Xiaomi’s current smartphones, which run MIUI or HyperOS shells, have powerful memory optimization systems. However, over time, even the most productive devices can start to work slower and vacant storage can disappear rapidly, and the main reason for this phenomenon is often the accumulation of temporary files, or cache, that applications create to speed up their work.
It's important for the user to understand that cache cleaning is not about deleting personal data, photos or contacts. It's a secure procedure that removes temporary logs, image thumbnails and remnants of remote programs. If you notice that the interface is slowing down and space shortage notifications are appearing more often, then it's time to start maintaining the system.
In this article, we’ll look at all the available ways to free up space, from built-in tools to advanced methods through the recovery menu. You’ll learn which folders in MIUI can be removed without risk to the system, and why standard cleaning doesn’t always remove “garbage” completely.
Built-in cleaning tools in MIUI and HyperOS
The easiest and safest way to clean up the system is to use the regular Security app, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices. It automatically scans the file system and finds temporary data that takes up gigabytes of useful volume. To start the procedure, you need to open the application and click the Cleanup button.
The system will analyze the installed programs and identify files that are no longer needed for their operation, such as update residues, temporary browser files or error logs. Automatic cleaning allows you to remove this garbage in one click without requiring the user to deep technical knowledge.
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Use the “Accelerate” function in the Security app immediately after cleaning the cache to free up RAM and close background processes that can start generating temporary files again.
However, it should be noted that the standard scanner does not always see the cache of all applications, especially if they were installed bypassing the official GetApps store or Google Play.
- 🗑️ Click on the Garbage icon in the Security app to run a deep scan.
- 📂 Select the category "Applications" for detailed viewing of the cache of each program.
- ✅ Tick only those items that are marked as “Cash”, avoiding deletion of “Data".
- 🚀 Press the clean button at the bottom of the screen to free up space.
⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse "Clear Cache" and "Erase Data" with "Clean Cache"; the second option will completely delete your account, settings and app progress, returning them to state immediately after installation.
Manually cleaning the cache of specific applications
Sometimes the system accumulates a huge amount of temporary files in one particular application, such as a messenger or social network, the built-in scanner may not cope with this volume or require a paid subscription for deep cleaning, in this case (the most effective) method is manual control through the Android settings.
To do this, you need to go to the smartphone settings menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic remains the same. Find the "Apps" section and select "All Apps." In the list that opens, find the program that occupies the most space (usually Telegram, Instagram or YouTube).
☑️ Manual cleaning algorithm
When you enter the app menu, you'll see the memory button, and if you click on it, it will show two values: the amount of space that the app is using and the amount of cache, and that's the second metric that we're interested in, and it can be safely zeroed, which often solves the problem of a particular program hanging.
Importantly, after this procedure, the app can open a little longer on its first run, as it will have to re-form temporary files.
Using the Recovery Menu for Deep Cleaning
If the smartphone is unstable, the interface is stagnant even after the reboot, and standard methods don't work, you can use Recovery Mode, a higher-level tool that allows you to clear the system cache without affecting the user's personal files, which is especially useful after a firmware update.
To enter recovery mode, you need to turn off your smartphone and press the key combination. On most Xiaomi devices, this is the volume button and the power button. Hold them simultaneously until the Mi logo or the Recovery menu appears. In the control menu, use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to confirm the selection.
Wipe Data -> Wipe Cache -> ConfirmIn the menu that opens, select Wipe Data, then go to Wipe Cache. The system will warn you that temporary files will be deleted. Confirm the action. Once you complete the process, select Back to Main Menu and then Reboot. The phone will restart as normal, but with the system cache cleared.
What is the difference between Wipe Cache and Wipe All Data?
Third-party applications for system cleanup
When embedded tools are scarce, users often turn to third-party software, Google Play has a lot of tools that promise optimization wonders, but not all are equally useful, some of them can consume resources and display intrusive advertising.
Some of the most reliable solutions are Files by Google, SD Maid, or CCleaner, which can find duplicate files, residual files from remote applications, and empty folders, and provide more flexible control over what you clear the cache, allowing the user to see the structure of the files.
| Annex | Substantive function | Advertising | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Files by Google | Search for duplicates and debris | No. | Tall. |
| SD Maid | Deep cleaning of the system | In the version | Tall. |
| Clean Master | Optimizing RAM | Tall. | Medium |
| CCleaner | Analysis of the vault | Present. | Tall. |
Using third-party software requires caution, give applications only the necessary permissions, and if a program requires access to contacts or a microphone to clean up memory, it is a good idea to consider removing it.
Cleaning the DNS cache and browser
Often, the problems with loading pages or displaying sites are not due to a lack of space, but to an outdated DNS cache or the browser itself. Android OS stores the addresses of visited sites to speed up access, but over time this database can contain errors.
For cleaning. DNS-You can use a hidden engineering menu to cache your Xiaomi smartphones. Enter the Phone app code ##4636##. If the code doesn't work (on some versions). MIUI It's locked, you can use flight mode, turn on Air Mode for 10 seconds, then turn it off. DNS-record.
As for browsers (Chrome, MI Browser), their cache is cleared through the settings of the application itself or through the general menu of applications, as described above. Regularly cleaning the history and cache of the browser not only speeds up work, but also increases privacy.
Remember that after cleaning the browser cache, you may need to re-enter passwords on some sites if they were not saved to your Google account.
Prevention and automation of processes
So, to keep the question of "what to clean the cache" from getting too often, you need to set up automatic prevention, and in the MIUI shell, there's a "Planner" feature that allows you to set a time for automatic cleaning, which eliminates the need to (manually) check the phone every day.
It's also recommended that you delete unused apps regularly, and even if you don't use them, they can update in the background and create temporary files, and keep the list of programs up to date.
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Regular cache cleaning prolongs the life of the smartphone’s flash memory, preventing it from overflowing and recording speed degradation.
Using cloud storage for photos and videos also helps free up local space: Set up sync with Google Photos or Xiaomi Cloud and enable the Free Space feature, which will remove images already uploaded to the cloud from the device.