Where is the cache in Xiaomi phone: a complete guide to search and clean up

Xiaomi’s cache is temporary files created by apps and systems to speed things up. Over time, it takes up gigabytes of memory, slows down the device and can cause crashes. But where exactly is this cache stored, how to find it, and can it be deleted without harming the phone? In this article, we’ll take a look at all kinds of cache on Xiaomi (including Redmi, POCO, and Black Shark models), show hidden folders, teach you how to distinguish secure files from system files, and give a checklist to clean it completely without risking data.

The peculiarity of MIUI (Xiaomi firmware) is that the cache here is distributed in several levels: there is a cache of individual applications, a shared cache of the system, a Dalvik cache (for Android), as well as hidden browser and messenger files. For example, in Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Google Chrome cache can weigh up to 1 GB, and the system cache up to 3 GB. While the standard cleaning tools in Settings → Memory removes only part of the garbage. We will tell you how to get to the rest.

1. Types of cache on Xiaomi: what can be deleted and what can not

Not all cache is equally useful (or harmful), and we'll figure out which files can be cleaned and which ones shouldn't be touched, or we'll have to reinstall applications or reconfigure the system.

• 📱 App cache: temporary files that create games, social networks (Telegram, VK) And messengers, and you can delete them without any consequences, and the app will just re-upload the data the next time it runs.
• 🖥️ System cache (Dalvik/ART): Optimized files for Android to run fast.Deletion could cause the phone to slow down until the next reboot.
• 🌐 Browser cache: history, cookies, uploaded images. Cleaning will delete saved passwords and site settings (for example, in Mi Browser or Chrome).
• 🗃️ Cash updates. MIUI: Firmware files that are downloaded in the background can be deleted if you don't plan to update.

The most common mistake users make is to clear Dalvik cache through Recovery, which doesn't free up space, it just reassembles files the next time you turn on, but it can break some functions if you interrupt the process. On Xiaomi with MIUI 14 and later, Dalvik cache is automatically optimized by the system - manual intervention is not required.

⚠️ Note: Never delete the folder. /data/dalvik-cache manually through the file manager! This will lead to a bootloop cycle and require flashing.

2 Where the cache is stored: Pathways to hidden folders

The Xiaomi cache is spread across several directories, some files are visible through standard Explorer, but the heaviest folders are hidden. Here is the full list of paths (relevant to MIUI 12-14):

To see these folders, you need a root access or a file manager with superuser rights (like Root Explorer or FX File Explorer). Without root, you will only see a portion of the cache in /storage/emulated/0/Android/data, which is the cache of user applications.

For example, in POCO F5, Instagram cache can weigh up to 500MB and be stored along the path /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.instagram.android/cache. And the cache of system updates (if downloaded but not installed) is searched in /cache/ota/update.zip.

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If you don’t want to dig into folders, use the SD Maid app (requires root) – it automatically finds and cleans the cache, including residual files after deleting programs.

3. How to clear cache through MIUI settings (no root)

The safest way is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which will not delete critical files, but will free up to 2-3 GB of memory. The instructions are relevant for all models, from Redmi 10A to Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Click Clean in the section "Junk files".
3. Select the app cache and confirm the deletion.
4. For deep cleaning, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
5. Select an app (like Facebook) → Storage → Clear the cache.

This method only removes the cache of user applications. The system cache and Dalvik remain intact. To clean them, you need to use Recovery Mode:

Turn off the phone |Lock Power + Volume up |Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache|Confirm action |Reset the device-->

⚠️ Warning: If the phone starts to slow down after cleaning the cache through Recovery, don't panic.The system reassembles the Dalvik cache on the first run, it can take 5-10 minutes.

4. Hidden methods of cleaning the cache (for experienced)

If standard methods don't work, and memory is sorely lacking, you can use hidden MIUI features or third-party tools. These methods require caution!

4.1 Cleaning through ADB (no root)

With Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can remove the cache of specific applications or the system cache. Suitable for Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader.

adb shell pm clear --user 0 name packet # Clearing cache and application data


adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary system files

To find out the name of the application package, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "appendix name"

Use of cleaning applications

Apps like CCleaner or Files by Google can find additional junk, but they often delete useful files.

• 🧹 MIUI Cleaner (built-in but hidden in some regions) To enable it, go to Settings → About the phone and 5 times click on the version MIUI. Then go back to Settings. → Additionally. → Cleaner.

Manual cleaning via TWRP (for wired phones)

If your Xiaomi has custom recovery (TWRP) installed, you can clean up:

• 🗑️ Dalvik / ART Cache (in Advanced Wipe)
• 📂 System Cache (Folder) /cache)
• 🔄 Internal Storage Cache (Warning: Delete all user data!)

⚠️ Note: Cleaning Internal Storage in TWRP It's like a hard reset, and you can only do that if you're willing to lose all your data!

5. How to Clear Cache in Popular Apps

Some programs, like Telegram or Google Maps, store cache in non-obvious places, let's figure out where to look and how to clean it.

5.1. Telegram

Telegram caches media files, stickers and voice messages to clear:

1. Open Telegram → Settings → Data and memory.
2. Click Clear Telegram's cache.
3. For deep cleaning, go to Settings → Storage (on the Android menu) and delete the data.

Cache folder: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/org.telegram.messenger/cache.

5.2 Google Chrome and Mi Browser

Browsers store cache of sites, cookies and history.

• 🌍 Chrome: ⋮ → History → Clear the data → Select cached images and files.
• 🌐 In Mi Browser: ⋮ → Settings → Confidentiality → Clear the data.

Cache folders:

• /data/data/com.android.chrome/cache (Chrome)
• /data/data/com.mi.globalbrowser/cache (Mi Browser)

5.3 YouTube and social media

YouTube, TikTok and Instagram aggressively cache the video.

• 🎥 YouTube: Account → Settings → History and confidentiality → Clear the cache.
• 📸 Instagram: Profile → ⋮ → Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

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Cache of messengers and social networks can be cleaned at least every day – it will not harm the account, but will free up to 1-2 GB of memory.

6.Why the cache returns quickly and how to fix it

Many users complain, "I cleared the cache, and the day after it took 3GB again!" That's okay -- Android is constantly creating temporary files. But if the cache grows too fast, the problem may be:

• 🔄 Background: Some apps (such as Facebook or AliExpress) are constantly downloading data.
• 📱 Mistakes. MIUI: firmware MIUI 13-14 is a bug that doesn’t automatically clear the update cache.
• 🎮 Games: Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty cache up to 5GB per session.

How to reduce the growth of cache:

1. Turn off auto-update apps in Google Play → Settings.
2. Disable background activity for unnecessary applications in Settings → Battery → Energy Management.
3. Use Lite versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite instead of Facebook).
4. Turn off video caching in social media settings (in TikTok: Profile) → ⋮ → Settings → Data data → Cash video).

If the cache is growing due to system errors, cache reset via Fastboot (for power users only):

fastboot erase cache

7. Myths about Xiaomi cache: what is true and what is not

There's a lot of conflicting information on the Internet about cache, and let's take a look at some of the most popular myths.

Another common myth is that “Xiaomi specifically prevents cache clearance to sell high memory phones.” In fact, the restrictions are related to security — inexperienced users can delete critical files. For example, in the Redmi Note 11 Pro, the cache of Google Services weighs ~1 GB, but removing it will disrupt Google’s services.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cache on Xiaomi