Cache and Cookies Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi: A Complete Guide for All Models

Why Cache and Cookies Clog Your Xiaomi Redmi and How to Fix It

Your Xiaomi Redmi is slowing down, apps are opening longer than usual, and your browser is showing ads based on your latest search queries? Most likely, the problem lies in crowded cache and accumulated cookies. These temporary files, which are created to speed up the system and store data about your actions, over time turn into digital garbage, occupying a precious place in the memory of the device.

App cache is a kind of buffer zone where data is stored for quick access. For example, when you open Instagram, the app does not upload all the photos again, but takes a part from the cache. Cookies (or cookies) are small text files that websites store on your device to identify the user, store settings and track activity. In small quantities they are useful, but without regular cleaning turn into ballast.

On Xiaomi Redmi smartphones (whether Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10 or earlier), cache and cookies can take up to several gigabytes of memory if not cleaned for years, and the system does not always automatically delete outdated files, especially if you are actively using social networks, messengers and browsers. In this article, we will discuss how to properly clear cache and cookies without disrupting the operation of the phone, and what tools MIUI has provided for this.

Many users confuse cache and cookies as the same thing, but they are actually two different types of data that require a separate approach to cleaning, so let's look at the difference and why it's important to delete both types of files.

Application cache is temporary data that is created by programs to speed up their work.

📸 The gallery caches sketches of photos to show them faster.
🎵 Spotify or Yandex Music saves parts of songs for smooth playback.
🎮 Games (e.g., PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact) store textures and models so they don't load them up again every time.

Cookies are cookies that only create websites through a browser.

🔑 Authorization (to avoid entering login and password every time).
🛒 Saving a shopping cart in online stores (e.g., AliExpress or Wildberries).
📊 Collect statistics about your preferences (this is used by advertising networks).

Which is more dangerous? Cookies pose a greater threat to privacy, as they can transfer your data to third parties, and cache to the performance of the phone, as it takes up memory and may contain outdated files that cause failures. However, both types of data need to be cleaned regularly - cache to free up space, cookies to protect personal data.

📊 How often do you clean your Xiaomi Redmi cache?

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the phone starts to brake

Never cleaned.

Step-by-step: how to clear the cache of all applications on Xiaomi Redmi

Clearing the cache for individual applications or all at once takes no more than a minute, if you know where to look. In MIUI, this process is as simple as possible, but there are nuances for different versions of the system. Follow the instructions below to avoid deleting important data.

Method 1: Clearing the cache for one application

Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
Select the desired application (for example, Chrome, Facebook or TikTok).
Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

Method 2: Mass cleaning the cache of all applications

Go to Settings → About the phone → Memory.
Click on Cache Data (in some versions of MIUI this item is called Garbage).
Confirm the cleanup by pressing OK.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Clear cache and Clear data! The second action will delete all application settings (such as logins, saved games or chats) and have to be reconfigured.

☑️ Preparation for cache cleanup

Backup of important dataClose all working applicationsConnect your phone to charge (if the charge is less than 20%)Check the free space in memory

Done: 0 / 4

If the app starts to work unstable after cleaning the cache (for example, YouTube is loading a video for a long time), do not worry - this is temporary.

How to delete cookies in the browser on Xiaomi Redmi (Chrome, MIUI Browser, Firefox)

Cookies are not deleted through the phone settings, but directly in the browser, the process is slightly different depending on the browser you use. Below are instructions for the most popular options on Xiaomi Redmi.

1. Clearing cookies in Google Chrome

Open Chrome and click on the three dots in the top right corner.
Choose a History. → Clear the data.
Check boxes next to Cookies and Site Data and Cache Images and Files.
Press Clear Data.

2. clearing cookies in MIUI Browser (standard Xiaomi browser)

Launch MIUI Browser and go to the menu (three lines below).
Select Settings → Privacy and Security.
Click Clear Data and mark cookies and site data.
Confirm the cleanup.

3. Clearing cookies in Mozilla Firefox

Open Firefox and click on the three dots in the lower right corner.
Go to Settings → Delete personal data.
Select Cookies and Cash, then click Delete Data.

⚠️ Warning: After clearing the cookies, you will have to re-sign in to accounts on sites (e.g. VKontakte, Gmail or Ozone). Save passwords in advance or use a password manager, such as Google Password Manager.

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If you often clear cookies but want to save authorization on important sites, add them to exceptions. In Chrome, this is done in the Settings → Privacy → Content settings → Cookies → Add an exception.

Hidden cache sources: what else clogs your Xiaomi Redmi

Even after cleaning the app cache and browser cookies, the phone may still have “invisible” files that continue to take up memory, often overlooked, but equally important for the full optimization of the device.

