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

Xiaomi smartphones are known for their performance and optimized MIUI firmware, but even they eventually start to slow down. One of the main reasons is crowded cache. These are temporary files that create applications and a system to speed up work, but over time they take up gigabytes of memory, slow down the device and can cause crashes. In this article, we will discuss how to safely clear the cache on Xiaomi without risking data, what types of cache exist and when it is really necessary to clean.

Many users mistakenly believe that cleaning the cache is a panacea for all problems. In fact, uncontrolled cleaning can lead to the opposite effect: applications will have to re-upload data, the system will longer open frequently used functions, we will tell you which files can be deleted without consequences and which should not be touched, and we will share hidden MIUI features that few people know about.

What is cache and why you need to clean it

Cache is a temporary file that is created by apps and the operating system to speed up re-accessing data. For example, when you open Instagram, the app caches thumbnails of photos so that they load faster the next time you run, the same thing happens with web pages in your browser, maps in Google Maps, and even system animations.

However, over time, the cache grows to several gigabytes and starts to create problems:

• 📉 Slowdown – the system spends resources on processing unnecessary files.
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge – background cache cleaning processes consume energy.
• 🚨 Application crashes – corrupted cache files can cause errors and crashes.
• 📱 Lack of memory – especially relevant for budget models with 32-64 GB of internal memory.

But there's a downside: it's not always good to clean up the cache, for example, if you clean the cache of Google Play Services, it will keep syncing for longer after you reboot, and deleting the cache of games like Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile will cause textures to reload, which will take time and traffic.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse cache with app data! cache is temporary files, and data (Android/data) They save games, settings, and accounts, and if you delete them, you lose progress.

When to Clean Cache on Xiaomi

Don't clean the cache "just in case." Here are the specific signs that it's time to do it:

• 🐢 Smartphone noticeably slows down when opening applications or switching between them.
• 📱 Memory is 90 full%+, You have not installed new programs.
• 🔄 Applications often crash or show a “Mission Lack” error».
• 🔋 The battery discharges 20 to 30% faster than normal (assuming the battery is in good condition).
• 📲 After updating MIUI There were glitches in the interface.

Also, cleaning the cache is recommended:

• 📦 Before installing major updates MIUI (Free up space for new files).
• 🎮 If the games have begun to “freeze” or slow down (especially relevant for Redmi Note and the Redmi Note). POCO 4-6 GB of RAM).
• 🌐 After changing the region in the settings (the cache of some applications may conflict with new servers).

If none of these are signs, don't touch the cache, because the system itself optimizes it through the background, and manual cleaning can only harm.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications

The safest method is to clean the cache for specific programs, which will not delete your data, but will free up space.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (such as Facebook or Telegram).
3. Press Warehouse.
4. Tap Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data!).

For convenience, you can sort applications by cache size:

1. In Application Management, click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
2. Select Sort by size.
3. Scroll down the list – the most “glutty” programs will be at the top.

Top.-5 Apps that most often clog up cache on Xiaomi:

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache for Google Play Services, MIUI Daemon and Android System WebView are not absolutely necessary, and this can cause disruptions to Google services and system functions.

Close the application in multitasking

Check if it is updated in the background

Make sure you have enough space (at least 10% of the total)

Backup important data (for games and instant messengers)-->

Method 2: Automatic cleaning through “Optimization”

MIUI has a built-in tool for automatic cache and garbage cleaning called Optimization (formerly called Security), which is suitable for beginners, as it does not require manual selection of applications.

How to use:

1. Open the Optimization application (icon with brush).
2. Click Deep Clean (or Waste Cleanup in older versions of MIUI).
3. Wait for the scan to be completed (usually 10–30 seconds).
4. Click Clean (the system will show how much space will be vacated).

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ Does not require technical knowledge.
• ✅ Clears not only the cache, but also residual files of remote applications.
• ✅ You can set up automatic cleaning on a schedule.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ It doesn’t always delete the cache completely (some files are left “just in case” for the rest of the time»).
• ❌ Can delete useful data (for example, cache maps in Google Maps).

💡

If your smartphone is slower after cleaning through Optimization, restart it. The system will recover critical cache files in 5-10 minutes.

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

If the smartphone is slowing down or does not react to conventional methods, you can clear the cache through Recovery Mode.This method will only remove the system cache (does not affect user data), but requires caution.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power + Volume button up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset (manage - volume buttons, choose - power button).
4. Select Wipe Cache (not Wipe Data!)
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
6. Reboot the device (Reboot).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) Wipe Cache can be called Clear Cache Partition!

This method is useful if:

• 📱 The smartphone does not turn on or hovers on the logo MI.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI There were critical errors.
• 🐢 The system is lagging even after manually cleaning the cache.

Method 4: Using ADB for deep cleaning

For advanced users, there is a way to clear the cache through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to remove the cache of system applications that are not normally available in the settings menu.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Cleanup commands:

adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.chrome # Clearing Chrome cache


adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.facebook.katana # Clearing Facebook cache




adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.miui.home # Clearing up the MIUI launcher cache

To clear the cache of all apps (caution!), use:

adb shell pm trim-caches 256M

This command will limit the cache of all applications to 256 MB.

⚠️ Please note: Do not use the command adb shell pm clear. --user 0 com.android.settings – this will reset all system settings to factory!

💡

ADB-Cleaning is only suitable for power users.The wrong commands can cause system failure or data loss.

Method 5: Clearing the cache through the file manager

If you want to manually control which files are being deleted, you can use a file manager (e.g., embedded Files or Solid Explorer).

How to find the cache:

1. Open the file manager and go to internal memory → Android → data.
2. Here you will see folders with the names of the application packages (for example, com.whatsapp for WhatsApp).
3. Each folder will have a cache subfolder – its contents can be deleted.

Important nuances:

• 🔍 Not all cache folders can be removed without root permission.
• 🗑️ Do not delete lib folders, databases or files with the.db extension – these are databases, not cache.
• 🔄 After deleting, restart your smartphone so that the system recovers critical files.

For convenience, you can use a filter size:

1. In the file manager, click on three dots → Sort by → Size.
2. Cache folders usually take anywhere from 10MB to several gigabytes.

Frequent Cache Cleaning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users make mistakes that, instead of speeding up the smartphone, lead to new problems.

Another common problem is that the cache accumulates again quickly, and it happens because of:

• 📱 Frequent use of social networks and instant messengers (they actively cache media files).
• 🎮 Games with heavy graphics (for example, Call of Duty Mobile or Genshin Impact).
• 🌐 Watch high-resolution video (YouTube, TikTok cache videos for offline viewing).

Decision:

• 📵 Limit the background activity of applications in Settings → Battery → Energy saving regime.
• 📥 In social network settings, disable autoloading of media files.
• 🎮 For games, use the “Clear Cache” option in their settings (usually in the Storage section»).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions