Cache Clearing on Xiaomi Mi 9: 5 Ways to Return Smartphone Speed

Why Clean the Cache on Xiaomi Mi 9 and When to Clean It

The Xiaomi Mi 9, released in 2019, is still a popular smartphone among users, but over time, even flagship devices start to slow down. One of the main reasons is crowded cache. These are temporary files that create apps and a system to speed up work. Paradox: the longer you use the phone, the more cache accumulates, and instead of accelerating, it begins to slow down the device.

Cleaning the cache on the Mi 9 helps solve several problems:

  • ⚑ Increased memory – especially relevant for the version with 64 GB, where every megabyte counts.
  • πŸš€ Accelerating application launches – cache fragments over time and may conflict with new data.
  • πŸ”„ Error Correction – corrupted cache files often cause program crashes.
  • πŸ“± Extending battery life – background cache cleaning processes consume charge.

However, cleaning the cache of applications will lead to the fact that they will be longer to boot on the first run after the procedure - this is normal. The system cache (Dalvik-cache) is better to clean only when there are obvious failures, since it takes time and resources to recreate the Snapdragon 855 processor.

When exactly should I clear the cache?

  • πŸ“‰ The phone became noticeably "lagging" when switching between applications.
  • πŸ”„ Applications spontaneously close or issue an error β€œDoes not respondΒ».
  • πŸ“± After updating MIUI There are interface glitches.
  • πŸ—ƒοΈ In the "Storage" section, it is visible that the cache takes up more than 1-2 GB.
πŸ“Š How often do you clean your Xiaomi cache?
Once a month
Only when the phone starts to brake
Never cleaned.
I don't know what that is.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications through settings

The safest method is to manually clean the cache for specific programs, which won’t delete your data (like WhatsApp messages or game progress), but will free up space.

Instructions:

  1. Open Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management.
  2. Select the app you want to clear (like Google Chrome or Facebook).
  3. Press Warehouse. β†’ Clear the cache.
  4. For complete cleanup (including login details), select Clear all data, but remember: this will reset the program settings!

What apps are most likely to clog up the Mi 9 cache?

AnnexAverage cache sizeFrequency of cleaning
Google Chrome200-500 MBEvery 1-2 weeks
Facebook300-800 MBOnce a week.
Instagram150-400 MBOnce every 2 weeks
MIUI Launcher50–200 MBOnly with interface glitch

⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.phone or com.miui.home) unnecessarily.This can cause a phone malfunction, up to the loss of network or a broken launcher.

Close the application through the multitasking menu|Check if there are any important unsaved data|Make sure you have enough battery power (minimum 30%)|Remember passwords from accounts (if you clear the data)-->

Method 2: Automatically clean the cache through β€œSecurity”

MIUI has a built-in optimization tool called Security, which allows you to clear the cache of all applications at once without going into each one separately.

How to do this:

  1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
  2. Go to Clean Up (or Accelerate in new MIUI versions).
  3. Click Garbage β†’ Clean (the system will scan the cache and unnecessary files).
  4. Confirm the action by clicking Clean again.

Advantages of this method:

  • βœ… Fast - takes less than a minute.
  • βœ… Safe – does not affect user data.
  • βœ… Remove cache even for applications you rarely use.

But there are also disadvantages:

  • ❌ Does not clear the system cache (Dalvik, etc.).
  • ❌ You may miss some files if they are blocked by the app.

πŸ’‘

If the phone is still slowing down after cleaning through Security, try restarting it. Sometimes the background processes don't end correctly, and rebooting helps to apply the changes.

Method 3: Clean Dalvik-cache and system cache (for power users)

Dalvik-cache is an optimized file to speed up Android, and cleaning it can help if:

  • πŸ”„ The phone has become very slow after the update. MIUI.
  • πŸ“± Applications are constantly giving out an error β€œThe application is stoppedΒ».
  • πŸ”§ You recently received root rights or changed firmware.

To clean the Dalvik-cache, you need access to a recavery. On the Xiaomi Mi 9, you can do this in two ways:

Method A: Through stock Recovery (without root)

  1. Turn off the phone.
  2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
  3. Choose a language, then Wipe & Reset β†’ Wipe Cache.
  4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
  5. Reboot your phone with Reboot β†’ Reboot to System.

Method B: Through TWRP (unlocked bootloader required)

  1. Load into TWRP (similar to a drainage Recovery).
  2. Select Wipe β†’ Advanced Wipe.
  3. Check Dalvik/ART Cache and Cache.
  4. Swipe to Wipe (Swipe to Wipe)
  5. Reboot to the system.

⚠️ Warning: Cleaning Dalvik-cache through the recavers will lead to the first long boot system (5-10 minutes).Do not interrupt the process, even if it seems that the phone β€œhangs” on the Mi logo.

What if the phone doesn’t turn on after cleaning Dalvik?
If after manipulating the recovery Xiaomi Mi 9 does not boot for more than 15 minutes, try: 1. Go back to the recovery and select Reboot β†’ System. 2. If it does not help - flash the phone through the Mi Flash Tool (you need a PC and original firmware). 3. In extreme cases - make a full reset (Wipe Data), but this will delete all data.

