Cleaning up the app cache on Xiaomi: a complete guide for Android 12-14

Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi series) start to slow down over time due to the crowded cache of applications. This problem is especially relevant for devices with 32-64 GB of memory, where every megabyte counts. Cache is temporary files that create programs for fast work, but when they accumulate, they take up gigabytes of space and slow down the system.

In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to clean up cache on Xiaomi with the shell MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese versions). We will analyze both standard methods through settings and hidden features for power users. And also explain why cleaning the cache through Files only removes part of the garbage and how to clean the system cache without root rights.

Why Xiaomi Cache Fills Quickly

The main reason is aggressive MIUI optimization, which actively caches data even for background applications to speed up their launch, for example, YouTube can take up to 500 MB of cache per month of active use, and TikTok can take up to 1 GB.

Other factors:

• 📱 Many social networks: Instagram, Facebook, VK store cached images and videos
• 🎮 Games: Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile creates cache to 2-3 GB
• 🔄 Auto-update apps on Google Play leaves old versions APK
• 📁 System processes: com.miui.system and android.process.media accumulate up to 1 GB of garbage

Interesting fact: on Xiaomi with MIUI 14, Google Play Services can take up to 1.5 GB of cache, a record among Android smartphones, and the standard cleaning through settings only removes 30-40% of these files.

Method 1: Standard cleaning through MIUI settings

The safest method that is suitable for all Xiaomi models (from Redmi Note 8 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra) is the instruction for MIUI 12-14:

1. Open Settings → Applications
2. Tap on Application Management
3. Select the app you want (such as Chrome or WhatsApp)
4. Click Warehouse → Clear the cache

For mass cleaning:

1. In the same menu, App Management tap on the icon ⚙️ (setting)
2. Select Cache Cleanup
3. Tick the required applications or click Select all
4. Confirm the cleanup.

Method Limitation: Standard cleaning does not affect the system cache (/cache and /data/dalvik-cache), pre-existing 500 MB: To remove it, you need the rights of a superuser or ADB-team.

Method 2: Deep Cleaning through "Safety"

MIUI has a hidden deep-cleaning tool that removes up to 70% of unnecessary files (including residual data after uninstalling applications).

1. Open the Security app (Icon with shield)
2. Go to the Optimization tab
3. Slip on Deep Cleanup (could be called Garbage Cleanup)
4. Wait for the analysis (it will take 1-3 minutes)
5. Click Clean and confirm the action.

This method removes:

• 🗑️ Residual files of remote applications
• 📁 Temporary file systems processes
• 🔍 Google Play Services Cash and MIUI System
• 📱 Error logs and memory dumps

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After deep cleaning, restart the phone – this will help the system reassemble the cache of critical processes without unnecessary debris.

Important: Do not use the Acceleration feature in the same menu – it forcibly closes the background processes, which can disrupt the notifications in Telegram or WhatsApp.

Method 3: Clearing the cache via Recovery Mode (without data loss)

If the phone is slowing down a lot and standard methods don't work, you can clear the cache through recovery mode, which doesn't delete user data, but resets the system cache.

Instructions for all Xiaomi models (including Redmi K50, POCO F5, Xiaomi 13T):

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up for 10 seconds
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (English/whale)
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion
6. Select Reboot → Reboot to System

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Remove 100% of the system cache (including Dalvik-cache)
• 🛠️ Corrects errors such as "The application has stopped"
• 📱 It works even if the phone is not loading normally.

⚠️ Note: Some models (Redmi Note 11 and later) may have a fingerprint missing after cleaning the cache through Recovery. → Passwords and security.

Method 4: ADB-Teams for experienced users

For those who are ready to work with Android Debug Bridge, there are commands for spot cache cleaning, which allows you to remove the cache of specific applications or system processes without a graphical interface.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
• 📋 Established ADB-driver
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 📱 Included debugging by USB phone-on

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and allow debugging
2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Linux/macOS)
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices Must appear serial number of your device
4. To clear the cache of all applications: adb shell pm trim-caches 1000000000 (number - cache limit in bytes, here is 1 GB)
5. To clear the cache of a particular application (e.g. Facebook): adb shell pm clear com.facebook.katana

Useful teams for analysis:

⚠️ Note: Adb shell pm clear not only clears the cache, but also resets the application settings (for example, WhatsApp will have to re-enter the phone number). -rf /cache/* where com.package.name is the name of the application package.

Method 5: Automatic cleaning with a scheduler

MIUI has a built-in cleaning scheduler that can run on a schedule, and this feature is available on all models starting with the Redmi Note 9 and Xiaomi Mi 10.

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance
2. Select Memory Cleanup
3. Activate the Auto Cleanup switch
4. Set up a schedule: 🕒 Every day at 3:00 (recommended time) 🔄 Low battery charge (less than 15%) 📶 When connecting to Wi-Fi

Exceptions

Google Maps

Advantages of automatic cleaning:

• 🤖 It does not require manual control.
• 📈 Maintains stable productivity
• 🔋 Saves battery power (less than 5% of background consumption)

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Can clear the cache of YouTube Music or Spotify, which will cause the tracks to be reloaded
• ❌ Does not delete the system cache (only user applications)

💡

Autocleaning is most effective for social networks and instant messengers, but it is better to turn off for navigation applications and streaming services.

What to do if the cache accumulates again quickly

If the cache is filled in 1-2 days after cleaning, the problem is deeper. Here are 4 main causes and solutions:

1. Some programs (such as Facebook or AliExpress) constantly update the cache in the background: 🛑 Limit background activity in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start 🔄 Turn off auto-update content in the app settings
2. Mistakes in work MIUI On some firmware (MIUI 13.0.4-13.0.7) There's a bug with endless cache growth on com.miui.system: 📱 Update your firmware to the latest stable version 🔧 Perform a reset of settings through Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings (without data loss)
3. Viruses or malware Some Trojans masquerade as system processes and generate cache: 🛡️ Scan through Malwarebytes or Dr.Web 🔍 Check the list of applications for suspicious ones (e.g. com.system.cache.cleaner)
4. Lack of RAM on phones with 3-4 GB of RAM (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) Android is actively using cache as an "extension" of RAM: 🔄 Enable RAM Extension in Settings → Additionally. → Expanding memory (available on the MIUI 12.5+) 🗑️ Install lighter versions of apps (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite)

If none of the methods worked, consider switching to custom firmware (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS). On Xiaomi with Snapdragon processors, this can be done without losing warranty through unlocking the bootloader.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up cache on Xiaomi