How to Clear Cache on Xiaomi Redmi Phone: The Complete 2026 Guide

Your Xiaomi Redmi has started to slow down, apps are crashing out and memory is filled with obscure files?Most likely the problem is overloaded cache.Cache is temporary data that creates apps for fast work, but over time it accumulates and slows down the smartphone. On Redmi devices (especially on models with MIUI 12/13/14), the cache can take up up to 5-10 GB of memory, even if you are not actively installing new programs.

In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to clean up cache, from standard MIUI tools to hidden features for power users, how to clean the cache of individual applications, the system cache (including Dalvik-cache), and what to do if the phone still lags after cleaning, and at the end, answers to frequent questions, including why the cache returns every other day and how to prevent it.

1. Clearing the cache of individual applications through settings

The safest way to do this is to remove the cache of specific programs that take up the most space, which won’t delete your data (like WhatsApp or saving in games), but will free up to 1-3 GB of storage.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter the name of the program (for example, Facebook, TikTok or Google Play Store).
• 🗑️ Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache (not to be confused with the "Clear Data" button – it will delete all application settings!).
• 🔄 Repeat for all applications where the cache exceeds 100MB.

On the Redmi Note 10/11/12 and the new MIUI 14 models, you can sort apps by cache size: click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size, so you quickly find the main culprits of the filled memory.

⚠️ Warning: Do not cache system applications like com.android.systemui or MiuiSystemUI, which can cause interface failures. If you are not sure what the application is doing, skip it.

Social media applications (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)

Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)

Games (PUBG, Genshin Impact, Free Fire)

Browser (Chrome, Mi Browser)

Maps (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps)-->

2. Automatic cleaning of the cache through "Security"

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones have a built-in Security tool (formerly called Optimization) that can automatically clean cache and junk files, a method that is suitable for beginners, as it does not require manual application search.

Instructions:

1. Launch the Security app (the shield icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Cleanup tab (or Accelerate in older versions of MIUI).
3. Press Deep Clean and wait for the scan.
4. Tick the Cash of applications and Garbage files, then click Clean.

On the Redmi 9/9A/9C and other budget models, this tool can be called garbage cleaner and is located in the Memory section. After cleaning, reboot the phone - this will help apply the changes.

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If the Deep Clean button is inactive, check if the power saving mode is on. Turn it off in Settings → Battery

3. Cleaning the system cache (Dalvik-cache) through Recovery

If the phone is severely slowed even after cleaning the app cache, the problem may be in the system cache (aka Dalvik-cache), which cannot be removed through standard settings - you need to go to Recovery Mode, which is suitable for experienced users, as improper actions can lead to a system failure.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Volume Up + Power buttons at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English), then go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.
5. Select Reboot → Reboot to System to reboot.

On new Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the path may be different: Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache. After cleaning, the first launch of the phone will take 1-2 minutes longer than usual - that's normal.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option will completely reset the phone to factory settings, deleting all your data.

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

If standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that lets you control your phone through a computer, which will delete all temporary files, including a hidden cache that you can’t see in your settings.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools.

Instructions:

1. Turn on the developer mode on the phone:


- Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times in a row.




- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable debugging over USB.





2. Connect the phone to the computer and type in the command line:




adb devices




(Your device should appear)





3. perform the cleaning commands:




adb shell pm trim-caches 1000G




adb shell cmd package bg-dexopt-job

These commands will force the cache of all applications to be cleared and optimize the background processes. Once executed, restart the phone.

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the phone starts to brake

Never cleaned.-->

5. Alternative methods: third-party applications and manual cleaning

If you don't want to dig into the settings, you can use third-party utilities, but be careful: many Google Play cleaners create garbage themselves or display false virus notifications.

Proven applications for cleaning the cache:

For manual cleaning, you can use the built-in Explorer (MIUI File Manager):

1. Open Explorer and go to Categories → Cash.
2. Select unnecessary files and click Delete.
3. Then go to Storage → Internal Memory → Android → Data and delete folders called cache (only if you’re sure they’re not needed!).

⚠️ Note: Do not delete folders with names com.android. or miui. - This can disrupt the system. /system, If you don't have root rights.

6.What to do if the cache returns every other day?

Many Xiaomi Redmi users complain that once cleaned, the cache takes up gigabytes again after 24-48 hours.This is normal Android behavior, but it can be controlled.

Reasons for the rapid return of cache:

• 📱 Social media and instant messengers (especially TikTok and Facebook) actively caching videos and images.
• 🎮 Games (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) download textures and updates to cache.
• 🌐 Browsers (Chrome, Mi Browser) save copies of pages to speed up loading.
• 🔄 Auto-update apps in Google Play creates temporary files.

How to reduce the accumulation of cache:

1. Limit the background activity of applications in Settings → Battery → Battery Consumption Management.
2. Turn off autoload media in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
3. Use lightweight versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite instead of regular Facebook).
4. Regularly clean your browser history and cache manually.

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If the cache accumulates too quickly, check to see if the phone is infected with a virus, and some malware disguises itself as cache and takes up gigabytes of memory.

7.When cleaning the cache doesn't help: radical measures

If you’ve tried all the ways but the phone still brakes, the problem may be deeper:

• 🛑 Overflowing storage: If less than 10% of the memory is available, Android will start to work unstable.Delete unnecessary files or transfer them to a memory card.
• 🔄 Outdated firmware: On Redmi with MIUI Over 2 years old, there may be cache conflicts. Check the updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🦠 Viruses or Broken Files: Scan through Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light.
• 🔧 Hardware problems: If the phone overheats or turns off on its own, flash memory may be worn out (especially relevant for Redmi) 4X/5A older 3-4 years).

If nothing works, the last option is a factory reset. Before you do that, make sure to back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset or Mi Cloud. Once reset, the phone will be as new, but all data (photos, messages, apps) will be deleted.

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Before reset, write down or take a picture of the settings APN (for mobile Internet) and Wi-Fi data, which can be found in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN)

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions