Cleaning the cache of applications on Xiaomi: 5 ways for all models

The app cache on Xiaomi smartphones is temporary files that help programs run faster. Over time, they accumulate, taking up precious space in the device's memory and sometimes causing crashes. If your Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 started to slow down, and a warning about space shortages appeared in the storage settings, it's time to clear the cache. But how do you do it correctly without deleting important data?

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of cleaning cache on any Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS. You will learn how to clean the cache of an individual application from the system, when you need to use ADB, and why you should not blindly trust the cleaners from Google Play. And also what hidden MIUI functions allow you to automate this process without manual intervention.

Why Clean Cache on Xiaomi and When You Really Need It

Cache is not garbage. It's buffer data that speeds up the loading of commonly used items: thumbnails of photos in the Gallery, YouTube previews, or saved sessions on Telegram. However, there are situations where cleaning it becomes necessary:

• 📱 Memory Lack: The system shows a notification "Memory is almost full" even though you recently deleted files.
• 🐢 Brakes and lags: apps open long or suddenly close (especially for Redmi) 9A and other budget models with 2-4 GB of RAM).
• 🔄 Errors in the work of programs: for example, Instagram does not load Stories, and Google Maps shows outdated data.
• 🔒 Privacy: The cache may contain personal data (e.g., browser search history).

But there's a downside: once the cache is cleaned, applications will have to reload data, which can temporarily increase traffic consumption and slow down, so you shouldn't just clear the cache if you have specific problems.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t confuse cache with app data. Clearing the cache is safe, and deleting the data will result in resetting the program settings (for example, WhatsApp chats will disappear).

Method 1: Clearing the cache of a separate application through settings

The easiest and safest method is to manually clean the cache for a specific program, which is suitable if you slow down only one application (for example, TikTok or VKontakte).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (such as Chrome).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

For MIUI 14 and HyperOS, the path may be slightly different: Settings → Applications → [App Name] → Memory → Clear cache.

Close the application through the multitasking menu

Connect to Wi-Fi (if you plan to use the program immediately after cleaning)

Check the space in memory (minimum should be 1-2 GB)

Backup important data (e.g. saves in games)-->

On some models (POCO F5, Xiaomi 13) in the menu of the application there is an additional option Clear all data – do not use it if you do not want to reset accounts and settings.

Method 2: Mass cleaning the cache of all applications

If you want to make room quickly, you can clear the cache of all applications at once, a method that is useful before upgrading the system or when there is a critical memory shortage.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Memory (or Storage on new versions of MIUI).
2. Click Clear in the "App Cache" section.
3. Confirm the action (a password may be required).

On HyperOS (e.g. Xiaomi 14), this section is called Optimization and is located in the main settings menu, and the system will prompt you to clear the cache if it finds that it takes more than 1-2 GB.

⚠️ Warning: Mass cleaning can cause a temporary slowdown in the smartphone, as all applications will have to cache data again, preferably before bedtime or when the phone is connected to charging.

💡

If the smartphone is slowing down after mass cleaning, restart it, which will help the system reassemble the cache of critical processes.

Method 3: Use MIUI Optimizer (Hidden Function)

MIUI has a built-in deep optimization tool called MIUI Optimizer, which allows you not only to clean the cache, but also to delete unnecessary files left over after updates.

How to activate:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to Optimization or Deep Cleaning.
3. Click Clean the garbage and wait for the analysis to be completed.
4. Select the Cash applications and confirm the cleanup.

On HyperOS, this tool is called Smart Cleaner and is integrated into Settings → Memory → Optimization. It is smarter than standard cleaning: it analyzes which files can be safely deleted without disrupting the system.

For Redmi and POCO models with low memory capacity (32-64 GB), regular optimization (once every 1-2 weeks) is recommended, which will help to avoid lags when multitasking.

Method 4: Cleaning the cache through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t help (for example, the cache of the system application is not cleared), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Xiaomi: go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click 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 (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux).
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
5. To clear the cache of all applications, run: adb shell pm trim-caches -1
6. To clear the cache of a particular application (e.g. com.facebook.katana for Facebook): adb shell pm clear com.facebook.katana Attention: this command will delete all app data, not just the cache!

This method is useful if:

• 🔧 You need to clear the cache of system applications (such as Mi Video or Music) that do not have a clear button in the settings.
• 📦 Mass cleaning is required without confirmation on each application.
• 🐞 The application is “hang” and does not respond to standard methods.

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB They have superuser rights. Improper use can cause a system to crash. Don't follow commands unless you're sure they're there.

💡

ADB is the only way to clear the cache of pre-installed Xiaomi apps that don’t have a management interface (such as Mi Drop or Mi Remote).

Method 5: Automatic Cache Cleaning (MIUI setting)

MIUI and HyperOS allow you to set up automatic cache cleaning on a schedule, which eliminates the need to do it manually.

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → Memory → Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
2. Turn on the Auto Clean option.
3. Choose the frequency: Daily, Weekly or with a lack of memory.
4. Activate Clear App Cache and Delete junk files.

On HyperOS, this section is called Smart Cleanup and is located in Settings → Battery and Performance → Optimization.

• 📅 Scheduled cleaning (for example, every day at 3:00 am).
• 🔋 Cleaning when connected to charging.
• 📶 Limiting background activity of applications that cache data strongly (such as TikTok or Google Maps).

For owners of POCO F4, Xiaomi 12T and other flagships with a large amount of memory (128 GB+), automatic cleaning can be redundant, in which case it is better to use manual optimization every 1-2 months.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Clearing the cache seems like a simple procedure, but many users make mistakes that lead to the opposite effect – even more brakes or data loss.

Common mistakes:

• 🚫 Cleaning the cache too often: This causes applications to constantly reassemble temporary files, which increases the CPU load and battery consumption.
• 🗑️ Delete data instead of cache: many confuse the buttons Clear cache and Clear data, losing accounts and settings.
• 🔄 Using Google Play Cleaners: Apps like Clean Master or CCleaner often delete useful files and show false notifications of critical memory shortages".
• ⚡ Clearing cache while the app is running: This can cause crashes (for example, Instagram will stop uploading photos, and Google Maps will stop building routes).

How to clean the cache correctly:

1. Do this only when necessary (brakes, errors, memory deficits).
2. Before cleaning, close the application through the multitasking menu.
3. After mass cleaning, restart your smartphone so that the system reassembles the critical cache.
4. For games (like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile), use built-in cache clearing in the game settings, not the system.

💡

If the app gets worse after cleaning the cache, try reinstalling it. Sometimes the cache contains critical data to keep the program running properly.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions