Cache Cleanup on Xiaomi Mi A3: 5 working ways for Android One

Why does the Xiaomi Mi A3 cache require regular cleaning?

Xiaomi Mi A3 is one of the few smartphones of the brand that runs on “clean” Android One instead of the proprietary shell MIUI. This gives users the latest security updates, but puts in front of the features of memory management. Cache (temporary files) accumulates in the system faster than on devices with MIUI, due to the lack of built-in optimization tools.

The main signs that it’s time to clear the cache on your Mi A3: apps have started to “hang” when switching, the phone warms up for no apparent reason, and the free space on the internal drive is melting in front of your eyes – despite the fact that you have not installed anything new, especially critical for a model with 64 GB of memory, where system files take up to 12-15 GB “out of the box”.

Unlike MIUI, which has an integrated Optimizer, Android One will have to use a combination of system tools and third-party utilities, but there is a plus: the lack of duplicate Xiaomi services means that the cache is less fragmented and cleaning it gives a more noticeable performance gain.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications

The safest method is to remove the cache only for programs that actually slow down. On the Mi A3, this is done through the standard Settings → Apps and notifications menu. Importantly, do not confuse the cache with the application data - cleaning the latter will lead to a reset of all settings (for example, chats will be deleted in messengers).

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 Open Settings and select Apps and Notifications
• 🔍 In the top search bar, type the name of the problem app (such as Facebook or Google Play Store)
• 🗑️ Press the Warehouse, then Clear the cache
• 🔄 System applications (such as Google Play Services) may require password confirmation

What to look out for:

• ⚠️ Google Play Services and Google Services Framework cache should not be touched unnecessarily, which can disrupt Google services.
• 📊 The Storage section shows how much space the cache takes up (for example, Instagram can accumulate up to a point). 1-2 GB)
• 🔄 After cleaning, the application will load longer at the first run - this is normal.

Social networks (Facebook, Instagram, VK)|Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)|Maps (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps)|Browsers (Chrome, Firefox)|Games with online content (PUBG, Genshin Impact)

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On the Xiaomi Mi A3, the camera can take up to 500 MB of cache after active use – clearing it will free up space but reset your shooting settings (for example, manual settings in Pro mode).

Method 2: Clean the system cache with Recovery Mode

If the phone is noticeably slowing down and less than 10% of the free memory is left, cleaning the system cache (not to be confused with factory resetting!) will help. On the Mi A3, this is done through Recovery Mode, a special recovery mode. The method does not delete user data, but requires caution.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power Button + Volume up 10-15 seconds at the same time until the Android logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe cache partition using volume buttons (use the power button to confirm)
4. Wait until the process is complete (usually 1-2 minutes) and select Reboot system now.

Once the system is restarted, it will create a new cache, a process that can take up to 5-10 minutes, during which time the phone will run slower than usual.

• 🔄 The first switch will take longer.
• 📱 Some applications will request re-authorization
• 🔊 The sound of notifications can be reset to the standard

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse Wipe Cache Partition with Wipe data/factory reset – the second option will completely reset the phone to factory settings, deleting all your data!

Method 3: Using ADB for deep cleaning (for advanced)

If standard methods didn’t work and the phone is still slowing down, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging through your computer, which is suitable for cleaning the Dalvik-ART cache, which is responsible for optimizing the operation of applications.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 📦 Installed drivers ADB Android platform SDK
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → System system → The phone. → Build Number – Press 7 times, then return to Settings → System system → For developers → Debugging by USB)

Cleaning commands (enter Command Prompt or Terminal):

adb shell


su




rm -r /data/dalvik-cache/*




rm -r /cache/*




reboot

What these teams do:

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause data loss or system damage. If you're not sure what you're doing, skip this!

Once a week | Once a month | Only when the phone starts to brake | Never cleaned | I don't know what it is

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Method 4: Automatic cleaning with Files by Google

For those who don't want to dig into the settings, Google's official Files by Google app is good, and it can find and delete unnecessary files, including cache, duplicates and junk data, and the advantage over other cleaners is the absence of advertising and unnecessary permissions.

How to use:

1. Install Files by Google from Play Market
2. Open the application and go to the Cleanup tab
3. Click Free Space - the program will scan the device
4. In the Temporary Application Files section, select what to delete.
5. Confirm the cleaning and wait until it is completed.

What is Files by Google removed:

• 🗑️ Application cache (including hidden system cache)
• 📁 Temporary download files
• 🔍 Duplicate photos and documents
• 📂 Empty folders

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In Files by Google settings, you can enable automatic cache cleaning once a week – this will eliminate the need to do it manually.

The downside is that the app doesn't clean the system cache (user cache only), so you'll have to combine it with other methods to clean it completely, but it's safe and doesn't require root rights.

Method 5: Cleaning the cache through Safe Mode (if the phone is slowing down)

If the Xiaomi Mi A3 is so slow it doesn’t respond to touch, try running it in Safe Mode, which only runs system applications, allowing you to clear the cache of problem programs.

How to log in to Safe Mode:

1. Press the power button until the off menu appears.
2. Press and hold your finger on Turn off power (you will be prompted to go to Safe Mode)
3. Confirm the transition – the phone will restart

In Safe Mode:

• 🔧 Clear the cache of problem applications (as in Method 1)
• 🗑️ Remove recently installed programs (they may be the cause of the brakes)
• 🔄 Restart your phone in normal mode

If Safe Mode's phone is working properly, the problem is exactly one of the apps installed. Try uninstalling programs one at a time, starting with the latest ones until you find the culprit.

What NOT to do when cleaning the cache on the Mi A3

Some of the tips on the internet can do more harm than good, and this is something you should not do on the Xiaomi Mi A3:

❌ Use "cleaners" with questionable permits

Apps like Clean Master or CCleaner often request access to SMS, contacts and geolocation — this is an unnecessary risk, and on Android One, they also conflict with Google’s system services.

❌ Clear the cache of all applications in a row

This will lead to the fact that after the restart, the phone will reassemble the cache for all programs at the same time – the process can take hours and heavily load the processor.

❌ Delete files manually through the file manager

Folders like /data/dalvik-cache or /system/cache contain critical files, and deleting them without root permission or through ADB can cause a phone to reboot in a cycle.

❌ Turn off caching completely

Some “optimizers” suggest disabling the cache altogether – this will lead to the fact that the applications will be loaded from scratch every time you open, and the phone will work slower.

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On the Xiaomi Mi A3, cache is not garbage, it’s an optimization tool, and it needs to be selectively cleaned, not removed.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning the cache on Xiaomi Mi A3