Cleaning the cache of applications on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways for MIUI 12-14

Why Xiaomi Cache Should Be Cleaned Regularly – and When It’s Dangerous

The app cache on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones are temporary files that speed up programs but eventually turn into digital garbage. If you notice that the phone has started lagging, applications open for a long time and there is less than 10% of free memory left, the problem is clogged, but blindly cleaning all data can lead to malfunctions in messengers, games and even system services.

In this article, we will discuss 5 safe ways to clean up the cache on MIUI 12-14, including hidden shell features, developer commands and automated tools, and pay special attention to which files can be deleted without risk and which cannot be touched categorically, such as the cache of system applications like com.miui.home or com.android.phone.

Important: on newer models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12), the cleaning algorithm is different from older devices (Redmi 4X, Mi A2). If you have a phone on pure Android (Mi A series or POCO F1), use the methods for Android One - they are given in a separate section.

Method 1: Standard cleaning through MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which are for beginners and don't require root rights or technical knowledge.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Click on the app (like Facebook or Telegram) and select Clear Cache.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Clear cache with Clear data! The second option will delete all application settings, including logins and saved files.

✅ Cash messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)

✅ Cache of browsers (Chrome, Mi Browser)

✅ Social media cache (Instagram, TikTok)

❌ System applications (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter)

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For bulk cleaning, go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup. Here, MIUI will suggest removing unnecessary files, including residual cache. However, this method does not always remove deep cache (such as Dalvik or ART files) that takes up gigabytes of memory.

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If the app is slower after cleaning, that's OK, and the cache will recover after 1-2 days of use, and the speed will return.

Method 2: Hidden Memory Optimization in MIUI

Few people know, but MIUI has a hidden tool called MIUI Optimizer that cleans the cache deeper than standard settings to activate it:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to turn on the developer mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find MIUI Optimization (or Memory Optimization on global firmware).

In this menu you will see three cleaning options:

• 🧹 Easy Cleanup – Deletes temporary application files.
• 🔍 Deep Cleaning – Analyzes and removes Dalvik cache, ART and residual files.
• ⚡ Smart Cleanup – Automatically determines which files can be safely deleted.

⚠️ Warning: Deep cleaning can cause your phone to restart and temporarily insecure some applications, only use it if your free memory is less than 1 GB.

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the phone is slowing down.

Never cleaned.-->

Method 3: Cleaning the cache through ADB (for advanced)

If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a developer tool that lets you control your phone through a computer, and the advantage of the method is that you can clear the cache of system applications that are usually blocked.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Initiated debugging mode USB on the phone (Settings) → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux).
2. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the phone is recognized, you will see its serial number.
3. To clear the cache of all applications, run: adb shell pm trim-caches 100G
4. To clear the cache of a particular application (e.g. Facebook): adb shell pm clear com.facebook.katana

⚠️ Note: pm clear command deletes all application data, not just cache:

adb shell run-as com.package.name rm -rf /cache/*

(Replace com.package.name with application ID).

Method 4: Using a file manager (manual cleaning)

For those who prefer full control, manual cleaning through the file manager is fine, and we recommend using Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer (with root rights).

Instructions:

1. Open the file manager and enable the display of hidden files (Settings → Show hidden files).
2. Go to /data/data/ (root rights required) or /sdcard/Android/data/ (no root available).
3. Find the folder with the app name (e.g. com.tencent.mm for WeChat) and delete the cache folder inside it.

Safe to delete folders:

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /data/data/ If you don't have root, you can crash the application. /sdcard/Android/data/.

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Manual cleaning is more effective than standard methods, but it requires caution. Always back up before deleting files.

Method 5: Automatic cleaning with third-party applications

If you don't want to mess with the settings manually, you can use specialized utilities. We tested 5 popular applications and selected the best ones for Xiaomi:

• 🛠️ SD Maid – Deep cache cleanup, including system files (requires root).
• 🧹 CCleaner is a simple interface, but limited functionality on new versions of Android.
• ⚡ Files by Google – Built-in garbage cleaning tool that works without root.
• 🔍 1Tap Cleaner – Clears cache and call history, but shows ads.
• 📊 MIUI Optimizer Pro – a specialized application for MIUI high-set.

How to use SD Maid:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Run the scan (CorpseFinder looks for residual files, AppCleaner – cache).
3. Select files to delete and confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: Applications such as Clean Master or DU Speed Boosters often contain malicious code or aggressive advertising.

What to do if after cleaning the cache, the phone began to work worse

Sometimes after mass cleaning of the cache, users face problems:

• 🐢 Slowdown – Apps take time to recover cache.
• 🔄 Spontaneous reboots – Critical system cache may have been removed.
• 📱 Application departures – some programs depend on cached data.

Decisions:

1. Reboot your phone – this often solves problems with instability.
2. Clear the cache of only problematic applications, not all in a row.
3. Restore factory settings (if the phone is completely inoperable).
4. Update MIUI - in new versions of the firmware, bugs with cache management have been fixed.

If the problem persists, check the error log through Settings → About Phone → Error Report. It may indicate the specific cause of the crash.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up cache on Xiaomi