How to remove cache on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their performance, but over time, even the most powerful devices can start to work slower. Often the cause of this behavior is accumulated cache, which takes up precious space in memory and slows down the start of programs. Understanding how to properly manage these temporary files is a key skill for any Android gadget owner.

In this article, we will take a look at all the cleanup options available, from standard system tools to advanced methods for power users, and learn how to distinguish useful data from digital trash, and be able to safely speed up your Redmi or Poco without losing important information.

Temporary file accumulation is a natural process for operating systems, but it needs to be monitored. Regular cleaning helps to avoid sudden freezes and errors in the operation of applications. Let's look at what exactly is hidden under this term and why it is important.

What is cache and why remove it

Cache is a memory area where apps store temporary files to speed up their work. When you open a website in a browser or flip through a social network feed, the device stores copies of images and scripts. When you re-refer to this data, the phone downloads them from memory, rather than downloading them again, which saves traffic and time.

But there's a flip side to this mechanism: over time, the cache can grow to a few gigabytes, taking up space that could be used for photos or new programs, and old files can conflict with updated versions of applications, causing crashes.

⚠️ Caution: Cache clearing does not delete your personal data, logins or passwords. it is a secure procedure that affects only temporary files.

There are two main types of caching: system and user caching. System cache is accumulated by the MIUI or HyperOS shell itself, while custom cache is created by installed programs. Understanding this difference will help you make the right decisions when servicing the device.

Cleaning the cache through smartphone settings

The easiest and safest way to delete temporary files is to use the built-in system tools. Xiaomi owners have access to a powerful standard app that automatically scans the device for debris.

To start, open the Security app, which is preinstalled on all of the brand's smartphones. Click on the Cleanup button and the system will analyze it. Once you've finished scanning, you'll see a list of files that can be deleted without harming your phone.

It is important to note that standard cleaning often only removes surface debris. For deeper cleaning, go to Settings → Applications → All Apps. Here you can manually manage the memory of each program.

• 📱 Select the desired application from the list for detailed analysis.
• 💾 Click on Memory or Storage in the program menu.
• 🗑️ Use the Clear Cache button to delete temporary data.
• ⚙️ Do not confuse with the button to erase data, which will reset the settings of the application.

Using embedded tools is the best option for day-to-day maintenance, ensuring that you don’t remove anything extra or disrupt important system processes.

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Regular cleaning through the standard “Safety” application takes less than a minute, but significantly prolongs the comfortable use of the smartphone.

Removing cache through the developer menu

For more advanced users who want to gain full control of their device, there is a Recovery menu (Dalvik/ART cache, which accumulates during the operation of the operating system.

To get into this menu, you must first turn on debugging mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI version seven times. Once you have become a developer, go to Additional → For Developers and activate Factory Unlock.

⚠️ Warning: Entering Recovery mode requires the phone to be turned off and a specific button combination executed.Be careful not to reset the device to factory settings by accident.

Once you turn on the developer mode, turn off the phone completely. Then press the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume.

Recovery menu:


1. Volume Up + Power (entry)




2. Select "Wipe Data" (caution!)




3. Select "Wipe Cache" (safe)




4. Reboot

In the menu that opens, you can navigate with volume buttons and choose with a power button. Find Wipe Cache (not to be confused with Wipe Data!) and confirm the action. This will delete the system temporary files that often cause errors after major updates.

Cleaning the cache in popular applications

Social networks and instant messengers are the bulk of the garbage on Xiaomi smartphones, and apps like Telegram, WhatsApp and YouTube aggressively cache media files that can take up tens of gigabytes.

Consider Telegram, which is famous for its voracious cache. Go to Messenger Settings → Data and Memory → Memory Use. Here you will see the Clear Cache button. A unique feature of Telegram is the ability to configure autodeletion of the cache, for example, delete files older than 3 days automatically.

On YouTube, the situation is similar: the app saves thumbnails and parts of the videos you watched. To clean, go to Settings → General → Clear your browsing history (it’s not exactly cache, but helps), or use system cleaning through Android settings, as described in the second section.

Regular monitoring of heavy apps helps keep the phone on track.Often users are surprised to find that the messenger takes 5GB, even though it weighs only 100MB.

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In the Telegram settings, enable the “Auto-Delete Media” function by setting a limit of 3 days, which will save your memory from overflowing in the future.

Use of third-party utilities for cleaning

If standard tools are not enough, specialized applications from Google Play come to the rescue, but it is important to be careful here, since many cleaners are themselves a source of advertising and unnecessary garbage.

One of the tools we've tested is Files by Google, which is the official app from the search giant that safely analyzes the device and suggests removing duplicates, large files and temporary cache, which requires no extra permissions and runs in the background.

Another popular option is SD Maid, which is known for its deep cleaning of "residual files" after deleting applications, finding folders that conventional tools miss and allowing them to be safely deleted.

• 🚀 Files by Google is the best choice for most users because of its simplicity.
• 🧹 SD Maid – a tool for advanced, wiring to clean the device to the last crumb.
• ⚡ CCleaner is a classic, but in the free version can be intrusive with advertising.

When installing any third-party utilities, carefully read the permissions they request. If a simple cleaner requires access to contacts and a microphone, that’s a reason to stop using it.

Common errors and problems in cleaning

Many users, in an effort to free up space, make mistakes that lead to data loss or unstable Xiaomi operation.The most common mistake is using the Erase Data button instead of Clear Cache in the application settings.

If you click "Erase Data," the app will return to a state immediately after installation: all accounts will fly out, game saves and settings will disappear, and the cache contains only temporary files, and its cleaning does not affect authorization.

⚠️ Note: Never use the memory acceleration function" (RAM Boost) is constant. They are strong enough to close the background processes, causing the system to spend more energy restarting them.

Another problem is cleaning the cache immediately after the system update. In the first days after the MIUI or HyperOS update, it re-optimizes applications, creating a new cache. During this period, the phone can warm and run slowly - this is normal, and aggressive cleaning only prolongs this process.