Cache Cleanup on iPhone and Xiaomi: A Complete Guide with Instructions

Cache is a temporary file that is created by apps and systems to speed up the smartphone, and over time, it accumulates, taking up precious memory space and slowing down performance. This is especially true for devices with limited storage capacity, such as the 64GB iPhone or the budget Xiaomi Redmi. But even the flagship Xiaomi 14 or iPhone 15 Pro models are not immune to the "junk" of the system.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for cleaning cache for both iOS and MIUI platforms, we will break down not only standard methods through settings, but also hidden features that most users are not aware of, and you will also learn which files can be deleted without risk and which should not be touched so as not to disrupt the application.

Why you need to clean the cache on your smartphone

Cache has a useful function: it speeds up the loading of frequently used data, for example, when you open Instagram, the app uploads photos from the cache, rather than downloading them again.

• 📉 Take up gigabytes of memory – on the iPhone, Safari cache can weigh up to 1-2 GB, and Xiaomi applications like Mi Video or Gallery accumulate on the basis of 500 MB+.
• 🐢 Slow down the system - when overflowing the iOS cache and MIUI Begin to “slow down” when multitasking.
• 🔄 Errors: Outdated cache files may conflict with app updates (e.g. WhatsApp stops sending media).
• 🔒 Contain confidential data – in the cache of browsers or messengers can be stored login / passwords, search history, geolocation.

In our experience, after cleaning the cache of the iPhone 12 with 128 GB, an average of 3-5 GB of memory is released, and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 – up to 8-10 GB (due to aggressive caching of MIUI), while the speed of opening applications increases by 20-30%.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse cache with user data! Deleting Google Maps cache will only lose temporary map files, but save bookmarks and route history.

How to Clear Cache on iPhone (All Models, Including iOS 17)

Unlike Android, Apple doesn’t provide direct cache access to all apps through settings.However, there are several working ways, including hidden features.

Method 1: Cleaning up Safari cache

Safari is the main memory eater on the iPhone, to delete its cache:

1. Open the Settings. → Safari.
2. Scroll down and click Clear history and site data.
3. Select a period (Last Hour, Today, Today, and Yesterday, or All Period) and confirm.

This will not only delete the history, but also cookies, image cache and scripts. If you need to save bookmarks, pre-export them through Settings → Safari → Bookmark Export.

Method 2: Removing the cache of individual applications

For most apps (e.g. Instagram, TikTok, Telegram), the cache is cleared only through their internal settings:

• 📷 Instagram: Profile → ☰ → Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🎵 Spotify: Settings → Warehouse → Delete the cache.
• 💬 Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Clear Telegram cache.

Important: iOS 17 has an "Optimized Storage" feature (Settings → Main → iPhone Storage), which automatically removes unused cache, but it only works when there is a lack of space (less than 1 GB free).

Check the free space in Settings → Main → iPhone storage

Backup to iCloud or to your computer

Close all background apps (double tap on Home or swipe up on iPhone X and later)

Disable iPhone from charging (it is better to have 50 during cleaning%+ charge)-->

Method 3: Reset all settings (last resort)

If the cache takes up a critical amount of space (for example, the system shows Another 10+GB in storage), you can reset:

1. Go to Settings → Main → Reset or Reset iPhone.
2. Select Reset → Reset all settings.
3. Enter the password and confirm.

This will remove all settings (including Wi-Fi networks and passwords), but will not affect user data (photos, messages, apps).

⚠️ Note: On jailbreak iPhones, clearing cache via iCleaner or Filza can lead to loss of warranty and unstable system performance.We do not recommend using these methods without experience.

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when memory ends

Never cleaned.

I don't know what cache is.-->

How to Clear Cache on Xiaomi (all models: Redmi, POCO, Mi)

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer more flexibility in cache management, but there are nuances here too: For example, on the Redmi Note 12, Google Play Services can cache up to 1 GB, and system applications like Mi Security can take up another 500 MB.

