How to completely clear the cache on the Xiaomi smartphone: 5 proven ways

Your Xiaomi has started to slow down, applications are loaded for a long time, and memory ends up in the flat? Most likely, the overflow cache is to blame - temporary files that the system and programs accumulate during operation. Unlike normal data, the cache is not always deleted automatically, and its excess can take up to 10-15 GB on devices with active use.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to clean up cache on Xiaomi smartphones (including models on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS), explain which files can be deleted without risk and which should not be touched, learn how to clean the cache for individual applications, the system as a whole, and even how to automate the process so that you do not return to it every month.

Importantly, cache cleaning isn't a cure-all, but it does help get your smartphone back to speed in 70 percent of cases without drastic measures like factory resets, starting with the simplest method that works on all versions of MIUI.

1. Clear cache through standard MIUI settings

The safest and most recommended way is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which do not require super-user rights and is suitable even for beginners.

Open the Settings → Memory menu, and here you will see a diagram of occupied space and the Clean (or Optimize in new versions) button, which will automatically scan the device and prompt you to delete unnecessary files, including:

• 📱 App cache – temporary program data (for example, YouTube video thumbnails or Google Maps cache of cards)
• 🗑️ Residual files – “junk” after deleting applications
• 📁 Downloads - old ones APK-files and media that you haven’t opened in a long time
• 🔄 System logs – error logs and crash reports

Click Clear and Confirm Action. This method usually frees up 500MB to 3GB of storage, depending on how much you use your smartphone. If you need to clear the cache for a particular application, go to Settings → Applications → App Management, select the one you want and click Clear Cache.

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Once the cache is cleared, some applications (such as social networks or instant messengers) can load longer on the first run — that's normal. They just recover the necessary temporary data.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse the Clear Cache and Clear Data buttons! The second removes all application settings, including logins and passwords, and the first removes only temporary files.

2. Deep cleaning through MIUI Security (Security)

Xiaomi’s Security app (or Global Firmware Security) offers more flexible tools for working with cache, not only allowing you to delete temporary files, but also analyzing which apps take up the most space.

To take advantage of this method:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleanup or Deep Clean section.
3. Click Scan and wait for the analysis to be completed.
4. In the results, select the Cash category and tick unnecessary files.
5. Click Clean (in some versions – Optimize).

The advantage of this is that you can see the cache size for each application separately and decide what to delete, for example, a Telegram or VK cache can take several gigabytes if you actively use these services.

3. Manually clearing the cache through the file manager

If you want to delete the cache of a particular application, or you prefer to manually control the process, you can use a file manager, which takes a little longer, but gives you full access to the files.

Instructions:

1. Open any file manager (e.g., standard MI File Manager or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/, where the application data is stored.
3. Find a folder with the name of the package of the desired application (for example, com.whatsapp for WhatsApp).
4. Inside, there will be a cache folder, and its contents can be completely deleted.

For system cache, the path is different: /data/dalvik-cache/ (root rights required). It is not recommended to manually delete files from here - it is better to use specialized utilities like SD Maid.

/cache folder in root directory | Cache folders inside /Android/data/{name packet}| Files with extension.tmp| Folders thumbnails (image miniatures) | Logs in /data/log (requires root)

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⚠️ Note: Do not delete lib folders, files or files with the.dex extension inside /Android/data/ — This can break the app, and avoid folders called com.android.* They're system services.

4.Cache clearing through Recovery mode

If your Xiaomi is slowing down or you suspect that the system cache is corrupted, you can use Recovery mode, which resets Dalvik cache and other system temporary files, which sometimes helps solve performance problems.

How to get in to Recovery:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power + Volume button up and hold for 10-15 seconds until the MI logo appears.
3. From the recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset (or Advanced in older versions).
4. Then, select the Wipe Cache Partition.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
6. Reboot the device (Reboot).

This method does not affect user data, but resets application optimization, so the first run after cleaning may take longer.

• 🐢 The phone is much slower after the update. MIUI
• 🔄 Apps are constantly flying out or not opening
• 📱 The device overheats for no apparent reason

5. Automatic cleaning of cache with third-party utilities

If you're too lazy to manually clean the cache regularly, you can automate the process with third-party apps, which not only delete temporary files, but also monitor the "garbage" in the background.

Top.-3 Verified utilities for Xiaomi:

• 🧹 CCleaner is a classic cleaner with cache and residual file analysis. There is a free version with basic features.
• 🗑️ SD Maid is a powerful deep cleaning tool (including system cache) that requires root for full functionality.
• 🔍 Files by Google – a lightweight application from Google with the function “Clean” and recommendations for vacating space.

How to set up automatic cleaning in CCleaner:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Run it and provide the necessary permissions.
3. Go to Cleanup and select Cash applications.
4. Click on the icon. ⚙️ (settings) and enable Auto Cleaning option.
5. Set a schedule (for example, once a week) and confirm.

Tip: Do not set up automatic cleaning more than once every 3-5 days – this can lead to excessive load on the system and even impair performance.

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The utility side is convenient, but does not completely replace manual cleaning. They can skip specific MIUI cache files, so periodically check the memory through standard settings.

6.Clean up the cache of Google Play Services and other system applications

Some system applications, like Google Play Services or MIUI Daemon, accumulate a huge cache, but they can't be cleaned in the standard way.

For Google Play Services:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search, type in Google Play Services.
3. Open the application page and click Memory (or Storage).
4. Select Clear Cache (not Data!).
5. Reset the device.

To clean the MIUI cache (themes, wallpaper, animations):

1. Open the Settings → Wallpaper.
2. Select any standard theme (e.g. Basic theme).
3. Reboot the phone – it will reset the cache of the current theme.

These actions help if:

• 🎨 Animations in MIUI They started to twitch or slow down.
• 📱 The phone is very warm when using maps or navigation.
• 🔄 Google apps (such as YouTube or Maps) are not stable

⚠️ Attention: Clearing the cache of Google Play Services may temporarily disrupt the work of Google services (geolocation, push notifications, authorization). 5-10 minutes of possible failure.

7.When cleaning the cache doesn't help: alternative solutions

If the phone still brakes after cleaning the cache, the problem could be deeper.

If none of these methods have worked, consider the following steps:

1. Reverse to factory settings (save data in advance!).
2. Update to the latest version of MIUI or HyperOS.
3. Virus check with Malwarebytes or a built-in scanner in MIUI Security.
4. Replace thermopaste (if the phone overheats and brakes - it could be a hardware problem).

On Xiaomi models older than 3-4 years (such as the Redmi Note 5 or Mi 8), the brakes are often associated with wear and tear of flash memory, in which case even cleaning the cache will have a temporary effect - consider replacing the device or installing a light firmware (such as MIUI Lite).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up cache on Xiaomi