How to Clean Cache on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Phone

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 smartphones have a great balance between performance and cost, but over time, even powerful devices start to work slower. The main reason for the decline in performance is often overcrowded system memory, clogged with temporary files and residual app debris. Understanding how to clean the cache on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 phone is a key skill for any owner of this gadget who wants to extend its active life.

Temporary files, or cache, are created by Android and MIUI to speed up the launch of commonly used programs. However, when the volume of this data becomes critical, they start to conflict with each other, causing “freezes”, interface freezes and quick battery discharge. Regular cleaning allows not only to free up precious gigabytes, but also to eliminate software errors that may have accumulated over months of use of the device.

In this article, we will take a look at all the cleaning methods available, from the Explorer built-in tools to deep cleaning through the engineering menu. You will learn to distinguish secure temporary files from important system data so as not to harm your smartphone. Cache removal does not affect your personal photos, contacts or correspondence in messengers, unless you choose the option “Clean Data.” Let’s start with the simplest and safest optimization methods.

Use of the built-in "Security" application

The easiest and most affordable way to clear the cache on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is to use a standard system application. The MIUI shell comes pre-installed with the Security tool, which automatically scans the device for junk files. This method is ideal for regular maintenance and does not require the installation of third-party software.

To get started, you need to find an icon on your desktop called "Security" and run it. Once you open the application, the system will automatically prompt you to scan, or you can manually press the "Clean Up" button. The analysis process takes a few seconds, after which the screen will display a list of found temporary files, advertising debris and remnants of deleted applications.

It's important to understand the difference between the Clean buttons and the more detailed settings inside the menu. Standard cleaning only removes surface debris, but for a deeper result, go to the Cleanup section inside the app and select categories manually, and you can safely remove browser cache, temporary update files, and location data.

It is worth noting that the system decides which files are safe to delete, so the risk of damage to the Android operating system is minimal. However, if after the standard procedure space is slightly vacated, a deeper approach to specific applications will be required.

Manually cleaning the cache of individual applications

Often, the bulk of memory is not the system files, but the data of specific applications, such as social networks, messengers or video services. To clean the cache on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 selectively, you need to go to the program management settings, which allows you to free up space purposefully without affecting the work of other services.

Go to the Settings menu, then select the Apps section and click on All Apps. In the list that opens, find the program that consumes the most resources (often YouTube, Telegram, TikTok or Chrome). Click on the app name to go to its detailed menu.

Inside the app menu, you'll see the Memory button or the Clean option, and it's critical that you don't confuse the two different functions.

• 🧹 Clear cache – only deletes temporary files, speeding up the program, but saving your logins and settings.
• 💥 Clear Everything (or Clear Data) – Resets the app completely to a post-installation state, deleting accounts and stored data.

⚠️ Warning: Be extremely careful when choosing the option "Clear everything." If you apply it to the messenger without prior backup, you may lose the entire history of correspondence».

Regularly checking heavy apps allows you to keep your smartphone in good shape, especially for programs with a lot of media content that accumulates unnoticed by the user.

Deep cleaning through the storage menu

Newer versions of MIUI firmware based on Android 10, 11 and 12 have a more advanced memory management tool that allows you to visualize (occupation) of disk space. This section gives a more detailed picture of what exactly occupies space on your Redmi Note 9.

To access this tool, go to Settings → About Phone → Memory (or Storage) where the system will show a file distribution diagram. Click on the "Other" or "Applications" category, you can see a detailed list. Unlike standard cleaning, you can find hidden folders and large files that have not been deleted before.

The system will suggest sorting applications by space, a convenient way to identify memory eaters you might not even know about, such as navigators that store offline maps, and streaming services that store cache of videos you've watched.

Using this menu allows you to have a more conscious storage policy, so you can see the real weight of each item and make an informed decision to delete it.

Cleaning the cache through Recovery Mode

For users who have experienced serious problems in the system or want to conduct the deepest cleaning before flashing, there is a Recovery Mode, which allows you to clear the system cache (Dalvik Cache), which is not available through the usual settings menu.

To get into this menu on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, you need to turn the device off completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, continuing to keep the volume up until the Main Menu menu appears.

Navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data item, then select Wipe Cache. Once confirmed, the system will clear the temporary launch files.

⚠️ Note: In the Recovery menu, do not select Wipe All Data unless you want to completely reset your phone to factory settings with the loss of all personal files».

This is especially effective if the phone is stuck on the logo when it is turned on or is extremely unstable after a firmware update, and it clears system error logs and temporary compilation files.

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After cleaning the cache in Recovery Mode, the first turn on the phone may take longer than usual (up to 5-10 minutes).

Automation of the cleaning process

Redmi Note 9 owners don’t have to manually check their memory every day; the MIUI shell allows you to set up automatic cleaning, which eliminates the need to remember the procedure, which is especially convenient for those who are actively using a smartphone and generate a lot of temporary data.

You can set your schedule in the Security app, open the app, click on the top three dots in the right corner (or the settings gear) and find Schedule or Auto Tasks, and you can set the frequency of checks daily, every 3 days, or weekly.

And then there's the "Accelerate" feature in the notification curtain, and by adding a cleaning widget to your desktop, you can, with a single touch, free RAM from background processes. While this doesn't clean up storage, it helps the phone run faster in the moment.

• 📅 Daily Cleanup: Recommended for active users who install many new apps.
• 📆 Once a week: optimal mode for most users, allowing you to accumulate a useful cache for acceleration, but remove garbage.
• 🔋 Low-charge cleaning: Some settings save energy by closing background processes automatically.

Automation helps maintain a balance between performance and speed without requiring constant user intervention in system processes.

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Automatic cleaning on schedule is the best way to forget about the memory shortage and enjoy the fast work of the smartphone without unnecessary actions.

Third-party utilities: is it worth using

There are thousands of software-cliner apps (e.g. Clean Master, CCleaner) in the Google Play store that promise miraculous acceleration. However, should you install them on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9? In most cases, MIUI is more than enough built-in tools, and third-party software can even hurt.

Third-party cliners often work aggressively, shutting down processes that the system plans to run again in a second, resulting in a start-to-stop cycle that only consumes more battery power and loads the processor, and these applications consume resources and display ads on their own.

The only time that third-party software can be useful is to analyze disk space using tools like DiskUsage or Files by Google, which help you find large files that are forgotten, but it is better to use native tools to clean the cache directly.

The use of standard tools ensures compatibility and no conflicts with the security system Xiaomi. do not overload the device with unnecessary programs that themselves become a source of garbage.