How to properly clean the cache on Xiaomi Android smartphones: all ways

Cache on Xiaomi smartphones are temporary files that are created by the system and applications to speed up work. Over time, they accumulate, taking up precious space in memory and slowing down the device. If your Redmi, POCO or Mi started to slow down, spontaneously reboot or give out errors "Lack of memory", it's time to clear the cache. But you need to do it correctly so that you do not delete important data.

In this article, we’ll look at all the different methods you can use, from manually cleaning the cache of individual applications to resetting the system cache through Recovery Mode, and learn which files can be removed without risk and which ones shouldn’t be touched, even if they take up gigabytes. We’ll focus on the features of MIUI firmware — why the standard tips for clean Android don’t always work here, and how to get around the limitations of the system.

What is Xiaomi Cache and Why Clean It

Cache is buffer data stored on a device to speed up re-access. Xiaomi has three types of cache:

• 📱 App cache – temporary files created by each application installed (e.g., YouTube video thumbnails or Google Maps cache).
• 🖥️ System cache is a file that MIUI generates itself to quickly load the interface, animations, and services.
• 🔄 Dalvik-cache are optimized versions of apps created by the Android virtual machine (especially important after system updates).

Why should the cache be cleaned regularly?

• ⚡ Speed up: Clogged cache slows the opening of apps and switching between them. For example, Facebook or Instagram can hang when scrolling through the feed due to a crowded cache of images.
• 📉 Memory Freeing: On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro or POCO X3), cache can take up to 5–8 GB, which is critical at 64 GB of internal memory.
• 🐞 Error Fixing: A damaged cache often causes app crashes (e.g., Google Play Store crashes or the app stopped error).

⚠️ Warning: Clearing the cache of apps (like WhatsApp or Viber) will cause media files (photos, videos) to be re-uploaded the next time you open it, which can increase traffic consumption!

How often do you clean the cache? For most users, it is enough to do this every 1-2 months, except for active gamers or those who often install / remove applications: in this case, the cleanup should be done weekly.

How to Clear the Cache of Individual Applications on Xiaomi

The safest way is to remove the cache for specific applications. This does not affect system files and does not require superuser rights (root). The instructions are relevant for all models on the MIUI 12/13/14, including Xiaomi 12T, Redmi Note 11 and POCO F4.

Steps for cleaning:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (such as Chrome or TikTok).
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – this will delete all settings and accounts!).

For convenience, you can sort applications by cache size:

1. In Application Management, click on three dots (⋮) top-right.
2. Select Sort. → By size.
3. At the top of the list will be the apps with the largest cache (most often Facebook, Google Play Services or MIUI Gallery).

Check the free space in memory (in Settings → About phone → Storage)

Close the background applications (swipe up in the recent menu)

Connect to Wi-Fi (if you plan to clear the messenger cache)

Backup important data (e.g. saved in games)

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Features of cleaning the cache on MIUI:

• 🔍 In some firmware, the Clear Cache button may be hidden behind the Warehouse and Cache item.
• 📁 Xiaomi apps (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) often recover cache after a reboot - that's normal.
• 🚫 Do not clear the cache of Google Play Services and Services Framework unnecessarily, as this may disrupt Google services.

Cleaning the system cache through Settings

MIUI has a built-in system debris cleaner tool that removes unnecessary files, including residual cache.This method is safer than manual cleaning through Recovery, but less effective for deep cleaning.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Storage.
2. Slip on Clear (or Free up space in new MIUI versions).
3. Wait for the system analysis (it can take 1-2 minutes).
4. Select categories to clean: 🗑️ App cache is temporary files of all programs. 📁 Download files are Download folder (to be cleaned completely!). 🎵 Music and video are media cache (for example, album covers).

Clear {X} MB

What removes this tool:

⚠️ Warning: In MIUI 14 on some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro), the Clean feature may be hidden. To return it, update the firmware or use an alternative method through Security → Cleanup.

This method is suitable for regular cleaning, but will not help if:

• 🐢 The phone is slowing down even after cleaning.
• 🔄 Applications are constantly crashing with the "App has stopped" error.
• 📱 The device is not updated due to lack of space in /cache.

In such cases, a deep cleaning through Recovery will be required (more on this in the next section).

Deep Cache Cleanup through Recovery Mode

If standard methods don't work and the smartphone continues to work unstable, it's time to wipe cache partition, which is a system cache cleaner through recovery mode.

• 🗃️ Update Cache (/cache).
• 🔧 Dalvik-cache is an optimized file for the Android virtual machine.
• 📝 System Logs and Temporary Kernel Files.

On Xiaomi models with a Snapdragon processor (such as the POCO F3 or Xiaomi 11T Pro), cleaning the Dalvik-cache can take up to 10-15 minutes – do not interrupt the process, even if the screen is “hang” on the MIUI logo!

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the button combination to enter Recovery: For most models: Volume up + Power. For POCO M3 and Redmi 9: Volume up + Volume down + Power.

MI

Recovery

Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.

Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache

→

Yes

Reboot → Reboot to System

What NOT to do in Recovery:

• 🚫 Select Wipe All Data (this is a full factory reset!)
• 🔧 Change the System or Vendor partition without knowing the consequences.
• ⚠️ Interrupt the cleaning process (may result in a device blinking).

⚠️ Warning: On some models (e.g., Xiaomi Mi A3 with Android One), the Recovery menu may be different. If you don't see the Wipe Cache item, use an alternative method via fastboot (described below).

Once the system is restarted, it will collect a new cache, so the first 5-10 minutes of the phone can run slower than usual. That's okay!

Cleaning Dalvik-cache and ART-cache on Xiaomi

Dalvik-cache and ART-cache are optimized versions of apps created by the Android virtual machine.

• 🔄 Firmware updates (especially from MIUI 12 to MIUI 13).
• 📦 Install a large number of new applications.
• 🐢 Significant slowdown of the system.

These files are stored in the /data/dalvik-cache folder and usually take anywhere from 500MB to 2GB. You can only delete them via Recovery or ADB.

Method 1: TWRP Recovery (requires an unlocked bootloader):

1. Install TWRP for your model (instructions are available on the XDA Developers forum).
2. Go to TWRP (Loudness up + Nutrition) combination.
3. Select Advanced → Dalvik / ART Cache.
4. Swipe for confirmation.
5. Reboot.

Method 2: Through ADB (no root, but requires PC):

adb shell


su




rm -r /data/dalvik-cache/*




rm -r /data/app-lib/*




reboot

What happens after cleaning:

• ⏳ The first download will take 2-3 minutes longer (the system will recollect the cache).
• 📱 Applications may open more slowly the first time.
• 🔋 Battery consumption may temporarily increase (due to re-optimization of applications).

💡

If after cleaning the Dalvik-cache, the phone is stuck on the MIUI logo for longer than 15 minutes, don't panic! turn it off with a long hold on the power button (20-30 seconds), then turn it back on. The system should boot.

Automatic cleaning of cache: settings and applications

Manual cache cleaning is effective, but it takes time, and fortunately, MIUI and third-party applications allow you to automate the process.

Built-in MIUI tools:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Cleanup.
2. Activate the Auto Cleanup option.
3. Set up a schedule (e.g., clean up every day at 3:00).

The best third-party applications for automatic cleaning:

What to look for when using third-party cleaners:

• 🛡️ Avoid applications that request Accessibility Service — this is a security risk.
• 📊 Before cleaning, check which files will be deleted (some “optimizers” erase useful data).
• 🔄 After automatic cleaning, restart the phone to help the system reassemble the cache correctly.

💡

On Xiaomi with MIUI Global firmware, automatic cleaners often conflict with the system process of com.miui.analytics. If after installing such an application, the phone starts to warm up, remove it and use the built-in tools.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Clearing the cache seems like a simple procedure, but many users make mistakes that lead to even bigger problems.

• 🗑️ Cache clearing all applications in a row: This results in re-loading the data the next time you open, which consumes traffic and battery.
• 🔧 Delete the cache of system applications: Files like com.android.systemui or com.miui.home are responsible for the interface, and cleaning them can cause malfunctions MIUI.
• 📱 Use "miracle apps" to clean up: Many Google Play "optimizers" not only fail to help, but also show false warnings about "critical bugs" to sell the premium version.
• 🔄 Frequent cleaning of Dalvik-cache: These files are created to speed up work. Deleting them once a week will only slow down the system.

How to properly clean the cache:

1. Start with problem apps (those that fly out or slow down).
2. Use built-in MIUI tools instead of third-party cleaners.
3. After deep cleaning (via Recovery), give the phone 10-15 minutes to reassemble the cache without running heavy applications.
4. If after cleaning the problems remain, check the phone for viruses or consider resetting to factory settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions