How to remove cache on Xiaomi Redmi: all the ways in 5 minutes

Cache on Xiaomi Redmi are temporary files that help applications and the system run faster. But over time, they accumulate, taking up precious space in memory and slowing down your smartphone. If your Redmi Note 12 or Redmi 10 started to slow down, and the memory settings are red alerts, it's time to clear the cache. In this article, we'll look at everything from standard MIUI tools to hidden features for power users.

It is important to understand that there are two types of cache: application cache (messaging data, games, browsers) and system cache (update files, temporary MIUI data). Their cleaning solves different tasks: the first frees up space, the second eliminates lags. We will show how to remove both types without risking data, and also reveal the hidden method of cleaning the cache through an engineering menu that works even on blocked downloaders.

Why Xiaomi Redmi Cache Should Be Cleaned Regularly

Smartphone makers rarely talk about it openly, but cache accumulation is one of the main reasons Android devices are aging. On Xiaomi Redmi with a MIUI shell, the problem is exacerbated by aggressive optimization: the system actively caches data to speed up, but often does not delete outdated files.

• 📉 Performance drop: apps open longer, animations twitch, and in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI You see a high "Use" CPU» even in plain.
• 📱 Memory shortage: on Redmi 9A With 32GB of storage, the cache can take up to 5-7GB, leaving the user with critically little space for photos and apps.
• 🔄 Failures: Some apps (such as Google Play Store or Mi Video) start to issue errors such as “Can’t download data” due to a damaged cache.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption: background processes continually reassemble the cache, resulting in heat and quick discharge (especially noticeable on the Redmi Note 11 Pro).+ s AMOLED-screen).

In MIUI 14 and later, Xiaomi has added automatic cache cleaning, but it doesn’t work perfectly: it only deletes the oldest files, leaving “junk” from commonly used applications. In addition, automatic cleaning does not affect Dalvik cache, a special memory area where optimized versions of applications are stored.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse cache with app data! Cache clearing is safe and doesn't delete your accounts, messages, or settings. But resetting "All Data" in the app settings will return it to factory status.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications

The easiest and safest method is to remove the cache for specific programs, which is useful if only one application (such as Instagram or Telegram) is slowed down, and the rest of the system works normally. MIUI 12–14:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Sort by Size to see the heaviest programs.
3. Select the app you want (like Facebook or Mi Browser).
4. Click on “Storage” and then “Clear Cache”.

To speed up the process, you can use a filter: enter the name of the application in the search bar (for example, “chrome” for Google Chrome). If the “Clear cache” button is inactive, then the program has not accumulated temporary files.

Check if the application is system-based (e.g. Mi Security)

Restart your phone and try again.

Update the app through the Google Play Store

Try to clear the cache through Settings → Memory → Clean-up-->

On some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi K50), there is an option in the app menu called Clear Data, which deletes not only the cache, but also all the program settings (logins, game saves, etc.) and only use it as a last resort!

Telegram

Instagram

Google Chrome

Facebook

Other-->

Method 2: Mass cleaning the cache of all applications

If you want to make room quickly and manually clean each application for a long time, use the built-in MIUI tool for mass cleaning. This method removes the cache of all user applications (but not system ones!), which is safe and does not require root rights.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Slip on Cleanup (in some versions of MIUI, this button is called Cleanup).
3. Wait for the analysis (it can take 10–30 seconds).
4. Check the box against the “Cash” and remove the rest (so as not to delete unnecessary files).
5. Click “Clear” and confirm the action.

With MIUI 13/14, Redmi's cleaning algorithm is smarter: it analyzes which files can be safely deleted without disrupting applications. However, sometimes the system makes a mistake and suggests clearing the cache of system components (such as Mi Share or Game Turbo).

⚠️ Warning: After mass cache clearing, some apps (like YouTube or TikTok) will take longer to load on their first run. This is normal, they recover temporary data. After 1-2 use, the speed will return to its previous level.

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If the app gets worse after cleaning the cache (for example, Google Maps has been loading maps for a long time), try reinstalling it.

Method 3: Cleaning the system cache through Recovery

The system cache (Dalvik cache and cache partition) accumulates in the background and is not cleaned by standard methods.

• 🔄 Load looping (logo) MI burns for more than 5 minutes).
• 📱 Self-involved reboots.
• ⚠️ Errors such as “System” UI stopped».

To clean it, you need to go into Recovery mode. This method works on all Xiaomi Redmi, including the Redmi Note 12 Pro, Redmi 11 Prime and older models. Importantly, the method does not require unlocking the bootloader, but resets some settings (for example, fingerprints).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Volume Up + Power buttons at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
3. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
4. Select "Wipe & Reset" (on some models - "Wipe Cache").
5. Then select “Wipe Cache” (not “Wipe Data”).
6. Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (usually takes 1-3 minutes).
7. Reboot your phone via Reboot» → «Reboot to System».

After a reboot, the system can run slower for the first 5-10 minutes, which is normal, since MIUI restores optimal temporary files. If the phone still slows down after cleaning the cache, it may be a problem in memory fragmentation or damaged partitions, in which case the reset to factory settings will help (but this is a last resort!).

Method 4: Hidden cache cleaning through an engineering menu (for the experienced)

Few people know, but Xiaomi Redmi has a hidden engineering menu where you can manually control the cache of system processes. This method helps when standard methods do not work, and the smartphone began to “glut” after the MIUI update. Importantly, the wrong actions in the engineering menu can disrupt the phone, so follow the instructions accurately.

How to open the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##4636##.
2. In the menu that appears, select “Battery Information” (on some firmwares – “Usage statistics”).
3. Scroll down to the “Other” section and look for “Clear cache” or “Wipe cache partition.”
4. Slap it on it and confirm the cleanup.

The engineering menu can also include:

• 📊 View detailed statistics of cache use by process (useful for diagnosis).
• 🔧 Manually stop background services that actively cache data (such as Mi Cloud or Google Play Services).
• 🔄 Reset network settings if the cache Wi-Fi/Bluetooth causing problems with connection.

⚠️ Note: You cannot change the settings associated with Radio Band, Network Lock or the Menu «SIM Settings – This can lead to network loss or blocking IMEI. If you are not sure of the action, it is better not to press it.

On Redmi with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors (such as Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G), additional options for cleaning the GPU and Modem cache are available in the engineering menu. Resetting them can help if the phone overheats or loses communication.

1. In the engineering menu, select Hardware Testing.
2. Go to GPU or Modem.
3. Find the Clear Cache option and execute it.

Method 5: Automatically clean the cache with MIUI Optimizer

MIUI 13/14 has a hidden tool called MIUI Optimizer that can clear the cache in the background without disturbing the user's work, analyzes the behavior of the system and deletes unnecessary files when the phone is charged or connected to Wi-Fi, to activate it:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to turn on the developer mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find the option “MIUI Optimization” and turn it on.
5. Reboot the phone.

After activation of MIUI Optimizer, you will:

• 🗑️ Automatically clear the cache of applications that have not been used for more than 3 days.
• 🔄 Optimize background processes, reducing the load on CPU.
• 📉 Compress unused system files to save space.

On Redmi, which has a low storage capacity of 32-64 GB, this tool can free up to 1-2 GB per month. However, it has a disadvantage: sometimes MIUI Optimizer overly aggressively cleans the cache, which makes the applications load longer. If you notice delays, turn it off in the developer settings.

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MIUI Optimizer only works on official firmware. If you use custom firmware (like Pixel Experience), this method won't work.

Frequent Cache Cleaning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many Xiaomi Redmi users make mistakes that, instead of speeding up the phone, backfire, and here are the most common ones and ways to avoid them:

Another common problem is that the cache doesn't clear after all the attempts, and it can be because of:

• 🔒 Blocked rights: on some firmware MIUI Clearing the cache of system applications is prohibited. The solution is to unlock the bootloader and get root (but this voids the warranty).
• 🛠️ Damaged Partitions: If the problem remains after resetting the cache in Recovery, the partition may be damaged /cache. In this case, only re-flashing will help.
• 📱 Hardware problems: on Redmi with eMMC memory (e.g. Redmi) 9A) The way that the recording speed gets worse is that the cache doesn't have time to clear.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions