How to clean the cache on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: full instructions with photos and nuances

Xiaomi Redmi 9A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but over time even it begins to “slow down.” The main reason is clogged cache, which takes up precious space in memory and slows down the system. Unlike the flagships, the Redmi 9A has only 2/3 GB of RAM and 32/64 GB of ROM, so cleaning the cache here is critical for performance.

In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to clean up cache, from standard MIUI tools to hidden features for power users, which cache can be removed without risk, and which should not be touched, so as not to break the system, and you will learn how to automate the process and avoid re-clogging memory.

All instructions are tailored specifically for the Redmi 9A, with hardware limitations and MIUI (even if you don’t have the latest update) and no universal tips, just specific actions for your model.

What is the cache and why should it be cleaned on Redmi 9A

Cache is a temporary file that creates a system and applications to speed things up, for example, when you open Instagram, it caches thumbnails of photos so that it can show them faster the next time it runs, and the problem is that over time, these files accumulate and:

• 📉 Take up space - on Redmi 9A s 32 GB memory cache can "eat" before 5-8 GB.
• 🐢 Slow down the smartphone – the system spends resources on processing unnecessary data.
• 🔄 Cause errors – a damaged cache can lead to crashes of applications.
• 🔋 Battery discharge – background cache cleaning wastes charge (relevant to Redmi) 9A 5,000mAh battery).

On Redmi 9A, it is especially important to monitor the cache because of the weak MediaTek Helio G25 processor and small amount of RAM. For example, if the cache of Google Play Services grows to 1 GB, the system will start to “hang” when multitasking, and not all cache can be deleted just like that — some files are critical for Android.

⚠️ Warning: Never clean the cache of system applications manually through a file manager (e.g., a folder) /data/dalvik-cache). This can lead to a cyclical reboot of the smartphone. MIUI or ADB.

To see how clogged your Redmi 9A is, check the space available in Settings → About Phone → Memory. If the cache is over 1.5GB, it’s time to clean.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications through settings

The safest method is to remove cache for specific programs, which does not affect system files and does not require superuser rights, but is suitable if only one application (such as WhatsApp or TikTok) is slowed down.

Instructions for Redmi 9A:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Apps → Application management.
3. Select the appropriate app (such as Facebook).
4. Press Warehouse.
5. Tap Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – this will remove all app settings!).

For convenience, sort the applications by cache size:

1. In Application Management, click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
2. Select Sort. → By size.
3. Clear the cache of applications that are larger than 100 MB.

Close the application in multitasking|Check if it is used for authorization (e.g. Google Account)|Backup important data (for messengers)|Do not clear the cache of system applications (starting with "com.android.")-->

Redmi 9A is particularly clogged with:

• 📷 Gallery (miniatures of photos and videos)
• 🎵 Music (album covers)
• 🌍 Google Play Services and Google Play Store (updates and temporary files)
• 💬 Messengers (Telegram, Viber – caching media files)

⚠️ Warning: After clearing the Google Play cache, the Store may temporarily not update the apps.Reboot your smartphone if an error occurs DF-DFERH-01.

If the app is unstable after cleaning the cache (for example, YouTube is loading a video for a long time), give it time to recover temporary files. This usually takes 1-2 launches.

Method 2: Mass cleaning the cache of all applications

If you clean each application’s cache separately for a long time, use the built-in MIUI function for Redmi 9A. This method deletes all temporary files of user applications, but does not touch the system cache.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. At the bottom of the screen, click Clean (near the label “Cash”).
3. Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

On the Redmi 9A, this process can take up to 2-3 minutes - do not interrupt it.

• 📱 Restart your smartphone (press the power button) → Reboot).
• 🔄 The first switch on after cleaning will be longer than usual - it's normal.
• 📊 Check the vacant space in the Settings → Memory.

This method removes an average of 500 MB to 2 GB of cache, depending on the number of applications installed.

• 🚫 Cache of system applications (for example, MIUI Launcher).
• 🚫 Dalvik-cache files (required to speed up Java applications).
• 🚫 Android kernel cache (can only be cleaned through Recovery).

💡

If after mass cleaning of the cache Redmi 9A began to work slower, it is temporary. the system recovers critical files within a day.

For deeper cleaning, use Method 4 (via Recovery), but it requires caution.

Method 3: Clear Dalvik cache and systems via ADB (for advanced)

This method is suitable for experienced users who are ready to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to clear Dalvik-cache, a special cache that speeds up the execution of Java code. On Redmi 9A, cleaning it can solve problems with:

• 🔄 Cyclical reboot after update MIUI.
• 🐌 Slowing down animations and transitions between applications.
• 🚨 The “Application Stopped” Error for System Services.

The work will require:

• 💻 A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 On the smartphone enabled Developer Mode and Debugging by USB.

How to turn on the developer mode on Redmi 9A:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap the MIUI version 7 times in a row until the notification “You became a developer!” appears.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate Debugging on USB.

Now connect Redmi 9A to your PC and execute the commands:

adb shell


su




rm -r /data/dalvik-cache/*




reboot

If you do not have root rights, use an alternative method through Recovery (see Method 4).

⚠️ Warning: Cleaning Dalvik-cache will result in the first download longer than usual (until the usual one). 5-7 Do not interrupt the process even if the screen is black for a long time. 9A It's normal behavior.

After the reboot, check the smartphone. If errors occur (for example, applications do not open), reset the cache again or restore the backup via MIUI Backup.

Method 4: Clearing the cache with Recovery Mode (without root)

Recovery Mode is a service mode that can be logged in even on a blocked Redmi 9A. It allows you to clear the partition cache (cache and dalvik-cache) without losing user data.

• 📱 The smartphone is slowing down after the update MIUI.
• 🔄 Applications are constantly being sent out with the error "Stop".
• 📲 Cannot enter the settings (for example, due to clogged cache) MIUI Launcher).

Instructions for Redmi 9A:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the buttons Power + Volume up at the same time.
3. Hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
5. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
6. Confirm action (Yes).
7. After cleaning, go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

On Redmi 9A, the process of cleaning the cache through Recovery takes about 30-60 seconds.

• 📱 The first turn on will be longer than usual (up to 3 minutes).
• 🔄 Some apps may open slower – this is normal (cache recovers).
• 📊 Check the vacant space in the Settings → Memory.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache and Wipe Data! The second option will completely reset the smartphone to factory settings by deleting all your files. 9A It is irreversible without a backup.

If there are problems after cleaning the cache through Recovery, try updating MIUI through Settings → System Update or resetting the settings (but this is an extreme measure).

Method 5: Automatically clean the cache with MIUI Optimizer

MIUI has a built-in MIUI Optimizer tool that can automatically clear the cache on schedule.This is handy if you don't want to do it manually.The feature is available on Redmi 9A with MIUI 12 and later.

How to set up automatic cleaning:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Slip three points in the top right corner.
3. Choose Auto Cleanup.
4. Activate the automatic cleaning slider.
5. Set up a schedule (e.g., every week).
6. Select what to clean: App cache, Unused files, Empty folders.

Advantages of this method:

• ⏰ It works in the background without your involvement.
• 🔒 Does not delete important data (only secure temporary files).
• 📊 You can set a threshold value (for example, clear the cache when filling memory at 80%).

However, automatic cleaning has disadvantages:

• 🚫 Does not clean Dalvik-cache and system cache.
• 🚫 Can delete the cache of apps you use frequently (such as maps in Google Maps).
• 🚫 On the Redmi. 9A With 2GB of RAM background cleaning can slightly slow down the system.

💡

Autocleaning cache in MIUI is a good option for beginners, but it does not replace full cleaning through Recovery. Use it as an addition to manual methods.

If you notice that some apps are slower after you set up automatic cleaning (for example, YouTube buffers videos longer), add them to the exceptions:

1. In Auto Cleanup, select Exceptions.
2. Add the required applications to the list.

What to do if cleaning the cache does not help

If after all the manipulations, the Redmi 9A continues to brake, the problem may not be in the cache.

• 🔋 Battery condition: A worn-out battery (capacity below 80%) results in the processor trottling. → Battery. → Status.
• 📱 Memory occupancy: If less than 1GB is free, the system starts to "glut." Delete unnecessary files or transfer them to a memory card.
• 🔄 Updates MIUI: Outdated firmware may contain errors. Check settings → Updating the system.
• 🛠️ Background Processes: Some apps (like Facebook) consume a lot of resources. → Battery. → Choice of applications.

If nothing helps, do a soft reset (without data loss):

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose Reset all settings (not to be confused with Reset to factory!).
3. Confirm the action.

This will return MIUI settings to default, but save your files and applications. On Redmi 9A, the procedure takes about 5 minutes.

If that doesn't solve the problem, it's a full factory reset, but before that, you have to:

• 🔄 Make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.
• 📝 Write down logins/passwords from accounts (they will disappear).
• 📱 Make sure you know the details to log in to your Mi Account (required after resetting).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up cache on Redmi 9A