Cache Clearing on Xiaomi via Settings: Full Instruction for All Models

Why Xiaomi Cache Should Be Cleaned Regularly

Cache is a temporary file that creates apps and a system to speed up work. On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, the cache can take up gigabytes of memory even if you don’t actively install new programs. For example, social networks like Facebook or TikTok accumulate up to 500 MB of cache per month of active use, and MIUI system processes accumulate even more.

If you do not clean the cache in time, you will encounter:

• 🐢 Slowing down the phone (lags when opening applications, hanging animations)
• 📉 Lack of memory (notification "Memory is filled" when 10-15 GB of free space)
• 🔄 Spontaneous reboots (especially on models with 3-4 GB RAM)
• 📱 Overheating of the device (cache makes the processor work harder)

Unlike factory resets, cache cleaning does not delete personal data (photos, contacts, messages) and is a safe procedure, but it must be done correctly – not all files in /cache can be manually deleted.

How to clean the cache through the settings Xiaomi

Xiaomi smartphones have three official ways to clean the cache without third-party programs, all of which are available through the standard Settings menu, but differ in depth of cleaning and consequences for the system.

1. Clearing the cache of individual applications

The most targeted method is to remove cache for specific programs, which is useful if you slow down only one application (for example, Instagram or Google Chrome).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the appropriate app (e.g. YouTube).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
4. Confirm the action (some models will require a password).

Close the application through the "Last" menu

Make sure you have enough battery power (minimum 20%)

Save important data from the application (for example, drafts in messengers)

Turn off the auto-update app in Google Play while cleaned

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⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache for system applications like com.android.systemui or com.miui.home – this can cause shell malfunctions. MIUI. If you are not sure what the app does, it is best to skip it.

2. Mass cleaning of cache of all applications

If the phone is slowing down a lot and manually cleaning each app takes a long time, use the built-in Cleanup feature in MIUI. It removes the cache of all user programs at a time.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Click Clean in the section "Junk files".
3. Select the Cash applications and confirm the cleanup.

💡 Useful tip: After a mass cleaning, restart your phone to help the system reassemble the cache of critical processes and avoid lag in the first hours of operation.

3. Cleaning the system cache (for power users)

This method removes temporary MIUI files, including update cache, bug data, and logs, and is useful if the phone starts spontaneously restarting after a firmware update or artifacts appear in the interface.

How to do this:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate the option to Enable Cache Cleanup when turned off.
5. Turn off and turn on the phone again.

⚠️ Note: Do not use this method more often 1 time-in 2-3 Excessive cleaning of the system cache can lead to slowdown of the work MIUI, The system will have to reassemble temporary files from scratch every time.

What happens if you clear the cache: consequences and myths

Many users are afraid to clean the cache for fear of losing data or breaking their phone, and we'll take a look at the real consequences and debunk popular myths.

The Real Effects of Cache Cleaning

• ✅ Speed up work – applications will start faster first 1-2 The day (until the cache is re-accumulated).
• ✅ Freeing of memory – on average, freed 1-3 GB (depends on the number of installed applications).
• ⚠️ Temporary inconveniences: Applications will take time to re-upload data (for example, Google Maps will re-download maps). Some settings in games will reset (for example, graphic presets in the game). PUBG Websites in the browser will be loaded longer (cache of images and scripts removed).
• ❌ What NOT will happen: No accounts, messages, or media files will be deleted, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth settings will not reset, firmware will not fly or bootloader will not be blocked.

Common myths about cache

Myth 1: “The more cache, the faster the phone works”

Reality: Cash only speeds up when it’s up to date; outdated temporary files (like Instagram’s six-month cache) only take up space and slow down the search for the data.

Myth 2: “Cache cleaning is bad for the battery”

Reality: The cleaning procedure itself doesn’t affect the battery, but after that, some applications can consume more power in the first hours (due to re-loading data).

Myth 3: “Cache can only be cleaned through Recovery”

Reality: Cleaning through Recovery (the wipe cache partition command) only removes the system cache, but does not affect the application cache.

How to Automate Cache Cleanup on Xiaomi

Manually cleaning the cache takes time, especially if you do it regularly. Fortunately, MIUI has tools to automate the process.

