Where on Xiaomi Cash: A Complete Cleanup Guide

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones sooner or later face a lack of free space, which causes slowdowns in the interface and games. Often the cause of this is accumulated cache — temporary files that applications save for fast data download. Understanding where exactly the cache is stored on Xiaomi and how to safely remove it is a key skill to maintain the performance of the device.

MIUI and HyperOS, which are based on Android, have a complex data storage structure, and simple cleaning of the basket is not enough. In this article, we will examine in detail all the ways of accessing temporary files, from the regular system tools to manual control through the file manager, you will learn to distinguish useful cache from malicious garbage and understand which folders you can not touch.

What is a cache in Android and why is it needed?

Cache is a buffer memory that stores the temporary data of running programs. When you open a popular application, such as a browser or social network, it downloads images, scripts and interface elements from the server. So that when you log in again, Android stores this data locally, which is why the second launch of the application is faster than the first.

But the uncontrolled proliferation of cache causes it to take up gigabytes of usable memory, and moreover, over time, corrupted or outdated files accumulate in the cache, which can cause malfunctions in programs, and cleaning the cache solves these problems, but you need to do it competently, so as not to force applications to download everything again every time you run.

It is important to understand that the cache is divided into system (system cache) and user (application cache). System cache is usually controlled automatically, but the user cache requires your attention, especially for messengers, which can store thousands of photos and videos viewed in the cache, even if you have already deleted them from the chat.

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse cache with application data. If you clear the Data, the application will return to state immediately after installation, and you will lose logins, correspondence and settings.

⚠️ Warning: Abruptly clearing the cache of all applications at once can temporarily slow down the smartphone, as the system will have to re-form buffer files.

Standard cleaning through the Security app

The easiest and safest way to find and delete cache on Xiaomi is to use the built-in Security app, which is pre-installed on all devices of the brand and optimized for working with the MIUI shell. This tool automatically scans the system for temporary files, remnants of remote programs and advertising debris.

To get started, open the app and click on the big green scan button. Once you've finished the scan, the system will show you how much garbage you're taking up. By clicking on the "Clean" button, you'll delete the main temporary files. However, to get deeper, you'll need to go to the "Clean up" section inside the app.

Here you will see a detailed breakdown by category: Cache, Large Files, Unused Apps. The Cash section will list the applications that occupy the most space, and you can selectively clear the cache only for programs that you don't need right now, such as for heavy gaming or video services.

💡

Use the Deep Cleanup feature in the Security app once a week to remove hidden debris that is not visible on a standard scan.

Cache management through system settings

If the built-in scanner didn't work, you can use the system memory management menu, which allows you to control in more detail how much space each application takes up, and the path to these settings may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS.

Go to Settings, then select the App and click All Apps. In the list that opens, find the program that takes up the most space (usually social networks or browsers), and click on it, you will be taken to the control menu, where there will be a memory or storage button.

Inside, you'll see two buttons: Clear cache and Clear everything. The first button is secure and only deletes temporary files. The second button completely resets the app. Use this method to spot-clean heavyweights that have swelled to incredible sizes.

Finding a hidden cache through a conductor

For advanced users who want to know where files are hiding on Xiaomi, there is a manual method through the file manager. Standard Explorer allows you to look into hidden system folders where logs and temporary data are stored.

Turn on the hidden files in Explorer settings (usually the Hidden Files check box in the app settings menu) then go to the root folder of internal memory. You are interested in the Android/data directory and MIUI folder. This is where the massive cache files of games and media applications are stored.

The Android/data folder contains folders with the names of the application packages (e.g. com.whatsapp or com.tencent.mm) and often contains folders like cache or files. By deleting the contents of these folders, you make room, but be careful: deleting the wrong file can lead to loss of progress in the game.

Cleaning the cache in popular applications

Some applications have their own data storage mechanisms that don't always show up correctly in the system storage, with messengers and streaming services leading the way, and they can store videos and music they've watched in local cache for offline use.

For example, in Telegram, the cache can take up tens of gigabytes. To find it, open your Telegram settings, go to Data and Memory, and select Memory Use, where you can not only clear the cache, but also set up autodelete files older than 3 days or weeks.

YouTube and TikTok have cache from videos they've watched, and they also have a "Clear History and Cache" option in their app settings, and checking these settings regularly helps keep the phone on track without removing the apps themselves.

Using ADB for deep cleaning

For those who are not afraid of the command line, there is a method of clearing the cache through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to remove the system cache and dalvik cache, which can not be done through the interface without superuser rights (Root), This is especially useful when preparing the device for flashing or critical system errors.

You will need a computer to work, USB-cable and installed drivers ADB. On the phone you need to turn on "Debugging by" USB" In the Developer menu, you can then connect the device to your PC and execute a command to clear the partition cache.

Enter the following command in the terminal on your computer:

adb shell pm clear com.android.cache

Or a more radical method of cleaning the dalvik cache (requires a reboot to Recovery mode for full effect, but can initiate a cleanup via ADB):

adb shell pm trim-caches 999999999999

This command will try to trim the cache of all applications to a minimum. Be careful: using ADB requires accuracy, since an error command can lead to unstable system operation.

💡

Use of the ADB-Trim-caches commands are the most effective way to free up space on the system partition without deleting user personal data.

Comparison of cache cleaning methods

To make it easier for you to choose the right way, we've developed a comparison table that will help you understand which method is best used in your situation: for rapid prevention or for deep site clearance.

As you can see from the table, for everyday use, Xiaomi’s regular tools are enough. Manual methods and ADB should be used only in extreme cases when standard methods do not help to free up the necessary amount of memory.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)