Cleaning up the app cache on Xiaomi Redmi: a complete guide for all models

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are known for their performance and availability, but even they eventually start to work slower. One of the main reasons is the overcrowded app cache, which takes up precious memory and can lead to failures. If your Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10 or other model began to slow down, often overheat or give out errors like “lack of memory”, it’s time to clean up.

In this article, we'll look at all the possible ways to remove cache, from standard MIUI tools to hidden features for power users, how to clean data from individual applications, why you shouldn't delete the cache of system services, and what to do if the application gets malfunctioned after cleaning, and how to automate the process so you don't come back to it every month.

What is an app cache and why it should be cleaned

Cache is a temporary file that creates apps to speed up your work, like when you open Instagram, it saves thumbnails of photos so that it can show them faster the next time you run them, and browsers, messengers, and even system utilities do the same, and the problem is that over time, these files accumulate and:

• 📉 It takes up gigabytes of memory – on some Redmis, after a year of use, the cache can weigh up to 5-8 GB;
• 🐢 Slow down the smartphone – the system spends resources on processing unnecessary data;
• 🔄 Cause errors – corrupted cache files can lead to crashes of applications;
• 🔋 Increase battery consumption – background cache cleaning processes consume energy.

But not all cache can and should be deleted, like cleaning up the cache of Google Play Services or MIUI System can cause a smartphone to crash, but the cache of social networks, browsers or games can be cleaned, but it is also useful, which will make space and speed up the loading of content.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Redmi with a small amount of memory (16/32 GB, regular cache cleaning is a must, otherwise the system will start to delete important data to make room.

How to check how much cache is accumulated on Xiaomi Redmi

Before we start cleaning, we need to assess the scale of the problem, and MIUI has built-in memory analysis tools, and here's how to use them:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory;
2. Wait for the analysis to be completed (it can take up to 30 seconds).
3. Click on the "Cash" section - the system will show the total volume and list of applications that occupy the most space.

On the screen you will see something like this:

If the cache is over 1-2 GB, it’s time to act, especially for owners of Redmi 9A, Redmi 8 and other budget models with limited memory.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications through settings

The safest and most recommended method is to manually clean the cache for specific applications, which will not delete your data (photos, messages, settings), but will free up space.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management;
2. Select the app you want (such as Facebook or YouTube).
3. Press "Storage";
4. Slip the "Clear Cache" button (not to be confused with "Clear Data"!).

For convenience, you can sort applications by cache size:

• 🔍 In the upper right corner, press three dots. → "Size-based sorting";
• 📊 The system will show applications occupying the most space;
• 🧹 Clean the cache for those who have more than 100-200 MB.

⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the cache for Google Play Market, Services Framework, and other system applications with a gear icon.

Close all background applications

Connect your phone to charge (if the battery level is below 20%)

Make a backup copy of important data

Check the amount of free memory-->

Method 2: Mass cleaning the cache of all applications

If you have cache in many applications, you can clean them one at a time. MIUI has a mass-cleaning feature, but it's hidden in the back of the menu.

1. Open Settings → Memory → Cleaning;
2. Click on the "Clean" button in the "Junk Files" section;
3. Select "App Cache" (do not mark other items unless you are sure!)
4. Confirm the action.

This method will remove the cache of all user applications except system ones.

• 🔄 Applications can be loaded longer than usual when first started;
• 📥 Some data (e.g. thumbnails in the gallery) will be re-uploaded;
• 🔒 Logins and passwords (if saved in the browser) will remain intact.

On the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ and other models with MIUI 13/14, this section may be called Settings → Storage → Waste Cleanup. If you don’t find an item, search in the settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner).

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After mass cleaning of the cache, restart the phone - this will help the system correctly recalculate the free space and avoid errors.

Method 3: Clearing the cache with Recovery Mode (for power users)

If the smartphone is slow and does not react to conventional methods, you can use Recovery Mode. This method will reset all temporary files, including the cache of system applications, but will not affect user data. 5/6/7/8/9 series.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone;


2. Press the buttons Power + Volume up at the same time;




3. wait for the MI logo to appear and release the buttons;




4. in the Recovery menu, select the language (if there is such a item);




5. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache




6. Confirm the action and wait for the completion;




7. Select Reboot → Reboot to System.

It can take 2-5 minutes. After restarting,

• 📱 The phone will work faster;
• 🔄 Some settings (such as screen brightness) will reset;
• 📶 Saved Wi-Fi networks may disappear (you will have to enter passwords again).

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data – the second option will completely reset the phone to factory settings!

Method 4: Automatically clean the cache with Security App

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

1. Open the Security app (shield icon);
2. Go to the "Cleaning" or "Acceleration" section;
3. Click on the gear in the upper right corner;
4. Turn on the Auto Clean option and select the frequency (e.g. once a week).

Advantages of this method:

• ⏰ Does not require your participation – cleaning takes place in the background;
• 🛡️ System-Secure – The application does not touch critical files;
• 📊 The statistics show how much space was vacated.

However, automatic cleaning has disadvantages:

• 🔄 Can remove cache too aggressively, which will cause applications to load longer;
• 📵 It doesn’t work on some custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience).

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Autocleaning through the Security App is the best option for beginners, but power users prefer manual setup for more control.

What to do if after cleaning the cache the application is not working properly

Sometimes, after deleting the cache, applications start to fly out, not open, or lose settings.

• 🗑️ The cache was damaged and the app depended on it;
• 🔄 The application is not optimized for MIUI;
• 📥 Updating the annex has been interrupted.

Decisions:

1. Restart your phone – often this helps the system recover temporary files.
2. Update the app through Google Play;
3. Clear the application data (but note that this will remove all settings and logins!);
4. Reinstall the app – sometimes it’s the only way to get it back up.

If the problem persists, check:

• 📋 Application permissions in Settings → Annexes → [Name of name] → Permits;
• 🔒 Battery settings - possibly the system limits background work;
• 🛠️ Availability of updates MIUI — Some bugs are fixed in new firmware versions.

Additional tips for memory optimization on Xiaomi Redmi

Cache cleaning is only part of smartphone care, so that Redmi works quickly and without failure, follow these guidelines:

• 🗃️ Regularly transfer files to a memory card – photos, videos and music are better stored on a microSD;
• 🧹 Use cloud services – Google Photos or Mi Cloud automatically vacate space;
• 🔄 Disable autoload media in instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram);
• 📱 Remove unused applications – even inactive programs take up space;
• 🔋 Follow the background processes in Settings → Battery → Battery utilization.

For models with small memory (16/32 GB) it is also useful:

• 🎵 Install lighter versions of applications (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite);
• 🌐 Use lightweight browsers (Opera Mini, UC Browser Turbo);
• 📂 Archiving old files in ZIP And port them to the PC.

On the Redmi Note 10 Pro and the latest models there is a function "Memory Extension" (in Settings). → Memory, which allows you to use part of the memory card as internal storage, but this mode can slow down the speed, so only turn it on when there is a shortage of space.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning cache on Xiaomi Redmi