Cache Clearing on Xiaomi Redmi 9C: A Complete Guide to MIUI 12, 13 and 14

Xiaomi Redmi 9C is a budget smartphone with good specs, but over time even it begins to “slow down.” The main reason is clogged applications and systems. Unlike flagships, the Redmi 9C only has 2/3 GB of RAM and eMMC 5.1-drive, which is especially sensitive to overload with temporary files. If your phone has become slower to respond to touch, applications open for a long time, and memory suddenly runs out – it’s time to clean the cache.

In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to clean up the Redmi 9C cache, including hidden MIUI features that not everyone knows. We will figure out which cache can be deleted without risk and which should not be touched so as not to break the system. You will also learn how to automate the process and avoid re-clogging memory. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 12, 13 and 14 (including global and Chinese versions of the firmware).

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

Cache is a temporary file that creates apps and a system to speed things up. For example, when you open Instagram, it caches thumbnails of photos so it can show them faster the next time it runs, and the problem is that over time, these files accumulate and take up gigabytes of memory, and the benefits are minimal.

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

• 📱 Application cache — files of individual programs (social networks, instant messengers, games) can be deleted without consequences.
• 🖥️ System cache - data MIUI Cleaning it up sometimes helps fix bugs, but it takes care.
• 🔄 Dalvik cache – optimized files for fast application downloads, only deleted via Recovery and restored automatically.

Why is Redmi 9C particularly prone to cache issues?

• 🔋 Cheap eMMC memory 5.1 Slower processing of files than UFS 2.1/3.0 flagship.
• 🧹 MIUI aggressively caches data for “optimization,” but often fails to clean it up in time.
• 📉 When filling in memory at 90%+ The system starts to lay down even with simple tasks.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse cache with app data! Deleting cache won't lead to account logging or loss of game progress.

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, but is suitable if only one application (for example, Facebook or TikTok) is slowed down.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (such as WhatsApp).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
4. For complete cleaning, click Space Management → Clear all data (but it will also delete logins!).

How much memory can I free up?

⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the cache for Android System WebView and Google Play Market – this can lead to errors when installing apps.

Method 2: Mass cleaning the cache of all applications

If the entire phone is slowing down, rather than the individual programs, it's easier to remove the cache of all apps at once. MIUI has a built-in tool for this, but it's hidden in the depths of the menu.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Press Deep Clean (confirmation may be required).
3. Select the app cache and confirm the deletion.
4. Wait until it is completed (may take 1-3 minutes).

What happens after cleaning:

• ✅ Applications will run longer when first opened (cache recreated).
• ✅ Free from 1 to 3 GB of memory (depending on the number of installed programs).
• ❌ Some games, for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact may require re-downloading of resources.

After mass cleaning of the cache, restart the phone – this will speed up the reorganization of temporary files and reduce the lag.

💡

If the app gets worse after cleaning the cache (for example, it takes a long time to load a photo), try reinstalling it. This will reset all the time data and make the program create a new cache from scratch.

Method 3: Cleaning the system cache through Recovery

The cache partition contains update data, temporary MIUI files, and optimization data, and cleansing it helps correct errors after a firmware update or if the phone has spontaneously restarted, but: this method requires you to enter Recovery mode and reset some settings (such as wallpaper and widgets).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (if you have a choice).
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
6. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

What is cleaned in this mode:

• 🗑️ Temporary update files MIUI.
• 🔄 Dalvik Cash (recreated automatically).
• 📁 Application optimization files.

What's NOT cleaned:

• 📱 Personal data (photos, contacts, messages).
• 🎮 Progress in games (unless linked to an account).
• 🔐 Passwords from Wi-Fi and accounts.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! second option will completely reset the phone to factory settings.

Method 4: Automatically clean the cache with Security App

MIUI has a built-in Security app that can automatically clean the cache on a schedule, which is handy if you don't want to do it manually, and is available on all firmware versions, including global and Chinese.

How to set up:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to Optimization. → Deep cleaning.
3. Turn on the Auto Clean option.
4. Select frequency: Daily, Weekly or Memory Shortage.
5. Click Clean Now to start the process manually.

Advantages of this method:

• ⏰ It works in the background without your involvement.
• 🔍 Deletes only secure temporary files (does not touch application data).
• 📊 It shows how much memory is released after each cleaning.

Disadvantages:

• 🚫 Does not clear the cache of system applications (for example, MIUI Launcher).
• 🔋 It can drain the battery slightly (if cleaning happens too often).

💡

Autocleaning in the Security App is the safest way, but it doesn’t replace manual cleaning. For maximum effect, combine both methods: automatic weekly cleaning + manual once a month.

Method 5: Cleaning the cache through ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work, you can delete the cache through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge.

• 🔧 You need to clear the cache of system applications that are not visible in the settings menu.
• 🛠️ The phone is slowing down and you can’t open the settings.
• 📦 Removal of cache for all users (if there are multiple accounts on the phone).

Instructions:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot Tools on PC.
2. Turn on the phone Debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
3. Connect Redmi 9C to your computer and confirm debugging permission.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep cache


adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.example.app

To clear the cache of all applications at once, use:

adb shell "su -c 'find /data/data -name 'cache' -exec rm -rf {} +'"

⚠️ Warning: Su commands demand root rights. Without them, they won't work! Misuse ADB It could cause the system to fail.

If you are not sure about your skills, you should use one of the previous methods.

How to prevent cache cache clogging on Redmi 9C

Cleaning the cache is a temporary solution, so that the problem does not return, follow these tips:

• 📵 Limit the background activity of applications: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Autorun. Turn off autorun for unnecessary programs (such as games or social media).
• 🗑️ Set up automatic cleanup: In the Security App, enable the Cleanup option when you lock the screen. Set a cache limit in Settings → Memory. → Memory Shortage Warning (1GB recommended).
• 🔄 Update the firmware: In new versions MIUI optimized work with the cache (for example, in the MIUI 14 added Smart Cleanup. Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Also avoid:

• 🚫 Install applications from unknown sources (they often contain hidden debris).
• 🚫 Use Google Play cleaners (most of them are useless or even harmful).
• 🚫 Filling in the phone memory at 90%+ (Leave at least 2-3 GB free).

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If you install and delete games frequently, use the microSD card as internal memory (Settings → Memory → Memory Map) to reduce the load on the built-in drive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)