How to completely clean up application data on Xiaomi: from cache to reset settings

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones eventually start to run slower due to accumulated temporary files, app cache and residual data. Even after deleting the program, its traces can take up gigabytes of memory, and background processes can slow down the system. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to clean these applications, from manually deleting the cache to completely resetting the settings through MIUI and ADB.

It is important to understand the difference between data types: cache is temporary files to speed up work (they can be deleted without risk), and application data includes settings, logins, game saves and other critical files. Cleaning them is equivalent to the first run of a program. We will show you how to manage both types without losing important information.

The instructions are valid for all devices on MIUI 12-14 (including HyperOS), as well as models from Xiaomi 11T to Redmi Note 13 and POCO F5. If your phone runs on pure Android (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra with global firmware), some menu items may differ - we will warn you about this separately.

1. How to clear the cache of an individual application

The safest way to free up memory is to delete the cache of a particular program, which won't affect its performance, but can speed up the launch and reduce the space it takes up, such as YouTube or TikTok cache often inflates to 1-2 GB.

To clear the cache:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (like Google Chrome or WhatsApp).
3. Click Storage (or Memory in newer versions of MIUI).
4. Put it on Clear the cache.

On some models (e.g., POCO X5 Pro), the path may look like Settings → All Apps → [Name] → Memory → Clear cache. If the button is inactive, the cache is empty or the app uses a shared system cache (like Mi Video).

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Once the Google Play cache is cleared, the marketplace or YouTube can temporarily run slower — that's OK. The data will be recovered the next time you use it.

• 📱 What apps most often inflate the cache: Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, Google Maps, Spotify.
• ⚠️ Do not clear the cache of system applications (Mi Security, Theme Manager) if you do not know what they are responsible for.
• 🔄 Automatic cleaning: in MIUI There is an optimization function (Settings) → Special opportunities → Optimization), which can clean the cache in the background.

2. Complete cleaning of application data (reset to factory settings)

If the application is not working properly (e.g. Mi Fit is not synced or Gmail does not open emails), it may be necessary to completely reset its data, which will delete all settings, accounts and saved files inside the program - as if you installed it for the first time.

How to reset data:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a problem app (such as Mi Home or Netflix).
3. Click Warehouse → Clear Data (or Delete Data).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After that, the application can request a re-entering of the username / password (for example, WhatsApp will require restoration from a backup).Some programs (for example, Google Authenticator) after resetting the data completely lose all two-factor codes - be careful!

Save important files from the app (e.g. chats in Telegram)

Remember or photograph settings (e.g. in Mi Band)

Make sure you have access to your account (logins/passwords)

Check if payment data is linked to the application (for example, in Mi Pay)

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⚠️ Note: Resetting data to Mi Account or Google Services Framework may result in the device being lost due to the account and some features (e.g. Find Device) blocked!

3. Mass cleaning of cache of all applications

If the phone is slowing down, you can delete the cache of all apps at once, which is faster than cleaning each one separately, but can temporarily slow down the system (until the cache recovers).

How to clean the cache of all applications:

1. Open the Settings. → Memory (or Warehouse).
2. Click Clear the cache at the bottom of the screen.
3. Confirm the action.

On some firmware (e.g. HyperOS on Xiaomi 14), this item may be called Free Memory or hidden behind the button Additional. If you don't have an option, use an alternative method:

adb shell pm clear-cache --all

This command must be entered via ADB on your computer (for more information about setting up ADB, see Section 6).

Once a week | Once a month | Only when the phone is slowing | I never clean | I don't know what a cache is-->

• ⚡ Pros of mass cleaning: quickly frees up 1-3 GB of memory, speeds up the system.
• ⚠️ Cons: After cleaning, the first launches of applications will be slower (cache is restored).
• 🔄 Automation: in MIUI There is a function of Auto Cleaning (Settings) → Memory. → Settings → Autocleaning), which can remove the cache on schedule.

4. Clearing system application data (for power users)

Xiaomi system applications (e.g. Mi Security, Theme Manager, Mi Account) often take up a lot of space and do not have a "Delete" button. Their data can be cleared, but this requires caution - wrong actions can disrupt the phone.

Methods of cleaning system applications:

• 🛠️ Through ADB: adb shell pm clear com.miui.securitycenter (replace com.miui.securitycenter with the desired application package).
• 📱 Through Settings (limited list): Enable Developer Mode (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — press 7 times. Go back to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers, activate unrestricted access to application settings, and now you'll have system cleanup software on the app menu.

