Cache Cleanup on Xiaomi: 5 Ways to Speed Up Your Smartphone Without Resetting

The system cache on Xiaomi smartphones is temporary files that are created by applications and the MIUI operating system to speed up work. Over time, they accumulate, take up precious memory space and can cause slowdowns, overheating or even accidental reboots.

In this article, you will find 5 proven methods of cleaning cache – from standard MIUI tools to advanced methods through recovery and ADB. We will analyze when manual cleaning is enough, and when deep deletion of system files is required, and also warn against common errors that can lead to data loss or a “brick” of the device. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14 and models Redmi, POCO, Xiaomi 2019-2026 release.

1.What is Xiaomi cache and why it needs to be cleaned

Cache is a buffer memory that stores temporary data for quick access, and on Xiaomi smartphones it is divided into three types:

• 📱 App cache – files that create games and programs (for example, uploaded maps to Google Maps or video cache in TikTok).
• 🖥️ System cache - data MIUI, including the Dalvik cache (Android Virtual Machine) and update files.
• 🗃️ Browser cache – saved pages, cookies and history in Mi Browser or Chrome.

Why cleaning is necessary:

1. Slowdown: A crowded cache causes the system to waste resources on processing unnecessary files.
2. Application errors: Damaged cache files can cause programs to crash (e.g. WhatsApp or Instagram won’t open).
3. Lack of memory: On 64GB devices, cache can take up to 5-10GB.
4. Problems after updates: If MIUI was updated with errors, the old cache may conflict with the new version.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t confuse cache with app data! Cache clearing won’t delete your accounts or settings, but Clear Data erases everything, including logins and game saves.

2. Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications

The safest method is to remove cache for specific programs, which does not affect system files and does not require superuser rights, but is suitable if one or two applications (for example, Facebook or YouTube) are slowed down.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Telegram).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
4. For a complete reset (if the app is buggy), use Clear Data, but remember: this will delete all settings and accounts!

To speed up the process, sort applications by cache size:

• 🔍 In Application Management, tap three dots in the upper right corner.
• 📊 Select Sort. → By size.
• 🗑️ Remove the cache from the most "heavy" programs (usually social networks, instant messengers and games).

Example: the user POCO X3 Pro cache Google Play Services took 1.2 GB. After cleaning the free space increased by 15%, and the opening time of the Play Market was reduced from 5 to 2 seconds.

Method 2: Automatic cleaning through "Safety"

Xiaomi has built a security tool into MIUI that analyzes the system and offers optimization, a method that is suitable for beginners, as it does not require manual file search.

How to start:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleanup tab (or Accelerate in older versions).
3. Press Deep Clean and wait for analysis.
4. Select Garbage Files and Cash Apps, then tap Clean.

Advantages of the method:

• 🤖 Automatic analysis – no need to search for files yourself.
• 🛡️ Safe – the system does not touch critical data.
• 📊 It shows how much space will be available.

⚠️ Warning: Deep Clean sometimes suggests removing files from the Download folder or DCIM. Always check the list before confirming!

Method 3: Clean the system cache through Recovery Mode

If the smartphone is slowing down or not updating, partition cache reset can help, which deletes temporary system files but does not affect user data, suitable for devices with MIUI based on Android 10-14.

Instructions:

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

What's removed:

• 🔄 Cash updates. MIUI (if the update has been suspended).
• 🤖 Dalvik Cash (recreated automatically).
• 📁 Temporary system files.

Example: After cleaning the cache through Recovery on Xiaomi 11T Pro, the user solved the problem with infinite download after upgrading to MIUI 14.

⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option (Factory Reset) erases everything from your phone, including photos and contacts.

5. Method 4: Advanced cleaning through ADB (for experienced)

If standard methods don't work, you can delete the cache via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This requires a PC connection and basic command line knowledge.

• 🔧 Deleting the cache of system applications (for example, Miui System).
• 🚀 Cleaning Dalvik cache without rebooting in Recovery.
• 📦 Mass deletion of cache of all applications.

Instructions:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack it on PC.
2. On your smartphone, turn on Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode).
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
4. Connect the phone to the PC and type in the command line:

adb devices


adb shell pm list packages -f | grep cache




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

To clear the cache of all applications:

adb shell "su -c 'rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*'"

Warnings:

• 🔌 Don't turn it off. USB-cable.
• 📵 Don't use rm. -rf without root rights, it can damage the system.
• 🔄 After cleaning Dalvik, the phone will restart longer than usual (up to 5 minutes).

💡

Before using ADB, create a restore point in TWRP (if installed) to help restore the system if you fail.

6. Method 5: Manually clean folders through file manager

For users who prefer to control the process, manual cache deletion via Mi File Manager or Total Commander is a good way to choose which files to delete.

Where to find the cash:

How to clean:

1. Open Mi File Manager.
2. Go to Categories → Annexes.
3. Select an app (like Chrome) and click Clear Cache.
4. For deep cleaning, turn on the display of hidden folders (Settings → Show hidden files) and manually delete the contents of the cache folders.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from folders /system or /vendor — It'll cause the system to fail!

7.How often to clean the cache and what to do after cleaning

The cleaning frequency depends on the intensity of smartphone use:

• 📱 Ordinary users (social networks, instant messengers): every 1-2 months.
• 🎮 Gamers (heavy games): once every 2-3 weeks.
• 📸 Photographers/videographers: After each shot (camera cache can weigh gigabytes!).

What to do after cleaning:

1. 🔄 Reboot your phone – it will update your system processes.
2. 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi and let apps recover the data they need (e.g. Google Play Services will download fresh files).
3. 🔋 Check battery performance: After cleaning the Dalvik cache, the first discharge cycle may be faster than usual.

Signs that it is time to clean the cache:

• 🐢 Phone slows down when opening applications.
• 🔥 Overheating without loading.
• 📉 Memory is full, but you haven't installed new programs.
• 🔄 Apps fly out or show errors.

💡

Regular cleaning of the cache prolongs the life of the battery, as it reduces the load on the processor and RAM.

8. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many users make mistakes that, instead of optimizing, make the smartphone less efficient, and here are the most common:

Cache myths:

• ❌ "The more often you clean the cache, the better" → In fact, constant cleaning forces applications to waste resources on re-loading data.
• ❌ "Cache can only be removed through root" → Most of the cache can be cleaned by standard means.
• ❌ "Cache cleanup speeds up the internet" → Cache does not affect network speed, but can free up space for downloads.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions