How to Clean Cache in Xiaomi Apps: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi smartphones that run on the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS are famous for their functionality, but they can slow down over time. One of the main reasons for the decline in performance is the accumulation of temporary files known as cache. This data is created by applications to download frequently used content faster, but with prolonged storage takes up gigabytes of precious space.

Cache cleaning is a secure procedure that doesn’t affect your personal photos, contacts or passwords. Unlike a complete reset, it simply removes “digital debris” that the system no longer needs to work properly. Regular maintenance of stored memory allows you to extend the life of the device and avoid sudden freezes.

In this guide, we will look at all the cleaning tools available, from standard system tools to advanced methods through the engineering menu, learn how to distinguish secure files from system files and understand why deleting cache does not equal resetting to factory settings.

What is cache and why does it take up memory?

Cache is a memory area where apps store temporary data, such as a browser that stores copies of pages visited so that they load instantly the next time they open, social networks store previews of images there, and navigators store fragments of maps, and without cache, each application would have to re-download all information from the Internet, which would significantly increase traffic and response time.

However, over time, these temporary files can take up a significant amount of time, sometimes up to 20-30% of all available memory. If the cache becomes too large or corrupted due to software failures, the application can start to work unstable, fly out or simply slow down, which is why periodic cleaning of temporary files is an important part of smartphone maintenance.

It's important to understand the difference between the app's data and its cache. Deleting the data will return the program to "post-install" status by erasing your logins and settings. Clearing the cache will only affect temporary files, leaving your personal settings and accounts intact, a key difference that every Redmi or POCO owner should know.

• 📂 Cash speeds up applications, but grows over time.
• 🗑️ Cache removal is safe and does not erase personal photos or contacts.
• 🚀 Regular cleaning helps make room for new updates.

Cleaning the cache through the standard application "Security"

The easiest and fastest way to free up space on Xiaomi devices is to use a built-in system tool. The company preinstalles the Security app, which automatically scans the device for junk files, a method ideal for rapid prevention and does not require deep knowledge of system settings.

To start the process, look for a shield and lightning icon on your desktop. Select the Cleanup option inside the interface. The system will analyze and suggest that you delete unnecessary files. Note that this displays not only the app cache, but also the remnants of remote programs, advertising files and other digital garbage.

⚠️ Note: In the Cleanup section, the system may suggest removing large files. Carefully check the list before deleting so that you don't accidentally erase important documents or uploaded videos that you plan to use.

Once you scan, you'll see a list of file categories that occupy space, and if you click on the cleanup button, you'll delete most of the temporary data, but for specific applications, this method may not be accurate enough, because it works globally across the system.

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Use the Deep Clean feature in the Security app to find duplicate photos and forgotten downloads that also take up a lot of space.

Standard cleaning often leaves tails in the form of a cache of heavy apps like Telegram or Instagram, and for their full processing, it is better to use manual control through the settings, which we will discuss later, this will give you complete control over what is deleted.

Manually cleansing the cache of a particular application in the settings

If you only have a memory or work problem in one program, it doesn't make sense to clean the entire phone, MIUI and HyperOS have a user-friendly application management menu, and you can set up access rights in detail, delete updates, or clear the type of data that is interfering with your work.

To get to the menu, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. In the list that opens, find the problem program. By clicking on its name, you will be taken to the About menu. This is where the Clear Cache button is located, which is often hidden from quick access.

Inside the memory management section, you'll see two main buttons: Clear cache and Clear everything (or Clear Data). The first button deletes temporary files, the second button resets the application to factory status. Be extremely careful when choosing to avoid losing correspondence or authorization settings.

Use this method for the heavy apps you use every day, such as instant messengers and social networks that tend to cache quickly, and manually checking them regularly helps keep the system on track without using third-party software.

Clearing the cache of all applications directly through the engineering menu

There's a hidden partition for developers in the Android operating system that allows you to manage processes at a deep level, and through the For Developers menu, you can clear the cache of all installed applications at once, and it's a powerful tool that saves time if you need to make room quickly.

To access this feature, you first need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7-10 times on the MIUI Version (or OS Version). Once you notice that you have become a developer, go back to the main settings menu.

In the developer menu, find the Developer section. Scroll down to the bottom of the Applications block. There's a box called Turn off cached processes or Clear all cache data. You click on it and you initiate a mass cleanup process. The system can warn you of the impact on the application operation — this is the standard message confirming the action.

This method is especially useful before installing major system or game updates when you need the maximum amount of free memory, but it is worth remembering that after this cleaning, applications can open a little slower the first time until a new cache is formed.

• 🔧 Available only after activation of the developer mode.
• ⚡ Allows you to clear the cache of all programs at once with one touch.
• 📉 Can temporarily slow down application launches after cleaning.

Using an engineering menu gives you rights close to system administrators, and it's an effective way to deal with memory shortages that are built into the operating system itself and don't require any additional software to be installed.

Removal of cache in messengers and social networks

Special attention should be paid to messengers such as Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber. These applications have their own, very aggressive mechanisms for caching media files. Standard cleaning through Android settings often does not reach the depth necessary to free up gigabytes of space that take up the videos and pictures viewed.

Telegram, for example, is best suited for built-in settings. Go to Settings → Data and Memory → Memory Use. Here you will see the cache bandwidth and the Telegram Cache Clear button. The uniqueness of this messenger is that it stores the entire history of correspondence in the cloud, so deleting the cache will not lead to loss of messages.

WhatsApp is different: history is stored locally. Here, clearing the cache through your phone settings is safe, but deleting the app data can erase correspondence if there was no backup. On WhatsApp itself, go to Settings → Storage and Data → Storage Management. There you can selectively delete large files or clear the entire cache.

Social networks like Instagram and TikTok don’t have a built-in cache clearing button inside an Android app, but they do most effectively through the phone settings described in the previous section or reinstall the app. Often, TikTok cache can reach 5-10 GB if the app is actively used.

⚠️ Warning: When clearing the messenger cache, make sure you have access to your phone number for re-authorization if the app suddenly requests a re-entry.

Regular monitoring of heavyweights like video services and social media is key to free memory, and these apps generate the largest amount of temporary debris that can fill the entire storage capacity in a matter of weeks without control.

Automation and useful optimization tips

So you can set up process automation to avoid manual cleaning all the time. Xiaomi smartphones have a built-in optimizer that can run in the background. There are also third-party solutions, but it's better to rely on system tools to avoid overloading the processor with unnecessary services.

It is recommended to set a schedule for automatic cleaning if your model allows it, or simply make a habit of checking the storage once a week. Pay attention to the Download folder and DCIM/.thumbnails - there are often thumbnails of deleted photos that also take up space.

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Regularly cleaning the cache is more important than installing accelerators from the Play Market, which often consume resources themselves.

Using the Advanced Cleanup feature in the security application allows you to set up automatic deletion of old files. Also, keep an eye out for MIUI updates, as newer versions of the firmware often improve and optimize memory algorithms.

If after cleaning the cache, the phone continues to work slowly, the problem may not be in memory, but in the wear of the drive or background processes, in which case it will help to restart the device or, in extreme cases, a complete reset to factory settings with pre-saving data.