How to completely remove the cache of Telegram on Xiaomi: all ways

Telegram cache on Xiaomi smartphones can take up gigabytes of memory, slowing down the messenger and system. Unlike other applications, Telegram actively caches media files (photos, videos, stickers), even if you did not save them. On devices with a shell MIUI, cache cleaning has nuances: standard Android methods often do not work due to manufacturer restrictions.

In this article — 5 Proven ways to delete Telegram cache on Xiaomi, including hidden folders, commands ADB and settings MIUI 14/15. We will learn how to clean the cache selectively (for chat or media only) and completely, and what to do if files continue to occupy space after cleaning. 12 Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Why does the Telegram cache on Xiaomi take up so much space?

Unlike WhatsApp or Viber, Telegram uses aggressive caching by default.

  • 📸 Automatic Media Download: Even if you didn’t open the file, it can download in the background (settings) → «Data and memory»).
  • 🗃️ Local Sticker Storage and GIF: Animation packages are stored in cache even if you don’t use them.
  • 🔄 Residual files after updates: Telegram does not always clear temporary data after updates.
  • 📁 Hidden folders MIUI: Xiaomi creates duplicate cache folders in /Android/data/org.telegram.messenger and /storage/emulated/0/Telegram.

For example, a POCO X5 Pro user with active Telegram cache can grow to 3-5 GB per month, even if you manually delete files, because MIUI blocks access to some system folders without root rights.

📊 How often do you clear the Telegram cache?
Once a week.
Once a month
Only when memory ends
Never.

Method 1: Clearing the cache through Telegram settings

The simplest method, but it doesn't delete all files, only those that the messenger considers "unnecessary."

  1. Open Telegram and go to the ⚙️ Settings → Data and memory.
  2. Slip on the Warehouse (or Use Memory in older versions).
  3. Choose Clear cache. The system will show how much space will be freed up.
  4. Confirm the action by pressing OK.

⚠️ Note: This method does not remove:

  • 📁 Manually saved files (they remain in the folder) Telegram/Telegram Images).
  • 🔄 Autoboot data from settings (they must be disabled separately).
  • 🗑️ System cache MIUI, annexed.

Backup important files | Disable autoload media |Close all active chats |Check out free space on your device-->

Method 2: Manual cleaning of Telegram folders on Xiaomi

To delete all cache files, including those hidden, you will need access to the file system. Use MIUI Explorer or a third-party application (such as Solid Explorer):

  1. Open Explorer and go to the root folder of the device.
  2. Find the directories: /storage/emulated/0/Telegram/ /Android/data/org.telegram.messenger/cache/
  3. Delete all folders except: 📁 Telegram Documents (if there are important files). 📁 Telegram Images (if you want to save a photo).

Reboot your smartphone.

🔹 Important: on Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ Some folders can be hidden, so you can see them:

  1. In the Conductor, press ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files.
  2. If folders don’t show up, use ADB (see Method 4).
What happens if you delete the entire Telegram folder?
When you completely delete /storage/emulated/0/Telegram/ folder, you will lose: - All manually downloaded media files (photos, videos, documents). - Local backups of chats (if any were created). - Theme and sticker settings. The messages and chats themselves will remain as they sync with the Telegram cloud. However, the next time the application opens, it will create a new folder and begin to cache data again.

Method 3: Clearing the cache through MIUI settings

Xiaomi offers a built-in memory management tool, but it has limitations.To clear Telegram's cache through MIUI:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
  2. Find Telegram in the list and tap on it.
  3. Select Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
  4. (Optional) Click Clear Data, but this deletes all settings and login!

