How to completely clear the cache on Xiaomi: system, applications and Dalvik

Why Cache Clearing on Xiaomi is Not Always an Obvious Task

Cache on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi, POCO, and Black Shark) accumulates faster than on other brands, due to aggressive optimization of MIUI, which actively caches data to speed up the interface and applications. However, over time, this “junk” takes up gigabytes of memory, slows down the system and can cause crashes from accidental reboots to errors in games.

The problem is that standard cleaning through Settings → Memory only removes the app surface cache, leaving the system cache, Dalvik cache (Android virtual machine) and hidden micro-G files (Google services for China) intact. In this article, we will break down all the levels of cleaning, including those that are not visible in the basic MIUI menu, but critically affect performance.

1. Clearing the cache of individual applications (basic method)

The safest way is to remove the cache for specific programs, which won't affect their data (logins, saves), but will free up space, which is fine if the phone starts to slow down after installing new apps or updates.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management
• 🔍 Select the desired application (for example, Facebook, Telegram or Google Play Store)
• 🧹 Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache
• 🚫 Do not click “Clear Data” – this will delete all settings and accounts in the application!

For mass cleaning:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup
2. Click Select data for cleaning → tick unnecessary files
3. Confirm the action with the Clear button (usually at the bottom of the screen)

💡

If the app gets slower after cleaning the cache, that's OK, the system caches the data again the next time it starts, and wait 5-10 minutes of active use, and the speed will recover.

2. Deep cleaning of system cache via Recovery Mode

System cache (/cache) store temporary files MIUI, Android kernels and updates. Cleaning it helps with:

• 🐢 Slowing down animations and transitions between screens
• 🔄 Fixed Updates ("Infinite Download")
• 📱 Failures after firmware or update MIUI

Instructions for all Xiaomi models (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11):

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up simultaneously until the Mi logo appears (about 10 seconds).
3. From the Recovery menu (English or Chinese), select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action with the swipe or the Yes button.
5. After cleaning, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: If there is no Wipe Cache option in Recovery Mode, then your device has custom firmware installed (for example, Pixel Experience or LineageOS). --wipe_cache computer.

3. Cleaning Dalvik cache (for advanced users)

Dalvik cache is an optimized file on the Android virtual machine that speeds up the launch of applications.

• 🤖 Applications suddenly close with the error "Application stopped"
• 📦 After updating MIUI Some programs have stopped opening.
• 🔧 You have recently obtained root rights and want to avoid conflicts.

Method 1: TWRP Recovery (requires an unlocked bootloader):

1. Load to TWRP (clip Power + Volume Up).
2. Choose Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache.
3. Swipe for confirmation.
4. Reboot to the system.

Method 2: Through ADB (no root, but command line skills are needed):

adb shell


su




rm -r /data/dalvik-cache/*




reboot

⚠️ Warning: Cleaning the Dalvik cache without rebooting can lead to a bootloop.Always restart the phone immediately after the procedure!

4. Hidden cache files: micro-G, Google Services and MIUI Bloatware

MIUI for both global and Chinese versions contains an “invisible” cache from:

• 🤖 Micro.-G (Google's services for China are cut down by 500 MB
• 📦 Pre-installed apps (Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps)
• 🔍 System logs (/data/log/ and /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log/)

How to remove them:

To remove hidden files without root, use the ADB command:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.analytics # Cleanup of MIUI Analytics


adb shell pm clear com.xiaomi.market #Cache cleanup Mi App Store

5. Automatic cache cleaning: MIUI settings and third-party utilities

MIUI has built-in tools for automatic cleaning, but they don't work well. Here's how to set them up:

1. Open Settings → Memory → Auto Clean.
2. Turn on the option to Clear the cache when you lock the screen.
3. Set a limit for notifications (recommended 1-2 GB).

For deep automatic cleaning, use the following applications:

• 🛠️ SD Maid (requires root for full functionality)
• 🧹 Files by Google (free, no root)
• 🔍 CCleaner (caution – can delete files!)

⚠️ Note: Applications such as Clean Master or DU Speed Booster often displays false "optimizations" and can become a source of cache. Use only proven utilities from the list above.

6.What NOT to do when cleaning cache on Xiaomi

Some "tips" from the Internet can harm your device.

• 🚫 Deletion of the folder /data/app-lib/ — This will lead to the collapse of all applications.
• 🚫 Cleaning boot or system partitions – the phone won’t boot.
• 🚫 Using fastboot erase cache commands on a locked bootloader is a risk of “brick".
• 🚫 Deletion of files from /sdcard/Android/obb/ — This is game data (eg Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile), their loss means re-downloading gigabytes of data.

If you accidentally delete critical files:

1. Don’t panic – Xiaomi has a system recovery mechanism.
2. Restart your phone in Safe Mode (clip Power → Click "Switch off power" before the prompt to go to Safe Mode appears).
3. If the phone is not turned on, use the instructions from the FAQ to restore using the Mi Flash Tool.

💡

Clearing the cache does not increase the amount of permanent memory (ROM), it releases only RAM and temporary files. To free up space under the photo / video, you need to delete unnecessary applications or transfer files to the memory card.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up cache on Xiaomi