Removing cache on Xiaomi Redmi: safe or not?

The cache in Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is temporary files that are created by apps and the system to speed up the device, but over time, they accumulate, taking up precious space and sometimes even slowing down the phone. Many users wonder: what happens if you delete the cache completely? Will it damage the system, will it disappear important data?

In this article, weโ€™ll look at how cache cleaning affects Redmiโ€™s work, what types of cache exist, and when itโ€™s really worth removing it. Youโ€™ll also find step-by-step instructions for different versions of MIUI and learn how to avoid typical cleaning errors.

What is Cash and Why is It Needed?

Cache is a buffer memory that stores temporary data for quick access, and Xiaomi smartphones have three main types:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ System cache โ€“ files created by the operating system MIUI to speed up interface loading and command processing.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฆ Application cache โ€“ temporary data that saves programs (for example, downloaded pictures in messengers or cached pages in the browser).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Dalvik cache โ€“ optimized files to speed up the launch of applications (especially relevant for older versions of Android).

The main function of cache is to reduce the load on the processor and memory. For example, when you open Instagram, the app does not upload all the photos again, but takes them from the cache. This saves traffic and speeds up the work. However, over time, the cache grows to several gigabytes, which can lead to:

  • โš ๏ธ Slowing down the phone (especially on models with 32/64 GB memory).
  • ๐Ÿ“‰ Increased loading time of applications.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Faster battery discharge due to background cleaning.
๐Ÿ“Š How often do you clear your Xiaomi cache?
Once a week.
Once a month
Only when the phone is slowing down.
Never cleaned.

Consequences of deleting the cache: pros and cons

Cache cleanup is not a panacea, nor is it a dangerous operation if done correctly. Let's see what happens to your Redmi after you delete temporary files.

โœ… Positive effects

  • ๐Ÿš€ Increased free space โ€“ on some devices, the cache takes up to 5-10 GB.
  • โšก Speeding up work โ€“ especially noticeable on budget models (Redmi) 9A, 10A, Note 8).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Error Correction โ€“ Sometimes a damaged cache causes crashes in applications.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ More stable work MIUI โ€” The system stops "hanging" when switching between tasks.

โŒ Possible challenges

Despite the obvious advantages, there is also a downside:

  • โณ The first application launch will take longer โ€“ they will recreate the cache.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Loss of temporary data โ€“ for example, a history in a browser or unsaved drafts in messengers.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Possible interface glitches - some elements MIUI can be loaded more slowly.

โš ๏ธ Warning: Don't confuse cache cleaning with factory resetting. When you delete the cache, your photos, contacts and messages remain intact!

Action.What's removedWhat's left
Cleaning the app cacheTemporary files (images, videos, form data)Login / password, basic settings, media files
Cleaning the system cacheUpdates files, log files, widget dataInstalled applications, user data
Reset to factory settingsEverything, including apps, photos, accountsFiles only SD-card (if not encrypted)

How to Clean Cache on Xiaomi Redmi

The cleaning process depends on the MIUI version and the phone model. We'll look at universal methods for all Redmi devices, including the Note 10 Pro, 9T, 8A and others.

๐Ÿ“ฑ Method 1: Clearing the cache of a separate application

If a particular app (such as Facebook or Telegram) is slowing down, just clear the cache:

  1. Open Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management.
  2. Select the app you want (such as Chrome).
  3. Press Warehouse. โ†’ Clear the cache.

Close all apps in the background |Plug your phone to charge (if the battery level is below 20%)|Put a backup of important data |Check the free space on your device-->

๐Ÿ—‘๏ธ Method 2: Mass cleaning the cache of all applications

For complete cleaning:

  1. Go to Settings. โ†’ Memory.
  2. Click Clear in the "App Cache" section.
  3. Confirm the action.

On some firmware, the path may differ: Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ Cleaning.

๐Ÿ”ง Method 3: Cleaning Dalvik cache (for advanced ones)

This method requires superuser (root) or custom recaveri (TWRP) rights. Not recommended for beginners!

1. Turn off the phone.


2.Put Volume up + Food to enter the recaveri.




3. Select Advanced โ†’ Wipe Dalvik Cache.




4. Reset the device.

โš ๏ธ Attention: Incorrect actions in TWRP They can cause a phone to break down. If you're not sure, don't experiment!

๐Ÿ’ก

After the cache is cleaned, restart the phone, which will help the system recover critical temporary files without errors.

