How to clean the Viber cache on the Xiaomi smartphone: 5 working ways

Viber messenger on Xiaomi smartphones eventually begins to slow down, load chats for a long time or take up gigabytes of memory? The reason for this is the accumulated cache: temporary files, media, authorization data and service information. On devices with MIUI firmware, cache cleaning has nuances due to the features of memory optimization. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to clean Viber cache on Xiaomi, including hidden settings and solutions for cases when the application “hangs” or does not respond.

Why is this important for Xiaomi? It's about MIUI's aggressive memory management policy, which automatically freezes background processes, which can lead to conflicts with the messenger cache. In addition, on budget models (Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO M4/M5), the amount of internal memory is often limited, and every gigabyte counts. We tested all methods on current versions of MIUI 14 and Android 13/14 - ensure that the instructions work.

Why Viber on Xiaomi is “clogged” faster than on other smartphones

Xiaomi owners often find that Viber takes up 2-3 times more space than other brands, and the reasons are rooted in three key features of MIUI firmware:

• 🔄 Aggressive media caching: MIUI By default, saves all incoming photos and videos to the folder DCIM/Viber, Even if the messenger settings are disabled autoload.
• 📱 Duplication of files: due to optimization MIUI The gallery creates thumbnails (.thumbnail) for each Viber media file, which increases the cache volume.
• 🚫 Background blocking: If Viber is not added to “autostart”, the system can interrupt the cache cleaning through the application settings.

For example, on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with MIUI 14 after six months of use Viber can take up to 4-6 GB (including cache and media), while on the “pure” Android the same account “weighs” no more than 1-2 GB. This is not a bug, but a consequence of the work of MIUI functions, such as the Mi-cloud and the Quick Gallery.

⚠️ Note: If you use Viber Out, the cache may include call logs and temporary audio files, which will not affect conversation history, but will reset traffic consumption statistics.

Method 1: Clear cache via Android settings (without data loss)

The safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It doesn't affect private messages, but deletes temporary files that can slow down the application.

Instructions for MIUI 12-14:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, enter Viber and select the app from the list.
3. Slip on the item Warehouse (or Memory on older versions).
4. Click Clear cache. If the button is inactive, the cache is already empty.
5. Optionally: click Clear Data, but it will delete the entire message history and settings!

On some models (POCO F4/F5, Xiaomi 13T), the path may be different: Settings → Applications → All applications → Viber → Memory and cache. If the Clear Cache button is missing, then the application uses a common system cache - go to Method 2.

Close Viber in Multitasking|Connect the charger (on budget Xiaomi cleaning can be delayed)|Check the space (at least 500 MB is required)|Turn it off. VPN (Can block access to system files)-->

Method 2: Manually clean Viber folder through file manager

If the system cleanup didn’t work, the cache could grow in hidden folders, which can be accessed via standard Files or third-party managers (such as Solid Explorer) on Xiaomi.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Files app (or another manager with access to the root folders).
2. Go on: Internal Memory → Android → data → com.viber.voip If there is no Android/data folder, turn on the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
3. Delete the cache folders and files/viber_media (Temporary media files are stored here).
4. Reboot your smartphone.

On MIUI with Android 13+, access to Android/data may be restricted.

• Connect your phone to your PC through USB-Debugging (included in Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Additional settings → Developer parameters → Debugging by USB).
• Use it. ADB-Clear command: adb shell pm clear com.viber.voip Warning: This command will reset all Viber data, including chats!

Method 3: Clearing the cache through the settings of Viber itself

The messenger has a built-in storage management tool, but it often doesn’t work properly on Xiaomi due to the limitations of MIUI.

How to clean:

1. Open Viber. → three-point (⋮) → Settings.
2. Go to the Account → Storage and data.
3. Select Clear Cache. If you don't have the option, your version of Viber is outdated (update to Google Play).
4. For deep cleaning, tap Media File Management and remove unnecessary photos/video.

Xiaomi with MIUI 13/14 may have a "failed to clear the cache" error, in which case:

• 🛠️ Restart the application through Settings → Annexes → Viber → Forced stopping.
• 🔄 Turn off battery optimization for Viber (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Viber → No restrictions).

Method 4: Using the Cleanup Tool in MIUI

MIUI has a built-in deep cleaning tool that removes the cache of all applications, including Viber.This method is useful if the messenger has started to “glue” after updating the firmware.

How to start:

1. Open Security (Shield Icon) → Cleanup.
2. Slip Deep Cleanup. → wait for the analysis.
3. In the Cash app section, find Viber and tick.
4. Click Clean (it may take up to 5 minutes on budget models).

On POCO and some Redmi, the path is different: Settings → Memory → Cleanup. After the procedure, it is recommended to restart the device - this will reset the background processes that could block the cache.

⚠️ Note: The "Cleaning" tool in MIUI Sometimes it deletes not only the cache, but also the authorization data in Viber. After the procedure, you may need to re-enter the phone number (but the chat history will remain).

Method 5: Completely reset Viber (if nothing helps)

If Viber is slowing down even after cleaning the cache, the application's system files may be damaged, in which case a full reset with a history saving will help.

Algorithm of action:

1. Create a backup of chats: Viber → Settings → Account → Backup → Create a copy (on Google Drive or locally)
2. Remove Viber through Settings → Applications.
3. Reinstall the messenger from Google Play.
4. Restore chats from backup (Settings → Account → Restore).

Xiaomi with MIUI may experience a “failed to restore backup” error after reinstalling.

• 📌 Make sure the date and time on the phone are synced with the network.
• 🔌 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes operator locking interferes with recovery).
• 📁 Check that the backup file is in the folder Viber/Backup memory.

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Complete resetting of Viber is a last resort, and only use it if the messenger has stopped opening or if it has errors when sending messages.

How to prevent fast filling of Viber cache on Xiaomi

To avoid clearing the cache every week, set up Viber and MIUI according to these rules:

Extra life hack for Xiaomi: if you often share large files, transfer the Viber folder to the next one. SD-(if supported) for this purpose:

1. Connect. SD-Card as internal memory (Settings) → Memory. → SD-map → Set up as an internal).
2. Transfer Viber to the map through Settings → Applications → Viber → Memory → Change.

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On Xiaomi with Android 13+, you can limit Viber’s background activity so that it caches less often. Go to Settings → Apps → Viber → Battery → Background activity → Limit. But note: this can lead to delays in receiving messages.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When cleaning Viber cache on Xiaomi, users often make these mistakes:

• 🚫 Delete the entire Viber folder: This will result in the loss of all media files, even those that are not stored in chat rooms.
• 🔋 Cleaning the cache on a low battery charge: on Xiaomi with MIUI This can interrupt the process and damage the files.
• 🔄 Using Clean Master (CCleaner): They often delete the right Viber files, such as stickers or themes.
• 📱 Disabling notifications for Viber: This does not clear the cache, but only hides new messages.

If after cleaning the cache, Viber stopped opening, try:

1. Restart the phone to Safe Mode (press the power button → Restart in Safe Mode).
2. Remove Viber Updates via Settings → Annexes → Viber → ⋮ → Remove updates.
3. Install an older version of the messenger (download APK with APKMirror).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions