Why Cache Cleaning on Xiaomi Poco is Not Just “Remove the Unnecessary”
Cache on Xiaomi Poco smartphones is like a temporary warehouse for these applications: it speeds up the load of frequently used programs, but over time turns into digital junk. If your Poco X3 Pro, Poco F5 or other model began to slow down, spontaneously reboot or show a notification “Memory is full” – it is the cache that is to blame.
The fact is that on MIUI (branded shell Xiaomi) cache is divided into three types: application cache (data of individual programs), system cache (shell files) and Dalvik cache (optimized data for the Android virtual machine). Deleting only the first type, you release only 10-15% of junk memory. The remaining 85% remain untouched and continue to slow down the smartphone.
In this article, we will analyze the unique for Xiaomi Poco algorithm for cleaning cache, which takes into account the features of the MIUI and Qualcomm processor architectures Snapdragon/Mediatek. You will learn how to safely delete unnecessary files without the risk of resetting or losing important data.
Method 1: Standard cache cleaning via MIUI settings
The easiest method that is suitable for beginners is to remove the cache of individual applications, but does not affect system files. It is suitable for Poco X3, Poco M4 Pro and others with MIUI 12-14.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management
- 🔍 Select an app (such as YouTube or Telegram) and tap it.
- 🗑️ Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – this will remove all app settings!)
- 🔄 Repeat for all "heavy" programs (social networks, instant messengers, games)
Method limitation: this way you will only clear ~2-5 GB of memory. System cache (/cache) and Dalvik cache (/dalvik-cache) will remain intact.
Close all background applications|Connect the smartphone to charging (if charged) < 30%)|Make a backup copy of important data|Remember passwords from accounts (in case of reboot)-->
Method 2: Clearing the cache through Recovery Mode (for power users)
This method removes all types of cache, including system and Dalvik, but requires a reboot to the engineering menu.Suitable for the Poco F3 GT, Poco X5 Pro and other models with unlocked bootloader.
Step-by-step:
- Turn off your smartphone.
- Press the Power button + Volume up for 10 seconds until the MI logo appears.
- In the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (control – volume buttons, choice – power button).
- Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 2-5 minutes).
- Restart the device via Reboot → System.
What happens if you choose Wipe Data instead of Wipe Cache?
Important: After cleaning through Recovery, the first turn on of the smartphone will take 30-50% longer than usual - this is normal, since the system recovers the cache again.
Once a week.|Once a month|Only when it's slowing down.|Never cleaned.-->
Method 3: Automatically cleansing through Security App (built-in antivirus)
MIUI has a built-in Security app that can analyze and clean the cache in semi-automatic mode, a method that is safer than Recovery, but less effective.
How to use:
- 🛡️ Open the Security app (Icon with shield)
- 🧹 Go to the Cleaner tab (or Cleaner)
- 🔍 Press Deep Cleanup and wait for analysis
- ✅ Tag the Cash Apps and Residual Files, then click Clear
Nuance: In some versions of MIUI (e.g. Poco M5), the Deep Clean option is hidden.
- Go to Settings → The phone.
- 5 times tap the MIUI version (you will be notified "you became a developer")
- Return to Security → Settings and enable Show hidden features
💡
If your smartphone is slower after cleaning through the Security App, restart it, because MIUI will re-index files to optimize performance.
Method 4: Clearing the cache of Google Play Services and other system applications
Many users of Xiaomi Poco are unaware that system applications (e.g. Google Play Services, MIUI Daemon) also accumulate cache, which can take up to 1-2 GB. It can not be removed by standard methods, but there is a workaround.
Instructions for MIUI 13/14:
- Activate Developer Mode (as in Method 3, Clause 2).
- Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Enable the option Do not save actions (this will temporarily disable caching of system processes).
- Go back to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find Google Play Services, open it and click Clear Cache.
- Repeat for MIUI Daemon, Android System WebView and Download Manager.
- Reboot your smartphone and disable Do not save actions in the developer settings.
Warning: Do not clear the cache of com.android.phone and com.miui.home applications – this can cause network and launcher malfunctions.
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Clearing the Google Play Services cache may temporarily disrupt the Push notifications, which will recover 10-15 minutes after the reboot.
Method 5: Manually Delete Cache Through ADB (for Advanced Users)
If previous methods have failed and the smartphone is still slowing down, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which removes the cache at the file system level and is suitable for all Poco models, including the Poco C55 and Poco X6 Pro.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
- 📦 Installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers
Cleanup commands:
adb shell
su
rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*
rm -rf /cache/*
exit
exit
adb rebootAttention: You need root access to execute these commands. Most Xiaomi Poco has it locked by default.
- Get permission to unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website.
- Install custom recovery (e.g., TWRP).
- Switch to Magisk to get root rights.
What is root access?
Table: Comparison of methods of cleaning cache on Xiaomi Poco
| Method | Difficulty | Volume of cache being cleared | Risks. | Suitable for models |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Through application settings | ⭐ (simple) | 2-5GB | No. | All models. |
| Recovery Mode | ⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road) | 5-8 GB | Resetting some settings | Poco X3, F3, X5 |
| Security App | ⭐ (simple) | 3-6 GB | Temporary deceleration after cleaning | All models with MIUI 12+ |
| ADB (no root) | ⭐⭐⭐ (difficult) | 1-2GB | Requires PC and skills | All models. |
| ADB (with root) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (difficult) | 8-12 GB | Loss of warranty, risk of "bricking" | Anyone with an unlocked bootloader |
What NOT to do when cleaning cache on Xiaomi Poco
Many of the "advice" from the Internet not only do not help, but also harm the smartphone.-3 mythologies:
⚠️ Warning: Never use cache cleaners from Google Play (e.g. Clean Master, CCleaner) that delete not only the cache, but also important system files, resulting in a cyclic bootloop on the system. MIUI.
Myth 1: “Cache cleaning speeds up your smartphone by 200%”
Reality: Cache is used to speed up applications, and once it's cleaned, the first run of programs will be slower because the data will have to be reloaded, and the "acceleration" effect is only noticeable if the cache is >10 GB.
Myth 2: “You can clean the cache once a day.”
Reality: Frequent cleaning /dalvik-cache This causes premature wear of flash memory (especially on budget models like Poco). C40). Optimal frequency - once in a while 1-2 month.
⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the cache via fastboot with fastboot erase cache command – this only removes the partition /cache, but not /data/dalvik-cache, Which leads to unstable work MIUI.