What to do if after cleaning the cache, the phone began to work worse

In rare cases, users experience problems after deleting the cache, and here are the typical symptoms and solutions:

Problem.Reason.Decision
Apps take a long time to loadCash hasn't recovered yet.Wait 10-15 minutes or restart your phone
Saved passwords are gone.Cleared the cache of the browser or password managerRestore from backup or re-enter
MIUI interface is glitchy.System cache damagedClean the cache again or reset the launcher settings

If problems persist:

  1. Check the free space on the device (should be at least 1 GB).
  2. Update the firmware to the latest version of MIUI.
  3. Perform a reset of the launcher settings: press on the home screen โ†’ Screen settings โ†’ Reset.
How to recover deleted data from cache?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to recover the cache with standard means. However, some data (such as photos from messengers) may remain in the DCIM/.thumbnails folder or in Google Photos backups. You can use programs like DiskDigger or Recuva to recover deleted files, but the chances are slim - the cache is usually overwritten with new data.

When you should NOT clean the cache

Despite the obvious benefits, there are situations where cleaning the cache can harm:

  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Weak Internet โ€“ applications will have to re-download data, which will take a lot of traffic.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Low battery power โ€“ Cache recovery consumes extra energy.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Before an important event โ€“ for example, if you urgently need to open a document from Google Drive cache.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ When using custom firmware - some modifications MIUI They may work unsteadily after cleaning.

It is also not recommended to clean the cache:

  • ๐ŸŽฎ Gaming applications โ€“ this will lead to textures reloading and increase startup time.
  • ๐Ÿ“บ Streaming services (YouTube, Netflix) โ€“ cache stores data for smooth playback.

๐Ÿ’ก

Clean the cache only when you really need it โ€” when the phone is slowing down or running out of memory โ€” and cleaning it regularly โ€œjust in caseโ€ can only impair performance.

How to Automate Cache Cleanup

If you are lazy to manually clean the cache, you can set up automatic cleaning:

๐Ÿค– Method 1: Integrated tools MIUI

The new MIUI 12/13/14 features Auto Cleanup:

  1. Open the Settings โ†’ Memory.
  2. Activate the automatic cleaning option.
  3. Choose the frequency (daily/weekly).

๐Ÿ“ฑ Method 2: Third-party applications

Popular Utilities for Automation:

  • ๐Ÿงน CCleaner โ€“ clears the cache on schedule.
  • ๐Ÿ” SD Maid โ€“ deletes unnecessary files, including residual cache.
  • ๐Ÿ“Š Files by Google โ€“ has a built-in cache cleaner.

โš ๏ธ Note: Some cache cleaners may delete important system files. Check the reviews and reputation of the app before using it!

For Redmi models with MIUI 14 and later, it is better to use built-in tools โ€“ they are optimized for firmware and do not cause conflicts.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up cache on Xiaomi

๐Ÿ”น Will my WhatsApp correspondence be deleted if the cache is cleared?
No, the correspondence is stored in a separate database, but unsaved media files (photos/videos you viewed but didn't download) may disappear. To avoid this, open the chat room before cleaning and manually save the files you need.
๐Ÿ”น Why Instagram is slowing down again after cleaning the cache?
There are several reasons: the app automatically repaired the damaged cache. There is not enough RAM (close the background apps); an outdated version of Instagram - update it to Google Play. Try clearing the cache again and restart the phone.
๐Ÿ”น Can I clean the cache through a computer?
Yes, but it requires additional actions: Connect Redmi to your PC via USB (in file transfer mode). Use ADB or file manager (like Total Commander). Go to /data/data/ (root rights required) folders or clear the cache through Settings โ†’ Memory on your phone. Without root rights, you can only delete the cache of individual applications through Settings โ†’ Apps.
๐Ÿ”น How much space will be freed up after cleaning the cache?
Depending on the model and the number of installed applications: Redmi 9A/10A: 1-3 GB. Redmi Note 10 Pro/11 Pro: 3-8 GB. Devices with 128+ GB of memory: up to 10-15 GB (if not cleaned for a long time). To find out exactly, go to Settings โ†’ Memory โ†’ Application Cache โ€“ there is the current volume.
๐Ÿ”น Is it harmful to clean the cache often?
Frequent cleaning (e.g. daily) can lead to the opposite effect: applications will constantly recreate the cache, consuming resources. Increased load on the drive (especially on cheap models with eMMC). Some functions (e.g. offline maps in Google Maps) will stop working. Optimal frequency is 1 every 1-2 months or with obvious brakes.