Cleaning cache on Xiaomi Redmi through settings: full instruction with nuances

Cache on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are temporary files that speed up applications, but over time take up gigabytes of memory and can cause lags. If your phone starts to slow down, overheat or give out errors like “Not enough memory”, first aid is cleaning the cache. Unlike radical reset to factory settings, this method is safe and does not delete personal data.

In this article you will find step-by-step instructions for all versions. MIUI (from 12 before 14), And we're going to also look at which cache can be removed without risk, and which cache can be left behind to keep the system applications running. 10/11/12 redmi 9/10/11, where the interface is different.

Why you should clean the cache on Xiaomi Redmi

Cache is not garbage, it's buffer data that helps apps load faster. For example, when you open Instagram, it saves thumbnails of photos so that it can show them instantly the next time it runs, but over time, these files accumulate and create problems:

• 📉 Busy memory: cache can take up to 5–10 GB on devices with 64/128 GB of storage.
• 🐢 Brake: If the cache is damaged, applications start to “hang” or fly out.
• 🔥 Overheating: The system wastes resources on handling unnecessary files, which increases the workload on the processor.
• 🚨 Errors: Some apps (like Google Play Services) may give a “Stop” error due to crowded cache.

It's important to understand that cleaning the cache is not a panacea. If the phone is slowing down because of a weak processor (for example, on the Redmi 8A with the Snapdragon 439), even after cleaning, performance will not increase dramatically, but in 70% of cases it helps to return smooth interface.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse cache with app data! cache is temporary files and data (Storage) → Apps → Data) contains your settings, logins and game progress, and deleting them will result in your account being logged out.

How to Clear a Cache of a Single Application

If a particular app (such as Telegram or YouTube) is slowing down, clearing the cache just for it is safer than a mass cleanup and does not affect other programs.

Instructions for MIUI 12/13/14:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Select the app from the list (or use the search at the top).
4. Click on Warehouse (or Memory in older versions).
5. Put it on, Clear the cache. If the button is inactive, the cache is already empty.

For system applications (such as Settings or Phone), the path may be different:

Settings → Applications → Show all applications (three dots at the top) → System → Select the application → Storage → Clear the cache

Make sure the app is not being updated at the moment

Close the application in multitasking (swipe up)

Check if it is used for background tasks (e.g. music player)

Backup important data (for games or instant messengers)-->

On some Redmi models (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro) after cleaning the cache, the app can boot once longer - that's OK. If the app crashes after cleaning, try restarting the phone.

Mass cleaning of cache of all applications

If you want to free up space quickly, you can delete the cache of all applications at once.

• 📱 The phone gives a notification "Memory is almost full".
• 🔄 After updating MIUI lags appeared.
• 🚫 Some system features (such as Google Play Market) are not working properly.

Instructions for MIUI 14 (on MIUI 12/13 steps are similar, but menu items may be called differently):

1. Open the Settings. → Memory (or Warehouse).
2. Slip on the Cleanup (broom sign at the bottom).
3. Wait for the analysis (it can take 10–30 seconds).
4. Check the box against the Cash Apps (do not touch the "Junk Files" and "Big Files" if you are not sure!).
5. Press Clear Clear. → Confirm.

⚠️ WARNING: Mass cache cleanup will reset temporary data of all apps, including browser passwords, Google Maps cache and uploaded YouTube episodes.After the procedure, some apps will load longer on first run.

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If the phone is slowing down after a mass cleanup, restart it. MIUI sometimes needs to restart to optimize new cache files.

Clearing the cache of Google system applications and services

System applications (such as Mi Account, Security, or Google Play Services) also accumulate cache, but you need to clean them carefully.

• 🔄 Cyclical reboot (if you clear the cache of com.android.systemui).
• 📵 Loss of communication (when cleaning Google Services Framework).
• 🔒 Blocking your Mi Account (if you delete your Mi Account information).

A secure list of system applications that can be cacheed:

• 📱 com.miui.home – launcher (if the main screen is slowing down).
• 🔍 com.miui.securitycenter – Security Center (if it issues false warnings).
• 📊 com.android.vending – Google Play Market (if not updated apps).
• 🌐 com.google.android.gms – Google Play Services (if geolocation errors are involved).

How to clean the cache of the system application:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable “Debugging by USB”.
3. Install ADB on your computer and connect your phone.
4. Follow the command: adb shell pm clear --user 0 name.package For example, to clear the cache of Google Play Market: adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.vending

Automatic Cache Cleanup: Configuring in MIUI

MIUI has built-in tools for automatic memory optimization, and you can configure them to clear the cache without you.

How to turn on automatic cleaning:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Autoclean.
2. Activate the Automatic Cleaning switch.
3. Click "Cleaning Settings" and select: 🗑️ App cache - mandatory. 🗃️ Unnecessary APK — willingly. 📁 Large files – cautiously (may delete important downloads).

Every day.

With low memory levels

Redmi models with MIUI 13/14 have an option called Deep Clean, which removes not only the cache, but also temporary system files, and don't use it often, which can disrupt background processes.

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Autocleaning the cache in MIUI works better if you turn it on with the memory optimization function in Settings → Memory. This reduces background RAM consumption.

What to do if the cache is not cleared

Sometimes users find that the "Clear Cache" button is inactive or nothing happens after clicking.

• 🔒 The application is system-based: some applications (e.g. com.xiaomi.finddevice) block the cleanup. ADB (see section above).
• 🛡️ Protection MIUI: If Security is on, it can block the changes.
• 📱 Damaged file system: If the phone turned off while writing data, the cache may be locked, rebooted or checked through Settings → Memory. → Verification.
• 🔄 Update error: after major updates MIUI The cache may not be cleared. The solution is to reset the settings through Settings. → Additionally. → Resetting settings (without data loss).

If none of the methods work, try manually cleaning through the file manager:

1. Install Root Explorer or FX File Explorer.
2. Go to /data/data/ (root rights required!)
3. Find a folder with the name of the application package (for example, com.whatsapp).
4. Delete the cache folder inside it.

⚠️ Warning: Manually clearing the cache through a file manager without root rights can cause the application to crash. MIUI 14 this requires unlocking the bootloader, which voids the warranty.

How to avoid frequent cleaning of cache: prevention

To avoid cleaning the cache every week, follow these tips:

• 📵 Limit background activity: in Settings → Battery → Select Battery Mode to “Energy Saving” for Unnecessary Applications.
• 🗃️ Move the applications to SD-Card: If your Redmi supports memory cards, move heavy applications (such as games) to the memory card).
• 🔄 Update. MIUI: new versions optimized cache work. Check the updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🚫 Do not install memory cleaners: applications like Clean Master often delete files and show false warnings.

On the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ and later, there is a RAM Expansion feature that uses a portion of the drive as RAM, which reduces the cache load, but does not eliminate the need to clean it.

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If you often shoot 4K video on Redmi, the camera cache can take several gigabytes. Clean it manually after shooting through Settings → Apps → Camera → Storage → Clear the cache.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning cache on Xiaomi Redmi