Cache Clearing on Xiaomi Mi 9: A Complete Guide for All Versions of MIUI

Xiaomi Mi 9 smartphone eventually starts to slow down, warm up or discharge quickly? 80% of cases to blame overcrowded cache - temporary files that the system and applications accumulate in the background. Cleaning the cache not only frees up to 1-3 GB of memory, but also solves problems with lags, overheating and even accidental reboots.

In this article, 5 proven ways to clean up the cache on Mi 9 (including hidden system folders), compare methods on efficiency and answer frequent questions. The instructions are relevant for all versions of MIUI - from MIUI 10 to MIUI 14 (including HyperOS).

⚠️ Important: Don't confuse cache with user data!Cache clearing doesn't delete photos, messages or app settings, but can reset temporary data (such as a browser history or a map cache in Google Maps).

1. Clear cache through MIUI settings (the safest method)

This method is suitable for beginners – it does not require superuser rights and works on any version of the Mi 9. The system automatically detects unnecessary files, but only clears part of the cache (usually ~30-50% of the total volume).

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → The phone. → Memory (or Settings) → Memory in new versions MIUI).
• 🧹 Click “Clean” in the “Junk” section (the system will scan the device). 10-30 seconds).
• ✅ Confirm the cleaning by selecting “Clean” XXX MB” (number depends on fullness).
• 🔄 For deep cleaning, tap "Deep cleaning" (not available in all regions).

📌 What is cleaned: cache of system applications (com.android.systemui, com.miui.home), temporary files MIUI, Residual data from remote programs, not cleared: cache of user applications (for example, Instagram or Telegram) and Dalvik cache.

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If the Clean button is inactive, restart your smartphone – sometimes MIUI blocks the cleanup due to background synchronization.

2. Manual cache cleaning for individual applications

If a smartphone is slowing down because of a particular app (like Facebook or TikTok), clearing its cache can bring smoothness back to the table.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (e.g. com.facebook.katana for Facebook).
3. Slip "Storage" → "Clear the cache."
4. For a complete reset, click “Clear Data» (⚠️ This will remove logins, settings and saves!).

🔍 What apps most often clog up the cache:

• 📷 Social media: Facebook, Instagram, VK (cash 1-2 GB).
• 🎮 Games: PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact, Call of Duty (cache to) 3-5 GB).
• 🗺️ Maps: Google Maps, Yandex.Maps, 2GIS (cache up to 500 MB-1 GB).
• 📺 Streaming: YouTube, Twitch, Netflix (cache up to 500 MB).

Facebook|Instagram|Google Chrome|YouTube|Twitter (X)|Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)|Games with online cache-->

⚠️ Warning: Clearing the cache of com.google.android.gms (Google Play Services) can lead to errors in syncing your Google account.If notifications stop coming after cleaning, restart your smartphone.

3.Cache reset via Recovery Mode (for experienced)

This method cleans all temporary system files, including Dalvik cache (which is not deleted through standard settings) Suitable if the Mi 9 is severely slowing down or not updated, does not delete user data, but requires a reboot.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up 5-10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language and tap Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action with the swipe or the Yes button.
5. After cleaning, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

🛠️ What does this method do:

• 🧹 Removes the cache of all applications and systems.
• 🔄 Resets Dalvik cache (accelerates application launches).
• 🚫 Does not affect photos, contacts or messages.

⚠️ If after resetting the cache in Recovery, the smartphone got stuck on the boot longer 10 Just a minute, don't panic, that's okay. 15-20 minutes or perform a forced reboot (squeeze the power supply) + Loudness down on 15 seconds).

4.Cache clearing via ADB (for advanced users)

The method for those who are willing to connect the Mi 9 to a computer, allows you to delete the cache of all applications at once, including system applications that are not available through the standard interface. ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

Instructions:

1. Turn on USB debugging on your smartphone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers and enable USB Debugging.

Mi 9

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, do:

adb shell pm trim-caches 256m

(where 256m is the maximum cache size in megabytes; 1g for 1GB can be specified).

adb shell "su -c 'find /data/app -name 'cache' -exec rm -rf {} +'"

(demand ROOT-rights).

⚡ Advantages of the method:

• 🎯 Spot cleaning (specific packages can be specified, for example, com.android.chrome).
• 🚀 Remove cache that is not available through settings (e.g. cache android.process.media).
• 🔧 Suitable for automation (you can create a script).

⚠️ Note: Adb shell pm clear command with packet indication (e.g, com.android.gallery3d) It will delete all the data in the application, not just the cache! Use it only if you're willing to lose settings and save.

5. Dalvik cache and system debris (ROOT) removal

If you have ROOT-You can clear all types of cache, including Dalvik, ART And it's the most radical method, and it frees up the updates. 3-5 GB of memory, but requires caution.

Cleaning methods:

• 📱 Through the app: Install SD Maid or Root Cleaner from Google Play. ROOT-Select "Dalvik Cache" and "System Cache» → press "Clean».

Through TWRP Recovery:

1. Install the custom TWRP recavator.
2. Go to Advanced. → Wipe Dalvik/ART Cache.
3. Confirm the swipe.
4. 🖥️ Through Terminal Emulator: su rm -r /data/dalvik-cache/* rm -r /cache/* reboot

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Cleaning Dalvik cache speeds up the launch of applications by 20-30%, but requires a reboot. After the procedure, the first turn on the smartphone can take 3-5 minutes - this is normal!

6.Automatic Cache Cleanup: Configure MIUI

To avoid manually cleaning the cache, set up MIUI to auto-optimize.The system will remove unnecessary files in the background, but this is less efficient than manually cleaning.

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Optimization.
2. Activate the Auto Clean switch.
3. Slip "Autocleaning Settings" and select: 🕒 Frequency: Daily/weekly. 🗑️ File types: Cache, temporary files, empty folders. 🔋 Condition: When the battery is low or when connecting to Wi-Fi.

⚠️ Limitations of automatic cleaning:

• 🚫 Does not remove the cache of games and heavy apps (e.g. Google Maps).
• 📉 Can slow down your smartphone during cleaning (if “Clean when locking screen” is enabled»).
• 🔄 Does not clear Dalvik cache.

💡 Tip: For the best result, combine automatic cleaning with manual (once in a day). 1-2 For example, set up auto-cleaning for weekly garbage collection, and manually clean the cache of heavy applications through Settings once a month. → Memory.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)