Modern Xiaomi Redmi Note smartphones have a powerful hardware, but over time even top-end devices start to slow down. The main reason for the performance decline is often overcrowded system memory, clogged with temporary files, which accumulates through application use, surfing the Internet, and the background processes of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system.
Cache cleaning is not just garbage removal, but a necessary preventive measure for the stable operation of the gadget. In this article, we will discuss in detail where hidden files are hidden, what cleaning methods exist and how not to remove excess, saving important user data.
Many users confuse cache with the main application files, which can lead to loss of progress in games or authorization data.It is important to understand the difference between secure temporary information and critical data so that the cleaning procedure is beneficial, not problems.
What is cache and why does it take place
Cache is a temporary data store that speeds up programs. When you launch an application or visit a website, Android stores some information (images, scripts, logs) in the device’s memory, which allows you to quickly open pages when you visit again, without downloading them again from the network.
However, over time, the amount of such data can reach several gigabytes; system cache and application files are not automatically deleted when they are no longer needed; the accumulation of “digital garbage” leads to the fact that free space ends, and the processor spends resources on indexing unnecessary files.
In addition, corrupted cache files can cause conflicts in the operation of programs. If the application on your Redmi Note crashes or freezes when you start, the cause is often an incorrectly stored temporary file.
⚠️ Warning: Clearing the browser cache will result in logging out of accounts on sites where the "remember me" option was not selected. Make sure to remember passwords from important services in advance.
There are several types of temporary files: there is a common system cache, data from specific applications (for example, Telegram or YouTube), and a DNS cache. Understanding this structure allows you to do spot cleaning without affecting the unnecessary.
Standard cleaning through the Security app
The easiest and safest way to delete temporary files is to use a built-in tool from Xiaomi, which is integrated into the shell and has access to system folders that are hidden from the average user, a method that is suitable for regular maintenance of a smartphone.
To get started, look for an icon on your desktop called "Security" (green shield), launch the app and wait for the automatic scan to be completed, and the system will analyze the memory status and suggest removing the debris found.
Click on the "Clean" or "Clean" button. It takes a few seconds. Once you're done, you'll see a report on how many megabytes were released, which is a basic level of maintenance that we recommend doing once a week.
More advanced users can take advantage of the advanced features within the same application. Go to Clean up and select Deep Clean up, where the system will prompt you to delete large files, duplicate photos and remnants of deleted applications.
Manual deletion of cache of individual applications
If a particular program is not working properly or takes up too much space, it makes sense to manually clean its data, which is especially true for instant messengers and social networks that are prone to sprawl.
To get to the menu, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find a program you want, like Instagram or Chrome, on the list. Click on it to open the management page.
In the menu that opens, select Storage. You'll see two main buttons: Clear cache and Clear everything. The first deletes only temporary files, the second resets the application to the state immediately after installation, removing logins and settings.
- 📱 Use "Clear Cache" to free up space and eliminate minor errors.
- 🗑️ Use “Clean Everything” if the application is unstable or you want to reset its settings completely.
- 📸 Be careful with messengers: cleaning up everything will delete your correspondence history if it is not stored in the cloud.
For some applications, such as YouTube or Google Maps, cache volume can reach 1-2 GB. Regular cleaning of such heavyweights allows you to keep several gigabytes of internal memory of your Xiaomi Redmi Note free.
Why is the cache growing so fast?
Apps save video previews, photo thumbnails and web pages so you don't waste traffic and time on re-uploading them. Messengers cache all the photos and videos you've viewed, even if you haven't saved them to the gallery.> Using Developer Mode to Clean Up Android’s arsenal has a hidden menu for advanced users that allows you to manage your cache more efficiently.To activate Developer Mode, go to Settings → About the phone and quickly press 7 times on the item "Version" MIUI" or "Version." OS". After activation, a new section will appear in the settings menu "Additional" →"For developers. Scroll down to "Cache reset" or similar (name may vary depending on firmware version). This action will force the system cache to clear without deleting personal data. Also on this menu you can find the settings of animations and background processes, which indirectly affects the speed of the system. ⚠️ Warning: Don't change the settings in the developer menu unless you're sure they're there. Cache resetting through this menu is safe, but experimenting with other options can disrupt the system. This method is especially useful when standard cleaning does not produce visible results, and the memory is still occupied with obscure files, it allows affected layers of the file system, inaccessible to the average user. Cleaning through the Recovery (Hard Reset Cache) menu The most radical, but also the most effective way is cleaning through the recovery menu (Recovery Mode). This method removes the system cache accumulated after firmware updates and often solves problems with the "heavy" MIUI update. To log into the Recovery menu, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then press the power button and the volume button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release power, continue to keep the volume. The menu is navigation is carried out with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to select Wipe Data, and then Wipe Cache. Do not confuse them with Wipe All Data, which completely delete your files! Data loss risk Efficiency Complexity Security Application No Low Minimum Application Settings No (if not "clean all") Average Low Recovery Menu No (Cache only) High Medium Medium Third Party Utilities Medium Medium Low After cleaning, select Reboot for The first run may take longer than usual, as the system will recreate the necessary temporary files. Storage analysis and garbage removal Often the place is occupied not only by system files, but also by forgotten downloads, screenshots and remnants of remote programs. The built-in storage analyzer will help you find these files. → Memory. Here you'll see visualizations of what memory is doing. Pay attention to the "Other" or "Other" section. Often, folders from remote applications or update archives are hidden there. Use a file manager, such as Xiaomi Explorer or Google Files. sort files by size and date. delete old videos from WhatsApp (folder) Android/media/com.whatsapp), often duplicated in the gallery. 🗑️ Download folder is often full of installers APK, No longer needed after installing programs. 📂 In a file. DCIM/.thumbnails Photo miniatures are stored, their size can reach gigabytes. 📱 In a file. MIUI/gallery/cloud Regular file audits allow you to maintain order without using third-party software, remove unnecessary screenshots and screen recordings that are often forgotten by users. Google Play has thousands of client apps that promise to speed up the phone in one click. MIUI They can effectively manage their own memory. Third-party programs often do not produce real performance gains, and they consume resources, display ads, and collect user data, many of which simply duplicate the built-in cleaning function, but do so less efficiently. The only exception is dedicated disk analysis utilities such as DiskUsage or Files by Google, which help you visually find the largest files, but do not rely on their “acceleration” or “cooling the processor” function, as these are marketing tricks. ⚠️ Avoid apps with names like “Super Cleaner","RAM Booster, etc. They often contain aggressive advertising and can slow down the system by constantly working in the background. The best "cleaner" is your own hands and understanding the file structure. Xiaomi's built-in tools are more than enough to keep the system clean 99% of the time. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Is it safe to delete the folder.thumbnails? Yes, it is safe to delete the folder.thumbnails. It stores thumbnails of images for the gallery. Once deleted, it will reboot, but it will take less space until you take new photos. This frees up a significant amount of memory. Should I reboot the phone after cleaning the cache? Reboot is not always necessary, but desirable. It helps the system redistribute resources and correctly display the space. After cleaning through Recovery, the reboot occurs automatically, "Doesh" if the data disappears from the correspondence in place, "on the day, if the application is only cleaned up to the "repairesh" if the file is reset again, if the text, if the user will be reset to the text, "repairess" if the usernames to the user files are deleted for the time. Modern applications are very voracious. Cache is re-accumulated immediately after programs are launched. This is normal system behavior. The main thing is that the amount of free memory does not fall below 10-15% of the total. Can cleaning the cache accelerate charging? No, cleaning the cache does not directly affect the battery charging speed. It affects the speed of the interface and the start of applications. The charging speed depends on the state of the battery, the charger and the background processes that consume energy.