Cache Cleanup on Xiaomi Mi 6: When it helps and when it hurts

Why does the Xiaomi Mi 6 cache need attention?

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi Mi 6 (a 2017 model based on the Snapdragon 835) is slowing down, warming up or discharged quickly? The reason may lie in an overloaded cache — temporary files that the system and applications accumulate to speed up work. On the Mi 6 with its 4/6 GB of RAM and 64/128 GB of memory, the cache is especially noticeable: apps open longer, animations are tweaked, and in the storage settings you see strange “Other files” in the amount of several gigabytes.

But cleaning the cache is no panacea. On the Mi 6 with its MIUI 9-12 (depending on the firmware), uncontrolled deletion of temporary data can have the opposite effect: applications will have to reassemble the cache from scratch, which will eat up traffic and battery power. In this article, we will analyze which cache types can be cleaned on the Mi 6 without risk and which should not be touched, and also show working methods – from manual cleaning to hidden commands via ADB.

What types of cache are on Xiaomi Mi 6 and what do they do?

On the Mi 6, the cache is divided into three types, and each one does its part, and cleaning them up has different effects, from temporary acceleration to potential problems.

• 📱 App cache: temporary files that programs (such as Instagram or YouTube) save for quick content downloads.Cleaning will free up space, but the next run the app will take longer to load.
• ⚙️ System cache (/cache): The data that Android uses to speed up the interface. 6 Cleaning it can help if you update it. MIUI lags appeared.
• 🔄 Dalvik-cache: Optimized files for the virtual machine ART, And when you clean it up, you're like you reset it to factory settings, and you only have to do that as a last resort!

In practice, Mi 6 users most often need to clean the app cache and system partition. Dalvik is not recommended to touch unless you are ready for a long reboot and possible crashes. Below is a table with the consequences of cleaning each type:

⚠️ Note: On the Mi 6 with custom firmware (like LineageOS), cleaning Dalvik-cache can lead to bootloop (a looped reboot). → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Method 1: Clearing the application cache through MIUI settings

The safest method is to manually clean the cache for individual programs, which won't delete your data (photos, messages, logins), but will free up space. On Mi 6, the path to the menu depends on the version of MIUI:

• 🔧 For MIUI 9-10: Settings → Annexes → Select an application → Warehouse → Clear the cache
• 🔧 For MIUI 11-12: Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Title of the annex] → Clear the cache

To avoid cleaning each app individually, use the Cleanup feature (the broom icon in the main settings menu) to show the list of programs with the largest cache, for example, Google Play Services or Facebook can have a cache up to 500 MB-1 GB.

Close all background applications

Connect your phone to charge (if the charge is below 30%)

Check the free space in the "Storage" section

Backup important data (optional)-->

After cleaning, restart the Mi 6 to help the system recalculate the space, and if some applications are slower after the procedure, give them time (1-2 days) to recover the cache.

Method 2: Clean the system cache with Recovery Mode

If the Mi 6 started to brake after updating MIUI or installing custom firmware, cleaning the system cache through Recovery will help.This method does not affect user data, but requires caution.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Volume Up + Power buttons before the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (use volume buttons for navigation and power for confirmation).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 1-2 minutes).
5. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

After the reboot, the Mi 6 can run slower for the first 10 to 15 minutes, which is normal because the system recovers the cache, and if there are errors after cleaning (for example, the settings do not open), then something critical has been removed, in which case only a factory reset will help.

⚠️ Note: On some versions TWRP The Wipe Cache Recovery can be called Advanced Wipe. → Cache Partition. Don't confuse it with Dalvik Cache!

Method 3: Clean Dalvik-cache (power users only!)

This method should only be used if the Mi 6 is unbearably slow and other methods have not worked, and cleaning up Dalvik-cache will result in all applications being optimized anew, which will take a lot of time and resources.

You'll need TWRP Recovery for the procedure. If you have stock Recovery, it's not going to work.

1. Boot to TWRP (click Volume Up + Power).
2. Go to Advanced. → Wipe Dalvik Cache.
3. Confirm the swipe action (if required).
4. After cleaning, select Reboot → System.

The first download after this procedure can take 5-10 minutes — don't panic or turn off your phone! The screen will show "Android is upgrading" or "Optimizing apps." If the process lasts longer than 15 minutes, then something went wrong — try repeating the procedure or return the stock firmware.

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If the Dalvik-cache Mi 6 starts to warm up and discharge quickly after cleaning, let it run for 1-2 days. The system optimizes the applications itself, and resource consumption normalizes.

Method 4: Automatically cleans the Security App (embedded Xiaomi software) The Mi 6 has a Security App that can clear the cache in one click, which is suitable for beginners, as it does not require manual manipulation. Open the Security app (the desktop shield icon). Go to the Cleaner tab. Click Check and wait for analysis. Select "Junk Files" and "App cache" in the results, then click "Clean." The app will show how much space has been vacated. It's usually 500MB-2GB, depending on how long you've been cleaning the cache, and the main advantage of this method is that it doesn't affect system files, so the risk of failure is minimal. ⚠️ Attention: The Security App has a “Deep Clean” option that removes not only cache, but also temporary application files (for example, downloaded images in messengers). Use it carefully – some data may not be recovered!

Method 5: Cleaning the cache through ADB (for advanced users)

If you know how to work with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can clear the cache through the command line, which is useful if the phone is glitchy and does not respond to touch.

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔓 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Then execute commands in the terminal:

adb shell


su




pm clear --all # Clears the cache of all user applications




rm -r /cache/*# Clears the system cache (requires root rights!)

If you don't have root rights, the second command won't work, in which case, use only pm clear --all.

reboot

This is the most radical and knowledgeable method, and if you've never worked with ADB, you'd better use the other methods in this article.

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Cleaning through ADB is the only way to save the Mi 6 if it hovers on the logo after a failed update.However, without experience, you risk removing critical files, so use this method only as a last resort.

Frequent errors when cleaning cache on Xiaomi Mi 6

Many users make the same mistakes that, instead of speeding up the phone, cause even bigger problems. Here's what you can't do on the Mi 6:

• 🚫 Clear the cache every few days, which will force applications to continually reassemble temporary files, which will increase the workload on the processor and reduce battery life.
• 🚫 Use Google Play cleaners (such as Clean Master or CCleaner) that often delete useful files and display false warnings about “critical errors".
• 🚫 Clear the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui) This can cause interface failures MIUI.
• 🚫 If the phone is on the Optimizing Apps screen for a long time, don't turn it off, wait until it's done.

Another common mistake is to confuse cache with app data, so if you click "Clear Data" instead of "Clear Cache" on the storage menu, you lose all settings, logins and saves in the game, for example, on WhatsApp, this will delete all correspondence!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions