How to Delete Cache on Xiaomi Redmi 9: From Apps to System Files

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but over time even it begins to slow down. The main reason for slow work is a crowded cache that takes up precious space in memory and slows down the system. In this article, we will discuss how to properly clean the cache on Redmi 9 (including Redmi 9A, 9C, 9T models), without disrupting the phone and without losing important data.

There are three types of cache: application cache (temporary program files), browser cache (saved pages and cookies), and system cache (Android files that help speed up the loading of the OS). Cleaning each type requires different actions, from simply pressing a button to using hidden developer menus. We will show all working methods, including those that are not described in the official documentation of Xiaomi.

Important: Check the memory space before cleaning (Settings → About Phone → Memory). If the cache has not changed, the problem may be junk files or viruses. At the end of the article, there is an FAQ with answers to typical questions on the topic.

1. How to clear the cache of individual applications on Redmi 9

The safest way is to remove the cache for specific programs. This won't affect their performance, but it will free up from 100 MB to several GB of memory (depending on the application). For example, YouTube or TikTok cache can take up to 1-2 GB!

Instructions:

📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
🔍 In the search box, type the name of the program (for example, Chrome or WhatsApp).
🗑️ Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache (not to be confused with the “Clear Data” button – it will delete all account settings!).
🔄 To clean up completely, repeat the action for all “heavy” applications (social networks, instant messengers, games).

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache for system applications called com.android... or miui... this can cause malfunctions. MIUI. Exceptions: com.miui.gallery (Gallery) and com.android.vending (Google Play).

Video viewing apps (YouTube, TikTok, Kwai)

Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber)

Social networks (Facebook, Instagram, Vkontakte)

Games (PUBG, Free Fire, Genshin Impact)

Navigators (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps)

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If the Clear Cache button is inactive, it means that the app did not create temporary files, in which case, check the Storage → Data section: sometimes programs store garbage there (for example, Facebook or VK).

2. Quickly clear the cache of all applications at once

Don't want to waste time on each application separately? MIUI has a built-in tool for mass cleaning. It removes the cache of all user programs (but not the system!).

How to use:

Press the Home button (or swipe up the screen and hold your finger) and the Recent Apps menu will open.
Swipe left to the Cleanup tab (broom icon).
Press Deep Cleanse → Cash and confirm the action.

📌 Tip: This method only removes cache, not junk files. Use Settings for complete cleaning → The phone. → Memory. → Cleaning (you can remove unnecessary ones there) APK, Photo duplicates and old downloads).

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the phone starts to brake

Never cleaned.

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After a mass cleanup, some apps (like Google Maps or Spotify) can take longer to load on their first run, which is normal because they will have to recreate temporary files.

3. Clearing the browser cache (Chrome, MIUI Browser, Firefox)

Browsers are the main cache drives. They store copies of pages, cookies, history and autocomplete forms. Redmi 9 has MIUI Browser installed by default, but many people use Google Chrome or Firefox. Let's look at all the options.

For MIUI Browser:

🌐 Open your browser and tap three dots at the bottom of the screen.
🔧 Select Settings → Confidentiality → Clear the data.
✅ Check Cash, Cookies and History, then click Clear.

For Google Chrome:

🔍 In the address bar, enter chrome://settings/clearBrowserData.
📅 Select a period For all the time.
✅ Mark cached images and files + Cookies.
🗑️ Click Clear the data.

What happens if you don’t clean the browser cache?

Sites will be loaded longer due to overcrowded memory; some pages may be displayed incorrectly (outdated styles or scripts); the risk of personal data leakage (for example, saved passwords or search history); traffic consumption will increase, the browser will re-upload old files instead of using cache.

⚠️ Note: If you clean Chrome cache or MIUI Browser Starts to “Fly Out”, Try Reinstall Your Browser or Reset It via Settings → Annexes → [Browser name] → Reset the settings.

4. System cache removal (for power users)

System cache (/cache) Stores temporary Android files that speed up the OS's booting. its cleanup could help if Redmi 9 It's slow to turn on or it's often overheated, but it can cause the system to fail!

The safe way is through recovery mode:

🔄 Turn off the phone.
🔘 Press the power buttons. + Loudness up before the appearance of the Mi logo.
📱 In the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset. → Wipe Cache (use volume buttons for navigation and power button for confirmation).
🔄 Reboot the phone (Reboot).

📌 Important: This method does not delete user data, but resets some system settings (e.g. root rights, if any) If after cleaning the phone loads longer than usual, it is normal (the system restores the cache again).

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If your phone is even slower after cleaning the system cache, try resetting to factory settings (Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data in Recovery).

Alternatively, through ADB (for advanced users):

adb shell


su




rm -r /cache/*




reboot

This command requires root rights and can disrupt MIUI if executed incorrectly.

5. Automatic cache cleanup with third-party applications

If you don't want to manually clean your cache, use utilities like CCleaner, Files by Google, or SD Maid, which analyze memory and suggest you delete unnecessary files, but be careful: some cleaners delete not only the cache, but also important data.

Top.-3 Proven applications for Redmi 9:

Annex	Pluses	Cons	Reference
Files by Google	Free, no advertising, clears duplicate photos	Does not remove the system cache	Google Play
SD Maid	Deep cleaning, works without root	Paid version for full functionality	Google Play
CCleaner	Convenient interface, clears the browser cache	Lots of advertising in the free version	Google Play

⚠️ Warning: Don't use "cleaners" that require root rights or suggest "300% phone speed" is a scam. Also avoid programs that ask you to disable Google Play Protect (this could be a virus).

Before using third-party utilities, check their Google Play rankings and reviews, for example, Files by Google is the official app from Google, and SD Maid is recommended on XDA Developers forums.

6.How to prevent fast cache filling on Redmi 9

Clearing the cache is a temporary solution, so that the problem does not come back, set the phone correctly:

📵 Limit the background activity of applications: Go to Settings → Battery → Power management applications and disable auto-start for unnecessary programs.
🚫 Turn off auto-update apps: Go to Settings on Google Play → Auto-update of applications → Only through Wi-Fi (or "Never»).
🗑️ Set up automatic cleaning: In Settings → The phone. → Memory. → Cleaning up, turn on the option “Autocleaning».
📥 Use the “Light” versions of apps: For example, Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite or YouTube Go take up less memory.

It is also useful to check the Settings → About Phone → Memory → Files section regularly. There, MIUI automatically sorts garbage into categories: Large Files, Unused Apps, Duplicates Photos, etc.

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Regularly cleaning the cache (once every 1-2 weeks) and turning off the background activity of applications can increase the speed of the Redmi 9 by 20-30% without resetting the settings.

If even after all the manipulations the phone brakes - check it for viruses (for example, through Malwarebytes) or consider resetting to factory settings (but this is an extreme measure!).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning cache on Xiaomi Redmi 9

❓ Can I clear the cache without losing data?

Yes, cleaning the app or browser cache does not delete your files, photos or account settings. Except for the system cache: cleaning it through Recovery resets some MIUI settings (such as network settings), but does not affect user data.

❓ Why After Cleaning the Cache, Applications Boot Longer?

This is normal: cache speeds up the loading of programs, saving frequently used data. After cleaning, applications have to recreate temporary files, so the first run may take longer. After 1-2 use, the speed will return to normal.

❓ How to clear cache for system applications (e.g. Gallery or Settings)?

For system applications (com.miui.gallery, com.android.settings), cache cleaning is usually safe, but not always effective. To reset their settings, use the command via ADB: adb shell pm clear com.miui.gallery ⚠️ This will delete all app data (e.g. albums in the Gallery), so pre-return backup.

❓ How much memory should be released after cleaning the cache?

Depending on the number of apps installed and the time of the last cleanup. On average: browser cache: 100-500 MB. Social media cache: 200 MB – 1.5 GB (for example, TikTok can take up to 2 GB!), Game cache: 500 MB – 3 GB (depending on titles). System cache: 200-800 MB. If less than 100 MB is free after cleaning, check the phone for viruses or junk files in the Download folder.

❓ Can I turn off the cache completely?

Technically, yes, but it will slow down the phone a lot. Cache is needed for: Quickly loading frequently used applications; Save data for offline access (for example, maps in Google Maps); reduce traffic consumption (browsers load pages from the cache, not from the server); instead of disabling the cache, it is better to set up automatic cleaning of it (see section 6).