How to properly clean the cache on the Xiaomi smartphone: 5 proven ways

Your Xiaomi has slowed down, apps have been loading for a long time, and memory runs out for no apparent reason? Most likely, the accumulated cache — temporary files that Android and programs create to speed up work. But over time, this “garbage” takes up gigabytes of memory and slows down the smartphone. In this article, we will discuss how to safely clear the cache on any Xiaomi device (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark), without deleting important data.

There are two types of cache: system (created by Android to speed up the interface) and application cache (temporary files of messengers, games, browsers). You need to clean them in different ways: the first one is through hidden settings, the second one is manual or automatic. We will show all the working methods, including recovery mode for experienced users. And we will also tell you why cleaning the cache through Settings does not always help and how to circumvent this limitation.

What is dangerous is a crowded cache memory on Xiaomi

Cache is not just junk, it's used for fast app performance: YouTube caches thumbnails of videos, Google Maps caches maps of the terrain so you don't load them all over again, but when the cache grows to 5-10 GB (and some Xiaomis with MIUI 14 and that happens!), the problems begin:

• 🐢 Slowing down: phone 'thinks' when opening apps, animations twitch.
• 🔋 Fast battery drain: Android wastes resources on processing unnecessary temporary files.
• 📱 Overheating: CPU is running at its limit trying to manage clogged memory.
• 🚫 Application errors: games crash, messengers do not send messages due to corrupted cache files.

Xiaomi with MIUI shell has another feature: the system cleans the cache once a week, but does it selectively. For example, it can delete the Chrome cache, but leave gigabytes of temporary files from TikTok or Genshin Impact.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse cache with app data!Cache cleaning is safe and data deletion (e.g. WhatsApp or WhatsApp) VK) This will result in loss of chats, photos and settings.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications

The easiest method is to remove the cache for specific programs. This will help if only one app (for example, Instagram or Play Store) is slowed down. MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Find an application with a large cache (usually messengers, browsers, games).
4. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

For convenience, we have collected the TOP-5 “gluttonous” applications on Xiaomi according to users:

Close the app through the recent task menu

Connect your phone to charge (if cache >1 GB)

Check if there is any important unsaved data (for example, drafts in messengers)

Make a backup (optional if you are afraid of failures)-->

If the Clear Cache button is inactive, the app uses a secure cache (e.g. MIUI Security or Google Play Services), in which case only cleaning through Recovery will help.

Method 2: Automatic Cache Cleanup in MIUI

Xiaomi has built into MIUI a tool for automatic garbage cleaning — Security (or Security on global firmware) — that removes not only the cache, but also residual files, duplicate photos. Here's how to use it:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleanup or Deep Clean section.
3. Press Check and wait for analysis (may take 1-3 minutes).
4. Select Cash and Garbage Files, then tap Clean.

The advantage of this method is that it finds cache even in system applications that are not available through Settings, for example, it can clear up to 1-2 GB of temporary files from MIUI System or Android System WebView.

⚠️ Note: Deep cleaning function in MIUI Sometimes deletes files from the Download folder if they haven't been opened for more than a month.

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the phone starts to brake

Never cleaned it)-->

If there's more free memory after automatic cleaning, but the phone still slows down, the problem could be fragmented memory, in which case defragmentation will help.

Method 3: Cleaning the cache with Recovery Mode (for experienced)

When standard methods fail (e.g., cache takes 10+GB and the system doesn’t see it), the Recovery Mode will reset the entire system cache, including update files, but will not affect personal data, suitable for Xiaomi on MIUI and HyperOS.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (control – volume buttons, choice – power button).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 2-5 minutes).
5. Reboot your phone with Reboot → Reboot to System.

Once rebooted, the system will create a new cache and delete old files (including corrupt files), which is especially useful if:

• 🔄 The phone is stuck on boot (bootloop).
• 📱 After updating MIUI glitched.
• 🗑️ Memory is filled with "invisible" files.

Method 4: Using ADB for deep cleaning

For users who aren’t afraid of the command line, there’s a way to remove the cache of all apps right through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is useful if you need to clear the cache of system applications that aren’t displayed in the Settings menu.

Step-by-step:

1. Install. ADB-PC drivers.
2. Enable USB Debugging on your phone (see spoiler in the previous section).
3. Connect Xiaomi to your computer and open the command prompt (cmd in Windows or Terminal on Mac/Linux).
4. Enter the commands in turn: adb devices (you should have the name of your device) adb shell pm list packages -f | awk -F= '{print $2}' | xargs -I '{}' adb shell pm clear '{}'

This command consistently clears the cache of all applications, including system applications, which can take 5-15 minutes to process, and then restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: The pm clear command not only resets the cache, but also some application settings (for example, accounts in Google Play will have to be re-entered). adb shell pm clear com.example.app (replace com.example.app with an app package, e.g. com.android.chrome for Chrome).

💡

Before using ADB, create a restore point in TWRP (if installed) to help roll back changes if something goes wrong.

Method 5: Defragmentation of memory after cleaning the cache

Clearing the cache frees up space, but it doesn't solve the memory fragmentation problem, where files are scattered all over the drive and the system has to spend time searching for them. Xiaomi with MIUI has a built-in defragmenter, but it doesn't work on all models. Here's how to run it:

1. Open the application Security → Cleanup → Optimization.
2. Slip Defragmentation (if there is no item, then your model does not support the function).
3. Click Optimize and wait until it is completed (may take up to 30 minutes).

If there is no built-in tool, use third-party utilities:

• 📱 Files by Google: cleans garbage and suggests defragmenting memory.

Defragmentation is recommended every 2-3 months, especially if you actively install/delete apps or shoot a lot of 4K video.

💡

Clearing the cache without defragmentation has a temporary effect. For stable operation Xiaomi combine both methods.

What to do if after cleaning the cache problems remain

If even after all the manipulations the phone brakes, check these points:

1. Viruses or malware: scan your phone through Malwarebytes or the built-in MIUI Security Scan.

If none of these methods worked, there may be a problem with the hardware, the worn-out memory (eMMC or UFS) that is typical of older Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi 4X or Mi A1), in which case only replacing the drive in the service center will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up cache on Xiaomi