Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their functionality and availability, but over time, even the most powerful models start to work slower. One of the main reasons for the decline in performance is a crowded buffer for sharing systems and applications. Understanding how to clean the cache on Xiaomi is a basic skill for any Android device owner who wants to extend the life of a gadget.
The accumulation of temporary files occurs unnoticed by the user while surfing the Internet, using instant messengers or games. This data is designed to speed up the launch of programs, but when they are too much, the effect becomes reversed: the system begins to waste resources on processing gigabytes of “digital garbage.” In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for freeing memory, from standard MIUI tools to advanced developer settings.
Cleaning doesn't require root rights or third-party software, although it can be useful in some cases, and data security is guaranteed when you do this kind of manipulation, if you follow the instructions, and we'll look at what separates cleaning a particular application from completely cleaning the system, and when to apply radical measures.
Why you need regular cleaning of the exchange buffer
Temporary files, or cache, are created by the Android operating system and the MIUI shell to store intermediate data, for example, when you open a social network feed, images and text are stored in memory so that the next time the page is loaded instantly, but over time, this data can reach tens of gigabytes, occupying the space intended for your photos and videos.
Regular memory maintenance allows not only free up space, but also eliminate software failures. Application errors are often caused by damage to temporary files. If a program closes on its own or freezes when it starts, cleaning its cache is the first step that technical support specialists recommend.
⚠️ Attention: Clearing the cache only deletes temporary files.Your logins, passwords and saves in games will stay in place, unlike the "Clear Data" procedure, which resets the application to the factory state.
Also, a crowded Cache partition can affect the speed of the interface. Animations get jerky and the response to touch slows down. The system cache partition in MIUI has no strict size limit, so it can grow until the free space on the drive runs out, which is critical for models with 64 GB of memory.
- 🚀 Accelerate the launch of frequently used applications by removing damaged fragments.
- 💾 Freeing up valuable internal memory space for new programs.
- 🔋 Reducing the load on the processor, which indirectly affects battery life.
- 🛡️ Increased stability of the operating system and reduced number of departures.
Use of the built-in "Security" application
The easiest and safest way to clean Xiaomi's cache is to use a regular tool, each MIUI firmware and the new HyperOS has a Security app preinstalled, which has access to system partitions and can remove debris without damaging important configuration files.
To get started, open the app and select Cleanup. The system will automatically analyze the device and find temporary files, deleted program residues and large files. Press Clean to remove the debris found. This method removes the system-wide cache, but does not touch the data of specific applications deeply.
For more detailed work, go to Memory or Application Management inside the security menu, where you can see which programs occupy the most space. Often the leaders are Telegram, YouTube and browsers. Once you select an app, you can click the Clear Cache button, which is available in the bottom menu or in (Details).
☑️ Security system inspection
It's important to understand the difference between the Clear Cache and Clear Everything buttons.** The second button will reset the app settings by deleting your accounts and saving. Be careful when clicking, especially on social media and banking apps. Regular use of the built-in cleaner is the best problem prevention.
Manually cleansing the cache through Android settings
If the built-in analyzer doesn't find any problems, but the phone is slow, you should resort to manual cleaning. This method allows you to pinpoint the temporary files of the problem application. Go to Settings, then select Apps and click All Apps. In the list, find the desired program.
Inside the app menu, find the Memory or Storage section. Here you will see two main buttons: Clear the cache and Clear everything. The first deletes only temporary files (images, scripts), the second resets the application. To clear the cache, click the appropriate button and confirm the action in the pop-up window.
| Action. | What's removed | Impact on the account | Recommended frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearing the cache | Temporary files, thumbnails | It doesn't. | Once a month |
| Clearing the data | Settings, logins, databases | Entry required | Failures |
| Deletion of the annex | All program files | Entry required | If not. |
| Resetting settings | All the information on the phone. | Total reset | At sale |
This method is particularly effective for browsers: In Google Chrome or MIUI Browser, the cache can take up several gigabytes after watching high-resolution video, and cleaning through settings ensures that you delete exactly the amount of data that is taking up space right now, without unnecessary analytics.
Why does the cache grow again after cleaning?
Cleaning through the Recovery Mode (Recovery Mode)
There's a deeper level of cleaning available through the Recovery menu, which allows you to clear the system cache that you can't see through the normal interface, which is useful if the phone is unstable after a firmware update, and you need to turn off the smartphone to log in.
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, keep the volume up. The Main Menu menu opens. The volume buttons navigate, the power button selects.
Select Wipe Data, then Wipe Cache. Confirm the action. Importantly, don't confuse this with Wipe All Data, which will completely delete all your files and return the phone to factory settings. The cache cleanup process will take a few seconds.
⚠️ Note: Signing into Recovery Mode requires caution. Do not select items containing the words "Format" or "All Data" if your goal is only to clean temporary files.
Once the procedure is complete, select Reboot to restart the system. The first run may take longer than usual, as the system needs to recreate the necessary temporary files, a method considered "heavy artillery" and recommended for serious software errors.
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Before entering Recovery Mode, make sure that the battery is at least 50-60% so that the phone does not turn off during system operations.
Cleaning the cache in specific applications
Some apps accumulate data more aggressively than others. Telegram is the leader here. Unlike other messengers, it stores all the photos and videos viewed in the phone's memory by default. To clear the cache on Xiaomi in this application, go to Settings → Data and memory → Memory Use.
Here you'll see the cleanup slider and the statistics. Click Clear Telegram cache. You can set up automatic cleanups, like deleting files older than 3 days or 1 week, which will free up gigabytes of space without losing correspondence, since media files are stored on the server.
In Chrome, the procedure looks different. Click three dots in the corner, select History → Clear History. In the “More” section, tick only the Images and other files stored in the cache. Make sure that the ticks on Passwords and Cookies are removed if you do not want to re-enter the sites.
- 📸 Instagram: Settings → Annex → Clear cache (within the application settings are limited, better through the system).
- 🎵 Spotify/Yandex.Music: Settings → Warehouse → Clear cache (removes offline tracks unless otherwise configured).
- 🛒 Marketplaces: Often store product catalogs, cleaning speeds up work with poor Internet.
For video services like YouTube, cache cleaning resets video quality settings and temporal stream buffers. This is useful if the video is slowing down or not loading. In the app, this is done through Settings → General → Clear the cache.
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The specifics of messengers like Telegram allow you to store history in the cloud, so their cache can and should be cleaned regularly, without fear of losing correspondence.
Automation and third-party utilities
MIUI has an Advanced Cleanup feature that can work automatically, but many users prefer third-party solutions, such as Files by Google or SD Maid, which have more flexible settings and can find tails of remote programs.
Using third-party software requires permissions, an app needs to be given access to storage so it can analyze files, be careful about ad accelerators that promise to increase RAM by many times, often as a source of advertising and extra workload.
You can set up automation without installing any unnecessary software. You can set up a cleaning schedule in the Security app. Go to the cleaner settings and turn on Auto Cleanup. The phone will remove the garbage itself when you're not using it, for example, at night.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid installing apps that require root rights to clear the cache unless you are an experienced user.
Third-party launchers also have their own caches. If you're using a Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, remember to check their memory settings. They cache icons and widgets for smooth animations, which can lead to icons being desynchronized over time.