How to Clean Cache on Xiaomi Redmi: A Complete Guide to All Versions of MIUI

Your Xiaomi Redmi has started to slow down, applications are loading for a long time, and memory is filled with incomprehensible files? Most likely, the problem is a crowded cache - temporary data that the system and programs accumulate to speed up work. Without regular cleaning, the cache turns into digital garbage: it takes up gigabytes of memory, slows down the smartphone and can even cause errors in the operation of MIUI.

In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to clean the cache, from standard MIUI tools to hidden features for power users. We will discuss how to clean the cache of individual applications, the system cache (Dalvik-cache), and what to do if the phone after cleaning began to work even worse. All instructions are relevant for the Redmi Note 10/11/12/13, Redmi 9/10/11/12 and other models on MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese versions).

Why the cache needs to be cleaned regularly

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications and a system to quickly access frequently used data, for example, when you open Instagram, the app caches thumbnails of photos so that the next time you run them, you can show them instantly.

• 📉 Take up gigabytes of memory – the cache of one messenger (for example, Telegram or WhatsApp) can weigh 1-3 GB.
• 🐢 Slow down work – the system spends resources on processing outdated data.
• 🔄 Cause errors – corrupted cache files can lead to crashes of applications.
• 🔒 Privacy threats – caches contain snippets of personal data (such as search histories).

Xiaomi manufacturers recommend clearing the cache every 1-2 months, but the frequency depends on the intensity of your phone use. For example, if you actively play Genshin Impact or mount a video in CapCut, the cache can fill up in a few days.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse cache with user data! Cache clearing doesn't delete your photos, messages, or account settings. But if you clear the app data (Clear all data), it will result in logging out and resetting your settings.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications

If a particular app is slowing down (like TikTok or Google Chrome), just clear its cache.This won't delete your data, but it can solve the freeze issues.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the appropriate app (such as Facebook).
3. Press Warehouse.
4. Tap Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear All Data!).

For convenience, sort the applications by cache size:

1. In the Application Management section, click on three dots (⋮) top-right.
2. Select Sort by size.
3. Clear the cache from the applications that occupy the most space (usually messengers, social networks and games).

Remember the username and password (if the application requires authorization)

Check if there are any important unsaved data (for example, drafts in messengers)

Close the application in multitasking (swipe up)

Make sure your phone is at least 30% charged

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On some Redmi models (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro+), after cleaning the cache, a notification may appear Application optimized. This is normal - the system reassembles the cache to speed up work.

Method 2: Mass cleaning the cache of all applications

If you don't want to clean each application's cache individually, use the built-in MIUI tool to mass-clean, which removes the cache of all user applications, but doesn't touch system files.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Click Clean in the Garbage Files section.
3. Wait for the analysis (may take 1-2 minutes).
4. Check the box in front of the application cache (the rest can be left or removed).
5. Click Clear(X) MB (where X is the amount of data being deleted).

With MIUI 14, the cleaning algorithm became smarter: it analyzes which files can be safely deleted without disrupting the application, for example, YouTube cache will be cleared, but saved videos (downloads) will remain intact.

⚠️ Warning: After mass cache cleaning, the first launches of applications may be slower than usual – this is normal, as the system recovers the necessary temporary files.

Method 3: Cleaning the system cache (Dalvik-cache and others)

Dalvik-cache (system cache) is a temporary file that Android creates to speed up the kernel and system processes, and cleaning it can help if the phone is severely slowing down, overheating or spontaneously rebooting.

Unlike the application cache, the system cache cannot be cleaned through standard settings.

1. Go to Recovery (Recovery) mode.
2. Select the Wipe Cache Partition.

Detailed instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to Mi Recovery.
4. With volume buttons, select Wipe & Reset (on some models – Advanced).
5. Choose Wipe Cache (not to be confused with Wipe Data – it’s a complete reset!).
6. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 1-3 minutes).
7. Reboot your phone (Reboot → System)

On Redmi with the unlocked bootloader, you can clear the system cache through TWRP (Castom Recovery).

1. Load to TWRP (Plug Power + Volume Up).
2. Choose Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache.
3. Swipe for confirmation.

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If the phone is loading for a long time after cleaning the system cache (5-10 minutes), don't panic - this is normal. The system recovers the necessary files. Don't turn off the device at this moment!

Method 4: Using Third-Party Applications

If standard MIUI tools fail, you can use third-party utilities, which offer more flexible cleaning settings and often find debris that the system misses.

Top.-3 Apps for cleaning cache on Xiaomi Redmi:

• 🧹 SD Maid is the depth of cleaning, finding duplicates and residues of remote applications.
• 🚀 CCleaner – Simple interface, cache and history clearing, but contains ads.
• 🔍 Files by Google – the official application from Google, removes cache and offers to free memory from unnecessary files.

Example of cleaning cache via SD Maid:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Start and grant access to memory.
3. Go to CorpseFinder (search for remnants of remote applications).
4. Press Run and wait for analysis.
5. Select Cache in the results and click Delete.

⚠️ Note: Some cleaning applications (such as Clean Master) can delete important files or show false virus warnings.

MIUI 14 has a built-in Deep Clean feature that partially duplicates the capabilities of SD Maid to activate it:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Press Analysis. → In-depth analysis.
3. Wait until the scan is completed (it can take up to 5 minutes).
4. Select Cash and Temporary Files → Clean up.

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

If you're familiar with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can clear the cache of all apps with one command, a method that's useful if the phone doesn't turn on or hovers on the logo, but connects to the computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to activate the developer mode, then additionally → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi to the computer.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Clear the cache of all applications with the command: adb shell pm trim-caches 99999999999 (where 99999999999 is the maximum cleaning priority).
5. To clear the cache of a particular application (e.g. com.facebook.katana): adb shell pm clear com.facebook.katana Attention! This command deletes all application data, not just the cache.

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Cleaning the cache through ADB is the most radical method that helps even when the phone doesn't respond to touch, but it requires command line skills and can lead to data loss if used improperly.

If after completing the commands, the phone stopped turning on, try rebooting to Fastboot (clamp Power + Volume down) and perform:

fastboot reboot

What to do if after cleaning the cache, the phone began to work worse

In rare cases, cleaning the cache can backfire, causing the phone to brake, overheat, or make errors.

If the problems have not gone away, try:

1. Check your phone for viruses (for example, through Malwarebytes).
2. Update MIUI to the latest version (Settings → About Phone → System Update).
3. Reset the settings to factory (last option, as all data will be deleted).

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If you have lost your saved passwords in your browser (e.g. Chrome) after cleaning the cache, check the sync with your Google account. Usually, passwords are restored automatically after you re-enter.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning cache on Xiaomi Redmi