Where to clear the cache on Android Xiaomi: Full instructions

Modern Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI have a powerful optimization system, but over time, the accumulation of temporary files becomes inevitable. Users often notice that the device starts to run slower, applications open longer, and free space in memory disappears rapidly. This is because the cache of applications and system temporary files occupy gigabytes of space, blocking the normal functioning of the operating system.

Cleaning up this data is not just a way to free up space, it's also a necessary preventive measure for the stability of the gadget. Unlike a complete reset, deleting the cache does not affect your personal photos, contacts or account settings. Cache only stores temporary data for fast loading of frequently visited pages and running programs. Understanding how to manage these files correctly will allow you to extend the life of your device without having to buy a new model.

Redmi and POCO owners often face aggressive memory-cleaning policies from the system, but sometimes that’s not enough: manual intervention is required when a particular app, such as Telegram or YouTube, is inflated to unimaginable sizes. In this article, we’ll take a look at all the available ways to free up space, from standard tools to hidden engineering menus.

Why you need regular cleaning of cache memory on Xiaomi

The accumulation of junk files occurs in the background while you use a smartphone. Browsers save copies of web pages, navigators save maps of routes traveled, and social networks save images and videos viewed. If you do not maintain, cache files can take up to 30% of all available memory, which is critical for models with a small amount of built-in storage.

In addition to lack of space, a crowded cache can cause software failures; an application can try to read a corrupted temporary file, which will lead to its sudden closure or freeze the entire interface; Regular cleaning helps eliminate errors that arise from conflicts of data versions in memory.

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse cache cleaning with data deletion. When you select the Delete Data option, you will lose logins, passwords and settings within a particular application.

It is thought that the constant cleaning of the cache harms the battery because the system has to reload information. However, on modern Snapdragon and MediaTek processors, this difference is negligible. It is much more important to provide the system with space for virtual memory, which is used to swap processes.

Use of the built-in "Security" application

The easiest and safest way for every Xiaomi owner out of the box is the standard Security app. It has a green shield icon and is pre-installed on all MIUI shell devices. This tool scans the system for malware, but its main function for the average user is to clean up garbage.

To start the procedure, you need to open the application and click on the large Clean or Scan button, the system will analyze the files and suggest that you delete temporary data, remnants of deleted applications and advertising debris, the process takes no more than a minute and is fully automated.

In the advanced cleaner settings, you can choose which categories of files to delete, and you should be careful: sometimes the system flags as trash cache cards or offline music tracks, deleting which will require re-downloading. Auto-cleaning can be set up on a schedule, which eliminates the need to do this manually.

Manually cleaning the cache of individual applications

If the phone is slow because of one particular program, global cleaning may not help. In this case, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find a problem program like Instagram or TikTok on the list and click on it.

In the menu that opens, select Memory or Storage, and you'll see two buttons: Clear (or Clear cache) and Delete (or Reset). We're interested in the first one. Clicking on it will only delete temporary files, leaving your authorization and settings intact.

In Telegram, for example, you can clean the cache right inside the app settings, choosing the period of storage of media files, which is more flexible than the standard Android tool, which allows you to save important documents by removing only pictures from the channels.

Cleaning through the Engineering Menu and Recovery

For more advanced users, it is possible to clear the cache through Recovery mode. This method is useful if the phone freezes and cannot boot to the desktop. To log in, you need to turn off the device and pinch the combination of Volume + and Power at the same time.

In the menu that appears, you can navigate with volume buttons and you can choose with power buttons, and you can find Wipe Data and you can select Wipe Cache, and it's important not to confuse this with Wipe All Data, which will result in the phone being completely reset to factory settings.

⚠️ Note: Entry into Recovery on global firmware versions may require confirmation through code entry from the screen or may be blocked by the manufacturer in new versions. MIUI 13/14.

An alternative way for experienced people to use ADB-By connecting the smartphone to debug mode. USB, command:

adb shell pm clear com.android.browser

This command will force the browser cache to be cleared, but it can be adapted to any package knowing its name, a method that automates the service process through scripts, which is especially true for enterprise devices.

Storage analysis and search for hidden files

Sometimes standard tools don't show what's eating up the memory, and in those cases, the built-in storage analyzer comes to the rescue. Go to Settings → About Phone → Storage. This visualizes the space allocation between applications, the system and other files.

Note the Others section, which often hides the remnants of deleted games, error logs, and temporary update files, and you can use the file manager to delete them by going along the way. MIUI → debug_log or MIUI → Gallery → cloud.

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The.thumbnails folder in the hidden DC directory stores thumbnails of all your photos. Cleaning it can free up a few gigabytes, but the thumbnails in the gallery will be recreated the next time you view them.

Also worth checking is the Download folder. Many applications, especially browsers and instant messengers, save all downloaded files there by default. APK-files and heavy documents.

Automation and expansion of memory

Newer versions of MIUI have introduced Memory Extension, which allows you to reserve some of your internal memory for virtual RAM. Although this is not a direct cache cleaner, having free space is critical to the function, and if the memory is clogged, the extension will not work.

Third-party utilities can be used to automate, but with caution. Aggressive cleaners can constantly unload the desired applications from memory, forcing the processor to work harder and landing the battery.

Set up automatic cleaning in the Safety app. Go to the cleaner settings and turn on the Notify of Fill option, and the phone will tell you when it's time to clean up without requiring your constant intervention.

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Optimal performance balance is achieved when at least 15-20% of the total internal memory of the device is free.