What it means to “delete data files” in a Xiaomi phone and when to do it

Have you ever heard a message saying “Not enough memory” on your Xiaomi, or noticed that the smartphone has started to slow down for no apparent reason? In such cases, the system often suggests deleting data files — but what does it really mean? Many users are afraid to press this button for fear of losing important information or disrupting the operation of the phone. In fact, it is not about formatting the device, but about purposefully cleaning temporary files, cache and debris that accumulates during use.

In this article, we will discuss in detail which files are to be deleted, how it affects the performance of Redmi, POCO or Mi, and in which cases the procedure is really necessary. You will learn how to clean the cache from deleting these applications, why you should not blindly trust the built-in Cleaner, and how to avoid the typical errors that lead to the loss of personal files. And for those who like specific instructions, there are step-by-step guides with illustrations and pitfall warnings.

What are “data files” in the context of Xiaomi: we analyze the terms

The term "data files" in MIUI combines several types of information, and they should not be confused.

• 📂 Application cache – temporary files that are created by programs to speed up work (for example, thumbnails of images in the gallery or saved pages in the browser) their removal is harmless, but can slow down the first download of the application after cleaning.
• 🗃️ The app data is settings, game saves, instant messenger chat history, and other personalized information, and deleting it is equivalent to resetting the app to factory settings.
• 🗑️ Garbage and residual files are fragments of deleted programs, incorrectly deleted updates or duplicate media files.
• 🔄 System cache – files that MIUI It's a system that uses it to optimize the interface, and cleaning it up can help with system glitches, but it needs to be rebooted.

It’s important to understand that when the system suggests “delete data files,” it usually means cache and debris, not personal photos or documents. However, in manual mode (via Settings → Apps), you can accidentally erase important data – for example, saves in games or call history. So always check what exactly you delete!

When to Delete Data Files on Xiaomi

Memory cleaning is not a panacea, and it's not a "just" thing to do, but here are the specific situations where the procedure is justified:

1. The phone brakes for no reason - if the lags appear even with minimal load (for example, when opening Settings or switching between browser tabs), the overflow cache is to blame.
2. Apps crash or don’t update — for example, Google Play issues a DF-DFERH-01 error or WhatsApp can’t download media.
3. There is not enough space for updates – MIUI requires a minimum of 1.5-2 GB of free space for installing updates.
4. After deleting the application, there were “tails” left – folders with the program name in /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/.
5. The system itself offers cleaning - the notification appears a message "Clean up the garbage to speed up the work."

Here’s when you should not delete data files:

• ❌ Before selling your phone (it is better to make a full reset via Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings).
• ❌ If you have not backed up important data (such as game saves or notes).
• ❌ Before the update MIUI — cleaning the cache can lead to failures when installing firmware.

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Before a mass cleanup, check how much space specific apps occupy in Settings → Apps → Storage. Sometimes the culprit of the brakes is one “gluttonous” program (like Facebook or TikTok), and not the system as a whole.

Step-by-step: how to securely delete data files

There are several ways to clean up, and we'll take them from the safest to the potentially risky, and start with the first method, which is 80 percent of the time.

Method 1: Built-in "Security App"

This is the official MIUI tool that analyzes the garbage and suggests how to use it.

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to Cleanup (or Accelerate in older versions).
3. Click Scan and wait for the analysis to be completed.
4. Check the list of files found. Uncheck the boxes for Logs and Downloads if there are important files.
5. Click Clean and confirm the action.

Pros of the method:

• ✅ Automatic analysis – no need to manually search for garbage.
• ✅ System Safe – Only temporary files are deleted.

Cons:

• ❌ Not always finds deep cache deposits (for example, in games).
• ❌ May suggest removing useful files (for example, APK installer).

Make a backup copy of important data|Check the free space in the settings|Close all background applications|Turn off automatic synchronization (Google/Facebook)-->

Method 2: Manually cleansing cache for individual applications

If the problem is in a particular program (for example, Instagram is constantly crashing), clear its cache separately:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the appropriate app (e.g. Gallery).
3. Press Warehouse.
4. Tap Clear the cache (this will delete temporary files) or Clear the data (this will reset all program settings!).

⚠️ Attention: Clearing data (not cache!) in instant messengers (Telegram, Viber) will delete all correspondence; in games, it will reset progress; in browsers, it will erase history and saved passwords.

Method 3: Removal of the system cache (for power users)

If the phone is slowing down after the MIUI update, cleaning the system cache may help, but it won't delete personal data, but it needs to be rebooted:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Select Wipe Cache Partition (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
4. After completion, select Reboot System.

This method is especially effective after major MIUI updates, where the system creates a new cache, but the old one stays and takes up space.

What happens if you delete all data files: consequences and risks

Many people are afraid to click "Clean" for fear that the phone will stop working, and let's look at what happens when you delete different types of files:

The most common myth is that if you remove the cache, the phone will look like new. It's not really the case -- it's a cache that's used to speed up the work, and if you don't, it'll just temporarily offload the system, and after a few days of use, it'll accumulate again, but regular garbage cleaning (every 1-2 months) really helps to maintain productivity.

⚠️ Note: If after cleaning the application data (for example, correspondence in WhatsApp) is missing, you can restore them only from a backup copy. MIUI does not automatically save history – it must be configured manually in each messenger!

Top.-5 Errors when deleting data files on Xiaomi

Even the most experienced users sometimes make unfortunate mistakes, and here's what you can't do when you clean up your memory.

• 🚫 Delete the cache of system applications (e.g. com.miui.home or android.process.media) This can cause a launcher or media scanner to crash.
• 🚫 Clearing Google Play Services data will disrupt Google services (including Play Market and sync).
• 🚫 Use Play Market Cleaners – many of them (like Clean Master) collect data and show false threats.
• 🚫 Delete files in a folder Android/data/ manually – it can break apps, especially if they are used OBB-game-file.
• 🚫 Clean the cache during the update MIUI — This will interrupt the process and may result in a phone blink (inoperability.

Another common mistake is to ignore backups, for example, before cleaning up the data, Mi Fit didn't upload the training history to the cloud, and it's gone forever. Always check what data is critical to you, and save it in advance.

Alternative ways to free up memory without deleting data

If you don’t want to take risks and delete files, try these methods:

• 📁 Transfer files to memory card: In Settings → Select the storage "Transfer data to the SD-map" (not working on all models). FX File Explorer or Mi File Manager for manual media transfer.

These methods will help free up 2 to 5 GB of space without the risk of losing important data, for example, transferring 1,000 photos to Google Photos can free up to 1-2 GB, and cleaning up downloads can free up another 500 MB-1 GB.

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If your Xiaomi supports memory expansion (like the Redmi Note 11 with a hybrid slot), buying a 128GB microSD is cheaper than constantly struggling for space.

Specifics of cleaning on different models Xiaomi

The process of deleting data files varies slightly depending on the model and version of MIUI.

On Xiaomi with Global ROM (like Redmi Note 10 Pro Global), the built-in Cleaner is less aggressive than on China ROM. The latter often offers to delete even useful files, so be careful when choosing what to clean.

If you have POCO with custom firmware (like Pixel Experience), use standard Android tools to clean your cache:

Settings → Applications → Select the application → Storage → Clear the cache

In TWRP Recovery, you can clean Dalvik/ART Cache for faster work, but this is for advanced users.

FAQ: Frequent questions about deleting data files on Xiaomi