The smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 5, released several years ago, still remains a popular device due to its price-quality ratio. However, over time, users inevitably face the problem of lack of free space. Accumulated photos, application cache, system updates and downloaded files gradually fill up the internal storage, which leads to a slower interface and the inability to install new apps. Owners of this model often wonder: how to effectively free up gigabytes without deleting important personal data?
The process of clearing memory on shell-controlled devices MIUI has its own characteristics that differ from clean Android. The Xiaomi system aggregates many optimization tools, but they do not always work as the user expects. In this article, we will analyze in detail the mechanics of filling memory specifically on Redmi 5, consider built-in utilities, manual methods for removing garbage, and radical ways to restore the device's functionality. You will find out which files can be deleted painlessly, and which are strictly prohibited from being touched.
Memory analysis and storage diagnostics
Before you start deleting files, you need to understand what exactly is taking up space on your device. The system Android provides detailed statistics, but the shell MIUI may hide some details in deep menus. To get started, go to the Settings → Memorysection. Here you will see a pie chart showing the distribution of space between applications, images, videos, audio and system files. Pay attention to the “Other” item - often gigabytes of forgotten downloads and temporary files are hidden there.
It is important to distinguish between the concepts of “Random Access Memory” (RAM) and “Internal Memory” (ROM). The Redmi 5 usually has 2 or 3 GB of RAM, which is responsible for the performance of running applications, and 16 or 32 GB of internal memory for data storage. Clearing RAM through the multitasking menu only gives a temporary effect, while freeing up ROM solves the problem in the long term. If the internal memory indicator is red, the system will begin to forcefully close background processes, which will lead to constant lags.
For deeper analysis, it is recommended to use third-party utilities, such as Files by Google or the built-in explorer with an analysis function. They allow you to visualize the heaviest folders. Users often do not suspect that messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp occupy up to 40% of the total available space due to automatically saved media files. Diagnostics is the first and most important step before any cleaning.
⚠️ Attention: Do not delete files from system folders with names like
Android/dataorMIUIif you are not 100% sure of their purpose. Deleting configuration files can lead to resetting application settings or unstable system operation.
Using the built-in “Cleaning” application
Each smartphone Xiaomi has a pre-installed system application “Cleaner”, which is the first tool in the user’s arsenal. You can launch it through the broom icon on the desktop or through the Security application. The operating algorithm is simple: the app scans the device for temporary files, remnants of deleted applications and advertising junk. After scanning, the user is prompted to clear the found objects.
However, the functionality of this tool is not limited to simply deleting the cache. The Deep Clean menu can be used to find large files, duplicate photos, and unused apps. The duplicate search function is especially useful for owners Redmi 5who often take a series of pictures in burst mode. The system will offer to leave only the best photo from the series, and mark the rest for deletion, which allows you to save space without losing memories.
It is worth noting that the built-in cleaning is sometimes too aggressive or, conversely, superficial. She may skip the cache of some social networks, considering it important data. Therefore, after automatic cleaning, it is recommended to manually check the “Downloads” and “Trash” sections in the gallery. In new versions MIUI deleted photos are stored in the trash for 30 days, continuing to take up space until they are permanently deleted.
Set up automatic garbage cleaning in the Security application: go to the scanner settings and enable the “Notify about garbage” option when more than 80% of the memory is occupied.
Manually clearing cache and application data
The most effective way to free up space is to manually manage the memory of specific applications. Messengers and social networks tend to grow to enormous proportions. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications and sort the list by memory size. You will be surprised to see that a regular browser or news application can take up several gigabytes.
When you select a specific application, you will see two buttons: “Clean” and “Delete”. The “Clear” button has two sub-items: “Clear cache” and “Clear all” (or “Reset”). Clearing the cache is safe - it deletes temporary files that the application has downloaded for quick access (for example, pictures from the news feed). The next time you launch the application, it will download them again. But the “Clear all” button will reset the application to its factory state: you will be logged out of your account, saved passwords and settings will disappear.
Pay special attention to communication applications. In Telegram, for example, the cache can be cleared right inside the application settings by selecting “Data and Memory” → “Memory Usage”. There you can also configure automatic cache management so that media files are deleted if they have not been opened for more than a week. This is critical for Redmi 5 with its limited built-in storage.
- 🗑️ Clear your browser cache Chrome or Mi Browser once a week, as they accumulate gigabytes of temporary site files.
- 📱 Check your media auto-loading settings in WhatsApp and Viberby disabling saving to the gallery.
- 🎮 Delete the cache of heavy games if you haven’t played them for a long time, but do not want to delete the application itself.
☑️ Manual cleaning checklist
Managing media files and the Downloads folder
The folder Download (Downloads) is a “black hole” in the memory of any smartphone. PDF documents, APK installation files, pictures from the Internet and forgotten videos are automatically saved here. Users often download a file, open it and forget to delete it, leaving it lying around for months. Regularly auditing this folder can instantly free up 500 MB to 2 GB of space.
Photos and videos also require attention. High-definition videos shot on camera Redmi 5take up a lot of space. A minute of 1080p recording can weigh around 100-150 MB. If you do not have a microSD memory card, it is advisable to transfer archived photos and videos to a computer or cloud storage. Services like Google Photos offer image compression to high quality, which allows you to store thousands of pictures for free in the cloud, deleting them from the device.
