Cache Clearing All Apps on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to MIUI

The app cache on Xiaomi smartphones is a temporary file that helps programs load faster, but over time takes up gigabytes of precious memory. If your Redmi, POCO or Mi started to slow down, give out “Not enough memory” errors or just behave suspiciously, first aid is cleaning the cache. However, you need to do it correctly so as not to delete important data or break the operation of system applications.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to clean up cache on Xiaomi devices, from standard MIUI tools to hidden features for power users, learn how to massively clear the cache of all applications in a few clicks, which programs can be cleaned without risk, and which ones are better not to touch, and also explain why cache accumulates so quickly on Xiaomi and how to prevent this problem in the future.

Why does Xiaomi’s cache take up so much space?

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones have a peculiarity: they aggressively cache data to speed up the interface and applications. Unlike “pure” Android, where the cache usually takes 100-300 MB, on Xiaomi, these figures can reach up to 3-5 GB or more — especially if you actively use social networks, instant messengers or games.

• 📱 MIUI Optimized Apps: Xiaomi’s proprietary optimization creates additional cache files for frequently used programs.
• 🎮 Turbo mode: if you play on the game POCO Black Shark, the system caches graphical settings and game data.
• 📸 Media files: Gallery, Camera and Music apps store thumbnails and previews in cache.
• 🌐 Web browsing: Mi Browser browser and built-in web browsers (e.g., Facebook or Instagram) store copies of pages.

Cash itself is not harmful, but when too much of it accumulates, it leads to:

• ⚠️ Slowing down the smartphone (especially on budget models Redmi Note with a 3/32 GB memory).
• ⚠️ Application errors (for example, the application stopped or lacks memory).
• ⚠️ Fast battery discharge – the system spends resources on managing a large amount of temporary files.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of all applications through MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on the firmware versions from MIUI 11 to MIUI 14 (including HyperOS).

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Sort by size.
4. Slip on the Cash tab (or Warehouse in new versions).
5. Click Clear cache of all apps (or Clean in HyperOS).
6. Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

This method only deletes temporary files without affecting application data (logins, saves, settings).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) There may be no option to mass-clean the cache, in which case you will have to clean the applications one by one (see Method 2).

Method 2: Manually cleansing cache for individual applications

If mass cleaning is not available, or if you want to pinpoint cache only for certain programs (like Telegram, TikTok or Google Chrome), use this method. It is more time-consuming, but allows you to control the process.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app from the list (or find it through the search at the top).
3. Slip on the Warehouse (or Memory in older versions).
4. Click Clear Cache. Don't click Clear Data, it will delete all settings and accounts!
5. Repeat for all the necessary applications.

We recommend first to clear the cache from the following applications (they often take up the most space):

⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the cache of system applications called com.android., com.miui. or com.qualcomm. - this can cause malfunctions in the phone.Exception: com.miui.gallery and com.android.vending (Google Play).

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If the app is slower after cleaning the cache, just restart it, and the system will quickly restore the necessary temporary files.

Method 3: Clearing the cache through Recovery Mode (for power users)

If your Xiaomi is slowing down and standard methods aren’t working, you can clear the cache through Recovery, which removes all temporary system files, including Dalvik and ART cache, which can significantly speed up the phone, but it’s only suitable for users who understand the risks.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu (manage by volume and power buttons), select Wipe & Reset.
4. Then, choose Wipe Cache (not Wipe Data!).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.
6. Restart your phone via Reboot.

This method is particularly useful if:

• 📉 The phone has become very slow after the update. MIUI.
• 🔄 Apps are constantly flying out with an error ANR (Application Not Responding).
• 🗑️ In the Warehouse section, the System Cache is displayed larger than 1 GB.

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data – the latter will delete all your data (photos, contacts, messages) and reset the phone to factory settings!

Method 4: Automatically clean the cache with Security App

Xiaomi’s proprietary Security app (com.miui.securitycenter) has a built-in memory optimization tool that can automatically clear the cache on schedule.This is handy if you don’t want to do it manually.

How to set up:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the Optimization tab (or Acceleration in new versions).
3. Slip on Deep Cleanup. → Cleaning up garbage.
4. Select the Cash apps and click Clear.
5. For automatic cleaning, enable the Auto Clean option in the application settings.

Advantages of this method:

• 🤖 It works in the background without your involvement.
• 📊 It shows how much space can be freed up.
• 🔒 Safe – does not delete important data.

But it also has its downsides:

• ❌ Does not always clear the cache completely (may skip system applications).
• ❌ Sometimes it removes the cache too aggressively, which makes apps load longer.

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Xiaomi’s Security app is not just an antivirus, it’s a full-fledged system optimization tool, and using it regularly can extend the life of your smartphone by 15-20%.

Method 5: Using ADB to clean cache (for advanced ones)

If you're familiar with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can clear the cache of all applications with a single command, which is useful if the standard methods don't work or you want to automate the process.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (stick 7 times to become a developer), then go back to Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging on USB.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type:

adb shell pm trim-caches -1


adb shell cmd package bg-dexopt-job

These teams:

• 🧹 trim-caches -1 — Clears the cache of all user applications.
• 🔄 bg-dexopt-job – optimizes the remaining files to speed up the work.

To clean the cache of all applications, including system ones, use:

adb shell su -c "rm -rf /data//cache/"

⚠️ Warning: The latest command requires root rights and can cause your phone to malfunction if it deletes critical files. Use it only if you know exactly what you're doing!

How to prevent the accumulation of cache in the future?

Cleaning the cache is a temporary solution, so that the problem does not come back every week, follow these tips:

• 📵 Limit background activity: in application settings (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Autostart: Turn off autostart for unnecessary programs.
• 🗑️ Use lightweight versions of apps like Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite or Twitter Lite – they cache less data.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI: in new versions of the firmware Xiaomi optimized cache management (for example, in the MIUI 14 Added Smart Cleanup Function).
• 📱 Transfer applications to SD-card (if supported): this will reduce the load on internal memory.
• 🚫 Avoid Google Play cleaners: Most of them are useless or even harmful (like Clean Master or CCleaner).

Also, pay attention to the MIUI Optimization settings:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → MIUI Optimization.
2. Turn off the System Acceleration option if it is enabled – it aggressively caches data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up cache on Xiaomi