How to Clean Cache on Xiaomi with the Right Way MIUI 12:5 Proven Methods

Xiaomi smartphones based on the shell MIUI 12 eventually start to slow down due to crowded cache — temporary files that accumulate in the system and applications. Cleaning the cache helps free up space on the internal drive, speed up the device and even solve problems with the interface freeze. However, many users face difficulties: they do not know which cache can be removed without risk, and which is better not to touch, or are afraid to harm the system.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to clean the cache on the MIUI 12, including hidden system tools that are not obvious at first glance. You will learn how to distinguish secure temporary files from important data, why it is not worth clearing the cache of some applications (such as messengers or games), and how to automate the process so you don’t do it manually every month. And also – what to do if after cleaning the phone began to work worse, and how to return everything back.

What is Xiaomi Cache and Why Clean It

Cache is a temporary file that is created by the system and apps to make it work faster, for example, when you open Instagram, the app caches thumbnails of photos so that they load faster the next time you run them, the same thing happens with web pages in the browser, maps in Google Maps or music tracks in Spotify.

Nana MIUI 12 cache is divided into three types:

• 📱 Application cache – files that create individual programs (e.g. YouTube, Telegram, games) can be deleted without risk to account data.
• ⚙️ System cache - temporary shell files MIUI, It's got animations, icons and recent activity data, and cleaning it up sometimes requires rebooting.
• 🔄 Dalvik cache is an optimized file to speed up application launches, only deleted via Recovery and automatically restored.

Why the cache needs to be cleaned:

• 🐢 The phone starts to “lay down” when switching between applications.
• 📉 Free disk space is reduced for no apparent reason (especially important for devices with 64 GB of memory).
• 🔄 Apps suddenly shut down or give out errors (e.g. Google Play Services stops working).
• 📱 After updating MIUI There are interface glitches.

⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse cache with application data! Cache can be deleted without consequences, and data cleaning will lead to logging out of the account and loss of settings (for example, in games or instant messengers).

How to check how much cache has accumulated on Xiaomi

Before cleaning, it's helpful to know which applications or system processes are taking up the most space. MIUI 12 This can be done through built-in tools or third-party utilities.

Method 1: Through Settings → Memory.

1. Open Settings and go to Memory (or Storage on some models).
2. Wait for the system to analyze the space occupied (it can take up to 30 seconds).
3. Click on Cache Data – here will be the total cache volume of all applications.
4. To see the details for each application, tap on the Apps and sort the list by cache size.

Method 2: Through MIUI Security (Security)

• 🛡️ Open the Security app (Icon with shield).
• Go to the Cleanup or Deep Cleanup section.
• Click Check - the utility will show the amount of cache and garbage that can be removed.
• At the bottom of the screen will be the button Memory Management - here you can see the top applications for the occupied place.

Method 3: Third-party utilities (e.g, SD Maid or Files by Google)

If built-in tools are not enough, install one of the apps from Google Play:

• 🧹 SD Maid – Shows hidden cache files, including system cache files.
• 📁 Files by Google – a simple file manager with garbage cleaning function.
• 🔍 CCleaner – analyzes the cache and suggests optimization (caution: can delete too much!).

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications

If you notice that a particular application is slow or takes up too much space, you can clear the cache only for it without affecting other programs. This is the safest method, since it does not affect system files.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application from the list (or use the search at the top of the screen).
3. Click on the Warehouse (or Memory).
4. If the button is inactive, there's no cache or the application is secure.

Which apps should be cleaned first:

• 🎵 Spotify, YouTube Music – accumulate cache of audio files.
• 📷 Instagram, TikTok – store thumbnails of videos and photos.
• 🎮 Games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact – cache textures and levels.
• 🌍 Google Maps, Yandex.Maps – save maps for offline viewing.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache for Google Play Services, MIUI System or Android System WebView unnecessarily.This can cause system failures.

If the Clear Cache button is missing or inactive, this may mean:

• The application does not have cached data.
• It is a system application and its cache can only be cleared through Recovery.
• The application uses secure storage (for example, banking programs).

Close the app that you are going to clean.|

Check the free space on the disk (should be) ≥10% of the total)|

Backup important data (in case of an error)|

Connect your phone to charge (if the battery level is high) <30%)

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Method 2: Clean the entire app cache at once

If you don’t want to waste time cleaning each app individually, MIUI 12 allows you to delete the cache of all programs at once, and this method is useful when the phone is noticeably slowing down, but you don't know which app is to blame.

How to clear the entire cache:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. At the bottom of the screen, find the Cached Data item and click on it.
3. Confirm the action in the window that appears (click OK or Clean).

What happens after cleaning:

• 🔄 Applications will be loaded longer when they run the next time (they will have to re-create the cache).
• 📉 Freed from 500 MB to several GB of space (depending on the number of installed programs).
• 🔒 Logins and passwords will be saved, but some settings may be reset (for example, the theme of the registration in Instagram).