Don't forget about hidden folders on social networks. For example, Instagram and Facebook can create hidden catalogs with thumbnails and viewed stories. Use a file manager with show hidden files turned on (usually through the Explorer settings menu) to find and delete this data. Be careful: delete only the contents of cache folders, not system configurations.
| File type | Approximate size | Recommendation | Deletion security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application cache | 50 MB - 2 GB | Clean regularly | Absolutely safe |
| Photo (JPEG) | 2 - 5 MB | Move to the cloud | Safe (if there is a copy) |
| Video (MP4) | 50 - 500 MB | Delete or compress | Safe (if not needed) |
| .apk files | 20 - 100 MB | Delete after installation | Safe |
| .log files | 1 - 50 MB | Delete | Safe (system logs) |
Transferring data to a microSD memory card
The model Redmi 5 is equipped with a hybrid slot that allows you to use a second SIM card or memory card microSD. For owners of the version with 16 GB of internal memory, installing a 32 or 64 GB card becomes a salvation. Android allows you to transfer some applications and all media files to an external drive, relieving the system partition.
To transfer files, insert a memory card and go to the storage settings. The system will offer to use the card as “Portable storage” or as “Internal memory”. The “Internal Memory” mode (Adoptable Storage) encrypts the card and makes it part of the system, but on older versions of Android and shells MIUI this function is often hidden or unstable. It is recommended to use portable media mode and manually transfer photos, videos and music.
To transfer applications, go to Settings → Applications, select the desired app and click “Move to SD card”. Please note that not all applications support this feature; developers may prevent the transfer of system components. Also note that the speed of applications from a memory card may be lower than from the built-in flash drive, especially if you use a cheap low-speed card.
What to do if the phone does not see the memory card?
If Redmi 5 does not recognize microSD, try clearing rubbing the card contacts with alcohol. If this does not help, format the card on your computer in FAT32 (for cards up to 32 GB) or exFAT (for cards over 32 GB). Remember that formatting will delete all data from the card.
Resetting settings as a radical cleaning method
If none of the above methods helped, and the phone continues to slow down due to lack of space, the last resort is a complete reset to factory settings (Hard Reset). This procedure completely deletes all user data, applications, settings and files, returning the smartphone to its “out of the box” state. For Redmi 5 this is often the only way to get rid of system garbage that has accumulated over years of use.
Before performing a reset, it is critical to make a backup copy of all important data. Contacts are synchronized with Google Account, photos can be uploaded to the cloud, and files can be transferred to a PC. After the reset, it will be impossible to recover data deleted without backup. The reset process takes from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the amount of memory and speed of the drive.
You can perform a reset through the settings menu: Settings → Advanced settings → Recovery and reset → Reset settings. The device will ask you to confirm the action and enter a pattern or password. After the reboot, the formatting process will begin. Do not turn off the phone or press any buttons during this process to avoid damaging the software.
⚠️ Attention: Before resetting, be sure to log out of your Mi Account and Google Account. Otherwise, after turning on, the phone will ask for a password for these accounts (FRP protection), and if you don’t remember it, it will be extremely difficult to unlock the device.
Full reset is not just clearing space, it is an opportunity to start with a clean slate, removing all hidden errors and conflicts in the system that have accumulated over a long time.
Prevention and maintaining cleanliness system
To prevent the problem of lack of memory on Redmi 5 from returning in a month, it is necessary to implement the habit of regular prevention. Don't let your memory be filled to capacity. The Android system starts to work incorrectly when less than 10-15% of the total volume is free. Try to keep at least 1-2 GB of free space at all times.
Disable auto-download of unnecessary files in instant messengers. Set up cloud photo sync with Free Up Space, which automatically removes photos already stored in the cloud from your device. Regularly, once every two weeks, look through the “Downloads” folder and delete the installation files of applications that you have already installed.
It is also worth reviewing the list of installed applications. Many apps are installed “just in case” and are never used. Not only do they take up space, but they also run in the background, using up RAM and battery. Ruthlessly delete everything that you have not used in the last month.
- 📅 Set a calendar reminder for every first day of the month to perform a memory audit.
- ☁️ Use cloud services to store documents and heavy archives instead of local storage.
- 🚫 Refuse the installation "cleaners" of third-party developers, which themselves consume resources and display advertising.
Why does the space quickly run out again after clearing the memory?
This happens due to the mechanism of the application cache. Social networks and browsers reload pictures and videos every time you view your feed. The Android system also creates new logs and temporary files during operation. This is normal behavior and requires regular rather than one-time cleaning.
Is it possible to delete the MIUI folder without consequences?
No, you cannot delete the entire MIUI folder, since it stores theme settings, sounds and shell configurations. However, inside it you can safely clean subfolders like MIUI/debug_log or MIUI/gallery/cloud (if you do not use the Xiaomi cloud).
Does full memory affect the charging speed of Redmi 5?
Directly - no. However, there is an indirect effect: when the memory is full, the processor operates in throttling mode due to a lack of resources for writing temporary files, the phone heats up, and the system can limit the charging current to protect the battery from overheating.
How to clear the Google Play Services cache?
Go to Settings → Applications → All applications → Google Play Services. Click "Clear" → "Clear cache". Do not click “Clear all”, otherwise synchronization and geolocation settings may be reset.