How to Clean Cache on Xiaomi Android: The Complete Guide

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones sooner or later face a slowdown in the device. The interface begins to slow down, applications open longer than usual, and notifications appear warning about the lack of free space. Most often, the cause of these problems is an overgrown cache that accumulates during active operation of the gadget.

Cleaning temporary files is not just a way to free up space, it's a necessary preventive measure. Cache data is created to speed up programs, but over time it ceases to be useful and turns into digital garbage. Understanding how to properly manage these files will help extend the life of your smartphone without having to buy a new model.

In this article, we will break down all available cleaning methods, from built-in MIUI shell tools to deep cleaning through the engineering menu, learn how to distinguish secure files from system-critical ones and avoid common errors that can lead to malfunctions in the Android operating system.

What is cache and why does it take up memory?

Cache is a buffer memory that stores temporary data for quick access. When you launch an application, such as a social network or a browser, the system stores some of the information so that the next time you log in, it loads instantly, but over time, this data can reach several gigabytes, which critically affects performance.

There are three main types of caching: first, the app cache that is created by each program installed; second, there is a browser cache that stores images and scripts of visited sites; and finally, the system cache that is necessary for the MIUI shell itself and the basic services of Google to work.

The problem is that many programs don't know how to delete old temporary files correctly, and they keep accumulating, taking up precious space in internal storage, especially for budget models with limited memory, where every gigabyte counts.

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Browser cache often takes up more space than it seems. If you are actively using YouTube or Instagram, their temporary files can grow to 1-2 GB per month of use.

Cleaning regularly makes room for new photos and documents, and removing corrupted temporary files can eliminate bugs in specific applications that suddenly stop running or don’t work properly.

Use of the built-in Security application

The easiest and safest way to free up space is to use a regular app from Xiaomi developers, which is already pre-installed on all devices of the brand and optimized for working with the MIUI shell. To start the procedure, just find the desktop security icon.

Once the application is opened, the system will automatically scan the device, prompt you to click the Cleanup button, and then the analysis of junk files will begin, and the algorithm finds temporary files, remnants of deleted applications and unused APK installer packages.

It is important to note that the standard cleanup does not delete users’ personal data; it only affects temporary files that can be restored or recreated, and once the process is complete, you will see a report on how many megabytes were released.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use third-party aggressive cleaners from the Play Market with dubious reputations. They often contain advertising and can delete files necessary for the system to work, which will lead to instability of Android.

For a deeper analysis, the Security app has a Cleanup section where you can selectively delete large files or duplicate photos, which allows you to manually control the process and not delete accidentally important documents.

Clearing the cache of individual applications

If a particular program is slow or takes up too much space, it makes sense to clean its cache individually, and you can do this through the system settings by going to the Apps section and selecting All Apps, find the program you want in the list and click on it.

In the control menu that opens, select Memory or Storage, where you will see two buttons: Clear cache and Clear everything. The first deletes only temporary files, the second resets the application to the state immediately after installation, removing logins and settings.

Special attention should be paid to messengers and social networks, for example, Telegram and WhatsApp have their own built-in cleaning tools. Telegram’s path looks like this: Settings → Data and memory → Memory Use → Clear cache. This allows you to delete downloaded media files, saving correspondence.

Regularly checking heavy applications helps keep the system on track, and if you notice that after cleaning the cache, the program started to work faster, then the problem was with the overcrowded buffer.

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Clearing the cache of an individual application is secure and does not require re-authorization, unlike the Clean All feature, which resets the program settings.

Deep cleaning through the recovery menu

For advanced users, there is a method of cleaning the system cache through the Recovery menu, which allows you to delete temporary files of the operating system itself that are not available in normal operation, but you need to use it with caution.

To enter recovery mode, turn off your smartphone. Then press the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo or Recovery menu appears. Navigate with volume buttons and select with the power button.

From the menu, select a language (if available) and find Wipe Data or Clear Cache. It is important not to confuse cache clearing with a full reset to factory settings (Wipe All Data), which will delete all your photos and contacts.

Once you do, select Reboot to restart your system. The first turn on may take longer than usual, as Android will recreate the necessary system files again.

⚠️ Warning: Before entering Recovery, make sure the battery is at least 50% charged. interruption of the cleaning process due to battery discharge can cause damage to the system partition.

Automation of the cleaning process

So you can set up automatic maintenance to avoid manual cleaning all the time, and there's an Acceleration feature in the MIUI shell that runs when you swipe down the home screen or through a widget, and it automatically closes the background processes and clears the RAM.

You can also use the Planner feature in the Security app, where you can set a schedule for automatic garbage cleaning, and the system will provide maintenance at a given time, for example, at night when the phone is not in use.

Browsers can also set up automatic history clearing when closed. In Chrome, this is done via Settings → Personal Data → Clear History → Auto Delete. This ensures that the browser does not accumulate gigabytes of data over months of use.

Using automation allows you to forget about the problem of memory shortage. The smartphone will monitor its condition, removing excess as needed, which is especially convenient for busy users.

Common Mistakes and Myths

There are many misconceptions about cleaning memory on Android. One of the most popular myths is that the cache needs to be cleaned every day. In fact, frequent cleaning can even hurt by forcing the processor to reprocess data that has already been prepared.

Another mistake is Task Killers, which force shutdowns, but Android is designed to manage memory efficiently, and forced closure only increases battery consumption when applications are re-launched.

You don't have to manually delete the.thumbnails folder through the file manager without understanding the consequences. Although this frees up space, the system will create it again the first time you open the gallery, putting extra strain on the processor in the background.

⚠️ Warning: Never delete files from system folders that you don't know their names, which can cause the phone to stop loading or cause basic functions like calling to stop working.

The right approach is balance. Clean the cache only when you see a real space shortage or a problem with specific applications. A healthy digital hygiene bar is more important than fanatical deletion of each byte.

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