Method 1: Clearing the cache through MIUI settings

The simplest method is:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Chrome or Gallery).
3. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data!).

For mass cleaning:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Click Clean in the Garbage Files section.
3. Select the Cash Apps and confirm.

This method removes the cache of all applications at once, but does not affect system files.

Method 2: Using the built-in Optimizer

MIUI has a Security tool (shield icon) that analyzes garbage:

1. Open the Security app.
2. Go to the Cleanup tab.
3. Click Deep Clean → select Cash applications.
4. Confirm removal.

On the POCO F5 and newer models, this section may be called Boost Speed.

Method 3: Manually remove cache through file manager

For advanced users:

1. Install a file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /data/data/ (root or ADB permissions required).
3. Find the app folder (e.g. com.android.chrome for Chrome) and delete the cache folder.

Without root rights, this method only works for user folders (e.g, DCIM/.thumbnails — miniature).

Comparison of methods of cleaning cache on iPhone and Xiaomi

The main differences between platforms:

• 🔧 Flexibility: On Xiaomi, you can clean the cache selectively or all at once, whereas on iPhone, most apps require manual cleaning through their menus.
• 📊 Automation: MIUI It has a built-in optimizer, and iOS relies on the Optimized Storage feature, which only works when there is a shortage of space.
• 🛠️ System cache: On Xiaomi, it can be cleaned through the Recovery Mode (Wipe Cache Partition), and on the iPhone – only through resetting settings.
• 🔒 Security: iOS strictly controls cache access, whereas on Android you can accidentally delete important files through a file manager.

If you want to free up your memory as much as possible, Xiaomi is more efficient at combining cache cleaning with file transfer to MicroSD (if supported). On iPhone, the alternative is using iCloud to store photos and documents.

💡

On Xiaomi, after cleaning the cache, restart the phone in Safe Mode (press the power button → hold off “Stop” → “Reboot in Safe Mode”). This will help the system reassemble the cache without unnecessary garbage.

What to do if after cleaning the cache problems remain

Sometimes even after the cache is removed, the smartphone continues to slow down.

• 🔄 Background Processes: On Xiaomi, disable auto-run of unnecessary apps in Settings → Permits → Autostart. On your iPhone, check Settings. → Mainstream → Updating the contents.
• 📱 Overheating: Cleaning the cache won't help if the processor is overloaded.Close all apps and let the phone cool 10-15 minute.
• 🔋 Worn-out battery: On iPhone, check battery status in Settings → Battery. → Battery condition: If the capacity is below 80%, a replacement is required.
• 🛠️ System Errors: On Xiaomi, Reset through Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).

If the space has not increased after cleaning, check the folders:

• On iPhone: Settings → Main → iPhone Storage → System (Section Other can weigh 10+ GB).
• Xiaomi: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ – this is where game data is stored (for example, Genshin Impact cache can take up to 15 GB!).

How to prevent the accumulation of cache in the future

To lessen the need for cleaning:

• 📵 Limit background activity: - On iPhone: Settings → Mainstream → Updating the contents → Background update of applications (disable for unnecessary ones). - On Xiaomi: Settings → Battery and performance → Managing application launches.
• 🗑️ Set up automatic cleaning: - On Xiaomi, enable Auto Cleanup in the Security app. - On iPhone, use Optimized Storage (but remember that it only works if there is a shortage of space).
• 📲 Remove Unused Apps: - On iPhone, check Unused in Settings → iPhone Storage. - On Xiaomi, use the Duplicate Cleanup in Gallery.
• 🔗 Use cloud services: - For photo: Google Photos or iCloud. - For files: Mi Cloud (5 GB free for Xiaomi) or Dropbox.

Critical fact: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14 and later, the application cache automatically shrinks if there is a lack of memory, but this is a temporary solution - after 1-2 weeks, the files are again uncensored and take up space.

💡

Regular cache cleaning (every 1-3 months) prolongs the life of the flash memory of the smartphone, as it reduces the number of data overwriting cycles.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cache cleanup