How to remove cache on Xiaomi phone: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi’s cache is a temporary file created by apps and systems to speed things up. Over time, it accumulates, takes up precious memory space, and can even slow down your device. If your Redmi, POCO, or Mi slows down, shuts apps spontaneously, or sends out a message about a memory shortage, it’s time to clean the cache.

In this article, we will discuss all ways to remove cache on Xiaomi – from standard tools. MIUI You will learn how to clean the cache of individual applications, the system cache, and also what to do if the phone starts to work even worse after cleaning (yes, this happens!). MIUI 14 and HyperOS, which are used in new models 2023-2026.

1.Why Xiaomi cache needs to be cleaned regularly

Cache is not just garbage. It does an important function: it speeds up the loading of frequently used data, for example, when you open Instagram, the app doesn't re-download all the photos from the tape, it takes them from the cache.

📉 It takes up gigabytes of memory – this is especially noticeable on budget models with 64-128 GB of storage (for example, Redmi Note 12 or more). POCO M5).
🐢 Slow down the system – fragmented cache makes the processor look longer for the necessary data.
🔄 Failures – corrupted cache files can lead to app crashes (a common problem with Google Play Services).
🔒 Confidentiality is threatened – in the cache of browsers and messengers there are traces of your activity.

According to XDA Developers tests, after cleaning the cache on Xiaomi 13 Pro with HyperOS, the speed of opening applications increased by 15-20%, and free space increased by 3-5 GB. But there is also the reverse side: after cleaning, some applications will be loaded longer - they will have to cache data again.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse cache with user data! Clearing cache won't delete your photos, messages or saves in games. But if you clear the app data (e.g. in Settings) → Annexes → Warehouse → Clear the data, you will lose all settings and files inside this application.

📊 How often do you clean your Xiaomi cache?

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the phone is slowing down.

Never cleaned.

I don't know what it is.

2. Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications

The safest method is to remove cache only for applications that take up too much space or are unstable, which does not affect system files and does not require rebooting.

Instructions for MIUI 14 and HyperOS:

Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
Select an app from a list (such as Facebook or TikTok).
Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

For convenience, sort the applications by cache size:

In the Application Management section, click on three dots (⋮) top-right.
Select Sort by size.
Pay attention to applications with a cache >500 MB – they should be cleaned first.

Top.-5 Apps that most often clog up cache on Xiaomi:

📷 Instagram – up to 1-2 GB (caching stories and reels).
🎵 Spotify/Yandex Music - before 500 MB (caching songs for offline listening).
🗺️ Google Maps – up to 1 GB (caching cards).
🎮 Genshin Impact/PUBG Mobile - up to 3–5 GB (caches textures and levels).
📺 YouTube – up to 1 GB (caching video for fast download).

Close the application in multitasking

Connect your phone to charge (if cache >1 GB)

Check if there is any important unsaved data (for example, drafts in messengers)

Remember the username/password (if the application can log out of the account)

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3. Method 2: Mass cleaning of cache of all applications

If you're too lazy to clean each app individually, Xiaomi has a mass-cleaning feature that removes the cache of all user applications, but doesn't touch system files.

How to do this:

Open Settings → Memory (or Storage in new versions).
Click Clear in the App Cash section.
Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

The screen will display a notification of the amount of space released, which on average frees up 1-3 GB, but the effect depends on how long ago you last cleaned the cache.

Xiaomi model	Average cache size (before cleaning)	Place vacated
Redmi Note 12 Pro+	2.8–4.5 GB	1.2-2.1 GB
POCO X5 Pro	3.1–5.0 GB	1.5–2.5 GB
Xiaomi 13 Ultra	4.0–6.5 GB	2.0–3.0 GB
Redmi A2	1.5–2.5 GB	0.8–1.5 GB

⚠️ Warning: Mass cache cleanup can lead to temporary issues: Some apps will take longer to load on first run.Google Play Store may be issuing an error DF-DFERH-01 — Just reboot your phone. Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) will have to re-download stickers and media files. If the phone gets worse after cleaning, try a way to do it. №4 (cleaning the cache in recovery mode).

Method 3: Cleaning the cache of system applications (for experienced)

System applications (MIUI Launcher, Security, Google Play Services) also accumulate cache, but you need to clean them carefully.

How to clean the cache of system applications:

Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on the MIUI Version (you will be notified "You've become a developer").

Settings

Additionally.

For developers

USB debugging

Settings → Applications → Application Management

Showing System Processes

com.miui.home

Clear the cache

What system applications can be cleaned without risk:

📱 com.miui.home – launcher (cleaning will remove temporary icons and widgets).
🔒 com.miui.securitycenter – security center (virus scanning cache).
📊 com.android.providers.media – media storage (cleaning up will help if the gallery isn’t updated).
🌐 com.android.chrome – browser (cache of web pages).

Never clear the cache and data for com.android.phone (telephony), com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice (modem) and com.miui.system – this will lead to network loss or complete phone failure!

