The Google Play Market cache on Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Black Shark lines) grows over time to several gigabytes, taking up precious space and slowing down the app store. If you notice that applications take a long time to load, updates “hang” at the download stage... and in the Storage section, a warning about a memory shortage flashes — the problem most likely lies in the cache of Google services.
Unlike standard applications where the cache is cleaned in two clicks, Play Market is more complicated: it can not simply be “reset” through Android settings, since it is a system application with extended rights. Moreover, MIUI firmware (especially global versions for Russia and Europe) often lacks direct options for managing the cache of Google Play Services, a key component responsible for the background work of the store.
In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to clean the Play Market cache on Xiaomi, including hidden methods for MIUI 14/15, bypassing restrictions on devices without Google Mobile Services (GMS), and explain why authorization data can disappear after cleaning and how to avoid it. All instructions are relevant for models from 2020-2026 (from Redmi Note 9 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra).
Why Play Market Cache is Growing and What It Means
Google Play Market cache is a temporary file that the app store creates to speed up work.
- 📦 Loaded APK-Application files (even if the installation has been cancelled).
- 🔍 Logs of search queries and browsing history.
- 📊 Analytics data (information about your actions to personalize recommendations).
- 🔄 Update files that have not been installed due to errors.
On Xiaomi devices, the Play Market cache can take anywhere from 500 MB to 3-4 GB – especially if you frequently install/remove apps or use beta versions of programs.
- ⚠️ Booting errors (495, 920, DF-DFERH-01).
- 🐢 Brake when opening a store or switching between tabs.
- 🔴 Automatic updates stop working.
- 📵 Notification of memory shortage despite free space.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (for example POCO F5 or Redmi K60) Play Market cache can be hidden in folder /data/app/com.android.vending-1, You can't clean it without root rights, and then you can only reset the cache completely through the root. ADB (method №4 in this article).
Interesting fact: on non-GMS devices (e.g., the Chinese versions of Xiaomi with MIUI CN firmware), Mi App Store is used instead of Play Market, but its cache is cleared in a similar way through the application settings. However, if you manually installed Google Play on such a device, the cache will accumulate in /data/data/com.android.vending, and additional rights will be required to clean it.
Method 1: Standard cleaning through Android settings
The simplest method that works on most Xiaomi devices with official MIUI Global or MIUI Europe firmware is suitable for models with Google Play Market preinstalled (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13T, POCO X5 Pro).
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- In the search box, enter the Play Market (or Google Play Store on Russian firmware).
- Select the app from the list and tap on the Storage.
- Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – this will remove all authorization settings!).
If the Clear Cache button is inactive or absent:
- 🔹 Try to stop the app first (Stop the app) → OK).
- 🔹 Reboot your smartphone and try again.
- 🔹 Check if Google Play Services is disabled in the battery settings (Stop Starting or Battery Optimization).
☑️ Preparation for cache cleanup
Some devices (such as Xiaomi 12 Lite) may have an DF-DFERH-01 error when trying to download the app after clearing the cache, which means that Google Play services have been suspended.
- Go to Settings → Applications → Google Play Services.
- Press Stop, then Run.
- Reset the device.
Method 2: Clean up Google Play Services (Hidden Method)
Google Play Services is a background service that manages the Play Market, including downloading and installing apps. Its cache often goes unnoticed, but can take up to 1-2 GB. Clearing it in the standard way is not always possible, so we use a workaround.
Instructions for MIUI 14/15:
- Open Settings → Memory → Applications.
- Search for Google Play Services (if not, search for it).
- Slip it on the vault. → Management of space.
- Select Clear all data (this will remove the cache and reset the service settings, but will not affect the installed applications).
⚠️ Note: After cleaning up Google Play Services may temporarily stop working features that depend on Google API (To restore work, open any application that uses Google Services (such as YouTube) and wait for the services to automatically re-initiate.
If your firmware does not have the space management option, try an alternative method:
- Install the App Manager app (Android 10+ is required).
- Search for Google Play Services and select Clear Cache.
- Reset the device.
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If push notifications stop working after cleaning Google Play Services, check your battery settings: open Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization and add Google Play Services to exceptions.