Method 4: Using ADB for deep cleaning (for advanced)

If standard methods don't work, you can clear the cache through ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

  • πŸ”§ You need to clear the cache of all users (relevant for multiplayer mode).
  • πŸ“± Applications do not appear in the Settings menu (e.g. system settings).
  • πŸ”„ You need to clear the cache without access to the screen (if the phone is buggy).

Instructions:

  1. Install ADB and Fastboot on PC.
  2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone (Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings β†’ For Developers).
  3. Connect the Mi 9 to your PC and execute in the command line:
adb shell


pm list packages -f | grep cache | cut -d= -f1 | xargs -n1 pm clear

This command will clear the cache of all applications, including system ones.

To clean the cache of a particular application (e.g. Google Play Services):

adb shell pm clear com.google.android.gms

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB They have superuser rights. Misuse can lead to data loss or phone failure. Do not follow commands unless you are sure of their purpose!

Method 5: Complete reset to factory settings (last resort)

If all the previous methods didn't work, then you'll have to have Hard Reset, which is a complete factory reset.

  • πŸ“‚ All user data (photos, videos, documents).
  • πŸ“± Installed applications and their settings.
  • πŸ”‘ Google, Mi and Other Accounts.
  • πŸ“Ά Network settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile Internet).

How to reset:

  1. Back up your important data (via Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Backup and Reset or manually on your PC).
  2. Open Settings β†’ About the phone β†’ Reset settings.
  3. Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
  4. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.

Alternative method (if the phone is not turned on):

  1. Load into the recaveri (Food + Volume up).
  2. Choose Wipe Data β†’ Wipe All Data.
  3. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
Type of dischargeWhat's removedTime to recover
Cleaning up the app cacheTemporary files only1-2 minutes
Cleaning up Dalvik-cacheSystem cache5-10 minutes (first load)
Hard ResetEverything except firmware.15–30 minutes (set from scratch)

πŸ’‘

A full reset is the last chance to bring the Xiaomi Mi 9 back to life. Use it only if the phone is completely inoperable and other methods have failed.

How to prevent the accumulation of cache in the future

To avoid having to clean the cache regularly, follow these tips:

  • πŸ”„ Update regularly MIUI β€” In new versions optimized work with cache.
  • πŸ“± Remove unnecessary apps – even unused programs accumulate cache.
  • πŸ—ƒοΈ Use cloud storage (such as Google Photos or Mi Cloud) to automatically clean local files.
  • πŸ”§ Turn off background activity for applications in Settings β†’ Permits β†’ Auto-start.
  • πŸ“Š Monitor the storage through Settings β†’ Storage – if the cache is greater than 1 GB, it’s time to clean.

You can also install third-party applications for automatic cleaning, such as:

  • CCleaner – Clears the cache and optimizes memory.
  • SD Maid – removes unnecessary files and remnants of deleted applications.
  • Files by Google is a simple file manager with a cleanup function.

⚠️ Cache cleaners (such as Clean Master) often cause the brakes themselves, they work in the background and consume resources. MIUI.

Frequently asked questions

❓ Cleaning the cache will delete my photos or messages?
No, cleaning the cache only affects temporary application files. Your photos, videos, messages and other user data will remain intact. However, if you choose to Clear all data for a particular application (such as WhatsApp), you will lose its settings and local files (such as downloaded stickers).
❓ Why After Cleaning the Cache, Applications Boot Longer?
This is OK. Cache is used to speed up the launch of programs β€” it stores frequently used data (for example, thumbnails of images, site scripts in the browser). After cleaning, applications have to download this data again, so the first run takes longer. After 1-2 use, the speed will return to the same.
❓ Can the cache be cleared without data loss if the phone is not turned on?
Yes, if you have a bootloader unlocked and a customized Recovery (TWRP) installed. Load into the Recovery and select Wipe β†’ Cache and Dalvik. If the Recovery is stock, then cache cleaning is available, but does not guarantee a solution to the problem with the inclusion. In extreme cases, you will have to use the Mi Flash Tool to flash it (this will delete all data).
❓ How much space should be on the Xiaomi Mi 9 for normal operation?
The minimum recommended storage is 10-15% of the total. For the version with 64 GB it is ~6-10 GB, for 128 GB it is 12-20 GB. If the free space is less than 5%, the phone will slow down, since the system has nowhere to save temporary files, in which case cleaning the cache will help temporarily, but it is better to transfer some files to a memory card or to the cloud.
❓ Why after cleaning the cache, the battery began to sit down faster?
This is a temporary phenomenon. Once the cache is cleaned, the system and the applications begin to actively reassemble it, which increases the load on the Snapdragon 855 processor and, accordingly, battery consumption. After 1-2 days, energy consumption normalizes. If the discharge remains high, check the background activity of the applications in Settings β†’ Battery β†’ Battery use.