How to Reset Cache on Xiaomi: A Complete Cleanup Guide

Xiaomi’s smartphones, which are powered by the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, are famous for their functionality but can accumulate a significant number of temporary files over time.This data, known as cache, is created to speed up the loading of frequently used applications, but its excess can lead to a decrease in device performance and a lack of free memory. Users often notice that the phone is starting to run slower, and notifications about filling up storage are appearing more often.

Cache cleaning is a safe and effective procedure that does not delete your personal photos, contacts or installed programs. Unlike a full reset to factory settings, this operation affects only temporary system files and applications. Regular maintenance of accumulated memory allows you to extend the comfortable life of the gadget without having to buy a new model.

In this guide, we will look at all the available methods for deleting temporary files, from standard system tools to advanced methods through the engineering menu, learn to distinguish between system cache and application data, and understand when you need to use radical measures to restore the performance of your Mi or Redmi.

Why you need to clean the cache and when it is necessary

Cache is a buffer zone where you store copies of frequently used data. For example, the browser saves images of web pages so that they load instantly when you visit the site again; social networks store thumbnails of photos and videos; navigators store fragments of maps; cache accumulation was originally conceived by developers to save traffic and speed up work, but the uncontrolled growth of these files creates problems.

The main problem is that automatic cleaning algorithms don’t always work efficiently, and some applications, especially social networks like Telegram or TikTok, can inflate their cache to several gigabytes, causing the system to become unstable and empty space to disappear at an alarming rate.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t confuse cache cleaning with app data deletion. If you select the “Clean Data” option, the program will return to state immediately after installation, and you will lose logins, correspondence, and settings within that particular application.

There are clear signs that indicate the need for user intervention. If your Xiaomi smartphone has started to heat up without active load or the battery lasts only half a day, most likely, background processes are not working properly due to errors in cached files.

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Use the built-in Security app for weekly memory monitoring. It automatically detects junk files, but deep cache cleaning of heavy applications requires manual control.

Cleaning the cache through the standard Security app

The easiest and safest way to get rid of system debris is to use a pre-installed tool from the manufacturer. In the MIUI and HyperOS shells, this application is called Security (or Security), which has deep access to system partitions and can delete files that are not available to third-party programs.

To get started, you have to start the app and click on the big green scan button, and the system will analyze the storage and suggest that you delete the files that you found, but for more detail, you have to go to the Cleanup section, and here you will see a list of file categories that you can delete.

• 🗑️ Unused applications: Older versions of programs that take up space.
• 📸 Large files: videos and archives you may have forgotten to delete.
• 📱 Application cache: temporary files of installed programs.
• 📦 Installation packages APK: leftovers from app installers.

Once you select the categories, the system will show you a detailed list, and it's important to look carefully, because sometimes you get important documents in the trash. Press Clean to complete the procedure. This method only removes the surface layer of temporary files.

It is worth noting that standard cleaning does not affect the Dalvik/ART deep system cache, which can also grow over time. Access to deeper cleaning levels will require other methods described below. However, regular use of an in-built cleaner is the best prevention of memory problems.

Individual cache cleaning for specific applications

It often happens that one particular application consumes the lion’s share of memory. In Xiaomi, it is usually messengers, browsers or social network clients. To make room without removing the program completely, you need to use the application management menu.

Go to Settings and select App. Next, click All Apps. In the list that opens, look for a problem program like YouTube or Instagram. Inside the app menu, you'll see a Memory or Storage button that displays the amount of space you're using.

Click Clear Cache. This action will instantly free up space occupied by temporary files. If the application is not working properly, you can choose Clear Data, but be ready to log in again. This method is especially effective for browsers where the cache can reach hundreds of megabytes.

It is recommended to carry out such a procedure for the top-5 The heaviest applications on your device once a month will prevent fragmentation of the file system and ensure a stable response rate. Don't be afraid to clear the cache often - the applications will create new temporary files as needed.

Using Developer Mode for Deep Cleaning

For more advanced users, there is the ability to access hidden system functions through developer mode. This method allows you to force processes to stop and clear the cache more aggressively. To activate this mode, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the version of MIUI or HyperOS seven times.

Once activated, a new section will appear in the settings menu Additional → For Developers. Here we are interested in Memory or Development Tools. In some versions of the firmware, the option is available to Do Not Save Actions or Limit Background Processes, but we use a different approach to clear the cache.

In the developer menu, look for Memory Usage Statistics, and you can see which apps consume the most RAM. While there is no direct clear-all button, you can selectively stop heavy processes by clicking on the app and selecting Stop and then clear the cache through the standard menu.

• 🛠️ Activation: 7 clicks on the build number in "About the phone".
• 📊 Analytics: Viewing the real consumption of RAM processes.
• 🛑 Forced stop: completion of suspended background services.
• ⚙️ Limits setting: limiting the number of background processes.

⚠️ Warning: Be careful in the Developer menu, changing the rendering or animation settings can make the interface unstable.

Using developer mode gives you complete control over what happens under the hood of the Android operating system, which is especially useful when standard methods do not help to identify the cause of memory leakage.

Recovery Mode (Wipe Cache Partition)

The most radical, but also the most effective, method is to clear the cache partition through the Recovery Mode, which removes the system cache that is not accessible through the normal interface, and is often used after a firmware update if the phone is unstable.

To enter recovery mode, turn off your smartphone. Then press the Volume Up and Power buttons at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, while continuing to hold the volume. The main Recovery menu opens.

Navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. Find the Wipe Data. Inside this menu, select Wipe Cache. It is important not to confuse with Wipe All Data, which will completely delete all your files!

The sequence of actions in Recovery:


1. Turn off the phone.




2. Clutch Volume Up + Nutrition.




3. Select Wipe Data -> Wipe Cache.




4. Confirm action.




5. Select Reboot.

After the process, which usually takes a few seconds, select Reboot → Reboot to System. The phone will restart as usual. The first run may take longer, as the system will recreate the necessary temporary files. This is normal behavior.

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Cleaning through Recovery Mode is the only way to remove the system cache Dalvik, which can take up to 1-2 GB of memory and cause conflicts after a firmware update.

Cleaning automation and useful tips

So you can set up automatic scripts to avoid manual cleaning all the time, and the Security app has a Schedule feature, and you can set a time, for example, once a week at 3 a.m., when the phone will automatically clear the cache and close the background apps.

You should also pay attention to the settings of the apps themselves, because many social networks allow you to limit the size of the cache or set up automatic deletion of media files, for example, WhatsApp can disable auto-save photos in the gallery, which will save space.

• 📅 Schedule: Set up autoclean in the Security app.
• ☁️ Cloud: Use Google Photos or Mi Cloud to free up space.
• 🚫 Autoboot: Turn off autostart for rarely used apps.
• 🔄 Updates: Keep apps updated as newer versions are often better optimized.

Third-party software from Play Market is not recommended. They often contain ads, work less efficiently embedded tools and can even slow down the phone by constantly working in the background. Xiaomi’s built-in tools are enough for any user.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)