Cache Cleanup on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to All Models (2026)

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones eventually start to slow down due to crowded cache, temporary files that the system and applications create to speed up work. However, the accumulation of this data often leads to the opposite effect: the phone opens programs more slowly, warms for no reason, and free disk space melts before our eyes. In this article, we will discuss how to properly clear the cache on Xiaomi without deleting important data, and return the device to its previous speed.

It is important to understand that there are three types of cache: system (created). MIUI To speed up the interface, the application cache (temporary files like YouTube or Telegram) and the Dalvik cache (optimized data for the Android virtual machine) each require a different approach. For example, cleaning Dalvik cache through Recovery can solve the problem with “downs” of applications, but if you do the wrong thing, you will lose data in some games or messengers. MIUI — Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra flagship.

1.Why Clearing Cache on Xiaomi: The Real Implications

Many users mistakenly believe that cache is “junk” that can be removed indiscriminately, but in fact, temporary files are used to:

🚀 Quick app launches – for example, Instagram or TikTok store video thumbnails in the cache so as not to load them again.
🔄 Keeping progress in games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile can reset graphics settings when cleaning).
📱 Smooth work. MIUI — System cache speeds up animations and transitions between menus.

However, there is a flip side: when the cache grows to 5-10 GB, it begins:

🐢 Slow down your phone – the system spends time searching for the right files among thousands of unnecessary files.
🔥 Overheating – Constant recording/reading of data loads the processor.
⚠️ Lead to crashes – corrupted cache files can “break” applications (for example, Google Play stops updating).

⚠️ WARNING: Clearing WhatsApp or Viber cache will delete all media files (photos, videos, voice) that you didn't save to the gallery!

How do you know when to clean the cache?

📉 The phone is discharged 20-30% faster for no apparent reason.
🔄 Applications spontaneously close or issue an error “Application is stopped».
📱 B Settings → Memory is less than 1-2 GB free, although you have not installed anything.

📊 How often do you clean your Xiaomi cache?

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the phone starts to brake

Never cleaned.

2. Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications

The safest method is to delete cache only for programs that take up too much space or are unstable, such as Facebook or Tinkoff Bank, which can accumulate up to 1-2 GB of temporary files.

Instructions:

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Select the app you want (like Google Chrome).
Press Memory. → Clear the cache.
For a complete cleanup (including login details), choose Clear All Data – but this will delete accounts and settings!

Which apps to clean first:

🌐 Browsers (Chrome, Mi Browser) – cache pages can weigh 500 MB-1 GB.
📷 Social networks (Instagram, TikTok) - store miniatures of videos and stories.
🎮 Free Fire, Call of Duty Mobile – Cache of Textures and Updates.
💬 Messengers (Telegram, Viber) – media files from chats.

⚠️ Warning: After clearing the Google Play cache, the marketplace may require re-entering the password.Don't be alarmed - that's okay!

☑️ Preparation for cleaning the application cache

Backup of important dataClose all background programsConnect your phone to charge (if the battery level is < 20%)Check the free space in memory

Done: 0 / 4

Method 2: System cleaning through "Safety"

MIUI has a built-in optimization tool called the Security app (or Global Firmware Security) that allows you to delete unnecessary files, including cache, with a single tap.

How to use:

Open the Security app (the shield icon).
Go to the Cleaner (or Cleaner) section.
Press the check and wait for the analysis.
Select Cash and other unnecessary files (such as File Residues or Advertising Garbage).
Press Clear (Clean).

What removes this tool:

Type of file	Description	Is it safe to remove?
Cash app.	Temporary data of programs (miniatures, log files)	✅ Yes.
File residues	Remote application files (e.g. APK)	✅ Yes.
Advertising junk	Cash of banner ads and trackers	✅ Yes.
System logs	Mistake Logs and MIUI Reports	⚠️ Unless there is a problem with the phone.

Advantages of this method:

🔹 No manual selection of applications – the system finds the garbage».
🔹 You can clear the cache for all programs at once (saves time).
🔹 Data secure – does not affect personal files.

💡

If the phone is slower after cleaning, restart it. MIUI reassembles the cache the first time you run the apps, and it can take 5-10 minutes.

4. Method 3: Clearing Dalvik cache via Recovery

Dalvik cache is an optimized file for the Android virtual machine that speeds up the launch of applications.

🤖 The phone is not updated through OTA (Issuing an error: failed to install an update»).
🔄 Apps fly out immediately after opening.
📱 MIUI It slows down even after resetting the settings.

To clean the Dalvik cache, you need to go to Recovery mode.

Turn off the phone.
Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
In the Recovery menu, select the language (if you have a choice).
Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (or Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache in custom Recovery like TWRP).
Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
Reboot your phone (Reboot → System)

⚠️ Note: If you have customized Recovery installed (for example, TWRP), Do not confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data – the second will delete all your data!

