Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a memory shortage notification or notice a strange folder in the file manager called “temporary cache.” This phenomenon is especially true for devices with a MIUI shell and the new HyperOS, where the system actively caches data for performance. Understanding the nature of these files is critical, since blindly deleting system data can lead to failures, and ignoring it can lead to overflow of storage.
Technically, temporary cache is a temporary file that apps and the operating system create as they work, and it can be a gallery image sketch, browser data in between, or update logs. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, this data often takes up gigabytes of free space, especially if you are actively using instant messengers or streaming services.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how a secure cache differs from system files, why a tmp or temp folder can grow to huge sizes, and how to properly clean up without risking personal data loss or disrupting the operation of your smartphone.
The Nature of Temporary Files in Android and MIUI
The Android operating system that underpins Xiaomi firmware is designed to minimize the strain on the processor when you re-access data. When you open the app a second time, the system downloads some of the information not from the Internet or from the slow memory sector, but from the fast cache, and this data forms the structure of the temporary cache.
But in MIUI, the caching process has its own peculiarities: News aggregator, theme, gallery and Google services create their own temporary storage. Unlike standard Android, MIUI often keeps video and heavy images previews in a separate directory that doesn't always automatically clear when space is scarce, leading to a situation where the user sees 50GB occupied, even though photos and apps take up only half.
It is important to distinguish between two types of cache: user and system. User cache is created by applications (for example, Telegram or YouTube) and can be easily deleted. System temporary cache contains the data necessary to run the interface and basic functions. Deleting it can cause the phone to load longer than usual or some widgets will stop displaying relevant information.
⚠️ Warning: Never delete.dex or.odex files from cache folders manually. These are executable application files, and deleting them will ruin programs when you run them.
Folder structure analysis shows that most of the garbage is stored in directories associated with media content. If you often watch high-resolution videos or edit photos, the size of the temporary cache will grow exponentially, and the system does not always have time to delete old temporary files, believing that they may be needed for quick access.
Where to look and how to identify a temporary cache
Searching for excess files on Xiaomi can be done in several ways: the standard file manager provides access to the main directories, but often hides the default system folders.
The main locations where temporary cache is hidden are located in the following ways:
- 📁 /Android/data/ — cached data of specific applications, including temporary download files.
- 📁 /MIUI/gallery/cloud/cache/ — Specifically for Xiaomi, here are saved previews of the cloud gallery.
- 📁 /Android/media/ — often contains temporary files of messengers and social networks.
- 📁 /tmp/ or /temp/ — Classic folders for temporary files created by the system during updates.
When analyzing memory, pay attention to the date of the file modification. If the file in the temporary cache folder has a date when you last updated the application or system, its deletion is likely safe. However, files whose date of creation coincides with the current moment should be avoided, since the application can use them right now.
For more accurate diagnosis, you can use the built-in Security app, which scans the device and labels the files as "junk," but often misses the deep system cache. Manually verified files give a more accurate result, but require caution. Always check the name of the process that owns the file before deleting it.
Automatic cleaning through Xiaomi’s built-in tools
The safest way to deal with bloated temporary cache is to use MIUI tools. Xiaomi engineers have implemented powerful cleaning algorithms that know which files can be deleted without harming the system, a method recommended for most users who do not want to risk stability.
To start the cleaning procedure, perform the following steps:
- Open the Safety app (green icon with lightning).
- Click on the Cleaning button (broom icon).
- Wait for the analysis to be completed and press Clean.
- For a deeper cleaning, go to the Deep Clean section at the bottom of the screen.
In the Deep Cleanup section, the system will suggest removing large files, duplicates and temporary application files. You can safely delete social media cache, but be careful with chats on WhatsApp or Viber to avoid losing important media files. Auto Cleanup also suggests setting up a schedule so that the phone itself frees up memory at a given time.
☑️ Checklist before cleaning
It's worth noting that the built-in cleaner sometimes works too aggressively, removing the cache that speeds up the launch of commonly used programs. After this cleaning, you may notice that the applications open a little slower the first time — this is normal, since the cache is created again.
Manual Deletion through File Manager
For advanced users who want to squeeze out as much space as possible, manual deletion is available, which allows you to delete exactly those temporary cache files that the automatic cleaner ignores, but it requires maximum concentration and understanding of the file structure.
Before you start, make sure you see hidden files. In standard Xiaomi Explorer, click on the menu (three bars) and select Settings, then activate the Show Hidden Files switch. All system directories are now available to you.
Safe manual cleaning algorithm:
- 🔍 Go to the folder. Android/data Look for folders with app names you haven’t used in a long time.
- 🗑️ Inside folders, look for cache or temp subdirectories. Delete the contents of those folders, but not the directories themselves.
- 📂 Check the root of internal memory for folders MIUI, thumbnails, tmp.
- ⚠️ Avoid deleting files with.apk extensions (if you need them),.obb (game data) and system files without extension.
⚠️ Note: When manually deleting, never touch the folder Android/obb. It stores heavy game data, and deleting it will require re-uploading gigabytes of data when you start the game.
Pay special attention to the.thumbnails folder (it is hidden, so you need to turn them on) it stores thumbnails of all the photos and videos you've ever viewed. On Xiaomi phones with a lot of storage, this folder can grow to 10-20 GB. It can be safely cleaned, but remember that the next time you open the gallery, the system will regenerate previews, which can cause a short-term heating of the device.