If the Cash Data button is missing:

• 📱 On some models (Redmi Note 9 Pro, POCO X3) This item may be called Garbage or Unnecessary Files.
• 🔧 Try an alternative path: Settings → Additionally. → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the item appears after the reboot.

💡

If applications are slower after cleaning the cache, give them 10-15 minutes to re-caching the data. Do not close the programs immediately after launch, this will prevent optimization.

Method 3: Cleaning the system cache through Recovery

Cache partition accumulates temporary shell files MIUI 12, including update data, log files and optimized libraries, and cleaning it helps correct errors after a firmware update or if the phone is slowing down.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the button combination to enter Recovery: For most models: Volume up + Power. For POCO: Volume up + Volume down + Power.

Mi

Recovery

Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.

Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache

Wipe Cache Partition

Yes

Reboot → Reboot to System

What's important to know:

• 🔄 Cleaning the system cache does not delete your files, photos or settings.
• ⚙️ After the reboot. MIUI 12 will regenerate the cache, so the first run can take up to 5 minutes.
• 📱 If the phone is stuck on the Mi logo after cleaning, don’t panic — wait 10-15 minutes.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second item (Factory Reset) will completely reset the phone to factory settings, removing all data.

Method 4: Cleaning Dalvik cache (for power users)

Dalvik cache is an optimized file that the Android virtual machine creates to speed up the launch of applications, and cleaning it can help if:

• 📱 The phone has become very slow after the update. MIUI 12.
• 🔄 Applications are constantly crashing with the error “App is stopped».
• 📉 Free disk space is decreasing for no apparent reason.

However, cleaning a Dalvik cache is a more risky procedure than removing a regular cache, requiring access to Recovery and can lead to a long reboot.

Instructions:

1. Go to Recovery Mode (as in Method 3).
2. Select the Advanced item → Wipe Dalvik Cache (or Wipe Dalvik).
3. Confirm action (Yes).
4. After cleaning, be sure to restart the phone (Reboot to System).

What happens after cleaning:

• 🔄 The first launch will take up to 10 minutes (the phone will optimize applications»).
• 📱 Some apps may open longer than usual during the day.
• ⚠️ If after cleaning the phone is stuck on the boot screen for more than 20 minutes, you will have to reset to factory settings.

⚠️ Attention: Clearing Dalvik cache on devices with an unlocked bootloader can lead to a bootloop.

Method 5: Automatically clean the cache with MIUI Optimizer

If you're lazy to manually clean the cache, MIUI 12 Offers Automatic Optimization Tool — MIUI Optimizer (built into Security) Not only does it delete unnecessary files, it also closes the background processes, saving battery life.

How to set up automatic cleaning:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to Cleanup (or Boost on some models).
3. Push the gear. ⚙️ in the upper right corner and select Auto Cleanup.
4. Turn on the switch and set up a schedule (e.g., Every day at 3:00).
5. In the section What to clean, mark with ticks: 🗑️ Cash app. 📁 Temporary files 🔄 Residual files (residues after deleting applications)

Save the settings.

The advantages of automatic cleaning:

• 🔄 No need to remember about cleaning – everything happens in the background.
• 📱 The phone stays fast without your intervention.
• ⚡ Battery power is saved by closing unnecessary processes.

Cons:

• ⚠️ Sometimes it removes the cache of the desired applications (for example, Google Maps will have to re-download maps).
• 📉 Can slow down the first program launch after cleaning.

💡

Autocleaning is suitable for most users, but if you notice that applications are worse after it, turn it off and manually clean the cache 1-2 times a month.

What to do if after cleaning the cache, the phone began to work worse

In rare cases, cleaning the cache can have the opposite effect: the phone starts to brake even more, applications crash, or errors occur.

• 🔧 Important system files (e.g., Google Play Services cache) have been deleted).
• 📱 Dalvik cache was cleaned on unstable firmware.
• 🔄 After cleaning, you didn’t have time to re-caching (you started using your phone right away).

How to fix it:

1. Restart your phone – sometimes it’s enough for the system to recover the files it needs.
2. Give time to re-caching: Don't open all apps at once. connect your phone to charge and leave it on standby for 30 to 60 minutes.
3. Clear the problem app's cache separately: If Instagram is slowing down, go to its storage settings and click Clear Cache. For system applications (like Settings), use Recovery.
4. Reset your app settings (if nothing helps): Go to Settings → Annexes → Choose a problem → Warehouse → Reset. It won't delete the data, but it will return the standard settings.

Update the firmware

• Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
• If an update is available MIUI 12, install it - it can fix caching errors.

If nothing works, you'll have to reset to the factory settings.

• 🔄 Make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 📱 Make sure the problem isn’t in the hardware (e.g., worn-out memory).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up cache on Xiaomi