Examples of Xiaomi system application packages:

• com.miui.securitycenter - Security (Mi Security)
• com.android.themes – Theme Manager
• com.xiaomi.account - Mi Account
• com.miui.gallery - Gallery

⚠️ Note: Clearing data in com.android.providers.settings (system settings) or com.miui.home (launcher) can cause wallpaper, widgets and other personal settings to reset. Before experimenting, back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

5.Use of built-in MIUI tools for cleaning

MIUI offers several built-in memory management tools that are less efficient than manual cleaning, but are safe for beginners.

Main instruments:

1. Optimization (Settings) → Special opportunities → Optimization): 🧹 Cleaning up garbage: removes temporary files and residual cache. 🔋 Battery optimization: closes background processes, saving charge.
2. Deep Clean (Settings → Memory → Deep Clean): Deletes unused files, including cache and remnants of deleted applications. Can find up to 5-10 GB of junk on a heavily clogged phone.

Files.

File Manager

• Open the Cleanup tab – here are large files, duplicates and unused APKs.

On HyperOS (new firmware for Xiaomi 13/14), these tools are combined into Settings → Storage → Free up space. There’s also a Memory Analysis feature that shows which apps take up the most space.

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The built-in MIUI tools are safe, but only clean surface debris. Use manual or ADB methods for deep cleaning.

• ✅ Pros of built-in tools: do not require technical knowledge, work without root rights.
• ❌ Cons: does not delete application data (cache only), can skip hidden files.
• 🔍 Hidden function: In File Manager, click on three dots → Settings → Show hidden files to see folders like.thumbnails (image miniatures) that often take up gigabytes.

6. Advanced Methods: ADB and Fastboot

You can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to control your application data, which requires a computer and basic command line knowledge, but allows you to clean up data even from system applications that are not available through menus.

How to clean up data through ADB:

1. Download Platform Tools from the Android website.
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB, enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times → For developers → Debugging by USB).
3. Open the command line in the ADB folder and type in: Adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
4. To clean the cache of all applications: adb shell pm clear-cache --all
5. To reset data from a particular application (e.g. Facebook): adb shell pm clear com.facebook.katana

You can also uninstall system applications through ADB (if you have a bootloader unlocked), but this is risky.

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.weather2

Remove the standard Weather app, but may disrupt widgets.

⚠️ Note: Adb shell pm clear and pm uninstall irreversibly delete data. If you make a mistake with the package (e.g., instead of com.facebook.katana, type com.android.contacts), you can lose all contacts. Always double-check the name of the package!

adb shell pm list packages | find "miui"

(for Windows) or

adb shell pm list packages | grep "miui"

(for macOS/Linux).-->

7.When data cleanup does not help: alternative solutions

If, after cleaning the cache and data, the applications continue to slow down or take up a lot of space, the problem may be deeper.

• 🔄 Reinstall the application: Remove the program through Settings → Apps. Reboot your phone. Install the app again from Google Play or Mi App Store.

This helps if the application files have been corrupted.

Manual folder cleaning:

Some applications (such as TikTok or PUBG Mobile) save files in folders like /Android/data/ or /Android/obb/. These can be deleted via File Manager (you need to enable the display of hidden files).

Resetting phone settings:

If the problem is system-based (e.g., MIUI is constantly giving out errors), run Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset. This will delete all data from the phone, so make a backup beforehand.

Fastboot

The last method is to completely flash the phone through the Mi Flash Tool, which will return the device to a "clean" state, but requires unlocking the bootloader and risks canceling the warranty.

On HyperOS models (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), some problems are solved by updating the firmware. Check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.

8 How to Prevent Memory Clogging in the Future

To avoid having to constantly clean the data, follow these recommendations:

• 📵 Limit background activity: In Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Name of name] → Select Battery to Limit Background Activity for Unnecessary Programs (e.g. Facebook or AliExpress).
• 🚫 Turn off autoboot: In Settings → Battery and performance → Autostart Management Turn Off Autostart for Low Used Applications.
• 🗑️ Set up automatic cleaning: Enable Settings → Memory. → Settings → Autoclean and set a schedule (e.g. once a week).
• 📥 Control Downloads: Clean Download folder regularly and delete APK-file.
• 🔄 Update apps: Outdated versions of programs often run unstable and clog up memory. turn on auto-update on Google Play.