Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones sooner or later face a shortage of internal memory. MIUI system or the new HyperOS accumulate gigabytes of temporary data that slow down the device, users begin to search for an answer to the question of where exactly in the Xiaomi phone is the cache to free up precious space.
Caching is a mechanism designed to speed up the launch of applications, but over time it turns into ballast. Temporary files can take anywhere from a few megabytes to tens of gigabytes if left unchecked. Understanding the structure of Android folders will allow you to manage storage yourself without resorting to questionable cleaners.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the file system, hidden directory paths, and safe garbage removal methods. You will learn to distinguish between system cache and application data, which is critical for the stable operation of the operating system.
What is cache and why is it needed in Android
Cache is a memory area designed to store intermediate data. When you run a heavy app or game, the system stores commonly used items (images, scripts, profiles) in a fast-access location.This allows Xiaomi to download content instantly without accessing the server or main storage every time.
However, uncontrolled cache growth has negative consequences: Files can be corrupted, conflict with new versions of programs or simply take up space necessary for photos and videos.Cache cleaning is a regular maintenance procedure that does not delete your personal data, logins or game progress.
It's important to understand the difference between cache and application data, because if you delete the data, the program will go back to "just installed" and the cache can be deleted safely, although after that the application can load a little longer on the first run. Dalvik/ART Xiaomi is automatically optimized, but custom cache requires manual control.
⚠️ Warning: Do not delete the contents of system folders whose purpose you do not know. This can lead to unstable shell operation. MIUI or complete failure of some smartphone functions.
System paths: where the cache physically lies
The Android file system that runs Xiaomi phones has a clear hierarchy. You'll need a file manager with permissions or a built-in Explorer to access hidden directories. The main paths where garbage accumulates are in the Android root folder.
There are two main ways to store temporary files: One is to share the app cache, and the other is to share the data of specific services, and the way to do that is to go: Internal memory → Android → data and Internal memory → Android → obb. This is where the heavy resources of games and programs are stored.
Also worth noting is the cache folder at the root of the system, which is often restricted without root rights.In modern versions of Android 11/12/13/14, access to the data folder for third-party file managers can be limited by Google's security policy. Xiaomi's built-in Explorer usually handles the display of these files better than third-party counterparts.
- 📂 /Android/data — cached data of installed applications is stored here (photos in WhatsApp, music in streamings).
- 📂 /Android/obb — cache folder for heavy games (textures, levels, sounds).
- 📂 /MIUI/Gallery/cloud/cache — miniatures and previews from the cloud gallery.
- 📂 /Tencent/MicroMsg — A huge cache of the WeChat messenger (if used).
Why the folder Android/data idle?
How to find and clean cache through MIUI settings
The safest and easiest way to clean up is to not climb files. The MIUI and HyperOS shell has a built-in Cleanup tool that analyzes the volume of temporary files. This is the preferred method for most users, since it eliminates the risk of removing important system components.
To start the procedure, go to Settings → About Phone → Storage or use the Security app on your desktop. The system will automatically scan the device and prompt you to remove the Garbage. However, standard cleaning is often superficial and does not affect the cache of heavy applications like TikTok or Telegram.
To clean a particular application more deeply, go to Settings → Applications → All apps. Select the program you want (like YouTube), click Memory, and select Clear Cache. This method ensures that you only delete temporary files without losing authorization.
☑️ Deep cleaning algorithm
Manual cleaning through the conductor
If automatic tools didn't help to free up space, you can use a manual method. The Explorer app built-in in Xiaomi phones allows you to see the folder structure. Be careful: manually deleting files from data folders can lead to resetting of settings within applications.
Open Explorer and go to Folders. Find the Android directory. Inside you are interested in folders with packet names (e.g. com.google.android.youtube). They often have a cache folder that can be safely deleted. Files with the.tmp extension are also temporary and must be deleted.
Pay special attention to social folders. In Telegram, for example, the cache can be cleared through the settings of the app itself, which is more effective than manual cleaning. In Viber and WhatsApp, media files are often duplicated in the gallery, taking up double space. Deleting them from the file system will free up space, but will delete the history of correspondence with media content.
| File type | Location. | Can I remove it? | Effects of consequences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash app. | Android/data/.../cache | Yes. | The app will load a little longer. |
| Thumbnails | DCIM/.thumbnails | Yes. | The gallery will be building a preview longer |
| Log files | MIUI/log | Yes. | Losing a history of errors (not critical) |
| Cash browsers | Android/data/.../Cache | Yes. | Accounts will be available in some services |
Cleaning the DNS cache and browser
In addition to applications, cache accumulates system services and browsers. DNS-cache stores the addresses of visited sites to speed up the loading of pages. Over time, it can contain outdated records, which leads to errors when connecting to sites. In Xiaomi phones, it can be cleared through flight mode or reset network settings.
Browsers (Chrome, Mi Browser) store gigabytes of images and scripts. To clear them, go to your browser settings, Privacy or History. Select Images and other files stored in cache. This will solve the problem of incorrect display of sites.
Also worth checking is the hidden system cache. To do this, look for the Cleanup tool in the Security app. Click on the broom icon, then select Deep Clean, which scans large files, duplicates and cache of installed packets, offering safe removal options.
⚠️ Note: When cleaning your browser cache, make sure you do not select Passwords or Save Site Data if you want to remain logged in to your accounts.
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Use Incognito mode in your browser to view sites that don’t require history, which will prevent cache accumulation from the start.
Automation and overflow prevention
To make sure that the question "where is the cache in Xiaomi's phone" is no longer relevant, set up automatic cleaning. The Security app has a "Planner" feature. Set a scan frequency, for example, once every 3 days. The system will delete temporary files itself when you are not using the phone.
Check Download regularly, and APK installation files are often downloaded to the folder, which become useless garbage once installed, and you should also disable the auto-save statuses of WhatsApp and Instagram Stories if you don’t plan to save them, as they instantly fill the cache of the gallery.
Updating apps on time also helps optimize memory usage. Developers in newer versions often fix bugs that cause cache bloats. Keep an eye out for updates to Google Play and GetApps.
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Regular prevention takes 2 minutes per week, but saves hours of waiting for the system response and prevents "Insufficient memory" errors.