What happens after cleaning the Dalvik cache:

✅ Applications will be running longer when first opened (cache reassembled).
✅ Some update errors will disappear MIUI.
✅ Free 100-500 MB of memory (depending on the number of installed programs).

What happens if Recovery does not open?

If the phone doesn’t respond to the button combination, try: 1. Connect it to your PC and use the adb reboot recovery command. 2. Make sure the battery is at least 30% charged (the dead phone may not be logged into Recovery). 3. Check to see if the antivirus (such as Avast) blocks access to system partitions.

5. Method 4: Automatic cleaning with MIUI Optimizer

For users who don't want to manually clean the cache, there's a solution, a hidden MIUI Optimizer feature that automatically deletes unnecessary files on a schedule, but is disabled by default.

How to turn on:

Open the Settings. → The phone.
Click the MIUI version 7-10 times until the message “You are a developer!” appears.
Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
Find the MIUI Optimizer option and turn it on.
Reboot the phone.

What does MIUI Optimizer do?

🗑️ Automatically cleans the cache once a week.
🔄 Optimizes memory with low free space.
🛡️ Blocks background activity of unnecessary applications.

Limitations:

❌ It does not work on some global firmware (e.g. Redmi Note 12 in Europe).
❌ It can be in conflict with antivirus software (e.g. Kaspersky).

💡

MIUI Optimizer is the only official way to automatically clean up cache on Xiaomi.Alternative "cleansers" from Google Play (like Clean Master) often collect user data and can slow down the phone.

6. Method 5: Manual cleaning through ADB (for advanced)

If standard methods don’t work, you can remove the cache via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the phone to your computer, but gives you full control over the process.

What you need:

🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original so that there are no connection problems).
🛠️ Installed drivers ADB and platform-tools (download from the Android Developers website).

Step-by-step:

Enable USB debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB
Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the trusted device.
Open the command prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
Enter the command to clear the cache of all applications: adb shell pm trim-caches 100G To clear the cache of a particular application (for example, com.android.chrome): adb shell pm clear com.android.chrome
Reboot the phone.

Warnings:

⚠️ The pm clear command will delete all application data (including logins and settings)!
⚠️ Do not use the adb shell rm -rf /cache/* — This can damage system files.

7.What to do if cleaning the cache did not help?

If the phone still brakes after all the manipulations, the problem could be deeper.

Problem.	Signs.	Decision
Overflowing vault	Less than 500 MB of free space	Delete unnecessary files or transfer them to the SD-map
Memory fragmentation	Phone “Hanged” When Copying Files	Defragment with MIUI Optimizer or reinstall the firmware
Viruses or malware	Advertising in the status line, unknown applications	Scan Malwarebytes phone or reset settings
Outdated firmware	MIUI hasn't been updated for more than 6 months	Update through Settings → Software Update

Extreme measures:

🔄 Reset to factory settings (delete all data, but return the phone to the “original” state).
📱 Fastboot flashing (if you have a MIUI damaged).

⚠️ Warning: Before resetting settings, untie your Mi Account in Settings → Xiaomi account, otherwise after resetting the phone may require the old password!

8. Frequent Questions (FAQ)

❓ How much space will be freed up after cleaning the cache?

Depending on the number of applications installed, on average: 500 MB-1 GB when cleaning the cache of browsers and social networks. 1-3 GB if you clean the game cache (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty). 200-500 MB - MIUI system cache. Dalvik cache takes 100-300 MB, but its cleaning speeds up the system.

❓ Can I clean the cache every day?

Frequent cleaning leads to: 🔄 Slowing down the launch of applications (they will have to reassemble the cache). 🔋 Increased battery consumption (processor spends resources on creating new temporary files) Optimal frequency: once every 1-2 weeks or when lags appear.

❓ Why After Cleaning the Cache, Some Apps Stopped Working?

Probable reasons: You deleted the app data (not just the cache) by resetting the settings. The app depended on cached files (like offline maps in Google Maps), damaged cache files "broken" the program, and after cleaning it requires reinstallation. Solution: reinstall the problem application or check its settings.

❓ How to clear cache on Xiaomi without access to settings (phone locked)?

If the phone is locked (forgot the pattern lock or PIN), The cache can only be cleared through: 🔧 Recovery (Method 4 in this article). 🖥️ ADB (If previously included debugging USB). To unlock the screen without losing data, use Mi Account (if tied) or Xiaomi’s official service (purchase confirmation required).

❓ Does the phone damage the “cleaners” from Google Play?

Most applications like Clean Master, CCleaner or Files by Google: ✅ Securely remove cache (but do the same thing as embedded tools) MIUI). ⚠️ May collect data about your applications and transfer it to third parties. ❌ Sometimes you slow down your phone, working in the background as "optimizers." MIUI or ADB.