How to completely clear the cache on Xiaomi Redmi: 5 proven ways

Cache on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are temporary files that help apps load faster but eventually turn into digital garbage. If your phone starts to brake, overheat or emit “Not enough memory” errors, it’s time for a cleanup. Unlike a factory reset, cleaning the cache doesn’t delete personal data, but requires the right approach — especially on devices with MIUI firmware.

In this article, you will find current ways to clean up the entire cache (system, application cache and Dalvik cache) for Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11, POCO X5 and others. We will break down both standard methods through settings and hidden features for power users. Importantly, some operations require an unlocked bootloader or root rights — we will warn you about this in advance.

1.What is the cache on Xiaomi Redmi and why it needs to be cleaned

Cache is a buffer memory that stores temporary data to speed up the system, and is divided into three types at Xiaomi:

• 📱 App cache: files that create Telegram, YouTube, games and other programs, such as thumbnails of videos in TikTok or maps in Google Maps.
• ⚙️ System cache - firmware data MIUI, including updates, log files and temporary configurations.
• 🔧 Dalvik cache – optimized files of the Android virtual machine that are created when installing or updating applications.

Why is cache becoming a problem?

Over time, these files:

• 🐢 Slow down work – the system spends time searching for relevant data among the outdated ones.
• 📉 Take up space - on Redmi with 64 GB memory cache can "eat" before 5-8 GB.
• 🔥 Overheating – Fragmented files make the processor work harder.
• 🚨 Failures provoke – a damaged cache can cause crashes of applications or a “black screen".

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse cache with app data! Clearing WhatsApp's cache won't delete correspondence, but cleaning up app data will reset all settings and files.

Method 2: Clearing the cache of individual applications through MIUI settings

The safest method, which requires no additional software, is suitable for all Redmi models, including the Redmi Note 10 Pro, Redmi 9A and the new Redmi 13C.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Tapping on the right app (like Facebook or Chrome).
3. Select Storage (or Memory in older versions of MIUI).
4. Click Clear Cache. For full cleaning, also tap Space Management → Clear all data (but this will remove the app settings!).

For mass cleaning:

1. In the same Application Management menu, click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
2. Select Sort by size – so you will see the most “gluttonous” programs.
3. Alternately clear the cache from applications that occupy more than 100 MB.

Which apps are cleaned first?

⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the cache of com.android.systemui or com.miui.home system applications unless absolutely necessary – this may cause the interface to crash MIUI.

3. Method 2: Clean the system cache through Recovery Mode

This method removes all temporary firmware files, including residues from MIUI updates. Suitable for devices with a locked bootloader (does not require root).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up for 10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (if you have a choice) and tap Wipe & Reset (or Data Cleanup).
4. Choose Wipe Cache (Do not confuse with Wipe Data – it is a complete reset!).
5. Confirm the action and wait until the completion (it will take 1-3 minutes).
6. Restart your phone through Reboot → System.

What does this do?

• 🧹 Remove Remains of Old Updates MIUI (It's really after the "dirty" firmware).
• 🛠️ Fixes errors such as "Com.android.phone process has stopped".
• 📱 Accelerates the first system start after restart.

After cleaning the cache through Recovery, the first start of the system can take up to 5-10 minutes – this is normal, do not interrupt the process!

Method 3: Automatic cleaning through the built-in MIUI utility

Xiaomi has added a hidden memory cleanup feature to the firmware, which analyzes and deletes unnecessary files automatically. MIUI 12–14.

How to turn on:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5 times on the MIUI version until the notification “You became a developer!” appears.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate the memory cleansing switch (MIUI Optimization).
5. Now on the Settings menu → The memory will appear button Deep cleaning.

What cleanses this function:

• 🗑️ Cache of unused applications (if not opened) > 30 days).
• 📁 Empty folders and damaged downloads.
• 🔄 Remains from uninstalled programs.
• 📱 Log files of the system older than 7 days.

⚠️ Attention: After activation MIUI Optimization phone can delete cache once a week if you use Custom ROM (For example, Pixel Experience, this feature may not work properly.

💡

If the Deep Clean button is inactive, check that you have Mi Account sync enabled. On some firmware, Xiaomi blocks the cleanup without authorization.

5. Method 4: Clearing Dalvik cache (for advanced users)

Dalvik cache is an optimized file on the Android virtual machine that is created for each application, and cleaning it helps if:

• 🐌 The phone slowly opened apps after the update.
• 🔄 Errors such as "The application does not respond".
• 📱 You recently got OTA-update MIUI.

Cleaning requires TWRP Recovery or root access. If you have standard Recovery, use Method 2.

Instructions via TWRP:

1. Boot to TWRP (Put Power + Volume Up when the phone is off).
2. Tap Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache.
3. Swipe for confirmation.
4. Reboot to the system.

Through ADB (without root, but with unlocked bootloader):

adb shell


su




rm -r /data/dalvik-cache/*




reboot

What happens after cleaning:

• ⏳ The first run of each application will be longer (the system reassembles the cache).
• 📉 Place taken in section /data diminish 200–500 MB.
• ⚡ Lags will disappear when multitasking.

💡

Cleaning Dalvik Cache Is the Only Way to Fix Error "INSTALL_FAILED_DEXOPT" when installing applications through ADB.

6. Method 5: Completely clearing the cache via Fastboot (for experienced)

This method removes all cache, including hidden partitions that are not accessible through standard means.Requires an unlocked bootloader and Mi Flash Tool.

When it's needed:

• 🔧 After a failed update MIUI (The phone is loaded into the bootloop).
• 📱 Before the Custom firmware ROM.
• 🚨 If the standard methods did not help to correct the errors.

Instructions:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool on your PC.
2. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into Fastboot.
3. Connect Redmi to your PC via USB.
4. In the Mi Flash Tool, choose Clean All and Lock (this will remove the cache and block the bootloader) or Clean All (clean up only).
5. Press Flash and wait until it is completed.

⚠️ Warning: This method will reset all settings, including fingerprints and Mi Account data. SIM-map SD-map, if there are any.

Alternative way through Fastboot commands:

fastboot erase cache


fastboot erase userdata (only if you need a full reset!)




fastboot reboot

7.How often should you clean the cache on Xiaomi Redmi

The cleaning frequency depends on the phone model and the intensity of use:

How to know if the cache is clogged:

• 📉 B Settings → Memory section Cash takes > 1GB.
• 🔥 The phone is heated without load (check in the AIDA64).
• 🐢 Applications open longer than 3-5 seconds.
• 🚨 Errors "Lack of memory" appear, although 5 are free+ GB.

💡

To make the cache accumulate more slowly, turn off automatic updates to apps in Google Play and limit the background activity of programs in Settings → Battery → Power Saving Mode.

8.What NOT to do when cleaning the cache

Some "advice" from the Internet can hurt your Redmi.

• 🚫 Delete the Android folder manually – this will cause all applications to crash.
• 🚫 Clear cache via CCleaner or analogues – these programs often delete important files MIUI.

Also not worth it:

• 🔄 Cleaning cache more than 1 time a week – it will only slow down the work.
• 📱 Cleaning the cache while charging – this can lead to overheating.
• ⚡ Interrupt the cleaning process through Recovery – the risk of “bricking” the phone.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone gets worse after cleaning the cache (for example, there are artifacts on the screen or constant reboots), then critical files have been deleted.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning cache on Xiaomi Redmi