Cleaning the system cache on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Your Xiaomi smartphone started to slow down, applications are open for a long time, and there is less than 1 GB of free memory? The reason may lie in clogged system cache — temporary files that accumulate when operating OS and programs. Unlike the user's cache of applications, the system cache is not cleared so obviously, but it often becomes the culprit of lags and overheating.

In this article, we’ll look at all the cleaning tools available, from standard MIUI tools to hidden commands for power users, how to safely delete unnecessary files without risking system damage, what methods are suitable for the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or older models on MIUI 10, and what to do if the phone starts to perform worse after cleaning.

What is a system cache and why you need to clean it

System cache is a temporary file that MIUI creates to speed up work, and it stores data about:

• 📱 Running processes (to make applications open faster when re-starting)
• 🔄 System updates (packet residues after firmware installation)
• 🎯 Interface settings (themes, animations, fonts)
• 🔌 Equipment drivers (data on the operation of the camera, module) NFC etc.)

Over time, these files can take up to 3-5 GB of storage, even if you haven't installed new apps, and cache is growing especially fast on devices with MIUI 12-14, where background optimization is more aggressive, signs that it's time to clean:

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse the system cache with the app cache! Clean up the latter (via Settings) → Applications are secure, but manually deleting system files can cause a cyclical reboot of the phone.

Method 1: Standard cleaning through MIUI (no root)

The simplest method that works on all models, from Redmi 9A to Xiaomi 14 Ultra, is suitable for beginners and does not require additional tools.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Memory (on some firmware, the path may differ: Settings → Additional → Memory).
2. Slip the “Clean” button in the “System Memory” section.
3. Confirm action. The system will delete temporary files, including update cache and remnants of deleted applications.

This method only clears part of the cache, files that MIUI considers safe to delete, and other methods will be needed to clean the cache.

Close all background applications

Connect your phone to charge (the process can take 5-10 minutes)

Backup important data (in case of failure)

Check the space available (should be at least 500 MB)

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Method 2: Cleaning with Recovery Mode (for all models)

If the phone is slowing down or not responding to touch, cleaning through recovery mode will help.This method resets the /cache partition cache, where temporary system and kernel files are stored.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press button combination: For most models: Volume up + Power for POCO F5 and new flagships: Volume up + Volume down + Power

Recovery

«Wipe & Reset»

«Wipe Cache»

Wipe Data

Confirm the action and wait until the completion (it will take 1-3 minutes).

Reboot → System

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) may not have Wipe Cache. ADB (4).

Method 3: Reset the interface settings (for MIUI 12 and later)

MIUI 12-14 firmware has a separate cache for interface elements like animations, themes and fonts, and cleaning it helps if:

• 🎨 Phone 'slows down' when scrolling menu
• 🔍 App icons take a long time to load
• 🖼️ The desktop wallpaper is reset to standard

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version until the notification “You are a developer!” appears.
3. Return to the main settings menu, open Additional → for developers.
4. Find the option “Reset interface settings” and confirm the action.

After the reboot, the phone will apply the standard theme, but all data (photos, messages, apps) will remain in place.

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the phone starts to brake

Never cleaned.

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Method 4: Cleaning through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can manually remove the cache via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a PC and enabled USB debugging.

Instructions:

1. Download Platform Tools from the official Android website.
2. Turn on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB
3. Connect your phone to your PC and in the command line (in the folder with adb.exe) do: adb shell su rm -rf /cache/* rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*
4. Reboot your phone with the reboot command.

⚠️ Attention: Command rm -rf If you don't have root rights, use the alternative: adb shell pm clear com.miui.home This will clear the launcher's cache only. MIUI.

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Before using ADB, check if OEM unlock is enabled in the developer settings, and without it, some commands may not execute.

Method 5: Manually clean through file manager (root only)

If you have root rights, you can manually delete unnecessary cache files, which is the most radical method, but also the most effective.

What folders can be cleaned:

• 🗃️ /cache — System cache (it is safe to remove everything)
• 🗃️ /data/dalvik-cache — Virtual machine cache (delete if you have updated the firmware)
• 🗃️ /data/system/package_cache — cache of installed packages
• 🗃️ /data/log — System logs (can be deleted, but they will be restored)

How to clean:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to the root directory (/) and find the specified folders.
3. Remove the contents (not the folders themselves!).
4. Reboot the phone.

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Manually cleaning the root cache can speed up the phone by 20-30%, but it requires caution, and removing the wrong files will lead to a “bootloop”.

What to do if after cleaning the cache, the phone began to work worse

In rare cases, after cleaning the system cache, problems may arise:

• 🔄 Cyclical reboot - phone turns on, shows logo MIUI and off again.
• 📱 Black screen after loading (only touch illumination works).
• 🔊 Loss of sound or non-functioning speakers.

Decisions:

1. For cyclic reboot: Load to Recovery and repeat cache cleanup. If it doesn't work, reflash your phone via Fastboot (without losing data, select save user data).
2. For black screen: Connect your phone to your PC and check if it is detected in ADB If yes, do adb shell settings put global. force_fsr 0 (screen-setting).

For sound problems:

• Clear the cache of the com.android.media app via ADB: adb shell pm clear com.android.media

If none of these methods worked, it's probably not the cache that's the problem, it's the system files that are corrupted, and then you can only do a complete flashing.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up cache on Xiaomi