How to Clean the App on Xiaomi Phone: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi and POCO lines) become slower over time due to overloaded cache and unnecessary application data. Even if you regularly delete files, many programs continue to take up gigabytes of memory — and it is not always clear how to clean them correctly. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to clean applications, from standard MIUI tools to hidden functions for power users.

It's important to understand the difference between cleaning the cache and deleting the application data. Cache are temporary files that speed up the program (for example, uploaded images to Instagram or videos to TikTok). They can be deleted without risk - the application will simply re-download the data you need. But deleting all the data will reset the program to factory settings: leave the account, delete the saved settings and downloads, we will show when and how to use each method.

This article is relevant for all modern Xiaomi models based on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS, including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5 and others. If your phone runs on an older version of the firmware, some menu items may differ - but the general logic remains the same.

1. Standard cache cleaning through settings

The easiest way to free up memory is to use the built-in application manager, which is a no-super-user, no-no-no-no-no-no-go method. Here's how to do it:

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Select Application Management (in some versions of MIUI, this may be referred to simply as "Applications").
3. Tapping on the desired application (for example, Facebook or YouTube).
4. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

If the Clear cache button is inactive (grey), then there are no temporary files to delete in the application, in which case you can try alternative methods from the following sections.

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After clearing the cache, some applications (such as Google Maps or Yandex.Maps) can take longer to load on the first run – this is normal, since they re-download the necessary data.

For mass cleaning of the cache of all applications:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Memory.
• 🧹 Click Clear in the section "Cash applications".
• ⚡ Confirm the action (the system will show how much space will be vacated).

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Clear Cache with Clear Data! The second action will delete all application settings, including logins, passwords and saved files, for example, on WhatsApp this will lead to logging out of your account, and in games - to loss of progress.

2. Deep Cleanup: Deletion of Application Data

If an application is unstable (flying, slowing down or not updating), it sometimes helps to completely reset its data, which is more radical than cleaning the cache, and requires caution.

• 🔄 The application freezes at the boot stage (for example, Vkontakte or Telegram does not open chats).
• 📱 After the update, errors appeared.
• 🔒 You need to delete the data stored in the application (for example, a history in the browser).

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → select the right one.
2. Click Warehouse → Clear Data (or Delete All Data in Newer MIUI Versions).
3. Confirm the action. The app will return to "as after installation."

Important: In some system applications (e.g. Gallery or Contacts), the Clear Data button may be blocked, and this is done to protect the phone’s critical functions.

Make a backup copy of important data (photos, chats, bookmarks)

Remember or save logins / passwords from accounts in the application

Check if there is cloud storage (e.g. in games)

Make sure you have access to email to restore your account.-->

3. Use of the built-in "Optimizer"

MIUI has a hidden tool for automatic cleaning called "Security" (or "Security" in global versions), which not only removes the cache, but also closes the background processes, which can speed up the phone's operation. Here's how to use it:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Optimization (or Boost) tab.
3. Click Clean in the section "Junk files".
4. You can also use a deep cleaning to remove unnecessary APK-Files and Remains of Remote Programs.

The optimizer also shows which applications consume the most memory and energy, which helps to identify the “gluttonous” programs that are worth cleaning first.

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the phone starts to brake

Never clean.-->

4. Manual cleaning through file manager

For power users, there is a way to manually remove unnecessary application files, which is useful if standard methods don’t help or you need to make room for a particular program (for example, to download a large game update).

Instructions:

1. Open any file manager (e.g., built-in MI File Manager or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to Internal Storage → Android → Data.
3. Find a folder with the name of the package of the desired application (for example, com.whatsapp for WhatsApp).
4. Delete the contents of the cache and files folders (but not the folders themselves!).

To find out the name of the application package:

• 📱 Install App Inspector from Google Play.
• 🔍 Or use the team in ADB:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "appendix name"

⚠️ Warning: Do not delete lib folders and.so files, which are the system libraries without which the application will not start. Android/obb, If you are not sure about its contents: additional data for games is stored there (for example, graphic textures).

5. Clean through Recovery Mode (for Advanced)

If the phone is severely slowed by overloaded system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Browser), you can use Recovery mode. This method will reset the cache of all applications at once, but will not affect user data.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

This method is useful if:

• 📉 The phone has become slower since the update. MIUI.
• 🔄 Apps are constantly flying out with an error.
• 📱 Memory is filled with no one knows what (the settings show that 10-20 GB is occupied, but you can’t find these files).

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Cleaning the cache through Recovery does not delete personal data (photos, videos, messages), but resets the settings of some system applications.

6. Automatic cleaning with third-party applications

If you're too lazy to manually clean each application, you can use specialized utilities that analyze memory and suggest that you delete unnecessary files.-3 Proven programs for Xiaomi:

• 🧹 SD Maid removes remnants of deleted applications, empty folders and duplicate files. There is a function to clean the system cache (requires root rights).
• 📊 Files by Google is a simple manager with memory analysis and cleanup recommendations.
• 🔍 CCleaner is a classic cache cleaning and autoload management utility. Read carefully what it suggests to remove!

Before using such programs, consider:

• ✅ They save time by automating routine activities.
• ❌ You can delete files if you don’t configure filters.
• ⚠️ Some functions (e.g., cleaning Dalvik cache) require root rights, which deprives you of the guarantee.

For maximum safety before using third-party cleaners:

1. Create a backup copy of important data.
2. Check out the reviews on 4PDA or XDA Developers.
3. Don’t give the app superuser rights if you don’t understand why they’re needed.

7 What to do if cleaning does not help?

If, after all the manipulations, the app is still slowing down or taking up too much space, the problem could be deeper.

If neither method worked, the problem might be the firmware itself.

• 🔄 Update MIUI Up to the latest version (check in Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 📱 Reset your phone to factory settings (don’t forget to make a backup!).
• 🛠️ Fastboot flashing (only for experienced users).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (especially HyperOS) may require re-assigning your Mi Account after resetting. Make sure you remember your username and password, otherwise your phone will be locked!

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning apps on Xiaomi