How to completely remove cache on Xiaomi Poco X3: from system files to applications

Why Poco X3 cache needs to be cleaned regularly

Owners of Xiaomi Poco X3 often experience a slowdown in their smartphone after 6-12 months of active use, not because of the “aging” of the iron, but because of cache clogs — temporary files that the system and applications accumulate to speed up repeated operations. The paradox is that over time these files begin to slow down the device, occupying space on the drive, fragmenting memory and even causing MIUI malfunctions.

On the Poco X3, the problem is compounded by the architecture: the smartphone is equipped with a UFS 2.1 drive that is sensitive to data fragmentation. When the cache takes more than 3-4 GB (and on some devices users have observed up to 8-10 GB of “garbage”), the read/write speed drops by 20-30%, manifested in slowdowns when the camera starts, long downloads of applications and even occasional reboots.

Another nuance is the Dalvik cache (or ART-These are optimized versions of installed applications that are created every time you update the system. X3 s 6/8 GB of RAM, this cache can take up to 1–1.5 GB, but after the update MIUI Old files are often not deleted automatically, accumulating over the years.

How to check how much cache is used on Poco X3

Before you start cleaning, it’s worth evaluating the scale of the problem. On the Xiaomi Poco X3, there are two ways to check the cache capacity: through built-in MIUI tools and third-party utilities. The first method is less accurate, but does not require the installation of additional programs.

Open Settings → About Phone → Memory. Here you will see a graph of internal drive usage by category.

• 📱 "System cache – files created by Android and MIUI speed up the work of the LO.
• 📦 "App cache" - temporary data from Google Play, social networks, instant messengers and games.
• 🔄 "Other files" - this often gets cache from remote applications, which the system did not clean.

If the total volume exceeds 5 GB, it is time to act.

For more detailed analysis, use Files by Google (available on the Play Market) which shows:

• 📊 Cache size for each application separately (including hidden system).
• 🗑️ Duplicate files and residual data after uninstallation of programs.
• 🔍 Possibility of sorting by size, date of change and file type.

On Poco X3 with MIUI 12.5+ firmware, built-in memory analysis can understate the real cache volume by 15-25% due to the peculiarities of the F2FS file system.

Method 1: Cleaning the application cache manually

The safest method is to remove the cache for individual applications through the settings menu, which does not affect user data (logins, saves in games), but frees up space and eliminates errors such as "App is not responding."

Instructions for Poco X3:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Sort by size."
3. Open an app with a large cache (such as YouTube, Telegram, or Google Play Services).
4. Press "Storage" → "Clear the cache".

To speed up the process, use a filter: enter a cache in the search bar - the system will show applications that occupy more than 100 MB of temporary files.

Which apps to clean first:

• 🎵 Music services (Spotify, Yandex Music) – cache tracks for offline listening.
• 📷 Social networks (Instagram, TikTok) - store miniatures of videos and stories.
• 🎮 Games (PUBG, Genshin Impact – cache textures and updates.
• 🗺️ Maps (Google Maps, Yandex Maps) – save map sections and routes.

Method 2: Automatic cleaning with MIUI Optimizer

Xiaomi Poco X3 has a built-in optimization tool, MIUI Optimizer, which can clean the cache in one click, but many users do not know that it can be customized for deep cleaning, not superficial.

How to turn on the extended mode:

1. Open Settings → Special features → MIUI Optimizer.
2. Activate the Deep Cleaning slider (will appear after 3-5 manual cleansings).
3. Tap "Clean Now" and wait until the process is complete (may take up to 5 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: In deep cleaning MIUI Optimizer removes not only the cache, but also temporary update files. If you have a firmware update planned, do it before cleaning, or you will have to download the package again.

The difference between a regular and deep cleaning on the Poco X3 is:

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If you've been cleaning your smartphone a lot slower, don't panic! For the first 10 to 15 minutes after the procedure, MIUI rebuilt the cache. Wait or restart the device.

