How to completely clear the cache of all applications on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO smartphones will slow down over time due to the crowded cache of apps. Even if you regularly delete unnecessary files, the system cache can take up gigabytes of memory, affecting performance. In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to clean the cache, from standard MIUI tools to hidden features for power users.

Xiaomi devices are unique in that they use a modified MIUI shell that caches data more aggressively than pure Android, which means that even after manually clearing through settings, some of the cache can remain in the system folders, and we'll show you how to delete it completely without having to reset.

It is important to understand the difference between app cache and application data. Cache is a temporary file to speed up programs (for example, thumbnails of images in a gallery or a web page in a browser), its deletion is safe, but the data cleaning will lead to logging out of accounts and loss of personal settings.

1. Standard cache cleaning through MIUI settings

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI tools. This method is suitable for all models, including the Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/11 and POCO F5/X5. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell, but the overall algorithm remains the same.

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. This shows a list of all installed programs, sorted by memory size. To see system applications, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show All Applications.

• 📱 Select an app (such as Chrome or Gallery) and tap on Storage
• 🧹 Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data button!)
• 🔄 For mass cleaning, use the Clear cache button of all apps at the top of the screen.

Note that in MIUI 14 and later, the bulk clear button can be hidden behind an additional menu. If it is not on the home screen, try the path: Settings → Memory → Cleanup, where the system will prompt you to delete unnecessary files, including cache.

⚠️ Warning: Some system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) may temporarily slow down on the first run after clearing the cache.

Deep cleaning through the Memory menu

MIUI has a hidden deep-cleaning tool that removes not only the application cache, but also system temporary files, a method that is more effective than standard, as it affects files that are not normally visible to the user.

Open Settings → Memory. Here you will see a memory usage diagram divided into System, Applications, Images, etc. Tap on Clean at the bottom of the screen. The system will scan the device and prompt you to delete:

• 🗑️ Application cache (including hidden system cache)
• 📁 Temporary download files
• 📥 Residual files after deleting applications
• 🔍 Log files (log files)

Tick all the points and click Clear. The process can take 1-2 minutes. Once completed, it is recommended to restart the device, which will help the system correctly reassemble the necessary temporary files.

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If after cleaning the cache, the application began to work slower, give it 5-10 minutes to reassemble temporary files. Do not delete the cache more than 1 time a month - this can lead to wear and tear of flash memory.

3. Clearing the cache in Safe Mode (Safe Mode)

Safe Mode only loads system applications, blocking all third-party applications, which allows you to clear the cache of programs that normally can interfere with the process (for example, optimizers or antiviruses).

To enter Safe Mode:

1. Press the power button before the turn off menu appears
2. Keep your finger on the option to turn off until the offer appears to go to safe mode
3. Confirm the action.

In Safe Mode, repeat the standard cache cleanup procedure through Settings → Applications. The main advantage of this method is to ensure that no background processes will prevent deleting files. After cleaning, restart the device to exit Safe Mode.

Close all applications

Connect the charger (the battery should be >30%)

Make a backup copy of important data

Remember your account passwords (in case of a crash)-->

⚠️ Warning: In Safe Mode, some system features (such as a fingerprint or Face Unlock) may not work.

4. Complete cache cleanup via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which removes the cache at the system level, including hidden files that are not visible through the GUI, suitable for devices with unlocked bootloader or root rights.

First, enable USB Debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then return to Additional Settings → For Developers). Connect your phone to your PC and follow the commands:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /cache/*




rm -rf /data/*/cache




sync




reboot

These teams:

• 📛 Clear the system cache in the section /cache
• 🗃️ Remove the cache of all user applications in /data
• 🔄 Synchronize the file system
• 🔄 Reboot the device

After completion ADB-The first phone call may take up to 5-10 Minutes are normal, as the system recovers critical files.

5. Automatic cleaning with third-party applications

For those who don't want to manually clean the cache, there are specialized utilities. The best ones for Xiaomi are:

• 🛠️ SD Maid – deletes residual files and cache, including system
• 🧹 CCleaner – a simple interface with the ability to clean on schedule
• 🔍 Files by Google – shows junk files with the ability to selectively delete
• 📊 MIUI Optimizer – a specialized shell tool MIUI

When using third-party cleaners, make sure they don’t delete important data. For example, SD Maid doesn’t touch the cache of messengers (like WhatsApp or Telegram), but some aggressive optimizers can erase media files from chats.

Set up automatic cleaning:

1. Open the selected application (e.g. CCleaner)
2. Go to the Settings section → Planner
3. Choose the frequency (recommended no more than 1 time per week)
4. Check the Cache Clearing and remove the remaining check boxes.

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Side cleaners can conflict with built-in MIUI optimizers. If after using such applications the phone has become worse, turn them off and perform manual cleaning.

6.What to do if the cache is not cleaned?

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the cache "does not want to" be deleted.

• 🔒 Protection MIUI: Newer devices (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13) have added additional protection for system files. → Special facilities → Protecting memory.
• 🛡️ Antivirus blocks: Apps like Avast or 360 Security can prevent cleanup.
• 📱 Damaged files: If the system detects an error during cleaning, check the file system through Settings → Memory. → Verification and correction.
• 🔄 Update failure: After failed update MIUI The cache can be locked. The solution is to reinstall the firmware through Settings. → Updating the system.

If none of the methods worked, the last option is a factory reset. Before you do that, make sure to back up through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. Reset will delete ALL data, including photos, contacts and messages, so only use it as a last resort.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up cache on Xiaomi