How to Quickly Clear Cache on Xiaomi: The Complete 2026 Guide

Your Xiaomi smartphone is slowing down, apps are loading for a long time, and free memory is sorely lacking? 90% of the time, cache cache is the fault - temporary files that Android and MIUI have been accumulating for years. Cache clearing not only frees up space, but also solves problems with overheating, sudden reboots and errors in games. In this article, 7 proven ways to clean up cache on Xiaomi, including hidden MIUI features and commands for power users.

We will learn which cache can be removed without risk (and which can not), how to clean it in 30 seconds through settings, and what to do if the phone does not respond to commands at all. The instructions are valid for all models of Redmi, POCO, Mi and Black Shark based on MIUI 12-14 and Android 11-14. No root or special knowledge is required – just follow the step-by-step recommendations.

1.What is Xiaomi cache and why it needs to be cleaned

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications and a system to speed things up, for example, when you open Instagram, it stores thumbnails of photos in the cache so that it can show them instantly the next time it runs, and the problem is that over time, these files:

• 📉 It takes up gigabytes of memory – cache of one Telegram can weigh up to 5 GB, and games like Genshin Impact – up to 10 GB.
• 🐢 Slowing down the system — MIUI Begins to “stutter” when searching for data in a crowded cache.
• 🔥 Overheating – the processor spends resources on processing unnecessary files.
• 🚨 Failures: A damaged cache can “break” applications (e.g., Google Play issues a 924 error).

But there's a caveat: not all cache can be deleted, like clearing the cache of com.android.systemui will cause wallpaper and widgets to be reset, and deleting Google Services Framework files can disrupt your Google account, and we'll show you how to clean the cache safely and selectively.

⚠️ Warning: Never clear the cache of system applications through the file manager manually (folders) /data/data or /cache). This can lead to a phone “brick” (completely inoperable) and require flashing through Fastboot.

2. Quickly clear the cache through the MIUI settings (the way for beginners)

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Mi 11.

1. Open Settings → Memory (or Storage in older versions of MIUI).
2. Slip on the item Clean at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select Cache Data and confirm the action.

This method only removes the cache of user applications (without affecting system files). minus: the cache of all programs is cleared, so after the reboot they will load longer (until they restore their temporary data).

If the phone is running slower after cleaning, it's okay. Give it 10 to 15 minutes to cache critical applications like WhatsApp or Chrome.

3. Selective cache cleaning of individual applications

If you want to delete the cache only for specific programs (for example, TikTok, which eats 3 GB), use this method:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the appropriate app (such as Facebook).
3. Slip the vault. → Clear the cache.

For convenience, sort the applications by cache size:

• 📊 In the upper right corner, press three dots. → Sorting → By size.
• 🔍 Pay attention to cache apps >500 MB (usually social networks, instant messengers and games).

⚠️ Attention: Clearing the cache of the Google Play Store (com.android.vending) can lead to errors when downloading applications. If after cleaning the Play Market stopped working - delete the updates for it in Settings → Annexes → Google Play Store → Three points. → Remove updates.

4.Cache clearing via Recovery Mode (if the phone is slowing down)

If Xiaomi is so clogged that it doesn’t respond to touch or constantly reboots, use Recovery Mode.This method will reset all temporary files, including the cache of system updates (cache partition, POCO F3 or Redmi K50).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up for 10 seconds until the MI logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
4. Confirm the action and wait until the completion (1-2 minutes).
5. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

This method does not delete personal data (photos, messages), but resets the settings of some system applications.

• 🔄 You may need to re-enter your Wi-Fi password.
• 🎵 Musical elves in MIUI Music will reset.
• 📱 The desktop wallpaper will return to standard.

5. Advanced cleaning: ADB-Teams for experienced users

If you’re ready to use a computer, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to selectively clear the cache, including system files that are not available through standard settings.

• 📱 Phone 'lagging down' after update MIUI.
• 🚫 Apps are making a mistake INSTALL_FAILED_INSUFFICIENT_STORAGE.
• 🔄 You need to delete the cache of a particular system process (e.g. media.provider).

Instructions:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into the C:\adb folder.
2. On your phone, activate USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 taps → For developers → USB Debugging).
3. Connect Xiaomi to your PC and type in the command line:

adb devices


adb shell pm list packages -f | grep cache

To clear the cache of a particular application (such as Gallery), use:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.gallery

To completely clean the cache of all user applications:

adb shell cmd package bg-dexopt-job

⚠️ Note: Adb shell pm clear command for system applications (e.g. com.android.phone) may disrupt your phone.Before experimenting, back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

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If so, ADB-The phone is running slower, run adb shell cmd package compile -m speed -f — This optimizes applications for quick launch.

6.Automatic Cache Cleanup: Configure MIUI Optimizer

MIUI 13/14 has a built-in MIUI Optimizer tool that can clear the cache on schedule to activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Optimization.
2. Turn on the Auto Clean option.
3. Set up a schedule (recommended every week).

You can also use the "deep cleaning" mode:

• 🧹 Open Security. → Cleaning (brush icon).
• 🔍 Choose Deep Cleaning. → Cash.
• ⚡ Click Optimize – This Will Remove Cache + squash /data/local/tmp.

The advantage of this method is that MIUI itself determines which cache can be safely deleted without affecting critical system files. However, deep cleaning can delete game data (for example, save in Call of Duty Mobile), so close all important applications before running it.

7.What NOT to do when cleaning cache on Xiaomi

Some "advice" from the Internet can harm your phone, and this is strictly forbidden:

• 🚫 Delete the folder /cache manually through the file manager, which will lead to a bootloop cycle).
• 🚫 Clear cache via ##4636## – this engineering code is not intended for users and can reset network settings.
• 🚫 Use CCleaner-type cleaners – they often delete important files MIUI, This is a result of errors in Google Play Services.
• 🚫 Format a section /data through TWRP without backup, it will erase all data, including photos and messages.

If you see a tip to clear the cache through fastboot erase cache, ignore it. On modern Xiaomi (starting with the Redmi Note 10), this method does not work and can lead to an error in the Invalid sparse file format at header.

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The only safe way to clean up the cache of system applications is through ADB with the pm clear command for a specific package.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up cache on Xiaomi