Method 3: Cleaning the cache with Recovery Mode (for experienced)

When standard methods fail and critically little space is available, it is Recovery that removes ALL temporary files, including update cache and Dalvik data, but does not affect user files (photos, videos, documents).

Step-by-step instructions for Poco X3:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the MI logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (volume buttons) and tap "Wipe & Reset".
4. Select "Wipe Cache" (Do not confuse with Wipe All Data - it is a complete reset!).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 5-10 minutes).
6. Restart the device via Reboot.

⚠️ Note: On some versions of Poco X3 Wipe Cache may be called Advanced Wipe. → Cache Partition. If you only see Wipe Data, don't choose it, it will cause a complete reset!

What does cleaning through Recovery do:

• 🧹 Removes the cache of all users (relevant for multiplayer mode).
• 🔧 Fixes errors such as "Com.android.systemui process stopped".
• 📉 Reduces processor heat (Dalvik cache can cause increased load on Snapdragon) 732G).

Method 4: Using ADB for deep cleaning (advanced)

For users familiar with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), there is a way to clear cache that is not available through the standard interface.This is useful if MIUI Optimizer "does not see" some temporary files.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Turn on Poco X3 Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to activate the developer mode).
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable “Debugging by USB”.
4. Connect your smartphone to your PC and type in the command line: adb shell pm trim-caches -d 100M adb shell cmd package bg-dexopt-job

The first command limits the cache of applications to 100 MB, the second rebuilds optimized Dalvik files.

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB You may conflict with some Magisk modules (if you have root).Before you do it, disable modules associated with modification of system partitions (for example, Universal SafetyNet Fix).

Advantages of the method:

• 🎯 Spot cleaning – you can specify a specific cache size for each application.
• 🔄 Ability to automate via scripts (e.g. weekly cleaning on schedule).
• 🛠️ Corrects type errors "INSTALL_FAILED_INSUFFICIENT_STORAGE" installation APK.

Method 5: Automatic cleaning on schedule

To avoid manually cleaning the cache, set up automatic cleaning via MIUI Security (newer versions of the Security App), a method that is suitable for users who forget to monitor memory status.

How to set up:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleanup" → "Autocleaning".
3. Turn on the slider and set up a schedule ("Every week" is recommended).
4. In the "Exceptions" section, add applications that do not need to be cache-cleaned (for example, offline cards).

The best settings for Poco X3 are:

• 🕒 Cleanup time: 3-4 a.m. (when the smartphone is usually charged and not in use).
• 📴 Condition: "Only when connected to Wi-Fi" (so as not to waste mobile traffic on cache regeneration).
• 🔋 Threshold: 80% memory filling (to start cleaning to critical state).

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Autocleaning does not remove the cache of system applications (such as MIUI Launcher or Google Play Services) and requires manual cleaning every 1-2 months.

What to do if after cleaning the cache problems remain

If, even after a complete cleanup, the Xiaomi Poco X3 continues to slow down, check out the following points:

1. Memory fragmentation

The UFS 2.1 drive in Poco X3 gets fragmented over time, especially if you delete/installe applications frequently. Use the Files by Google app to defragment:

• Open the application → “Clean up” → “Free up the place”.
• Select "Duplicate Files" and "Large Files".
• Start the analysis and delete the unnecessary data.

2. Completed section /data

If you see that the data partition is 90%+ full in the memory settings, even after cleaning the cache, the problem may be:

• 📂 Residual files of remote applications (folder) /data/data).
• 📥 Unsuccessful downloads from Play Market (daddy) /data/app-lib).
• 🔄 Log of the system (folder) /data/log).

To remove them, you will need root access or reset to factory settings.

3. Conflicts with MIUI updates

After major updates (e.g., from MIUI 12 to MIUI 13), the old cache files may conflict with the new firmware.

• Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three Dots → Show all processes.
• Find processes called com.miui.* and clear their cache.
• Reset the device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up the cache on Poco X3