Owners of Xiaomi smartphones sooner or later face the same problem: the device starts to run slower, applications open longer, and free space in memory quickly melts. Often the root of these problems lies in the accumulated cache — temporary files that the system and applications create to speed up work.
In this article, we will take a closer look at what cache is, why it needs to be removed, and most importantly, how to do it correctly on Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI or HyperOS shells. You will learn about safe cleaning methods that will not damage your personal data, and learn how to distinguish system debris from important information.
Don't be intimidated by technical terms. The cleaning process is intuitive and takes only a couple of minutes, but the result can be overwhelming -- your Redmi or Poco will fly again. Let's take a look at all the ways available, from built-in tools to advanced techniques for power users.
What is cache and why remove it on Xiaomi
Cache is a buffer memory that stores temporary data. When you first start a heavy game or open a news site, your smartphone uploads pictures, scripts and interface elements, storing them in cache. When you re-access, the device reads data from memory rather than from the Internet, which greatly speeds up the work.
But there's a downside to this mechanism, and over time, the cache grows, taking up space that could be used for photos or new applications, and even if the files in the cache get corrupted or outdated, it can lead to interface glitches, program crashes, and even system freezes.
Technical reference
Cleaning regularly helps to free up space and fix software errors, especially for devices with a small amount of internal memory, where every megabyte is in the account. It is important to understand that deleting the cache does not delete your personal correspondence, contacts or game progress unless you choose the option “Clear Data”.
Use of the built-in "Security" application
The easiest and safest way to clear the cache on Xiaomi is to use the regular Security app, which is already pre-installed on all devices and optimized for working with the MIUI shell, which is ideal for rapid prevention and removal of obvious debris.
To get started, open the Security app on the home screen. Click on the Cleaner button. The system will analyze the device and suggest removing unnecessary files. Here you will see categories like "Junk," "Big Files," and "Apps."
☑️ Checking before cleaning
It is important to be careful when using this tool. By pressing the clean button, you only delete temporary files. However, if you decide to go deeper into the settings and select Clear Data for a particular application, you may lose logins and passwords inside it.
⚠️ Note: In the Security app, do not confuse the Clean button (removes garbage) with the Remove button in the application management menu (removes the program itself from your phone).
Once the scan is complete, the system will show the amount of space it has vacated, usually a few hundred megabytes or even gigabytes if it's been cleaned for a long time, and using this feature regularly (once a week) will help keep the phone on top.
Cleaning the cache of individual applications manually
Sometimes, the built-in cleaner can’t handle a specific heavyweight, like Telegram, TikTok, or Instagram. These apps can accumulate gigabytes of cache that a standard scanner doesn’t always see or remove completely, requiring manual cleaning through system settings.
Go to Settings → Applications → All apps. Find the program that takes up the most space in the list. Click on it, then select Memory (or Storage) and you will see two main buttons here: Clear Cache and Clear Everything (or Reset).
Click "Clear Cache" and this operation will delete temporary files, but save your accounts and settings inside the app, and if you click "Clear All," the app will return to its state immediately after installation, and you will have to re-enter passwords.
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Tip for instant messenger users: Telegram and WhatsApp are better to clean the cache through the settings of the application itself (Conversations → Storage Use), as Xiaomi’s built-in tools may not see the entire amount of media files saved in the chat cache.
In Chrome or Yandex.Browser, cache can grow to several gigabytes due to the videos and pictures viewed, and cleaning here often solves problems with incorrect display of pages.
Deep cleaning through the "Storage" menu
The MIUI shell and the new HyperOS provide a more detailed memory analysis tool that allows you to see what's taking up space and remove the cache more point-by-point, a technique that's useful when you need to understand where the space has gone.
Go to Settings → About Phone → Storage (or simply “Storage” for settings). The system will show a memory distribution diagram. Click on “Apps” or “Other” to see details.
| Type of data | What is it? | Can be removed |
|---|---|---|
| Cash app. | Temporary programme files | Yes, it's safe. |
| Application data | Saved logins, levels in games | No, you'll lose progress. |
| System cache | Android work files | Yes, through Recovery. |
| Downloads. | Downloaded files from the Internet | Only unnecessary. |
This menu often contains hidden folders or large files you didn't know existed, such as old WhatsApp updates or offline navigator maps, which can free up a lot of memory.
⚠️ Be very careful with the Android folder and "OBB" Deleting files from there can cause games and applications that require additional data files to fail.
Cleanup DNS-cache
If the phone is fast, but the Internet is “dumb” or pages loaded with errors, the problem may be in the Internet. DNS-This is a domain name match table and IP-addresses that sometimes contain outdated or erroneous information.
On the current versions of Android and MIUI, there's no single button to clean up the DNS, but you can do it through flight mode or reset the network settings. The easiest way is to turn on Flight Mode for 10 seconds, and then turn it off. This will restart the network modules.
A more radical but effective method is to reset your network settings. Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. Click Reset.
Settings → Connection and Sharing → Wi-Fi ResetAfter this operation, the phone will restart the network stacks, and DNS-The cache will be cleared automatically. You'll have to re-enter the Wi-Fi password, but the connection will become more stable. 4G Wi-Fi and back.
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Network resets don’t delete your files, photos, or contacts; they only affect your connection settings: Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth settings, and mobile network settings.
Cleaning the system cache through Recovery Mode
If the phone is unstable after a system update or multiple applications are installed, it may be necessary to clean the system cache (Dalvik/ART Cache) via the Recovery menu, which is suitable for advanced users.
To enter Recovery mode, turn off the phone completely. Then press the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, continuing to keep the volume.
In the Recovery menu (it can be in English or Chinese), the volume buttons (up/down) and the power button are controlled. Find Wipe Data (on some firmware) or Clear Cache.
⚠️ Note: In the Recovery menu, it is easy to confuse "Wipe Cache" and "Wipe All Data" with "Warning All Data". Read menu items carefully. Choose only options that contain the word Cache.
Once you have selected the confirmation command, the system will clear the temporary download files. This will not affect your personal photos, contacts and applications. Once completed, select Reboot. The first turn on may take longer than usual.