Where is the cache on Xiaomi: search and delete temporary files

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where free space in the device’s memory is rapidly decreasing, even though the user has not downloaded large amounts of media or heavy games. The main reason for this phenomenon is the accumulation of cached data that applications and the MIUI or HyperOS operating system itself store to speed up the interface and run programs. Understanding where these files are physically located and how to manage them correctly is key to maintaining high performance of the gadget.

Unlike desktops, the Android file system has its own unique folder logic, and finding junk files is hard for the average user. Many people look for a single “clean everything” button, but often forget about the deep layers of the system where the cache can take up gigabytes of space. In this article, we will detail the paths to hidden directories, explain the difference between the system cache and application data, and show safe methods for freeing memory.

Don't be afraid of the word "clean up" if you know what you're doing. Not only will the file system's maintenance return precious gigabytes, but it can also fix some bugs that might have jammed due to corrupted temporary files. Let's look at the storage structure on your device.

Standard Cache Paths in Android

The Android operating system, which runs Redmi and Poco smartphones, uses a standardized folder structure to store temporary data. By default, most of the app cache is in the system partition, access to which is limited by superuser rights. However, some of the data is available for viewing and management through standard tools.

The main way most programs hide temporary files is /data/data/packet/cache. Unfortunately, without obtaining Root permissions, this directory is hidden from the user's eyes and from standard file managers. The system protects this data to prevent the accidental deletion of mission-critical files. However, the operating system provides mechanisms to work with this content through the settings menu.

For the average user, the path to the internal storage that is readable is more relevant. It often contains cached images, thumbnails and temporary downloads. You can find them by going through the Internal Storage/Android/data path. This folder contains directories with packet names (such as com.whatsapp or com.tencent.mm), which also have a cache folder inside. This is where messengers and social networks store the photos and videos they viewed.

It is important to understand that the cache size of the application settings and the actual file size on the disk may vary slightly due to the peculiarities of the file system indexing. Some programs also create their own folders at the root of internal memory, ignoring the standard. Android/data, What is typical for Chinese versions of software or specific utilities.

Use of the built-in Security application

Xiaomi has implemented a powerful system tool called Security, which is not just an antivirus, but a comprehensive system maintenance combine that has deep access to file partitions that are not available to third-party programs, and it is through this tool that the most simple way to find and remove the bulk of garbage is the easiest.

To get started, you need to run an app with a green shield icon. In the main menu, select "Clean up"; the system will automatically scan the device, analyze the cache sizes of installed applications, remnants of deleted programs and advertising files. After scanning, you will see a total number of the amount of data that can be safely deleted.

But automatic cleaning is often superficial. To get to the details, you need to click on the garbage icon or go to deep cleaning. Here the system will offer to disassemble the cache by categories: App cache, Ad files, Unused APK. Attention: be careful with the item "App cache", as it can decompress you in some services or reset the settings inside programs.

The big files section inside the app is worth a special attention, often with forgotten instant messenger videos or mis-downloaded archives that are not formally cached but occupy space, and it allows you to sort them by size and date, making it much easier to find heavyweights.

Manual cleaning through the file manager

For those who prefer full control of the file system, an indispensable tool will be the built-in Explorer or a third-party file manager, such as Total Commander or FX File Explorer. The manual method allows you to see the real structure of folders and delete only what you really need, avoiding blind trusting automatic algorithms.

Opening the file manager, go to the internal storage. First of all, look at the Download folder. Often users forget to clean it, and there are accumulated app installers (.apk), documents and images. Next, check the DCIM ->.thumbnails folder. This is a hidden folder (to see it, you need to turn on the display of hidden files in the Explorer settings), where you store thumbnails of your photos and videos.

The.thumbnails folder can be as large as a few gigabytes. If you see it grow into an obscene size, you can delete its contents. The system automatically creates new thumbnails the next time you open the gallery, but that will make room right now. It's also worth looking at the Tencent folder (if you use Chinese versions of apps or certain games), there are often huge amounts of cache hiding there.

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Create a cleanup shortcut. In some file managers, you can add a quick cache clearing widget to your desktop, which will keep order without having to search the menu for a long time.

When manually cleaning, it is important not to delete files with the.obb extension in the Android/obb folder if you want to save progress and resources in heavy games.These files often weigh 1-2 GB and are a full-fledged part of the game, not just a temporary cache.

Specificity of cache in popular applications

Some apps are the world's fastest-growing memory users, with Telegram, WhatsApp and YouTube leading the way, cache everything from previews to videos viewed so that when you reopen the content instantly.

In Telegram, the cache can be cleaned most flexibly. Go to Settings → Data and Memory → Memory Use. Here you will see the "Clear Cache" button and, more importantly, the "Steal Auto" slider. If you set a timer for, say, 3 days or 1 week, you will forget about the problem of overflow with this application forever. It will delete old files by itself, leaving only the current ones.

YouTube and Instagram don’t have built-in auto-clean timers, so they need to be controlled manually through the settings of the app or system itself. On Instagram, cache accumulates especially quickly due to the recommendation feed and stories. If the app starts to run slowly or glitches, cleaning the cache is the first step to do before reinstalling.

Cleaning the cache through the developer menu and ADB

For advanced users who want to access system cleaning functions hidden from the normal interface, there is a developer menu. To activate it, you need to quickly click 7 times on the build number in the About Phone section. Once the appropriate item appears in the settings, you can find the Download cache function or manage running services.

An even more powerful tool is USB debugging and using a computer with an ADB installed, which allows you to clear the cache of even system applications that do not allow you to do this through the interface, and to do this, the phone connects to the PC, and special commands are entered in the command line.

For example, the adb shell pm trim-caches 999999999 command forces the system to remove all cache that is older than the specified time (in seconds), a "nuclear" cleaning option that can free up gigabytes of space in one second, but it should be used with the understanding that after such a procedure, the phone can run slower in the first minutes until it regenerates the necessary temporary files.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB A mistake in the syntax of the command can lead to the deletion of the wrong data or unstable system. Always double-check the commands before entering.

And you can force ADB to stop processes and clear their data with the adb shell pm clear packet name. This is equivalent to deleting and re-installing an application, but it's instantaneous. This is useful when the application is getting stuck and doesn't respond to touch.

Automation and task planners

To avoid manual cleaning, Xiaomi smartphones can use a built-in task scheduler or third-party automation apps such as MacroDroid or Tappero, which allow you to create a scenario: “If the space is less than 2 GB, then clear the cache of selected applications.”

The built-in “Accelerate” function in the notification curtain also works on the principle of automation, closing background processes and clearing RAM, although it affects permanent storage (ROM) less. The setting of automatic cleaning in the “Security” application allows the system to decide when it is time to delete temporary files based on user behavior.

Regular maintenance is more important than one-time promotions. If you set up automatic cache cleaning of your browser and social networks once a week, you will never face a critical memory shortage. It also prolongs the life of your smartphone flash memory, as the number of overwrite cycles in crowded cells decreases.

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Automating cleaning processes is the best way to forget about memory shortages. Set up the rules once, and the system will keep order on its own.

⚠️ Warning: Don't use the dubious Play Market cleaners that promise to speed up your phone by 10 times, often as a source of advertising and only consume battery life while working in the background.