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

  1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
  2. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB.
  3. Enter the commands in turn: adb shell pm clear org.telegram.messenger This command deletes all cache and application data (analogue Clear data in MIUI).
  4. For selective cache cleaning, use: adb shell run-as org.telegram.messenger rm -rf /data/data/org.telegram.messenger/cache/*
adb shell "su -c 'rm -rf /data/data/org.telegram.messenger/cache/*'"

But remember that this requires an unlocked bootloader and can void the warranty.-->

Method 5: Disabling Autoboot Media (Prevention)

To prevent the Telegram cache from growing again, disable the autoload of unnecessary files:

  1. In Telegram go to the ⚙️ Settings → Data and memory.
  2. In the Autoload Media section, select: 📶 Mobile Traffic: Disable all file types or leave only Photos. 📶 Wi-Fi: Limit Downloading of Documents and Music. 📶 Roaming: Turn everything off.

Warehouse

Clean the cache automatically

🔹 Additional settings to save memory:

  • 🎨 Turn off sticker animation: Settings → chat → Sticker animation.
  • 📥 Limit the cache size: Settings → Data and memory → Cache size (set 100–200 MB).
  • 🗑️ Enable automatic cleaning: Settings → Data and memory → Clear the cache when you exit.

💡

Even with autoboot disabled, Telegram will cache files you open manually. To avoid this completely, use incognito mode (long tap on the chat icon → Open in a secret chat).

What to do if the Telegram cache is not cleared?

If after all the manipulations the cache remains in place, check:

  1. Application rights: go to Settings → Apps → Telegram → Permissions and disable access to Warehouse, then turn it on again.
  2. System restrictions MIUI: Some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global for Redmi Note 11) have file deletion restrictions. Try using Safe Mode: 1. Press the power button. 2. Hold "Switch off" → "Reboot Safe Mode." 3. Repeat cleaning the cache.
  3. Damaged files: If Telegram folders are not deleted, they may be busy. Restart your phone and try again.
  4. Alternative launchers: Some shells (like POCO Launcher) block access to system folders. Try using the standard MIUI Launcher.

Critical information: on devices with MIUI 15 and later (such as Xiaomi 14), the Telegram cache folder can be encrypted, in which case the only way to completely clean up is to use ADB with root rights or reset the phone to factory settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about clearing Telegram cache on Xiaomi

🔍 Why is the cache not freed up after the cache is cleaned?
This is due to the features of the MIUI file system: Try: Reboot your phone; use a memory analysis app (e.g. Files by Google); Clear the cache via ADB (see Method 4); If the problem persists, check the /Android/obb/ folder, sometimes temporary Telegram files get there.
📱 Can I clean up Telegram cache without losing chats?
Yes, messages and chats are stored in the cloud and are independent of local cache: 📎 The saved messages (fixed) will remain. 📁 Local backups (if created) will be deleted. 🔍 Chat search can run slower until the cache recovers.
⚙️ How to disable Telegram caching completely?
You can't completely turn off the cache, but you can minimize its size: In Telegram settings, turn off autoloading of all file types. Use secret chats - they don't cache media on the device. Regularly clean the cache manually (every 1-2 weeks). 🔹 On Xiaomi MIUI 14+ You can also limit background activity of Telegram: Settings → Annexes → Telegram → Battery → Limit background activity
🔄 Which is better: cleaning the cache or reinstalling Telegram?
Depends on the purpose: Cache cleaning Reinstallation ✅ Save settings and chats ❌ Deletes all local data ✅ Quickly (1–2 minutes) ⚠️ It takes time to set up. ❌ You may not delete all files ✅ Deletes everything, including hidden folders 🔹 Recommendation: first try cleaning the cache. If the problem persists (for example, Telegram slows down), reinstall the application.
🛠️ Why Xiaomi’s Telegram cache is growing faster than other phones?
This is due to two factors: Optimization. MIUI: Xiaomi shell aggressively caches data to speed up work, but does not always correctly clean temporary files: MIUI can run Telegram in the background for notifications, which leads to additional caching. 🔹 Solution: Turn off Telegram auto-start in the settings MIUI: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Telegram → Auto-start → Shut down.