1. Automatic cleaning setup

Auto Clean is available on most Xiaomi models starting with MIUI 12, which removes unnecessary files (including cache) on a schedule.

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
2. Activate the Auto Cleanup option.
3. Select frequency: Daily, Weekly or Memory Shortage.
4. In the File Types section, mark the Application Cache and Temporary Files.

⚠️ Warning: Do not enable automatic cleanup for Downloaded files – this can delete important documents or app updates that you downloaded manually.

2.Use of the Security App

The Security app in MIUI has a built-in optimizer that can clear the cache on schedule.

Instructions:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleanup section.
3. Click Settings → Auto Cleanup.
4. Set a time (recommended night when the phone is charging).

💡 Useful advice: If you have POCO F3 Xiaomi 11T, Security has a Deep Clean option, which removes the cache more aggressively, but can cause lags in the first place. 10-15 minutes after cleaning.

3. Creating a shortcut for quick cleaning

On models with MIUI 13+, you can add a cleaning widget to the main screen:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the main screen.
2. Pick the Widgets.
3. Find the Cleanup widget (usually in the Tools section).
4. Drag it to the screen and adjust the settings.

Now you can clear the cache in one tap without going into the settings.

What to do if the cache is not cleared

Sometimes users find that the Clear cache button is inactive or that the space is not vacated after cleaning, and we'll look at the main reasons and solutions.

1. The "Clear Cache" button is not pressed.

This happens in three cases:

• 🔒 The app is system-based (e.g. com.android.phone) Solution: Don't touch it unless you're sure of the consequences.
• 🛡️ Change protection is enabled (on some firmware). Solution: disable it in Settings → Special facilities → Protection from change.
• 📱 The app is currently running. Solution: Close it through the Last Menu or restart your phone.

2. after cleaning the place is not vacated

If you cleared the cache but the free space has not increased, check:

• 📁 Download folder – it may be there are large files that you have long forgotten.
• 🎮 Cache games (e.g. Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile store gigabytes of data in the game) /Android/obb).
• 📸 folder DCIM/.thumbnails — Here are the photos that can weigh up to 1 GB.
• 📦 Temporary update files (/cache or /data/ota_package).

💡 Use the Mi File Manager file manager with the option “Show hidden files” enabled (Settings) → Additionally. → This will help you find the invisible folders with garbage.

3.The system cache is not cleared

If you are trying to clear the system cache through Recovery, but the wipe cache partition command does not work:

1. Make sure you have official Recovery (the path may be different on custom firmware).
2. Check if the boot loader is locked (fastboot oem device-info in ADB).
3. On some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO X2), the system cache is cleared only through Fastboot: fastboot erase cache.

⚠️ Warning: If after cleaning the system cache, the phone is stuck on the logo MI, Don't panic. 10-15 If you're stuck for more than an hour, you'll have to reflash the device through the Mi Flash Tool.

Additional tips on memory optimization on Xiaomi

Cache cleaning is only part of smartphone care, so that Xiaomi works quickly and does not slow down, follow these recommendations:

• 🗑️ Remove unused apps — even if you don't use them, they can run in the background and accumulate cache. → Annexes → Unused.
• 🔄 Update the firmware - in new versions MIUI The cache mechanism has been optimized. MIUI 14 cache is automatically cleared if memory is not enough.
• 📥 Turn off auto-update apps in Google Play – this will prevent downloading unnecessary updates that take up space.
• 📁 Transfer files to a memory card – if you have a microSD-enabled model (e.g. Redmi Note) 10S), Transfer the photo and video to an external drive.
• 🔋 Watch the health of the battery - worn-out battery (capacity) < 80% may cause lags due to performance limitations.

💡 Useful tip: If you install and delete games frequently, use the “Lite Version” feature on Google Play. It allows you to download lightweight versions of apps (such as Facebook Lite or Messenger Lite) that occupy the Internet. 2-3 lesser.

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Regular cache cleaning (once every 1-2 weeks) along with optimization of application background activity can increase Xiaomi’s speed by 30-40%, especially on budget models with 3-4 GB of RAM.

Frequent questions about cleaning cache on Xiaomi