (all data on it will be deleted!). To do this: Settings → Storage → SD Card → Set up → Internal Memory
2. Transfer media files: Settings → Storage → Data transfer → Select files
3. For applications (such as Google Photos), manually specify the save path to SD.

⚠️ Note: If you are formatting SD It's like internal memory, it can't be read on another device without full formatting, and it can also reduce card speed (MIUI code).

6.Reset to factory settings: when justified

If there's less than 500MB of free space left and previous methods haven't worked, the last option is hard reset, which will delete all data, including apps, photos and settings, but return the device to its original state. On the Redmi 4X, the reset takes 5-10 minutes.

How to reset:

1. Save important data to your PC or cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select Settings Reset.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

What to do after the discharge:

• 🔧 Do not restore backup with Mi Account – it will return the garbage back.
• 📱 Install only the necessary applications (use Lite versions, such as Facebook Lite).
• 📸 Configure auto-save photo to the cloud (Google Photos with High Quality option – does not take up space on the device).

💡

Factory resets are a last resort. Try migrating files to the factory before you do. SD-card or PC, and clear the cache of system applications (Settings) → All applications → Show system-based).

7.Alternative methods: from cloud storage to ADB

If the standard methods don’t help, try:

• 🌥️ Cloud storage: Google Photos (unlimited space for high quality photos), Mi Cloud (5 GB free), Yandex Drive (10 GB when registering). Tip: turn on Wi-Fi-only autoload so you don’t waste traffic.
• 🖥️ PC Connection: Connect Redmi 4X down USB file transfer (MTP) manually delete unnecessary files through Windows Explorer or Mac Finder.
• 🔧 ADB-commands (for advanced): Connect the phone to a PC with installed ADB and execute: adb shell pm clear com.miui.gallery This command will clear the gallery cache (replace com.miui.gallery with the desired app package).

To automate the cleaning, install SD Maid (requires root) or CCleaner (works without root, but less efficiently). These applications will find residual files that the built-in MIUI utility does not see.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Redmi memory 4X