How to clean the cache on Xiaomi: system and applications

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO MIUI-based smartphones eventually start to slow down due to crowded cache, temporary files that accumulate when applications and systems work. Cache cleaning helps free up to 3-7 GB of memory (depending on model and usage intensity) and speed up the device by 20-40%.

In this article, proven ways to clean the cache for all current versions MIUI 14/15 (including HyperOS), and answers to common questions: what happens if you delete the cache of com.android.system, how to clean Dalvik artifacts without superuser rights, and why, after cleaning, some applications may run slower. 12 before Xiaomi's flagships 14 Ultra.

Why Xiaomi Cache Should Be Cleaned Regularly

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications and a system to speed up re-operations, such as Instagram's cache storing thumbnails of photos, and Google Play's cache storing updates.

• 📱 Memory clogs: cache can take up to 50% of internal storage, especially on budget models (Redmi) 10A, POCO M5).
• 🐢 Phone slows down: fragmented cache slows down reading/write data (characteristic of cheap eMMC memory).
• 🔄 Apps crash: A damaged cache (for example, after an interrupted update) causes crashes in com.android.phone or miui.home.
• 🔋 Battery goes down faster: the system spends resources on processing unnecessary temporary files.

According to Xiaomi Community, users who clear the cache every 1-2 months are less likely to experience interface lags and an “App is not responding” error, but a complete cache cleanup of all applications can result in:

• 🔄 Re-upload data (for example, maps in Google Maps or thumbnails in a gallery).
• 🔐 Loss of temporary logins (in some banking applications).
• ⚙️ Reset individual settings in games (for example, graphics in Genshin Impact).

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse cache with app data!Cache clearing is secure, and data deletion (Clear everything in settings) erases accounts, saves and settings.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications

The safest method is to remove cache only for programs that take up a lot of space or work unstable, for example, Telegram can accumulate up to 2 GB of cache in six months of active use, and TikTok can accumulate up to 1 GB per month.

Instructions for MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Select an app (such as Facebook or YouTube).
4. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

For convenience, use the filter by cache size:

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of the system applications com.android.phone, miui.home and com.miui.securitycenter unless absolutely necessary – this can lead to malfunctions. MIUI.

Check the free space in the "Storage" section

Close background annexes

Connect your phone to charge (if charge < 20%)

Backup of important data (via Mi Cloud)

-->

Method 2: Completely clean the cache of all applications

If the phone is slowing down and manually cleaning each application takes a long time, use the built-in MIUI function to clean up the cache of all user applications, but it doesn't affect system files.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Slip on Clean (or Free up space in HyperOS).
3. Select the Cash App tab.
4. Click Clean and confirm the action.

On models with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), the path may be different:

Settings → About phone → Memory → Cache applications → Clean

After cleaning:

• 🔄 Applications will be loaded longer when they first start up (until a new cache is generated).
• 📱 Free from 1 to 5 GB of memory (depending on the number of installed programs).
• 🔋 Possible temporary increase in battery consumption (the system will rebuild the cache for the battery) 1-2 day-day).

💡

If the app starts to crash after cleaning the cache, reinstall it via Google Play. This will reset all temporary data without losing the main files.

Method 3: Cleaning the system cache (Dalvik and others)

The system cache (Dalvik artifacts, /cache, /data/dalvik-cache) accumulates when MIUI updates and background services work, and cleaning it helps correct errors such as:

• 🔄 Hanging on the Mi logo when switched on.
• 📱 The com.android.system process has been stopped".
• 🔋 Rapid battery discharge due to mediaserver background activity.

To clean the system cache without root rights, use the Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

On the new models (Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 13 Pro+) the path may be different:

Wipe Data → Wipe Cache Partition → Yes

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option (hard reset) will completely reset the phone to factory settings.

Method 4: Automatically clean the cache with Security

MIUI has a built-in Security tool that can automatically clean the cache on a schedule, which is handy if you don't want to do it manually.

How to set up:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to Optimization (or Cleaner in Global Firmware).
3. Slip it on Deep Cleanup.
4. Select the Cash apps and click Clear.
5. Activate the Auto Clean option and set a schedule (e.g. once a week).

Advantages of the method:

• ⏱️ It does not require manual control.
• 🔍 Deletes only secure temporary files.
• 📊 It shows how much memory is freed up.

Disadvantages:

• 🚫 Does not clear the system cache (Dalvik).
• 📵 Can delete cache of useful applications (for example, offline maps in Google Maps).

Method 5: Cleaning the cache through ADB (for experienced)

If standard methods don’t help (e.g., com.android.system cache doesn’t clear through menus), use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) which requires you to connect your phone to your PC, but allows you to delete even protected files.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: go to Settings → About Phone and tap 7 times on the MIUI version.
2. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line (cmd in Windows).
4. Enter the commands in turn: adb devices adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.providers.media adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.miui.gallery

Frequently used commands for cleaning the cache:

⚠️ Attention: Rm teams -rf They can damage the system if you're incorrectly entered. Use them only if you understand the consequences.

💡

ADB-commands allow you to clear the cache even for system applications that are locked in the standard menu, but without experience, it is better not to experiment with commands for the partition. /system.

What to do if the cache is not cleared

Sometimes the cache is not removed in the standard way, so let's look at the typical problems and solutions.

• 🔒 The "Clear Cache" button is inactive, meaning the app is running in the background. Close it through recent apps or restart your phone.
• 🔄 Cache returns after cleaning: some apps (like Facebook) recover cache the next time they run. → Battery → Background restriction.
• 📱 System cache is not cleaned through Recovery: on some models (POCO F5, Redmi K60) section /cache It's protected. Try sewing it. TWRP and clear the cache through it.
• 🔧 The “Insufficient Rights” Error When Using ADB: Turn on Debugging. USB (security parameters in the developer settings.

If none of these methods worked, check your phone for viruses (via Security → Scanner) or reset (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset). But remember, this will delete all the data except the files on the memory card.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up cache on Xiaomi