Cache Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 9: A Complete Guide to Accelerating Your Smartphone

Your Xiaomi Redmi 9 is slowing down, apps are slowing down, and memory is running out of steam? Most likely, clogged cache — temporary files that accumulate in the system and programs. Unlike regular garbage, cache can not always be removed by standard means: it hides in service folders, takes up gigabytes of memory and slows down even on powerful smartphones.

In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to clean the cache on Redmi 9 – from basic to advanced, including deletion via Recovery Mode and hidden settings MIUI. We also will understand which files can be safely deleted and which should not be touched, so as not to break the system. All instructions are adapted to the current firmware versions and work even on devices with an unlocked bootloader.

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

Cache is a temporary file that creates Android and apps to make things faster, for example, when you open Instagram, it saves thumbnails of photos so that it can show them faster the next time you run them, and the problem is that over time, these files:

• 📉 It takes up gigabytes of memory – on Redmi 9 s 64 GB storage cache can "eat" before 10-15 GB.
• 🐢 Slowing down the system – Android spends resources on processing outdated data.
• 🔄 Cause errors – a damaged cache can lead to crashes of applications.

On Xiaomi Redmi 9, the cache is divided into three types:

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse cache with application data (located in the app). /data/data/Deleting the data will result in resetting the program (for example, lost saves in games.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications through settings

The safest method is to delete the cache for specific programs, which does not affect system files and does not require superuser rights.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Tap on the desired application (for example, YouTube or Chrome).
3. Select Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
4. Confirm the action (on some firmware you will need to enter a password).

💡 Tip: To see which apps take up the most cache space, sort the list by size: in Application Management, click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Sort → By size.

Heavy messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)|Social media (Instagram, TikTok)|Browser (Chrome, Mi Browser)|Games (PUBG, Genshin Impact)|Maps (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps)-->

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 9 with firmware MIUI 12+ Some system applications (e.g. Security or Themes) may not show the "Clear Cache" button, in which case use Method 3 (clean through storage).

Method 2: Automatic cleaning through the built-in MIUI utility

Xiaomi has added its own memory optimization utility, Security (formerly called Cleanup), to MIUI, which can find and delete unwanted cache, remnants of deleted programs, and duplicate files.

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Cleanup tab (or Deep Cleanup on newer versions).
3. Wait for the scan to be completed (usually 10-30 seconds).
4. Click Clean next to the Cash app item.

📌 Important: Utility MIUI It doesn't always delete the whole cache:

• 🗃️ Cache of system processes (e.g. com.android.systemui)
• 🔒 Files in protected folders (root rights required)
• 📱 Cache of pre-installed applications (e.g. Mi Video)

🔧 Advanced Life Hack: If standard cleaning doesn't work, try manually running scanning of system files:

1. Open "Security" → "Cleaning"


2. Slip on three points in the top corner.




3. Select "Settings" → "Deep Scan"




4. Enable the option "Scan system files"

Method 3: Manually clean the cache through the "Storage" menu

If the first two methods didn’t work, try removing the cache through the Storage section of the Settings, which is suitable for MIUI 11-14 and allows you to clear the cache even for applications that are not displayed in Application Management.

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Tap on Other Files or Cache Data (name depends on the version of MIUI).
3. The system will show you a list of applications with the cache size. Choose the ones you want and click Clear.
4. For complete cleaning, tap on Clean Everything (remove the cache of all programs at once).

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi 9 firmware (especially global ones) may not have cache data:

• 🔄 Restart your phone and check again.
• 📱 Update. MIUI Update (sometimes the option appears after the update).
• 🛠️ Use Method 4 (cleaning up with Recovery Mode).

💡

After mass clearing the cache, restart Redmi 9 to help the system reassemble temporary files without errors.

Method 4: Cleaning the cache with Recovery Mode (for experienced)

If the phone is slowing down or not responding to commands, you can delete the cache through Recovery Mode, which resets all temporary system files, including the Dalvik cache and MIUI, but does not affect user data.

• 🔴 Hanging on the Redmi logo.
• 🐌 Very slow work after updating.
• 📵 Errors in the installation of applications.

🔹 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Turn off Redmi 9.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi Recovery logo appears.
3. Use volume buttons to navigate and select Wipe & Reset (some versions of Wipe Cache).
4. Confirm the action by choosing Wipe Cache Partition.
5. Once completed, select Reboot to reboot.

📌 What happens after cleaning up:

• ✅ Apps will stay in place, but their cache will be reset.
• ✅ System lags will disappear (if the cause was cache).
• ⚠️ The first start after cleaning can take up to 5-10 minutes, that's normal.

Method 5: Advanced ADB Cleaning (for developers)

If you are familiar with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), You can delete the cache through the command line, and this method gives you complete control over the files, and allows you to clear even hidden partitions, USB-cable and on-debugging USB.

🔹 Instructions:

1. Enable the Developer Mode on Redmi 9:

⚠️ Attention: pm clear command --all It'll cache all applications, including system applications:

• 🔄 Restart some services (e.g. Google Play Services).

💡 Alternative team (more secure):

adb shell pm trim-caches 100G

It only removes excess cache without affecting critical files.

💡

Use ADB only if other methods have not worked.The wrong commands can cause your phone to reset to factory settings!

Frequent Cache Cleaning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many Redmi 9 users experience problems after cleaning the cache, and here are the most common errors and solutions:

⚠️ Warning: If Redmi 9 stopped turning on or stuck on the logo after cleaning the cache, the critical system file may have been deleted:

1. Try re-entering Recovery Mode and selecting Wipe Cache again.
2. If it doesn’t work, reset to factory settings (lose all data!).
3. In the end, use the Mi Flash Tool to search the phone.

📌 Prevention: To avoid problems, watch out for them:

• 📊 Free space – Redmi 9 should have at least 10% free memory.
• 🔄 Updates – Install the latest versions MIUI (They optimize their cache work).
• 🚫 Suspicious applications – some programs (such as “cleaners”) can delete the desired files.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions