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:
- β‘ Increased memory β especially relevant for the version with 64 GB, where every megabyte counts.
- π Accelerating application launches β cache fragments over time and may conflict with new data.
- π Error Correction β corrupted cache files often cause program crashes.
- π± Extending battery life β 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?
- π The phone became noticeably "lagging" when switching between applications.
- π Applications spontaneously close or issue an error βDoes not respondΒ».
- π± After updating MIUI There are interface glitches.
- ποΈ In the "Storage" section, it is visible that the cache takes up more than 1-2 GB.
Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications through settings
The safest method is to manually clean the cache for specific programs, which wonβt delete your data (like WhatsApp messages or game progress), but will free up space.
Instructions:
- Open Settings β Applications β Application Management.
- Select the app you want to clear (like Google Chrome or Facebook).
- Press Warehouse. β Clear the cache.
- 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?
| Annex | Average cache size | Frequency of cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| Google Chrome | 200-500 MB | Every 1-2 weeks |
| 300-800 MB | Once a week. | |
| 150-400 MB | Once every 2 weeks | |
| MIUI Launcher | 50β200 MB | Only with interface glitch |
β οΈ 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 βSecurityβ
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:
- Open the Security app (the shield icon).
- Go to Clean Up (or Accelerate in new MIUI versions).
- Click Garbage β Clean (the system will scan the cache and unnecessary files).
- Confirm the action by clicking Clean again.
Advantages of this method:
- β Fast - takes less than a minute.
- β Safe β does not affect user data.
- β Remove cache even for applications you rarely use.
But there are also disadvantages:
- β Does not clear the system cache (Dalvik, etc.).
- β You may miss some files if they are blocked by the app.
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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:
- π The phone has become very slow after the update. MIUI.
- π± Applications are constantly giving out an error βThe application is stoppedΒ».
- π§ 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)
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
- Choose a language, then Wipe & Reset β Wipe Cache.
- Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
- Reboot your phone with Reboot β Reboot to System.
Method B: Through TWRP (unlocked bootloader required)
- Load into TWRP (similar to a drainage Recovery).
- Select Wipe β Advanced Wipe.
- Check Dalvik/ART Cache and Cache.
- Swipe to Wipe (Swipe to Wipe)
- Reboot to the system.
β οΈ 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 βhangsβ on the Mi logo.
What if the phone doesnβt turn on after cleaning Dalvik?
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).
- π§ You need to clear the cache of all users (relevant for multiplayer mode).
- π± Applications do not appear in the Settings menu (e.g. system settings).
- π You need to clear the cache without access to the screen (if the phone is buggy).
Instructions:
- Install ADB and Fastboot on PC.
- Turn on USB Debugging on your phone (Settings β About Phone β MIUI version β press 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings β For Developers).
- 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 clearThis 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.gmsβ οΈ 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.
- π All user data (photos, videos, documents).
- π± Installed applications and their settings.
- π Google, Mi and Other Accounts.
- πΆ Network settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile Internet).
How to reset:
- Back up your important data (via Settings β Additional β Backup and Reset or manually on your PC).
- Open Settings β About the phone β Reset settings.
- Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
- Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.
Alternative method (if the phone is not turned on):
- Load into the recaveri (Food + Volume up).
- Choose Wipe Data β Wipe All Data.
- Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
| Type of discharge | What's removed | Time to recover |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning up the app cache | Temporary files only | 1-2 minutes |
| Cleaning up Dalvik-cache | System cache | 5-10 minutes (first load) |
| Hard Reset | Everything except firmware. | 15β30 minutes (set from scratch) |
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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:
- π Update regularly MIUI β In new versions optimized work with cache.
- π± Remove unnecessary apps β even unused programs accumulate cache.
- ποΈ Use cloud storage (such as Google Photos or Mi Cloud) to automatically clean local files.
- π§ Turn off background activity for applications in Settings β Permits β Auto-start.
- π Monitor the storage through Settings β Storage β if the cache is greater than 1 GB, itβs time to clean.
You can also install third-party applications for automatic cleaning, such as:
- CCleaner β Clears the cache and optimizes memory.
- SD Maid β removes unnecessary files and remnants of deleted applications.
- Files by Google is a simple file manager with a cleanup function.
β οΈ Cache cleaners (such as Clean Master) often cause the brakes themselves, they work in the background and consume resources. MIUI.