Clearing Telegram cache on Xiaomi: a complete guide for Android

Telegram messenger actively uses cache to speed up the loading of media files, stickers and chats. On Xiaomi smartphones (Redmi, POCO, Mi series), this cache can take up gigabytes of memory, slowing down the application and system. The feature of MIUI firmware is aggressive management of background processes, which sometimes leads to conflicts with the Telegram cache.

In this article you will find 5 working methods of cleaning the cache – from standard settings of the messenger to hidden functions MIUI. We will discuss how to delete unnecessary files without losing data, why the cache is quickly restored, and what to do if Telegram after cleaning is unstable. 12/13 and MIUI 14, where the caching algorithms have changed.

Why Telegram cache is growing on Xiaomi

On Xiaomi devices, Telegram cache is growing faster than on pure Android.

• 🔄 Aggressive optimization MIUI: The system forcibly closes the background processes, forcing Telegram to re-upload data to the cache.
• 📥 Autoload Media: Telegram downloads high quality photos/video by default, even if you don’t open them.
• 🤖 Features of the file system: on Xiaomi, the cache is stored in the /data/data/org.telegram.messenger/cache, which MIUI It does not clean up in standard optimization.
• 🔄 Frequent updates: Telegram updates weekly, and older versions of cache are not always deleted automatically.

For example, on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ with 128 GB of memory, users note that Telegram cache can take up to 5-7 GB in 2-3 months of active use, while MIUI does not show these files in the Storage section as “app cache”, which complicates the search.

Method 1: Clearing the cache through Telegram settings

The most secure method that doesn’t delete your chats or media files is suitable for all Xiaomi models on Android 9-14:

1. Open Telegram and go to the ⚙️ Settings → Data and memory.
2. Slip on "Memory Use" (or "Storage" in newer versions).
3. Select "Clear Telegram cache" and the system will show how much space the temporary files take up.
4. Confirm the cleanup. It takes 10 seconds to 2 minutes depending on the volume.

⚠️ Note: This method does not delete files you downloaded manually (photos, videos, documents). → Data and memory → Warehouse → Remove downloads.

Backup important chats (Settings → Chat → Export History)

Close all active downloads in Telegram

Connect your phone to charge (for models with a battery < 20%)

Check the available space on the device (requires a minimum of 500 MB)

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Method 2: Manual cleaning with MIUI Storage

If Telegram doesn’t show the cache clearing option (relevant to MIUI 13/14), use the built-in memory manager:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Telegram in the list and tap on it.
3. Select "Storage" (or "Memory").
4. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Delete Data – it will erase all chats!).
5. For deep cleaning, tap "Space Management" and manually delete unnecessary files.

On some models (POCO F4 GT, Xiaomi 12T) the path may be different: Settings → About phone → Memory → Apps → Telegram → Clear cache.

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After cleaning the cache, restart the phone - this will help MIUI correctly recalculate the free space and avoid "phantom" busy gigabytes.

Method 3: Cache removal via Recovery (for experienced)

This method is suitable if Telegram takes more than 10 GB and is not cleaned by standard methods. On Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader, you can delete the cache via TWRP, but it is risky - wrong actions will lead to data loss.

Instructions for Xiaomi with TWRP Recovery:

1. Turn off your phone and press Power + Volume Up to log in to Recovery.


2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.




3. Find the folder /data/data/org.telegram.messenger/cache.




4. Select all files and select "Delete".




5. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete databases or shared_prefs — This will result in loss of account and chats. → System system → Backup.

Method 4: Automatic cleaning with MIUI Optimizer

MIUI has a hidden deep optimization feature that can clear the cache of system and user applications, activated through the developer mode:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option "Optimization" MIUI" and turn it on.
4. Slip on Deep Cleanup and select Telegram in the list.

This method does not work on all devices. On the Redmi K50 Pro and Xiaomi 13 Ultra, the function can be disabled by default.

• 🛡️ Open Security. → "Optimization".
• 🔍 Select "Deep Cleaning".
• 🗑️ Scroll to the "App Cache" section and mark Telegram.
• 🧹 Click "Clean" (A confirmation from a print may be required).

Method 5: Cleaning through ADB (without root)

For users familiar with ADB, there is a way to clear the cache without superuser rights. Suitable for all Xiaomi on Android 10+:

1. Install Platform Tools on your PC.
2. Connect your phone via USB and enable debugging via USB (Settings → Developers → Debugging via USB).
3. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) and type:

adb shell pm clear org.telegram.messenger.cache


adb shell pm trim-caches 1000000000

The first command clears the Telegram cache, the second one compulsorily frees up memory (1 GB in the example), and replace 1000 billion with the desired value in bytes to clean up completely.

⚠️ Note: Do not use the command adb shell pm clear org.telegram.messenger – it will reset all application data, including chats!

How to prevent fast filling of cache

To cache Telegram does not grow to gigabytes in a week, set up the messenger and MIUI:

On POCO F5 and Redmi Note 12, additionally disable “Auto-optimization” for Telegram in the battery settings – this will prevent the forced closure of the messenger and re-loading the cache.

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Regular cleaning of the Telegram cache (every 2-3 weeks) and disabling autoload media in the mobile network reduce its size by 60-70% without loss of functionality.

What to do if Telegram lags after cleaning the cache

Sometimes, after cleaning, the messenger starts to slow down or does not load the media.

• 🐢 Slow chat load: Telegram pumps data again. 5-10 minutes or connect to Wi-Fi.
• 🔄 Cyclical Reboot: Remove Telegram Update in Settings → Annexes → Telegram → ⋮ → Remove updates.
• 📵 No notifications: Check permissions in Settings MIUI → Annexes → Telegram → Notifications.
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge: MIUI It can not optimize Telegram correctly after cleaning. Add it to "Secure applications" (Settings) → Battery → Secure applications).

If the problem is not solved, try reinstalling Telegram: Settings → Apps → Telegram → Delete → Install again from Google Play.

Xiaomi 13 Lite and Redmi K60 After reinstalling, you may need to reset your network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Reset network settings if the messenger is not connected to the servers.

FAQ: Frequent questions about clearing Telegram cache on Xiaomi