What it means to “clean up data files” on a Xiaomi phone and how to do it safely

Have you ever noticed that your Xiaomi is starting to slow down, even though there seems to be enough free memory? Or suddenly there is a notice to clean up "data files"? This problem is familiar to many owners of the brand's smartphones - especially after long use of the device. But what really lurks behind this phrase and why the system insists on removing something that you did not even create?

In this article, we will understand what data files on Xiaomi are, how they differ from cache and user files, and why their accumulation can slow down the phone. You will learn how to clean these files correctly without the risk of removing important information, what tools the developers have provided for this. MIUI, And what if standard methods don't work, and then we'll uncover myths about "magic" ways of freeing up memory that actually can harm your device.

What are “data files” and why should they be cleaned?

The term “data files” in the context of Xiaomi is often confusing, and many users mistakenly think that it is a personal photo, document or music, but it is actually the proprietary information that the applications and the system create. MIUI In the process of work, this includes:

• 📊 Application cache – temporary files to speed up loading (for example, thumbnails of images in the gallery or data about recent sessions in messengers).
• 🗃️ Logs and dumps – records of system operation, errors, failures (useful for diagnosis, but rarely needed by the average user).
• 🔄 Residual files – “junk” after deleting programs or updates (for example, undeleted folders or settings).
• 📱 Data data Dalvik/ART — Android virtual machine cache that speeds up application launches but grows over time.

Why does it matter? Over time, these files take up gigabytes of memory and the system starts to run slower, like a Telegram or TikTok cache that can swell to 5 to 10 GB if it's never cleaned, but the main danger is not in volume, but in fragmentation: when the system spends resources processing unnecessary data instead of completing your tasks.

However, not all data files can be deleted without consequences, for example, cleaning the cache of Google Play Services can cause malfunctions in Google services, and deleting data can lead to a failure of Google services. MIUI System Launcher will reset the home screen settings, so it's important to understand what to clean and how to clean.

Difference between data files and cache and user files

To avoid making mistakes, we'll understand the terminology. MIUI (Android and Android in general have three types of junk files, and they are often confused:

The key difference is that cache is fast memory to make things faster, and data files are settings and app history. For example, if you clear the Chrome cache, you'll just lose the pages you've loaded before, and if you delete the Chrome data, you'll log out and lose the bookmarks.

Another nuance: MIUI There is a function "Deep cleaning" (Settings) → Annexes → Cleaning up. It removes not only the cache, but also some of the data that the system considers unnecessary, but this tool doesn't always work perfectly, sometimes it deletes too much, which causes applications to "glue».

⚠️ Warning: Never clean the data files of system applications (such as com.android.phone or com.miui.home) manually through the file manager.This can lead to a cyclical phone reboot or resetting of settings. MIUI.

How to Clean up Xiaomi Data Files: From Simple to Complex

Now, let's get to the practice. There are a few ways to clean up -- from standard tools. MIUI It's all about handheld methods for power users, and we'll start with the safest one.

1. Built-in utility "Cleaning"

The easiest way is to use the built-in Cleanup app (formerly Security) that automatically finds unnecessary files and prompts you to delete them:

1. Open the Cleanup app** (the brush icon on your desktop or menu).
2. Click "Analysis" and wait for the scan to be completed.
3. Select the categories to clean (we recommend ticking the “Cash” and “Junk Files”, but remove the “Downloads” if there are important files).
4. Click “Clear” and confirm the action.

This method is safe, but not always effective: the utility does not delete deep system files and often skips the cache of some applications (for example, games).

2.Cache cleaning for individual applications

If you need to make room for a particular app (such as WhatsApp or Google Maps), do the following:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the appropriate app (such as Facebook).
3. Click “Clear Cache”** (not to be confused with “Clear Data”!).

For games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile) is particularly useful: cache can take up several gigabytes.

Backup important data (for example, chats in messengers)

Remember the username / password (if the application requires authorization)

Check if the app is currently in use (e.g., a music player)

Close all application background processes in the “Recent” menu»-->

3. Manual cleaning through file manager

For power users: some files can be manually deleted via “Files by Google”** (or standard file). MI File Manager, for example:

• 📁 Download folder – here loads from browsers accumulate.
• 📁 folder DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo and video miniatures (can be deleted without losing originals).
• 📁 folder Android/data/ — cache of games and applications (remove only for unnecessary programs!).

