How to Clean Cache on Xiaomi Redmi 9: The Complete Guide

Owners of budget but powerful smartphones often face a slowdown after several months of active use. Xiaomi Redmi 9 is no exception: the accumulation of temporary files and system “garbage” inevitably affects the performance of the MIUI shell. Understanding how to competently manage this data is key to maintaining high performance of the gadget throughout its life.

Many users mistakenly believe that to clean up memory, you need to delete photos or delete favorite applications. In fact, most of the hidden data is formed as a result of background processes and caching content from the Internet. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to clean the cache on the phone xiaomi Redmi 9, using only regular tools of the system, so as not to harm the software.

Timely cleaning allows you to free up precious gigabytes of internal memory, which is especially important for models with a 32 or 64 GB drive. In addition, deleting damaged temporary files often solves problems with the freeze of specific programs and eliminates errors when they start.

What is cache and why to delete it on Redmi 9

Cache is a buffer memory where Android and installed applications save temporary data to speed up access to frequently used information, such as thumbnails of images, site interface elements, error logs or intermediate calculations. System cache helps the phone to load applications faster, but over time its volume can grow to inadequate size.

The main problem is that the MIUI’s temporary file cleaner doesn’t always work automatically and efficiently, and some applications aggressively cache data without deleting it even after the program is closed, leading to a lack of space and interface lags.

⚠️ Note: Clearing the cache does not delete your personal data, such as contacts, correspondence or photo albums. However, logging into some accounts may require re-authorization, as stored session tokens will be deleted.

Regular storage maintenance is essential for the stable operation of the operating system. If you do not remove the accumulated debris, the smartphone can start to work slower, and the battery will be enough for less time due to the constant attempts of the system to count corrupt files.

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Use the Cleanup feature in the Security app once a week to keep the system on top without deep tampering with settings.

Use of the built-in "Security" application

The easiest and safest way to clean the cache on the Xiaomi Redmi 9 is to use a pre-installed system tool. Xiaomi has built a powerful combine into the MIUI shell to service the device, called Security, which has access to system partitions that are closed to third-party programs.

To start cleaning, look for an icon on your desktop called "Security" and a green shield. Once the app is running, the system automatically performs a quick diagnosis. You need to click on a large circular button that says "Clean up" or "Speed up," and the system will scan the device and suggest that you remove the debris.

After the initial cleanup, the system will show the amount of freed memory. However, standard verification often does not affect the deep caches of applications. For more detailed work, click on the Cleanup icon inside the application to go to the extended menu. Here you can select specific types of files to delete, such as Cache, Ad Files or Small Files.

It is important to note that a standard scanner sometimes flags as junk files that may be useful to you, such as saved thumbnails in a gallery or offline maps. So always read carefully before final confirmation what exactly the system is going to delete.

Manually cleaning the cache of specific applications

Sometimes the problem isn't with the system as a whole, but with one particular application that mismanages its temporary files. Social networks like Telegram, WhatsApp, or Instagram are known for their gluttony to disk space. To solve the problem point-by-point, you need to know how to clear the cache on redmi 9 for a separate program.

Go to the smartphone settings menu and select the Apps section. In the All Apps list, find the program you want that takes up a lot of space. Tap it to open the information page. Next, select Memory or Storage (name depends on the version of MIUI), and you will see two buttons: Clear and Delete.

Clicking on the Clear button (often looking like a broom) will only reset cache and temporary files. Your data, logins and settings will stay in place. It's a secure operation that can be done regularly for heavy-duty applications.

Be careful with the Remove or Reset button, as it completely removes the app along with all of its data.If you accidentally click Reset, it will be impossible to restore correspondence or progress in the game without a backup.

⚠️ Note: When cleaning the messenger cache (Viber, WhatsApp), make sure you have a backup of the chats in the cloud, as some media files can be deleted irrevocably.

Cleaning the system cache through Recovery Mode

If the smartphone is unstable, the interface is glitching, or there are cyclical reboots after the update, it may be necessary to clean the cache partition (Wipe Cache Partition).

To do this, you need to go to the Recovery menu on Redmi 9. Turn off the phone completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then the phone goes to recovery mode. In this menu, the touch screen does not work, the navigation is done with the volume buttons, and the choice is with the power button.

Menu Navigation:


Volume Up/Down - Move cursor




Power Button - Confirm selection

Using the volume buttons, select Wipe Data. In the menu that opens, select Wipe Cache (not to be confused with Wipe All Data, which will completely reset your phone!). Confirm the action. Once you have completed the process, select Reboot to reboot your device.

This procedure is especially useful after major firmware updates, when old system files conflict with new ones.It doesn't delete your photos or contacts, but requires careful selection of menu items.

Storage analysis and deletion of “heavy” files

Often the problem is not just the cache, but the forgotten files that take up space. MIUI has a built-in storage analyzer. Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory (or through the Explorer → Analysis tab) and the system will show you a visualization of the occupied space.

Note the video and document folders. Often, the DCIM/.thumbnails folder stores a gallery thumbnail cache that can weigh several gigabytes. Also check the Download folder, which often automatically saves files from instant messengers.

• 📂 Thumbnails folder: Contains thumbnails of all photos and videos viewed. You can safely delete content, the system will create new files as needed.
• 📱 folder MIUI/Gallery: It's where cloud albums and edited versions of photos are stored.
• 🗑️ Recycle Bin: Don’t forget to clean the shopping cart in the gallery and explorer, as deleted files are often stored there for another 30 days.

Using third-party file managers like Total Commander or Files by Google can give you more flexibility to find duplicates and large files that aren’t visible in a standard analyzer.

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Regular manual browsing of Download and DCIM folders is more effective than automatic cleaners, since you control what to delete.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)