Xiaomi smartphone owners are faced with a situation where the device starts to work slower and memory space disappears rapidly, the main reason for this phenomenon is the accumulation of temporary files that are created by the operating system and applications to speed up access to data, which over time becomes redundant and turns into digital garbage, occupying gigabytes of usable space.
Cleaning up unnecessary garbage not only makes room for new photos and programs, but also often solves problems with the freeze interface. The operating shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS provides powerful built-in tools, but many users do not know all the intricacies of their use. The right approach to file system maintenance prolongs the life of your gadget’s drive.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods of deleting cache and temporary data. You will learn to distinguish between secure files for deletion from system files, the use of which can disrupt the operation of applications. We will look at both standard cleaning methods and more advanced options for experienced users who want to make the most of their device.
What are temporary files and why delete them
Temporary files, often called cache, are data that apps store on a device to quickly reload. For example, a browser saves copies of visited pages, and social networks save thumbnails of images from tape. This allows programs to run faster and consume less traffic, but over time, such storage can reach tens of gigabytes.
The main problem is that many applications can't delete old cache on their own, and as a result, data accumulates on the disk that is no longer used, but continues to take up space, overloading memory leads to the fact that the system lacks resources to write new data, which causes lags and interface failures.
Why can’t the cache be removed permanently?
Regular file system maintenance is especially important for models with a small amount of internal memory. Deleting temporary files allows you to free up space without deleting personal photos or contacts. It is important to understand that cleaning the cache does not delete your logins, passwords or game progress, affecting only temporary data.
Use of the built-in Security application
The easiest and safest way to clean your smartphone of garbage is to use the standard Security app preinstalled on all Xiaomi devices.This tool is designed specifically for working with the MIUI file system and ensures that important system files are not deleted by mistake. Launch the application and select Cleanup on the home screen.
After scanning, the system will prompt you to delete the files found. Note that standard cleaning often does not affect the cache of heavy applications such as Telegram or YouTube. For a deeper cleaning in the same menu, you can click on the Clean in the garbage section, and then go to the subsection for selecting file categories.
☑️ Checking before cleaning
In the advanced cleaner settings, you can select specific types of files to delete, the system will prompt you to clear the cache of applications, advertising files and remnants of remote programs, be careful when choosing items associated with messengers, as important documents can be stored there.
Manual cleaning of the cache through system settings
For those who prefer full control of the process, manual cleaning through system settings is available, which allows you to selectively delete data from specific applications that take up the most space. Go to the Settings menu, select the Applications section, and click All Apps.
In the list that opens, find an app that consumes a lot of memory (such as Instagram or Chrome). Click on it, select Memory and click Clean. Here, it is important not to confuse the Clean button with the Delete button, since the latter completely uninstalls the program with all the data.
- 📱 Cash: Temporary files that can be deleted without fear.
- 🗑️ Data: Logins, settings and stored information within the application.
- 📂 Memory: The total amount occupied by the application on the device.
Manual is especially useful when a particular application is not working properly or takes up an abnormally large amount of space. Cache cleaning often solves problems with software freezes. However, it is worth remembering that after this procedure, the application can load a little longer on the first run.
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Save logins and passwords. Before clearing these applications, make sure you remember the passwords from your accounts or they are saved in your Google account, or you will have to log in again.
Storage analysis and search for hidden debris
Often, the main focus is not the system temporary files, but forgotten downloads and remnants of remote programs. In the Settings menu -> About phone -> Warehouse, you can see a detailed map of occupied space.
Special attention should be paid to the Download folder and messenger directories. WhatsApp and Telegram save all the photos and videos you've viewed by default. These files can be safely deleted through the file manager, freeing up gigabytes of space. Use size sorting to find the heaviest files.
| Type of file | Where to find | Can be removed | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash app. | Settings -> Appendices | Yes. | No. |
| Downloads (Download) | File manager | Yeah (selectively) | Medium. |
| Remnants of remote games | Android/obb folder | Yes. | No. |
| Logs of the system | System folders | Not recommended | Low. |
Storage analysis also helps to identify parasitic applications that are quietly accumulating data. If you see an application that you don't use but it takes hundreds of megabytes, you better delete it. Regular monitoring of memory occupancy helps keep your smartphone on track.
Cleaning through File Manager and Android folder
For advanced users, cleaning through standard Explorer is available. At the root of internal memory, there are often folders with the names of applications that have been deleted long ago. Android/data, where cached data of games and heavy programs are stored, but you need to delete the content there with caution.
In newer versions of Android, access to the Android folder may be restricted. To gain full access, the file manager may request special permission. Follow the on-screen instructions to grant rights. This allows you to manually delete files with the.tmp extension or folders with the names of remote services.
⚠️ Note: When manually cleaning your Android folder, never delete the folders themselves with the names of the installed applications (for example, com.whatsapp) unless you want to lose correspondence or progress in games.
It's also worth checking the root directory for files with the.log extension or folders called temp, backup. Often, software manufacturers leave error reports or backups there that the user doesn't need, and deleting such folders is safe and efficient.
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Manual removal through the conductor gives the maximum result, but requires care. Always check the contents of the folder before pressing the delete button.
Automation and third-party utilities
If manual cleaning seems too difficult, you can use third-party tools like Files by Google or Clean Master, which automatically find duplicate photos, screenshots and temporary files, but it’s worth remembering that built-in MIUI tools often work more efficiently.
Third-party cleaners can aggressively complete processes, which in some cases even harms autonomy, forcing the system to restart services. Use them wisely, trusting the system analyzer first. Setup automatic cleaning in the Security application is the optimal choice for most users.
- 🚀 Files by Google: Google’s Safe and Smart Cleaner.
- 🧹 SD Maid: a powerful tool for deep cleaning of the system.
- 🛡️ CCleaner: a popular but sometimes obsessive utility.
The main principle of automation is to keep memory from overflowing, so that the phone can alert you when less than 10% of the space is available, and this will prevent the device from slowing down critically at the most inopportune time.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid installing questionable accelerator apps from unknown sources, often containing ads and themselves becoming a source of temporary files, slowing down the phone instead of speeding up.