1. System application cache

Many users only clear the cache of custom applications, forgetting about system ones such as:

📱 Launcher (the shell MIUI responsible for the main screen).
🔍 Search (built-in search by phone).
📡 Google Play Services (can take up to 1 GB of cache!)

To clean them, follow the same instructions as for regular applications (via Settings → Apps).

2. MIUI update cache

After updating the MIUI firmware on the phone are the installation files that can weigh up to 2-3 GB.

Open Files (Standard File Manager)
Go to the file. Downloaded_rom (It's in the root catalog).
Delete all files with the.zip extension.

3. messenger cache

Apps like WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber store not only text messages, but also media files (photos, videos, voice files) to clean them up:

💬 On WhatsApp: Settings → Storage → Memory Management.
📤 In Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Clear cache.

What happens if you don’t clean the cache for a long time?

The phone will slow down due to memory fragmentation, some apps will start to give out errors or close when it starts up, and in extreme cases, the phone may overheat due to a constant reboot of cache.

Auto Cleaning: How to set up Xiaomi Redmi for self-cleaning

Manually clearing cache and cookies is an efficient but time-consuming process, and fortunately MIUI has built-in tools for automatic optimization that can be customized to suit your needs.

1. "Dumpster Cleanup" function in Security App

Security is Xiaomi’s standard tool for optimizing your phone, to enable automatic cleaning:

Open Security (the shield icon on the main screen).
Go to the Cleanup tab.
Click on the gear in the upper right corner and turn on Auto Cleanup.
Select frequency (e.g., Every day or when locking the screen).

2. Set up a cache cleanup on schedule

In some versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 13/14), you can schedule the cleaning options:

Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Waste Cleanup.
Turn on the automatic cleaning option.
Set a time (it is recommended to have 2-3 hours of the morning when the phone is not in use).

3. Use of third-party optimizers

If standard tools aren't enough, you can install apps like CCleaner or SD Maid, which offer more flexible settings, such as:

🗑️ Remove empty folders.
🔍 Search for duplicate files.
📊 Detailed analysis of occupied space.

⚠️ Warning: Autocleaning can remove the cache of apps you use frequently (like maps in Google Maps or games) and this will result in a longer load the next time you open. Set up exceptions for critical apps.

Frequent errors in cleaning cache and cookies on Xiaomi Redmi

Many users make the same mistakes when trying to free up memory on their Xiaomi Redmi, which not only doesn’t help, but can make things worse, and let’s look at the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.

Mistake.	Effects of consequences	How right.
Cleaning the Application Data instead of Cache	All settings, logins, saved games are deleted	Click only Clear the cache if you do not want to reset the app
Using Hard Reset for cleaning	Deleting all data on your phone, including photos and contacts	Use reset only as a last resort, having previously made a backup copy
Delete the cache of system applications (for example, Android System)	It can cause malfunctions in the phone.	Clear cache only for system applications that are not critical to work
Frequent cleaning of cache (for example, once a day)	Apps constantly recreate the cache, which increases the load on the processor	Clean the cache every 1-2 weeks or when brakes appear

Another common mistake is ignoring MIUI updates. Newer versions of firmware often optimize cache management mechanisms, and the phone starts to clean up unnecessary files on its own. To check for updates, go to Settings → About Phone → System Update.

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If the phone is slower after cleaning the cache, it’s normal for the system to take time (usually 10-15 minutes) to recover the necessary temporary files.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about Cache and Cookies Cleaning on Xiaomi Redmi

❓ Should I clean the cache if I have enough free memory?

Yes, even if there's enough memory, cache fragments over time, which can slow down the phone, and regular cleaning (once a month) helps keep performance high.

❓ Can you clear the cache for all applications at once without going into each?

Yes, MIUI has a mass cleanup function. To do this, go to Settings → Memory → Cache Data and press Clear. This will remove the cache of all applications except system ones.

❓ Why did some websites stop opening after clearing cookies?

These sites probably required login via cookies. Try to re-enter your account. If the problem persists, check the date and time settings on your phone, which may block access to some resources.

❓ How to clear the cache in games without removing progress?

In most games, the cache and saves are stored separately. To clear only the cache, go to Settings → Apps → [Game Name] → Storage → Clear the cache. Progress tied to the account (e.g., Google Play Games or Facebook) will not suffer.

❓ Can deleted cookies be restored?

No, cookies are permanently deleted. However, you can re-authorize on the sites and they will create new cookies. If you need to save the data for authorization, use the password manager or export cookies before clearing (this can be done through browser extensions like EditThisCookie).