Cache Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 9: A Complete Guide to Speeding Up Your Phone

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but over time even it begins to “slow down”. The main reason is the crowded cache of applications and systems. Unlike the flagship models, the Redmi 9 has only 4 GB of RAM (in the basic version), so cleaning the cache here gives a noticeable increase in performance.

In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to clean up cache, from standard MIUI tools to hidden features for power users. We will also look at which files can be deleted without risk to the system and which should not be touched. If your Redmi 9 became slower after upgrading to MIUI 14 or installing new applications, these methods will help to restore the speed.

Important: the cache cleanup procedure does not delete personal data (photos, contacts, messages), but some applications may require re-authorization. → Memory.

1. Clearing the cache of individual applications through settings

The safest way is to remove the cache of specific programs that take up the most space, a method that does not require superuser rights and is suitable for beginners.

How to do this:

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

Top.-5 Apps that most often clog up Redmi cache 9:

• 📱 Facebook and Facebook Lite – up to 1-2 GB
• 🎥 YouTube – up to 500MB (cache video)
• 🗺️ Google Maps – up to 1 GB (maps and routes)
• 📷 Gallery - up to 300 MB (miniature photos)
• 🎮 Games (PUBG Mobile, Free Fire – up to 3–5 GB

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of system applications called com.android. or com.xiaomi. – this can lead to malfunctions MIUI. Exceptions: com.miui.gallery (Gallery) and com.android.vending (Google Play Store).

Check the free space in memory

Close background annexes

Connect the charger (if the charge is < 20%)

Backup of important data-->

2. Automatically clean the cache through "Security"

MIUI has a built-in tool for optimizing the system, the Security app, which not only clears the cache, but also removes unnecessary files, remnants of deleted programs and duplicates.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Security app (if it isn’t on your desktop, search through search).
2. Go to the Cleanup section (Broommark).
3. Wait for the scan to be completed (usually 10–30 seconds).
4. Click Clear (cache, temporary files and application residues will be removed).
5. For deep cleaning, click Deep Clean and select App Cash.

What is the Security Tool Removal:

💡 Tip: Auto Cleaning can be enabled in Security settings (Settings section) → Set a schedule (e.g. once a week) and select file types to delete.This will help keep Redmi 9 clean without manual controls.

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the phone starts to brake

Never cleaned.-->

3. Clean the system cache through Recovery mode

If the smartphone is slowing down or standard methods do not help, you can clear the system cache through Recovery Mode. This method does not delete user data, but resets the settings of some applications.

Instructions for Xiaomi Redmi 9:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language and go to Wipe & Reset.
4. Choose Wipe Cache (Do not confuse with Wipe All Data – it is a factory reset!).
5. Confirm the action and wait until the completion (1-2 minutes).
6. Reboot your phone with Reboot → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Warning: If after cleaning the cache in Recovery, the phone freezes on the boot (the Redmi logo burns for more than 5 minutes), perform a forced reboot: pinch the Power for 20 seconds. If the problem repeats, you need to flash it again.

4. Manually clear cache through file manager

For power users, there is a way to manually remove cache through a file manager (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer), which allows you to pinpoint deleted unnecessary files, but requires caution.

Where to find the cash:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ — cache of user applications.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/ — Large game files (can be deleted if games are not used).
• 📁 /data/data/ — System cache (available only with root rights).
• 📁 /cache/ — system cache (cleaned through Recovery).

How to safely remove:

1. Open Mi File Manager and enable the display of hidden files (in settings).
2. Go to the Android/data folder and find the app (e.g. com.facebook.katana for Facebook).
3. Remove the cache folder inside the app directory.
4. Don’t touch lib folders, files or files with the.apk extension!

🔍 Example: To clear the Instagram cache, delete the contents of the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.instagram.android/cache/

This will free up to 500-800MB if you haven’t cleaned the app in a long time.

💡

Before manually clearing the cache, close all applications through Settings → Applications → Launched. This will prevent damage to files that may be used at the moment.

5.Use of ADB for deep cleaning (for advanced)

If standard methods don't work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to clear the cache of all applications at once, which requires a PC connection and basic command line knowledge.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Cleanup commands:

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep cache


adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.example.app

Replace com.example.app with the batch name of the app (e.g. com.android.chrome for Google Chrome).

To clear the cache of all user applications (without system), use:

adb shell 'su -c "find /data/data -name \'cache\' -exec rm -rf {} \;"'

⚠️ Attention: This command requires root rights. It won't work without root rights. Improper use can cause the system to crash!

💡

ADB is a powerful tool, but dangerous. Always check commands before executing and back up your data through adb backup.

6. Alternative methods: cleaning applications

If you don't want to mess with manual settings, you can use third-party utilities, but be careful: many cleaners clog the system with ads themselves.

Top.-3 Proven applications for Redmi 9:

• 🧹 SD Maid – deep cache and duplicate cleaning (there is a free version).
• 🗑️ Files by Google – a simple interface that removes unnecessary files and APK.
• 🛡️ CCleaner is a classic, but there are a lot of ads in the latest versions.

How to use it correctly:

1. Download the app from Google Play (not from third-party sites!).
2. Run the scan and review the list of files before deleting.
3. Only tick the “Cash”, “App Remains” and “Empty folders”.
4. Don’t settle for “acceleration” or “optimization” – these are often useless features.

⚠️ Note: Applications such as Clean Master or DU Speed Booster can display false "virus" or "critical bug" warnings to sell a premium version.On Redmi 9s MIUI In-built tools often work better.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning the cache on Xiaomi Redmi 9