Cash in Xiaomi: where to look, how to clean and why it is necessary

Cache is a temporary file that is created by apps, browsers and the MIUI system itself to speed up the smartphone. Over time, they accumulate, taking up precious space in memory, and can even slow down the device. But where exactly is the cache stored in Xiaomi, how to find it and safely delete it? In this article, we will analyze all types of cache (applications, systems, Dalvik, browser), show hidden folders where it hides, and explain what files can be deleted without risking the stability of the phone.

It's important to understand that not all cache is equally useful, like the Google Play Services cache or MIUI Launcher cache that helps your system run faster, but the garbage from games or social networks can be cleaned up, and we'll also uncover myths about "magic cleaning" through the engineering menu and explain why some "tips" from the Internet can harm your Redmi, POCO or Mi.

This article is relevant for all modern Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 13 and others. If you notice that the phone has become slow, applications are loaded for a long time, and memory runs out — most likely, the problem is clogged.

1.Cache types in Xiaomi: what can be deleted and what can not

The cache in Xiaomi smartphones is divided into several categories, and each requires a different approach. Some files can be safely cleaned, others only as a last resort, and others are not recommended to touch at all.

App Cache: Temporary data that games and programs create (such as uploaded images to Instagram or levels in Genshin Impact) can be deleted without consequences – the application will simply re-upload the desired files the next time it launches.

System Cache: System Cache: This includes:

• 📱 Dalvik-cache – optimized files for fast application operation (you can delete them, but the system will restore them automatically when you restart them).
• 🔄 MIUI Cache – data of themes, animations and interface (cleaning can lead to resetting visual settings).
• 🌐 DNS-cache -- saved IP-Website addresses (removed without harm).

Browser cache: cookies, history, uploaded images and scripts. In Mi Browser or Chrome, it can be cleared directly in the browser settings.

OTA Cache: Firmware files that are downloaded before you install updates can be deleted if you don’t plan to update anytime soon.

⚠️ Warning: Never manually delete files from a folder /data/dalvik-cache This can cause a cyclical reboot of the phone. To clean Dalvik, use only standard means or TWRP.

If you’re not sure which cache is taking up space, use the built-in memory analyzer in Settings → Memory. It will show which applications or system processes are eating up the most space.

2. Where the cache is physically stored: paths to folders

Xiaomi's cache is distributed across multiple directories, and not all of them are available without Root rights.

Without Root rights, you can only clear the cache through standard settings or special applications like SD Maid (requires additional permissions). /cache folder is usually hidden and contains temporary update files and system logs.

To access hidden folders without Root, you can use the Mi File Explorer file manager with the option “Show hidden files” enabled (Settings) → However, most system folders will still be unavailable for editing.

3. How to clear cache through MIUI settings (without Root)

The safest way is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which require no technical skills and are guaranteed to not damage the system.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook or Telegram).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
4. For mass cleaning, go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup and click Clean up garbage.

MIUI 14 and HyperOS have a Deep Clean feature that removes not only cache, but also unnecessary application files. However, use it with caution - it can reset some settings in games or instant messengers.

To clean the browser cache:

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

Open "Settings → Memory" |Select "Clean up" |Click "Clean up garbage" |Reboot phone (optional)

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If the applications load longer after cleaning, that's OK. The cache is recreated when you first start up, and after 1-2 days, the phone stabilizes.

4. Clearing cache via TWRP (for advanced users)

If you have custom TWRP recaps installed, you can clear Dalvik-cache and other system files that are not available through standard settings. This method is useful if the phone is severely slowing down or not updating.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your phone and press Volume Up + Power to enter TWRP.
2. Choose Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache.
3. Confirm the swipe.
4. Reset the device.

You can also clean up TWRP:

• 🗑️ Cache Partition – System cache (similar to folder) /cache).
• 📁 Data Cache – cache of user applications (analogue) /data/data/*/cache).

⚠️ Attention: Cleaning Dalvik-cache through TWRP This can take 5 to 15 minutes to recompilate all the applications the next time you run, during which time the phone will warm up and run slowly!

If the phone doesn’t turn on after cleaning through TWRP, try reflashing it through Fastboot using the official firmware from Xiaomi.

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Before cleaning through TWRP, back up the Data partition in the recovery itself, which will save your applications and settings in case of a crash.

5. Automatic cache cleaning: MIUI settings and third-party utilities

MIUI has built-in tools for automatic memory optimization, but they don't always work effectively.Let's look at how to set up autocleaning and what apps can help.

In MIUI settings:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Autoclean.
2. Turn on the option to clean garbage automatically.
3. Set a schedule (for example, once a week).

Among the third-party utilities stand out:

• 🧹 SD Maid – deep cache and garbage cleaning (requires Root for full functionality).
• 🔍 CCleaner is a simple interface, but less effective for MIUI.
• 📱 Files by Google – Clears cache and duplicate files without Root.

Be careful about apps that promise to "speed up your phone 300%." Many of them just clear the cache, but they're constantly running in the background, consuming the battery. MIUI.

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Automatic cache cleaning is useful, but don’t overuse it. Frequently removing cache can lead to increased traffic and battery consumption, as applications will have to re-download data.

6.The cache myths in Xiaomi: what actually works and what doesn't

There are a lot of cache cleanup tips on the Internet that are not only useless, they're dangerous, and we'll go through some of the most popular myths.

Myth 1: “Cache cleaning speeds up the phone”

In fact, the cache is used to speed up applications, and after cleaning, they will load longer until temporary files are recovered, and the "acceleration" effect is temporary and more related to memory release than to the cache itself.

Myth 2: “You have to clean the cache every day.”

Frequent cleaning puts a lot of stress on the processor and battery, just once every 1-2 weeks or when memory runs out.

Myth 3: “It’s safe to delete everything from the /data folder.”

In fact, the /data folder contains not only the cache, but also the application settings, game saves, account data, and cleaning it is equivalent to completely resetting your phone!

Myth 4: “The engineering menu (#4636##) clears the cache”

Actually: This menu is designed to test the network and the battery, and you can't clean the cache through it, just reset the data usage statistics.

Myth 5: “Cache takes up more space than the apps themselves”

In 90% of cases, the cache weighs no more than 10-20% of the size of the application, except for games like Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG, where the cache can reach 1-2 GB.

If you see advice like, "Delete /system/cache folder to speed up," ignore them. These are either outdated instructions or an attempt to damage your device.

7.What to do if after cleaning the cache the phone began to work worse

Sometimes, after a mass cache clearing, users run into problems: apps fly out, the phone slows down or discharges quickly. Here's how to fix it.

Problem 1: Applications are constantly rebooting

Solution: Give your phone 10-15 minutes to recover the cache. Don't open all the programs at once, run them one at a time, starting with the most important ones (messengers, browser).

Problem 2: The phone is warming and setting down quickly

Solution: This is normal in the first hours after cleaning, as the system recompiles Dalvik-cache. Put the phone on charge and do not use it actively for 1-2 hours.

Problem 3: The game's saving has disappeared

Solution: Cache and save are different things. If the game resets, you didn't delete the cache, you deleted the app data (Clear the data instead of Clear the cache). You can only recover progress from the cloud backup (if you had one).

Problem 4: Themes or widgets are not working

Solution: Clearing the MIUI Launcher or Theme Manager cache can reset your desktop settings. Reboot your phone and apply the theme again to Settings → Themes.

If the problems do not disappear after a day, try resetting the network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Reset network settings) or perform a reset to factory settings (pre-made backup!).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cache in Xiaomi