⚠️ Note: Never delete files in folders /system/, /vendor/ or /data/data/com.android.*. This can lead to system failure and the need to reflash.

4. reset partition cache (for advanced)

If the phone is slowing down a lot and standard methods don't work, you can reset cache through Recovery Mode, which doesn't delete personal data, but it requires caution:

1. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
2. Select a language and go to "Wipe & Reset» → «Wipe Cache»**.

This method is useful after updates MIUI, When the system creates many temporary files.

💡

Cleaning the partition cache doesn’t delete personal data, but it can help if the phone has become slower after a system update.

Which data files can be deleted and which can not

Not all data files are equally useful (or secure) to delete.

✅ What can be removed without risk

• 🗑️ cache of any application (except system applications, for example com.android.systemui).
• 📂.thumbnails,.face folders (miniatures and facial recognition data).
• 📥 Download files if you don’t need them.
• 🎮 Cash games, for example, Android/obb/ remote-game).

❌ What's dangerous to remove

• 🚫 folder Android/data/com.xiaomi.* — These are system application settings MIUI.
• 🚫 Files in /data/dalvik-cache/ — Deleting them will cause the system to fail.
• 🚫 Logs (/data/log/) — You may need a diagnosis.
• 🚫 Files with the.db or.xml extension in application folders are databases with settings.

If in doubt, it's better not to take risks, for example, deleting the com.whatsapp folder in the Android/data/ This will result in the loss of all chats, even if the app itself remains.

What to do if the phone is worse after cleaning

Sometimes, when you clean your data files, you have problems: apps crash, your phone overheats, or it drains quickly.

1. Applications are constantly rebooted

If after cleaning the cache, the application (for example, Instagram or VK) It starts to "glut," try it:

• 🔄 Restart the application (close in the “Recent” menu and open again).
• 📥 Update it through Google Play.
• 🗑️ Clean the cache again (sometimes double cleaning helps).

2.The phone has become slower

If the system started to slow down after cleaning, you may have deleted important files. Dalvik/ART. In this case:

1. Reboot the phone.
2. Wait 10-15 minutes and the system will restore the necessary files.
3. If it doesn’t help, reset the cache section (see section above).

3. Part of the functions are missing MIUI

If after cleaning, the wallpaper, theme settings or widgets disappeared, then the data was deleted. MIUI Launcher, to bring it back:

1. Go to Settings. → Wallpaper and select a standard theme.
2. Update. MIUI Launcher via Google Play (if available).
3. In the extreme, make a reset settings (Settings). → The phone. → Resetting settings, but it will delete all your data!).

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If after cleaning the wallpaper or icons are missing, try changing the theme in Settings → Sometimes it restores lost interface elements.

Myths about cleaning data files on Xiaomi

The Internet is full of Xiaomi’s “optimization” tips, but many of them are not only useless, but also harmful.

Myth 1: “You have to clean the cache every day.”

❌ Reality: Frequent cache cleaning, on the contrary, slows down the phone. Apps have to reload data, which wastes CPU and battery resources%.

Myth 2: “Cleaning applications (like Clean Master) are better than standard ones”

❌ Reality: Most of the Google Play “optimizers” are dummy ones that show false crawl results, DU Speed Booster collects your data. Built-in utility MIUI It is not worse, and most importantly, safer.

Myth 3: “Data cleaning speeds up the phone”

❌ Reality: Clearing the cache can make things faster, but cleaning up the app data (settings, logins) will only make it uncomfortable. For example, after cleaning up Chrome data, you’ll have to re-enter passwords and configure sync.

Myth 4: «Files in a folder Android/obb/ we can remove everything»

❌ Reality: This folder stores additional game data (e.g., graphics packages for Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) and will cause the games to stop running or start downloading data again (which will waste traffic).

Myth 5: “Resetting partition cache solves all problems”

❌ Reality: Wipe Cache reset is only useful if the phone is getting stuck on the boot or after an update MIUI. For normal optimization, it is useless and can even cause temporary lags (the system will have to restore the cache again).

FAQ: Frequent questions about data cleanup on Xiaomi