Method 3: Cleaning with Recovery Mode (for power users)
If standard methods don’t work (for example, on Xiaomi with custom firmware or after manual removal of GMS), you can use Recovery Mode. This method will reset the cache of all applications, including system ones, so use it only as a last resort.
Instructions:
- Turn off your smartphone.
- Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
- From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
- Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
- Reboot the device (Reboot).
| Xiaomi model | Combination for entering Recovery | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11/12 | Food + Volume up | Some versions of MIUI require you to confirm your entry through Mi Account. |
| POCO F3/F4/F5 | Food + Volume up | If it doesn’t work, try connecting the charger before entering. |
| Xiaomi 13/14 series | Power + Volume up (hold 10+ seconds) | New models may require unlocking the bootloader. |
| Black Shark 5/6 | Food + Volume up + Volume down | Use the original cable for stability. |
⚠️ Note: On devices with a locked bootloader (most Xiaomi for Russia), cleaning the cache through Recovery can lead to a bootloop ( looped reboot) if the firmware has been modified. MIUI rootless.
After cleaning the cache through Recovery, the first launch of Play Market can take up to 5-10 minutes – this is normal, since the application recovers the necessary data. If the store does not open, check the Internet connection and time synchronization in the settings (Settings → Additional → Date and Time).
What if the device does not boot after Wipe Cache?
Method 4: Cleaning the cache through ADB (for advanced users)
If previous methods have failed and the Play Market is still slowing down, the most radical way is to clean up Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer, but is guaranteed to delete all temporary files, including those that are not available through the GUI.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
- 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
- 🛠️ Platform Tools (part of Android) SDK).
- 📱 Included debugging by USB smartphone.
Step-by-step:
- Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times)
- Enable USB Debugging: Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
- Open Command Prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
- Follow the commands in turn: adb shell pm clear com.android.vending pm clear com.google.android.gms
- Reboot the device: adb reboot
Once these commands are completed, the Play Market and Google Play Services cache and data, including search history, payment settings and authorization data, will be completely reset.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (For example, on Xiaomi. 12S Ultra) pm clear commands may not work due to limitations MIUI Optimization. In this case, before executing the commands, type: adb shell settings put global settings. miui_optimization_disabled 1 Repeat the cleanup and return the settings back: settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 0
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Use ADB only if other methods fail. Incorrect commands can cause system applications to fail!
Method 5: Cache Clearance on Xiaomi without GMS (Chinese firmware)
If your Xiaomi is running on Chinese firmware (MIUI CN) Google Mobile Services (such as Redmi) K50 Gaming is for the domestic market, but the Play Market is not available, but many users install it manually through the use of the Play Market. APK-file, and in this case the cache accumulates in non-standard folders.
Instructions for devices without GMS:
- Install Titanium Backup (root required) or App Manager (no root required).
- Find the Google Play Store (or com.android.vending) in the list of apps.
- Choose Clear the cache and Clear the data.
- Reset the device.
If you do not have root rights but do have access to ADB, do:
adb shell pm clear com.android.vendingOn Chinese firmware, the Play Market cache can be stored in /data/data/com.android.vending/cache to clear it without root:
- Connect to your PC and use ADB:
- Reboot your smartphone.
Once the cache is cleared on non-GMS devices, you may need to re-authorize in the Play Market and set up Google Play Services through the latest version of the APK.
How to prevent re-accumulation of cache
Cleaning the Play Market cache is a temporary solution, so that the problem does not recur, follow these recommendations:
- 🔄 Update Google Play Market and Google Play Services regularly through Play Market (My Apps and Games section).
- 🚫 Turn off automatic updates to unnecessary apps: Play Market → Settings → Network settings → Auto-update of applications → Never.
- 🗑️ Use cleaning apps like Clean Master or Avast Cleanup, but set them up so they don’t delete Google Play Services data.
- 📁 Periodically check the Download folder where the downloads are stored. APK-Delete unnecessary files with the.apk extension.
For Xiaomi users with limited memory (e.g. Redmi 9A with 32GB):
☑️ Optimizing memory on Xiaomi
If you install/remove apps frequently, consider using alternative stores such as:
- APKPure – The cache is stored in a separate folder and is easily cleared.
- APKMirror allows you to download APK without using the Play Market.
- F-Droid is an open source store without advertising or tracking.