How to Clean Up Xiaomi Cache Completely: 5 Ways to Work

The cache on Xiaomi smartphones is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up work. Over time, it accumulates, taking up gigabytes of precious space and slowing down the system. If your Redmi or POCO started to slow down, and in the Storage section there was a mysterious 10+GB "System Data" sign, it's time to clean the cache. But how do you do it right without deleting important files?

In this article, you will find 5 proven methods of cleaning cache on any Xiaomi device (including models on MIUI 14 and HyperOS).We will analyze both standard methods through settings, and advanced ones using recovery and ADB. And also explain why some applications can temporarily run slower after cleaning the cache (this is normal!).

1. Clear cache through MIUI settings (the easiest way)

This method is suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on any firmware version, the main advantage of which is that it does not require superuser rights or delete personal data.

To clear the cache of individual applications:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Select the app you want (like YouTube or Chrome)
3. Click Warehouse → Clear the cache

For mass cleaning of the cache of all applications:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Warehouse
• 🧹 Select "Clean" (or "Free space")
• ✅ Check the item "Cash of applications"
• 🔄 Press "Clear" [X] MB"

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If there is no “Clear Cache” button in the list of applications, then the application does not create cache files or they are stored in a protected area of the system.

This method only removes the user cache, the temporary application files, the system cache (Dalvik-cache) will remain intact, and other methods will be required to clean it, which we will discuss later.

2.Use of the built-in MIUI cleaner

MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS have a built-in Security tool (formerly Optimization) that can analyze and clean the cache automatically, and its capabilities are wider than those of the standard storage menu.

How to use:

1. Open the Security app (Icon with shield)
2. Go to the Cleanup tab (or “Deep Cleaning”)
3. Wait for the analysis to be completed (may take 1-2 minutes)
4. Click Clear next to "App Cache"

Advantages of this method:

• 🔍 Deeper analysis (finds cache that is not visible in standard settings)
• 📊 Shows the size of the cache by category (social networks, instant messengers, games)
• 🤖 Can clean the cache automatically on schedule

Note that the built-in cleaner sometimes offers to delete "junk files" - this can be log files of the system or remnants of remote applications. These can also be cleaned, but do not confuse with application data (this is already your settings and saves).

3.Cache clearing through Recovery Mode (for experienced)

If the smartphone is severely slowing down or lacking memory even after a standard cleaning, you can use Recovery Mode. This method removes all the cache memory of the system, including Dalvik-cache, which is responsible for the speed of launching applications.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up before the Mi logo appears
3. In the recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion
5. Restart the device (Reboot) → Reboot to System)

Turn off your phone completely (not restart!)

Check the battery power (minimum 30%)

Make sure important data is stored in the cloud

Know the button combination for your model-->

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option will completely reset the phone to factory settings, deleting all your files and apps.

After this cleaning, the first system boot can take 5-10 minutes, which is normal, and some applications will run longer than usual (they recover their cache).

4. Manually clear cache through file manager

For those who like to control the process, there is a way to manually delete cache files through any file manager (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer), which allows you to selectively clean the cache of specific applications.

Where to find the cash:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ — cache of user applications
• 📁 /data/data/ — System cache (root rights required)
• 📁 /cache/ — System cache (available only through root)

How to clean:

1. Open the file manager
2. Go to the Android/data folder
3. Find a folder with the app name (e.g. com.facebook.katana for Facebook)
4. Remove the cache folder inside it

Without root rights, you can’t remove the system cache from /data and /cache folders, which requires either Recovery or special utilities like SD Maid (requires root).

5. Advanced methods: ADB and root access

For the most experienced users, there are ways to clean the cache through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or root rights, which give maximum control, but require technical knowledge.

Cleaning through ADB:

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "package:" | sed 's/package://g' | while read line; do adb shell pm clear $line; done

This command clears the cache of all applications. Be careful, it will also reset the application settings!

Cleaning Dalvik-cache through root:

• Install Root Explorer or FX File Explorer
• Go to /data/dalvik-cache/
• Delete all files with the.dex extension
• Reset the device

⚠️ Note: Incorrect actions with ADB Or root can cause the system to fail. If you're not sure about your abilities, use standard cleaning methods.

These are the ways Xiaomi can use with an unlocked bootloader or root rights, and they won’t work on standard devices.

Comparison of Cache Cleaning Methods on Xiaomi

For most users, the first two methods are enough: Recovery Mode should only be used if the phone is slowing down, and ADB and root are the lot of enthusiasts who know exactly what they are doing.

What to do after cleaning the cache?

After cleaning the cache (especially the full one through Recovery), the system and applications will work a little differently.

• 🔄 Restart your phone to help the system recover the necessary temporary files
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi – Many apps will download a new cache
• ⚙️ Check the settings – some apps can reset individual settings
• 🔋 Charge your phone – the first reboot after cleaning the cache consumes more energy

Don’t be afraid if after cleaning:

• Apps run longer – they recover cache
• Some sites in the browser load more slowly – cleared the cache of DNS and images
• The miniatures in the gallery have disappeared – they will be rebuilt automatically

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Cache cleanup doesn’t delete your photos, videos, or documents; it only deletes temporary files that apps can recover if needed.

If the phone gets worse after cleaning the cache, maybe it's not the cache, but the storage or fragmented memory that's filled. SD-map.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up cache on Xiaomi