💡

If after cleaning the system cache, the phone began to overheat or discharge quickly, reset the network settings: → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

5. Method 4: Clearing the cache through Recovery Mode (for advanced)

If the phone is slowing down and standard methods don’t work, you can clear the cache through Recovery Mode, which deletes all temporary system files, including the update cache and the Dalvik cache (Android virtual machine).

Instructions for Xiaomi with MIUI or HyperOS:

Turn off the phone.
Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
Release the buttons and you will be taken to Recovery Mode (English or Chinese menu).
Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 1-3 minutes).
Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

This method doesn't delete user data, but resets some settings (like root rights, if any) after a reboot, the phone can optimize applications for a long time - that's okay.

What to do if you use Recovery Mode in Chinese?

If you have global firmware but the menu is displayed in Chinese, focus on the location of the items: 1. The first item on top is Reboot. 2. The second item is Wipe & Reset. 3. The third item is Wipe Cache. 4. The fourth item is Wipe All Data (full reset – DO NOT Click!).

6. Method 5: Automatic cache cleaning (MIUI setting)

Xiaomi has built in MIUI and HyperOS to automatically clean the cache, which runs in the background and deletes unnecessary files when memory is scarce, but by default, this option is often disabled.

How to turn on automatic cleaning:

Open the Settings. → Memory (or Warehouse).
Press three points (⋮) top-right.
Select Memory Settings.
Activate options: 🔄 Autocleaning – removes cache when memory is lacking. 🗑️ Screen lock cleaning – cleans up trash when you lock your phone. 📊 Smart cleaning – analyzes frequently used applications and doesn’t touch their cache.

Set a warning limit (e.g. 1 GB of free memory).

You can also configure exceptions, applications that won't cache, which are useful for games or programs that take a long time to load on the first run (such as AutoCAD or Lightroom).

💡

Autocleaning the cache in MIUI only works if the phone has less than 10% of free memory, and to make it work more often, set the limit manually (for example, 15-20%).

7. Additional tips for memory optimization on Xiaomi

Cleaning the cache is only part of the solution, so that the phone works quickly and does not clog, follow these recommendations:

📁 Move applications to the memory card (if supported): In Settings → Applications select the application → Warehouse → Change. → Memory card. not working for all applications (for example, WhatsApp can not be moved).
🗃️ Use cloud storage: Mi Cloud (5GB free) or Google Drive for backups. In the Gallery, enable Autoboot to the cloud for photos and videos.
🔍 Turn off background activity of unnecessary applications: C Settings → Battery → Selection of applications limit background work for social networks and games.
🛠️ Update the firmware: In new versions MIUI HyperOS optimized cache work. Check the updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

If you install and delete apps frequently, use SD Maid or Files by Google to deep-clean residual files.These programs find garbage that standard Xiaomi tools don't remove.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning the cache on Xiaomi

❓ How often should you clean the cache on Xiaomi?

Optimal frequency depends on usage: 1 time per month if you actively use social networks, games and a browser. 1 time in 2-3 months - if the phone is used for calls and instant messengers. Only with brakes - if you have a flagship with 256 GB of memory (for example, Xiaomi 14 Pro). Signs that it's time to clean the cache: the phone is warming for no reason, applications fly out, a notification appears "Memory is almost full."

❓ Can I clean the cache without losing data?

Yes, cache cleaning doesn't delete your photos, videos, messages, or game saves. It only deletes temporary files that apps create to speed up. However: In some applications (like Spotify), after cleaning the cache, you'll have to re-download songs for offline listening. Browser (Chrome, Mi Browser) will clear your history and saved passwords (if not synced to your account). If you want to completely reset the application (like to delete settings), choose Clear the data, but remember that this will lead to log out and lose local data.

❓ Why After Cleaning the Cache, the Phone Started to Work Slower?

This is a temporary phenomenon. After cleaning the cache, applications have to re-download data (for example, Instagram will load the tape longer), compile files (especially noticeable in games like Genshin Impact), optimize for the system (Android reassembles the Dalvik cache). Usually after 1-2 days, the phone will normalize. If the brakes are left: Check the free space in memory (should be >10%). Reboot the phone. Turn off animations → Special features → Remove animations.

❓ How to clear the cache in the browser on Xiaomi?

In browsers, cache includes browsing history, cookies and temporary page files. Cleaning helps if sites load incorrectly or the browser slows down. For Google Chrome: Open Chrome, click ⋮ → History → Clear the data. Select a period (All time for complete cleanup). Check boxes: Cookies and site data Cache images and files Click Clear data. For Mi Browser: Open browser, click ⋮ → Settings → Privacy. Select Clear Personal Data. Mark Cash and Cookies, then confirm.

❓ Can I clean up the update cache? MIUI?

Yes, the update cache (firmware files) can take up to 1–2 GB. To delete it: Open the File Manager (standard Mi File Explorer app). Go to the folder Downloaded_rom (Delete all files with the.zip extension, which are firmware archives, and check the cache folder in the root directory and delete its contents (root rights are required). If you don't plan to update anytime soon, you can turn off the updates in the background: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⋮ → Settings → Autoloading updates (disable)