Why the Xiaomi browser is slowing down and how to fix it
Have you noticed that Mi Browser or Google Chrome on your Xiaomi Redmi/POCO has become slower? Pages load longer, the app suddenly closes, and in the list of recent tabs there is chaos of hundreds of saved sites? The problem lies in the accumulated data: cache, cookies, history of visits and autocomplete forms take up gigabytes of memory, slowing down not only the browser, but the entire smartphone.
According to a study by AVG Technologies, the average Android user accumulates up to 1.2 GB of junk browser files in 6 months of active use. On Xiaomi with a MIUI shell, this problem is exacerbated by the integrated Mi Browser, which synchronizes data with a Xiaomi account by default and aggressively caches content to “speed up” downloads. Ironically, without regular cleaning, this “acceleration cache” becomes the main cause of lags.
In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to clean your browser on Xiaomi, from basic settings to hidden MIUI features that are not mentioned in the official documentation, and also discuss why standard decache via Settings removes only 30-40% of junk files and how to clean the rest.
Method 1: Clear cache and data through Android settings
The most obvious method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for all browsers (Mi Browser, Chrome, Firefox), but has a limitation: it does not delete files created by extensions or service processes (for example, WebView).
How to do this:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
- 🔍 In the search bar, type the browser name (e.g. Chrome or Mi Browser).
- 🗑️ Press Warehouse. → Clear cache (this is secure, temporary files are deleted).
- ⚠️ To completely reset, click Clear Data – this will delete all history, bookmarks and saved passwords!
Important: if you use Mi Browser, after cleaning the data, you will have to re-enter Xiaomi account, since the browser is tied to the MIUI ecosystem. For Chrome and Firefox, it will be enough to re-authorize to Google or Mozilla.
Method 2: Manually delete browser files through file manager
Standard cleaning through settings does not delete all files, for example, in the browser folder remain:
- 📁 Web Data – autofill files of forms (logins, addresses, card numbers).
- 📁 Top Sites – sketches of frequently visited sites (up to 200 MB!).
- 📁 Service Worker – scripts for offline work of sites (for example, Twitter or Google Docs).
To remove them manually:
- Open Files → Internal Storage → Android → Data.
- Find a folder with the browser name (e.g. com.android.browser for Mi Browser or com.android.chrome for Chrome).
- Delete all files except lib and files (deletion of them may disrupt the browser).
⚠️ Note: Do not delete the entire browser folder through Root rights or Total Commander! This may cause WebView, the system component responsible for displaying web content in other applications (for example, on Instagram or on Instagram). VK).
Delete the cache folder|Delete files with the.db extension (databases)|Delete the folder app_textures (sketches)|Leave Lib and Files folders-->
Method 3: Cleaning through Recovery Mode (for power users)
If the browser is so slow that it doesn’t even open, resetting the partition cache via Recovery Mode will help.This method does not delete user data (photos, messages), but resets all temporary files of all applications, including browsers.
Instructions for Xiaomi:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
- From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
- Confirm the action and restart the phone.
After this procedure, the browsers will work faster, but you will have to re-use:
- 🔑 Log in to accounts (Google, Xiaomi, Firefox).
- 📑 Restore bookmarks (if they are synchronized with the cloud).
- ⚙️ Set up privacy settings (e.g., ad blocking in Mi Browser).
What if browsers do not open after Wipe Cache?
Method 4: Use of specialized utilities (CCleaner, SD Maid)
Cleaning apps like CCleaner or SD Maid can delete up to 90% of your browser’s junk files, including:
- 🕵️♂️ Advertising trackers (local site storage files).
- 📊 Analytics cookies (Google Analytics, Yandex Metrika).
- 🎨 Web Font Cache (takes up to 100MB in Chrome).
How to use SD Maid:
- Download the app from Google Play (the free version is quite functional).
- Run Analysis → Recycle Bin and select the browser from the list.
- Click Execute – the utility will show all unnecessary files with the possibility of selective removal.
| Annex | Security | Efficiency | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCleaner | ⚠️ Medium (there were cases of data leakage) | ★★★☆☆ | Deletes the cache, but leaves some cookies |
| SD Maid | ✅ High (open-source) | ★★★★☆ | Finds hidden browser files |
| Files by Google | ✅ High (from Google) | ★★☆☆☆ | Removes only the obvious cache |
⚠️ Please note: Do not use "optimizers" such as Clean Master or DU Speed Booster – These applications often display false warnings about “critical errors” and can delete important system files, causing a crash. MIUI. In 2023, Avast discovered that Clean Master was selling user data to third parties.
Method 5: Reset the browser to factory settings (nuclear version)
If the browser is infected with viruses, displays unwanted ads or completely stops responding, a complete reset will help.
- 🔐 Saved passwords (if not synced to the cloud).
- 📌 Bookmarks and history.
- ⚙️ Custom settings (dark theme, font size).
How to reset Mi Browser:
- Open the browser and go to ⋮ → Settings → Additionally. → Resetting settings.
- Confirm action. The browser will restart in its original state.
For Google Chrome:
- Come in. ⋮ → Settings → Resetting settings.
- Choose Clean and Reset.
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Before reset, export bookmarks! in Chrome, it's done through ⋮ → Bookmarks → Bookmark Manager → Export: The file is saved in.html format and can be imported later.
How to prevent browser clogging in the future
To avoid cleaning your browser every week, follow these rules:
- 🔄 Enable automatic cache cleanup in your browser settings (in Mi Browser: Settings) → Confidentiality → Autocleaning).
- 🚫 Turn off page preloading (in Chrome: Settings) → Confidentiality → Pre-loading. This will reduce traffic consumption and cache.
- 🛡️ Use an ad blocker (e.g., uBlock Origin in Firefox) Advertising is the main source of junk cookies.
- 🔒 Set up sync with Google or Xiaomi Cloud so bookmarks and passwords are saved in the cloud, not on your device.
Also, check the list of installed extensions regularly. Many of them (for example, Download YouTube videos) work as background processes, constantly saving data to cache. Uninstall unnecessary ones through browser settings → Extensions.
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Even after cleaning, the browser can slow down due to the background of Android System WebView. Update it to the latest version in Google Play - this will solve 70% of performance problems.