Where to look for cache on Xiaomi phone: a complete cleanup guide

Xiaomi’s cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up work. Over time, it takes up gigabytes of memory, slows down the device and can cause crashes. But where exactly is this cache stored, how to find it and safely delete it — questions that many users of Redmi, POCO and other brands are concerned about.

In this article, we'll look at all the ways you can find cached data, from standard MIUI tools to hidden folders that you can't see in a regular file manager, how to tell the difference between useful cache and garbage, what files you can delete without risk to the system, and why memory is not immediately released after cleaning, and for advanced users, instructions on how to work with ADB and manually clean through Recovery.

It’s important to understand that there are three types of cache: application cache (the safest to delete), system cache (requires caution) and Dalvik cache (affects performance), and we’ll show you how to work with each of them using the current versions of MIUI 14 and HyperOS.

What is Xiaomi Cache and Why Clean It

Cache is buffer data that apps and systems store to speed up repeat operations. For example, when you open Instagram, the app caches photos so that it can show them instantly the next time it runs, the same thing happens with web pages in your browser, maps in Google Maps, or media files in messengers.

The problems begin when the cache grows to a few gigabytes, and on Xiaomi, this is especially noticeable because of the MIUI features:

• 📱 Slowing down the interface: the system spends resources on processing outdated temporary files.
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge: background cache cleaning processes consume energy.
• 🚫 Application crashes: A damaged cache can cause errors (e.g., “The application has stopped»).
• 📉 Lack of memory: even on phones with 128 GB cache can take 10-15 GB.

However, not all cache can be deleted without consequences, for example, cleaning the cache of Google Play Services will lead to re-uploading data on the next run, and deleting the Dalvik cache can cause the system to freeze for 5-10 minutes (it recovers automatically, but takes time).

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse cache with app data! cache is temporary files, and data (/data/data/) They contain settings, save games and log in. Deleting them is equivalent to reinstalling the program.

Where to store cache on Xiaomi: standard locations

Cached files on Xiaomi are distributed across multiple folders, and can be found through any file manager (e.g., standard Files or Solid Explorer).

*Note: /cache/ is not recommended to be manually cleaned, but rather to use the built-in MIUI or Recovery tools, which store update files and system logs.

To see hidden folders (e.g. /data/), you’ll need root rights or a file manager with superuser mode (e.g., Root Explorer) without root access, you’ll only be able to clear the cache of individual applications through settings.

How to find and clean cache through Xiaomi settings

The safest way is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which do not require root rights and automatically determine which files can be deleted without risk to the system.

Instructions for MIUI 14 and HyperOS:

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Select Application Management.
3. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
4. Click on an app (such as Facebook or Telegram) → Storage.
5. Tap Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data!).

For mass cleaning:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Click Clear (the system will prompt you to delete unnecessary files, including cache).
3. Select the app cache and confirm the action.

Some models (such as the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5) have a separate Cleanup section in the main settings, where you can see how much space the cache takes up and remove it with one tap.

Search and remove cache via Recovery Mode

If the phone is severely slowing down or lacking memory even after a standard cleaning, you can use Recovery Mode.This method will reset Dalvik cache and other system temporary files, but will not affect user data.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset (manage - volume buttons, choose - power button).
4. Tap Wipe Cache (not to be confused with Wipe Data!)
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 1-3 minutes).
6. Restart the phone (Reboot).

After this procedure, the system can run slower for the first 5-10 minutes, which is normal, as Dalvik cache is restored.

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F4, Xiaomi 13) Recovery doesn't have a separate Wipe Cache option. In this case, select Wipe Data, but don't confirm - just go back.

Manually clean cache via ADB (for advanced)

If standard methods don’t work, you can delete the cache via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This will require a computer and the developer mode on the phone is enabled.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Turn on USB Debugging.

ADB

Google

cmd

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed).

adb shell pm trim-caches -1

Facebook

adb shell pm clear com.facebook.katana

List of packages of popular applications:

• 📷 Instagram: com.instagram.android
• 💬 WhatsApp: com.whatsapp
• 🌐 Google Chrome: com.android.chrome
• 🎵 Spotify: com.spotify.music

⚠️ Note: pm clear command deletes both cache and application data (as in reinstallation). To clean only the cache, use: adb shell run-as com.facebook.katana rm -rf /cache/* (Replace com.facebook.katana with the desired package).

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If the app is unstable after cleaning the cache through ADB, restart the phone. This will reset the temporary system files.

How to clean the cache of messengers and social networks without losing data

Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) and social networks (Instagram, TikTok) are actively using cache to store media files. Cleaning here has the nuance: you can delete gigabytes of unnecessary files, but still save correspondence and settings.

Instructions for popular applications:

• 💬 WhatsApp: Open Settings → Storage. Tap Memory Management. Select Big Files or Media and delete the unnecessary. Cache is stored in the /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Media. Delete only the.Statuses (Stories) and.Thumbnails (Preview) folders).
• 📱 Telegram: Go to Settings → Data and memory. Select Clear Telegram cache. Use Storage and data in Android settings for deep cleaning. Cache is stored in /data/data/org.telegram.messenger/cache (Root rights are required).
• 📷 Instagram: Open your profile → Settings → Storage, slip, clear the cache.

Manual cleaning: delete the folder /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.instagram.android/cache.

For TikTok and Facebook, cache is stored in standard folders /Android/data/<package_name>/cache. They can be cleared through application settings or file manager.

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Clearing the messenger cache does not delete correspondence, but can erase unsaved media files (for example, voice messages on WhatsApp, if they are not uploaded to the gallery).

Automatic cleaning of cache: settings and applications

To avoid manually cleaning the cache, set up automatic optimization:

• 🤖 Built-in optimization MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Memory: Enable Autocleaning and set up a schedule (e.g. once a week).

Cleaning applications

• 🛡️ CCleaner – removes cache and debris, but can aggressively clean background processes.
• 🧹 Files by Google – Shows Large Cache Files and Suggests Deletion.
• 📊 SD Maid (requires root) – deep cleaning, including system cache.
• ⚙️ Developer Settings: Activate Developer Mode (as described above). Enable Don't keep activities, which will reduce cache volume by rebooting applications more frequently.

For models with HyperOS (such as Xiaomi 14), the Smart Cleaning feature is available in the Memory section, which analyzes the use of cache and suggests optimal cleaning options.

⚠️ Note: Applications like Clean Master often display false warnings about a “memory state critical” and use them with caution, as some features may conflict with the memory system. MIUI.

Frequent Cache Cleaning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many Xiaomi users experience problems after improper cache cleaning, and here are the most common errors and solutions:

• 🔄 Delete data instead of cache: If you tap Clear data instead of Clear cache, the application will reset to factory settings. Solution: restore data from backup (if any) or log in again.
• 🐢 Slowdown after cleaning Dalvik cache: This is normal - the system recovers optimized files.Do not restart the phone for 10 minutes.
• 📱 Disappearance of photos from the gallery: If you cleared the cache of Google Photos or Gallery, thumbnails may go missing.Solution: Restart the app or wait for sync.
• 🚫 Failures after cleaning the system cache: If the phone stopped turning on, try going to Recovery and repeat the Wipe Cache. If it does not help, you need to flash it again.
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge after cleaning: This is a temporary phenomenon, the system rebuilds the cache. After 1-2 charging cycles, everything normalizes.

If after cleaning the cache, the application is constantly restarted, try:

1. Clear the cache again.
2. Reinstall the app.
3. Check out the updates on Google Play.

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Before mass clearing the cache, check if the app is using it for offline work (for example, maps in Google Maps or music in Spotify).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions