Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones face a slowdown in their operating system, with cached data accumulated as they use apps, speeding up their launch, but over time taking up critical memory, leading to a lack of space for new photos, videos and installations.
Cache cleanup is a safe and effective procedure that brings the device back to its former sharpness. Unlike a full reset, your personal files, contacts and messages will remain intact. We'll take a look at all the methods available, from standard MIUI tools to advanced Recovery actions.
The MIUI shell is a feature of an aggressive background optimization policy that sometimes requires manual user intervention. Understanding where temporary files are stored and how to delete them correctly is a key skill for keeping Android smartphones healthy. Let's take each step in detail.
Why you need to clean the cache on Xiaomi
Cache is a temporary storage of data that the app uses to load quickly, such as YouTube stores previews of videos, and the browser stores thumbnails of visited sites, over time these files can reach several gigabytes, which is especially critical for models with a small amount of internal memory.
If you do not clean the system regularly, you may experience errors in the program, the application may freeze, fly out or display incorrect information if the old data conflicts with new updates, deleting the cache causes the program to re-form files, eliminating software failures.
It is important to distinguish between the cache of applications and the cache of the system, the former occupying space in the user partition, the latter in the system partition, and cleaning both types of data often solves problems with overheating and fast battery discharge, since the processor does not need to read damaged or redundant data.
⚠️ Attention: Clearing the browser cache will result in logging out of accounts on sites where you didn't save passwords in the password manager.
Use of the built-in "Security" application
The easiest and safest way for most users is to use a Xiaomi tool, which is deeply integrated into the shell and has access to all the memory parts that are needed, and automatically scans the device for junk files.
To get started, open the green shield icon on the home screen. Click on the Cleaner button. The system will analyze and suggest that temporary files, deleted app remnants, and junk be deleted. This method does not affect important system files.
In the advanced cleaner settings, you can select specific file types to delete. Categories like "Large Files" are available here», «APK-Files" and "Installer Packages. Be careful: delete APK-Files will deprive you of application installers, if you are used to installing programs not from the store.
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Run a standard cleaning through the Security app every 3-5 days to keep the system running smoothly without accumulating debris.
After the procedure is completed, it is recommended to restart the device, which will allow the Android operating system to correctly redistribute the freed up space and update the file system indexes.
Manually cleaning the cache of individual applications
Sometimes the problem lies in one particular app that consumes an abnormally high amount of resources, and in such cases manual cleaning is required, which is especially true for social networks like Telegram, Viber or Instagram, which are prone to cache proliferation.
Go to Settings → Applications → All apps. Find the program you want and click on it. From the menu that opens, select Memory or Storage. You will see two buttons: Clear and Clear Everything.
☑️ Procedure for cleaning the application
The Clean button only deletes temporary files without affecting your logins and settings. The Clear All button (or Reset) returns the application to state immediately after installation, deleting all data. Use the second option only if the first one didn't help.
Owners of MIUI-enclosed smartphones can use the Advanced Cleaning feature inside the app menu, which allows you to select specific folders inside the program's cache, such as removing only downloaded stickers or avatars, leaving correspondence intact.
Cleaning the cache through the Recovery menu
If the smartphone is unstable or does not boot properly, cleaning the system cache through Recovery mode will help.This method removes temporary files of the operating system itself that could have been damaged after an update or failure.
To enter Recovery mode, turn off your smartphone completely. Then press the power button and the volume button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power, continuing to hold the volume. The menu will appear in a few seconds.
⚠️ Attention: In the Recovery menu, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button.
In the list, select Wipe Cache Partition. Confirm the action. It's important not to confuse this with Wipe Data, which will completely delete all your files. Once you've finished, select Reboot to reboot.
What to do if the Recovery menu is in Chinese?
This procedure is especially useful after updating MIUI firmware to a new version, which helps to avoid conflicts between old system files and the new version of the operating system.
Comparison of cleaning methods: table
To make it easier for you to choose the right way, we've developed a comparative table that shows the effectiveness and risks of each method for different situations.
| Method | What's removed | Security of data | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security annex | Garbage files, residues | Tall. | Medium |
| Application settings | Cash of a specific program | Tall. | High (locally) |
| Recovery Mode | System cache | High (if you don't reset the data) | Maximum |
| Reset to factory | All the data and cache | Low (data lost) | Maximum |
As you can see from the table, the first two methods are enough for daily use, and Recovery mode should be used if you have serious performance problems.
Remember that once the app cache is cleared, it can run a little slower on the first run, which is normal because it re-accumulates temporary files.
Automation and third-party utilities
The MIUI shell allows you to configure automatic cleaning. In the Security app, you can turn on the Scheduled Cleanup function. The smartphone will make room when you are not using it, for example, at night.
There are also third-party solutions, such as SD Maid or Files by Google, that can find file residues that a standard cleaner misses, but use them with caution, providing only the necessary permissions.
Excessive reliance on third-party accelerators can backfire, and aggressively ending processes with the background services of such programs causes the system to constantly re-run applications, which only increases battery consumption.
The best approach is a combined one: Use built-in tools for regular maintenance and manually clean heavy applications as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to delete the Android folder in the file manager?
Does progress in games disappear after cleaning the cache?
How to clean the DNS cache on Xiaomi?
Why does the cache fill up quickly after cleaning?
Do I need to clean the cache after the MIUI update?
⚠️ Warning: If the memory problem persists after cleaning the cache, it is possible that malware is installed on the device or a complete reset is required.
Regular maintenance of your Xiaomi will extend its life and ensure comfortable use of all the functions of the smartphone.
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The optimal frequency of complete cache cleaning is once a month, which allows you to balance between the speed of operation and the space occupied.