How to completely clear the cache on Xiaomi Mi 9S: a step-by-step guide

Why does the Xiaomi Mi 9S cache require regular cleaning?

Xiaomi Mi 9S (also known as Mi 9 SE in the global version) has 64 or 128 GB of internal memory, but even this amount becomes insufficient over time, because of accumulated cache, which takes up up to 30% of free space. Cache is temporary files created by the system and applications to speed up work, but without control they turn into digital garbage, which:

Slows performance (especially when multitasking or running heavy games like Genshin Impact).

- Causes overheating due to constant overwriting of data to flash memory.

Provokes malfunctions in the application (for example, sudden closure of Instagram or Telegram).

Unlike Xiaomi’s flagship models (like the Mi 11 Ultra), the Mi 9S doesn’t have automatic cache optimization in MIUI. So you have to clean it manually — and do it correctly so you don’t delete important data.

When exactly do I need to clear the cache on the Mi 9S?

Don’t clean the cache “just in case” – this can lead to the opposite effect: applications will have to re-upload data, which will eat up traffic and increase the load on the Snapdragon 712 processor.

• 📱 Phone freezes when camera or gallery starts (a common issue after update) MIUI).
• 🐢 Apps open or “hang” on a white screen for a long time.
• 🔥 Smartphone overheats for no apparent reason (even in standby mode).
• 📉 Less than 10% of free memory (checked in Settings) → The phone. → Warehouse).
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Glitches appear (for example, gestures do not work or sound disappears).

Special attention should be paid to the cache of system applications (for example, Mi Video or Security), which often “inflated” to several gigabytes due to erroneous optimization in MIUI. At the same time, the cache of messengers (WhatsApp, Viber) you can not touch – it contains media files that are useful for quick browsing.

⚠️ Warning: If your phone stops syncing contacts after clearing the Google Play Services or Mi Account cache, don’t panic. Just restart the device and wait for automatic data recovery (it can take up to 10 minutes).

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications

The safest method is to remove cache for specific programs, which does not affect personal data (photos, messages, saves in games), but frees up to 1-5 GB of memory.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. In the list, find apps marked “Cash” (usually Facebook, Chrome, Mi Browser).
4. Click on the app → Storage → Clear the cache.

To speed up the process, you can use a filter: enter “cache” in the search bar, and the system will show only those programs where it takes more than 100 MB. Ignore applications with a cache of less than 50 MB - their cleaning will not give a noticeable effect, but may cause delays at the next start.

Close all background applications

Connect your phone to charge (if the charge is below 20%)

Make a backup copy of important data

Check the vacant space after cleaning-->

Method 2: Mass cleaning the cache of all applications

If you don't have time to manually process, use the built-in MIUI function, which deletes the cache of all user applications (except system ones), but does not touch the account data.

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Click on the line “Cache Data” (usually takes 1-3 GB).
3. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

It'll take 1-2 minutes. Once completed,

• 🔄 Restart your phone (required!).
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi – Many apps will start to re-download data.
• ⚡ Turn off automatic app updates in Google Play for 1-2 days to avoid loading.

⚠️ Attention: Mass cleaning may reset some applications (e.g., Spotify will lose listening history, and Google Maps will lose offline maps.

Method 3: Clearing the cache through Recovery mode

If the Mi 9S is slowing down or not responding to commands, cleaning the cache through the recovery mode will help.This method does not delete user data, but resets all temporary system files, including the MIUI update cache.

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. In the Recovery menu, select the language (if required) then:
4. Wait until it is finished (the screen will show the inscription Success).
5. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

The first start after this cleaning can take up to 5 minutes, which is normal.

• 📱 Phone not turned on (hangs on Xiaomi logo).
• 🔄 After updating MIUI An infinite bootloop (cyclic reboot).
• 🛑 Applications crash with an error (e.g., “Application is stopped»).

Method 4: Using ADB for deep cleaning (for advanced)

If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which removes Dalvik cache, which is a temporary file on the Android virtual machine that often causes lags.

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version, then return to the additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Next, run in the command line (on PC):

adb shell


su




rm -r /data/dalvik-cache/*




exit




exit




adb reboot

Warning: Misuse of ADB can lead to data loss or soft-brick (when the phone is turned on but the system is not booted).

💡

Before using ADB, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup. This will save your data even if something goes wrong.

Method 5: Automating cleaning with Tasker

To avoid manually clearing the cache, you can set up automatic cleaning using the Tasker app (root rights or ADB required).

1. Install Tasker from Google Play.
2. Create a new task (Task → New Task).
3. Add the Run Shell action and type in the command: pm clear --user 0 com.android.providers.media (this will clear the media provider's cache, which is often inflated due to MIUI errors).
4. Set up a trigger – for example, clean every Monday at 3:00 or when connected to a charge.

To clean the cache of all applications, use the command:

pm trim-caches 1000000000

(where 1000,000,000 is the size in bytes you want to release).

⚠️ Warning: Automatic cache cleaning may conflict with some applications (e.g. Google Photos will stop showing thumbnails before re-syncing).Tune Tasker to clean up while the phone is not actively in use (e.g. at night).

💡

Cache cleaning does not replace full system optimization. If the phone still brakes after the procedure, check the CPU load in Settings → Battery → Battery Use or perform a factory reset (with a pre-backup!).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many Xiaomi Mi 9S users make critical cache cleaning mistakes that only make the problems worse.

• 🚫 Cleaning the cache of system launchers (Mi Launcher, POCO Launcher - Resets wallpaper and widgets.Solution: Use alternative launchers (like Nova Launcher) if you want to clear the cache without consequences.
• 🚫 Deleting data instead of cache (Clear Data instead of Cache button) will delete all settings and application files.Solution: Always check which button you press.
• 🚫 Cleaning the cache during the update MIUI — Solution: Wait for the update to complete and then clear the cache.
• 🚫 Using Google Play "cleaners" (like Clean Master or CCleaner) - they often delete useful files and show false notifications of "critical errors." Solution: Use only built-in tools MIUI.

If after cleaning the cache, the phone began to work even worse - most likely, the problem is not in the cache, but in:

• 🔋 Worn-out battery (check battery health via ##4636##).
• 🛠️ Damaged firmware (try to flash your phone through the Mi Flash Tool).
• 🦠 Viruses (install Malwarebytes and scan the system).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions