Over time, any smartphone, including popular Xiaomi Redmi models, begins to accumulate a huge amount of temporary files. This data, known as cache, is created to speed up applications, but over time it takes up precious space in memory and can cause crashes in the system. Clearing the cache is the first action you should take if your phone is slower, applications have stopped starting or the battery has begun to drain faster than usual. In this article, we will discuss in detail all methods of deleting temporary files on devices with the shell of MIUI and HyperOS.
Many users mistakenly believe that deleting the cache will lead to the loss of personal photos or contacts. It is not. Cache is only temporary technical information that helps applications load faster. However, when the volume of this data becomes too large, it begins to interfere with the normal operation of the Android operating system. Understanding what to clean and how to do it correctly will allow you to maintain the performance of the smartphone at a high level without the risk of losing important data. Below we will look at safe and effective optimization methods.
What is cache and why remove it on Xiaomi
Cache is a buffer memory that stores application data in between. For example, when you're watching a social media feed or watching YouTube videos, Redmi stores copies of images and videos in internal memory, so that when you reopen the same page, content loads instantly, rather than wasting mobile traffic and CPU resources anew. However, over time, this buffer grows to a giant size, taking up gigabytes of free space.
The main problem with the accumulation of temporary files is fragmentation and possible corruption. Old data can conflict with new versions of applications, causing startup errors or interface freezes. In addition, a crowded cache partition does not allow the system to effectively manage free space, which is especially critical for models with limited internal memory. Regular cleaning helps the system to breathe full breast and works as a prevention of many software failures.
⚠️ Note: Cleaning the cache of the entire system through an engineering menu or Recovery can delete not only temporary files, but also authorization data in some applications.
There are several types of cache that your Xiaomi stores: individual app cache (e.g. Telegram, Chrome), MIUI system cache, and Dalvik/ART cache, which is responsible for the operation of Java applications in Android. Understanding the difference between the two is important, because the methods of cleaning them may differ. If you just want to make room, just clear the cache of heavy applications. If the phone is unstable after the update, you may need to clean the system partitions more thoroughly.
Clearing the cache of individual applications through settings
The safest and most recommended way to free up space is to work with the cache of specific applications through the standard settings menu, which allows you to point-to-point remove junk files from the programs that take up the most space without affecting the rest of the system. First, you need to go to the Settings section of your Redmi device, and you need to find the App item or All apps, where you have a complete list of installed software.
In the list that opens, find the app you want to clean. Social media, messengers and browsers are usually the most popular. Click on the program name to get into the management menu. Here you are interested in the Memory or Storage section. You will see the two main buttons: "Clean" and "Delete." It is important not to confuse them, since the delete button completely uninstalls the program with all the data.
☑️ Check before cleaning the application
Press Clear Cache. The system will request confirmation of the action, after which the temporary files will be deleted. Note that after this procedure, the application can run a little longer on the first start, as it will have to re-cache. This is normal behavior, which indicates that the cleaning process is working correctly. For heavy applications such as Instagram or TikTok, the amount of freed space can reach several gigabytes.
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
- 🔍 Find the right app in the list or use the search.
- 💾 Select Memory to view detailed statistics.
- 🧹 Click the Clean button at the bottom of the screen to delete temporary files.
Use of the built-in "Security" application
The MIUI shell installed on Xiaomi smartphones is equipped with a powerful built-in optimization tool called “Security.” This application can automatically scan the device for junk files, including cache, advertising residues and unused APK packages. Using this tool is the easiest way for beginners, since it does not require a deep knowledge of the structure of the Android file system.
Run the Safety app (green icon with shield) on the home screen. Click on the big Cleanup or Accelerate button. The system will do a quick scan and show you the amount of garbage that can be removed. Unlike manually cleaning through settings, here you can clear the cache of all applications with a single click. However, be careful: sometimes cleaning algorithms can be too aggressive and delete data that you planned to save, such as drafts in the gallery or cache of cards.
Why can a “Safety” cleanup be less effective?
Once you've finished scanning, you'll see a list of file categories that you can delete. Make sure you select items related to cache and debris. If you see "Big Files" or "Whatsapp Photos" on the list, carefully check their contents before deleting so you don't accidentally erase important documents or family photos. Once confirmed, the memory release will happen instantly, and you will see a positive effect on the interface.
- 🛡️ Open the Security app on the desktop.
- 🚀 Click on the Clean Up button to start the scan.
- ✅ Select file categories to delete (Cash, Advertising, APK).
- 🗑️ Click Clean and wait for the process to be completed.
Deep cleaning through the Recovery menu
For advanced users who have experienced serious problems after updating the system or installing incorrect modifications, there is a method of cleaning through the Recovery menu. This mode of operation of the smartphone allows you to interact with the system at a low level, bypassing the standard Android interface. Cache cleaning in this mode (Wipe Cache Partition) deletes temporary files of the system partition, which often solves problems with cyclic reboots or brakes after an update.
To get into the Recovery menu on Xiaomi Redmi, you need to turn off your phone completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi or Redmi logo appears, then a menu with several items in English appears. Navigation is done with volume buttons, and the choice is with a power button. You need to find Wipe Data, and then choose Wipe Cache. Don't confuse this with Wipe All Data, which will completely erase the phone!
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If the touch screen doesn’t work after you log in to Recovery, use the volume buttons to move through the menu (up/down) and the turn on button to confirm the selection (Enter).
The cleaning process in Recovery takes only a few seconds. Once completed, the system will suggest returning to the main menu (Back to Main Menu) or reboot the device (Reboot). Select a reboot. The first start after this procedure can last longer than usual, which is normal, since the system reassembles the cache, and this method is especially effective if you upgrade from one version of MIUI to another and notice a decrease in autonomy or stability.
- 📴 Turn off the Xiaomi smartphone completely.
- 🔊 Hold the volume.+ and food before the menu is available.
- 🔽 Select the Wipe Data option → Wipe Cache.
- 🔄 Confirm the action and select Reboot.
Memory Analysis: File Type Table
Understanding which files are taking up space in your Redmi helps you make informed cleanup decisions. Not all data that the system flags as “other” or “system” is garbage. Below is a table that helps classify the types of data stored in Android’s internal memory and determine what can be deleted without fear.
| Type of data | Description | Can I remove it? | Effects of consequences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash app. | Temporary files to speed up work | Yes. | Applications will load a little longer on the first run |
| Application data | Logins, save games, settings | No (no backup) | Complete resetting of the annex to the installation state |
| System cache | Operating system files | Yes (via Recovery) | Solving Errors After Firmware Updates |
| Dalvik Cache | Optimized files for running applications | Yes (automatically) | Long first load after cleaning |
And as you look at this table, you can see that the most secure thing is cleaning the cache, that you only have to touch the application data in extreme cases when the program is not working properly and the reinstallation is not working, that the system cache and Dalvik Cache are better cleaned through special modes, because they are not accessible by standard methods, and that you can manage these partitions properly and keep the file system in order.
It’s also worth noting that some apps, especially messengers like Telegram or Viber, have their own media caching mechanisms that aren’t always completely deleted by standard Android tools. In such cases, it’s recommended to use built-in cleaning functions inside the app itself. For example, Telegram can set up automatic cache cleanup in 3 days or a week, which will save you from having to do it manually.
Automation and third-party utilities
While Xiaomi’s built-in tools are usually sufficient, there are situations where more advanced tools are needed. Third-party file managers and cleanup utilities such as Files by Google or SD Maid can provide more detailed control over the file system. These applications are able to find “orphaned” files left over after deleting programs and duplicates that a standard analyzer may miss.
However, installing third-party cleaning software requires caution. Many popular "cliners" from the Play Market store are themselves a source of advertising and can slow down the phone while working in the background. Experts recommend using only proven solutions from major developers. In addition, modern versions of Android strictly restrict applications from accessing system folders, so the effectiveness of such utilities in recent versions of MIUI may be lower than in older OSes.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid installing dubious apps that promise to “accelerate” RAM" Or "cooling the processor." 99 percent of the time, it's a marketing ploy that just consumes the battery and shows intrusive advertising.
You can use Redmi's own features to automate the process. The Security app has a Cleanup Schedule setting. You can set your phone up to automatically check and clean up garbage, for example, once a week or when the amount of free space becomes critically small, eliminating the need to remember the procedure manually and ensuring that the device is running smoothly in the background.
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The best smartphone maintenance strategy is a combination of built-in MIUI tools and manually clearing the cache of heavy apps once a month, without installing unnecessary accelerators.