Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones sooner or later face a slowdown or lack of free space, often caused by accumulated cache — temporary files that applications create to speed up access to data. Over time, this “digital garbage” can take up gigabytes of memory, slowing down the MIUI or HyperOS operating system.
Cache cleaning is a safe and effective procedure that helps to get your phone back to speed. Unlike a full reset, deleting temporary files doesn't affect your personal photos, contacts or documents, but it's important to understand the difference between app cache and system data so you don't delete the extra.
In this guide, we will break down all available cleaning methods, from standard system tools to advanced methods through the engineering menu, you will learn how to properly free up space and optimize the operation of your gadget without installing third-party software.
What is cache and why you need to clean it
Cache is a buffer memory that stores temporary data from frequently used applications, such as the browser stores copies of the pages visited, and messengers store the images received so that when they are reopened, they load instantly, which speeds up work, but requires disk space.
The problems begin when the cache size becomes disproportionate, and the application can store gigabytes of old thumbnails or temporary installation files that are no longer needed, which causes the memory space to run out quickly and the system to run slower due to fragmentation of files.
Regular cleaning helps:
- 🚀 Free up valuable space for new photos and programs.
- ⚡ Resolve application errors caused by corrupted temporary files.
- 🔋 Reduce the load on the processor when searching for data.
It's worth noting that once the cache is cleared, the application can run a little longer on its first start, because it has to recreate the necessary temporary files, which is normal system behavior.
Cleaning the cache through the standard "Security" application
The easiest and safest way to free up space is to use a built-in tool from Xiaomi.Security is already pre-installed on all devices of the brand and has access to system folders.
Launch the app and select Clean up. The system will automatically analyze the memory and find files that can be deleted without harming data, usually including remnants of remote programs, advertising files and browser cache.
⚠️ Warning: Before pressing the "Clean" button, carefully review the list. Sometimes the system will flag important files, such as downloaded documents from messengers, as garbage if they are in a standard download folder.
For a deeper cleanup, go to Clean Up → Deep Clean Up, where you can select specific file categories, and it’s also helpful to go to the janitor settings (Settings in the Security app) and enable automatic cleanup when you reach a certain memory filling threshold.
💡
Set up automatic cleaning in the Security app so that the phone itself frees up space when less than 2GB of storage is available.
Using regular funds is preferable to installing “cleaners” from the Play Market, as they have limited access rights and often contain advertising.
Removing the cache of individual applications manually
If a particular app, such as YouTube or Telegram, is not working properly or takes up too much space, the cache can be selectively cleared, especially for social networks that accumulate huge amounts of media files.
To do this, perform the following actions:
- Open the phone settings.
- Go to the Appendix section → All Appendices.
- Find the program in the list and click on it.
- Select the item Memory or Storage.
- Click the Clear Cache button (not to be confused with “Clear All”).
☑️ Check before cleaning the application
The Clear Everything button (or Reset) also deletes the authorization and settings of the application, so use it with caution.
The newer versions of HyperOS may have slightly different interfaces, but the logic remains the same: the memory management of a particular application is in its properties. If the cache clearing button is inactive (gray), then there are no temporary files for that application.
Use the Recovery Mode (Recovery Mode) menu
For more advanced users, there is a way to clean the system cache through recovery mode, which helps in cases where the phone is unstable after a firmware update, and is safe for personal data, unless you choose Wipe Data.
Procedure:
- 📱 Turn off the smartphone completely.
- 🔌 Press the buttons Volume up and Power at the same time.
- 🔄 Hold until the Mi logo appears, then release the power, but keep the volume up.
- 🖱️ In the Recovery menu (manage volume buttons, select power button) select Wipe Cache.
What is the difference between Wipe Cache and Wipe Data?
Once the process is complete, select Reboot to restart. The first run may take longer than usual - that's fine, as the system reassembles the cache.
| Cleaning method | Security | Efficiency | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annex "Security" | Tall. | Medium | Low. |
| Application settings | Tall. | High (point) | Low. |
| Recovery Mode | Medium (requires care) | High (systemic) | Medium |
Clearing the cache in the browser and messengers
Browsers and instant messengers deserve special attention, since they are the main “eaters” of memory. In Chrome, Mi Browser or Yandex.Browser, cache can grow to several gigabytes per month of active use.
To clear the cache in the browser:
- Open the browser and go to the menu (three dots).
- Choose a History. → Clear history.
- Make sure that there is a tick opposite the Image and other files saved in the cache.
- Click Delete Data.
In messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp, it is better to use the built-in cleaning settings to avoid losing correspondence. In Telegram, for example, you can adjust the automatic cache size: Settings → Data and memory → Memory Use. There is also a button "Clear Cache" available.
⚠️ Attention: Clearing the browser cache will lead to delogging on sites and removing the contents of the online shopping cart. Be prepared to re-enter passwords.
Automation and useful maintenance tips
To avoid manual cleaning all the time, you need to implement healthy smartphone habits. Modern shells MIUI and HyperOS can monitor the state of memory, but they can be helped.
Turn on Memory Extension if it's available on your model, it uses a portion of the permanent storage as RAM, which indirectly affects your cache, and it's also recommended that you reboot your device regularly every 2-3 days, which resets the time processes and clears the RAM.
💡
Regular reboot of the smartphone (at least once a week) is more effective than many optimization programs and helps the system reset the accumulated cache of processes.
Don’t store thousands of photos in a gallery without cloud sync. Google Photos or Mi Cloud allows you to free up space on your device by deleting local copies after uploading to the cloud.