Owners of the smartphone line Redmi often experience slowdowns in the device after several months of active use. Accumulation of temporary files is a natural process, which, however, can significantly affect the performance of the operating system MIUI. If your Xiaomi Redmi 9 apps are taking longer to open or are heating up unexpectedly, the problem most likely lies in an overfull cached data store.
Clearing this data is a safe and effective procedure that does not require superuser rights or complex technical skills. Unlike deleting applications, this process does not affect personal photos, contacts or correspondencepreserves the integrity of user information. Below we will analyze in detail all available methods for freeing up memory, from built-in tools to deep cleaning through the engineering menu.
Regular maintenance of the file system allows you to extend the life of the drive and ensure stable operation of background processes. Android is designed so that the cache is designed to speed up the launch of apps, but When it fails, it turns into “digital garbage” that slows down the system. The right approach to managing this data will return your gadget to the original sharpness of the interface.
What is the cache in the Android system and why it needs to be cleared
The cache is an area of RAM or permanent memory where applications store temporary files for quick access. When you open Instagram or YouTube, the system saves image thumbnails, interface elements and parts of the video stream so that the next time you start it, it does not download them again from the Internet. This significantly saves traffic and speeds up the response of the interface.
However, over time, the size of these temporary files can grow to gigabytes, taking up the space needed to install updates or new apps. Moreover, corrupted or outdated cache entries can cause conflicts, leading to sudden application closures (“crashes”) or system freezes. In such cases, clearing the cache becomes the only way to restore normal operation without a full reset.
It is important to understand the difference between an application's cache and its data. If you delete data, the app will return to the “as after installation” state, losing logins and settings. Clearing the cache only affects temporary files, leaving your login and game progress intact. This is a safe operationwhich can be done regularly.
⚠️ Attention: Clearing the cache will not delete your personal photos, videos or contacts, but may require you to re-enter some accounts if the cache contained authorization data.
Usage built-in Security application on Redmi 9
The simplest and manufacturer-recommended cleaning method is to use the system utility. The shell MIUIinstalled on Redmi 9has a powerful optimization tool already preinstalled. To access it, find the icon on your desktop called “Security” (green shield) and launch it. The system will automatically perform a quick diagnostic and show the volume of junk files.
Click on the “Cleanup” or “Remove Junk” button to start the process of deleting temporary files. The utility will analyze the cache of installed applications, the remains of uninstalled apps and system logs. The process only takes a few seconds, after which you will see a message about freed space. This is basic level of servicewhich should be performed once a week.
For a more in-depth analysis in the same application, you can go to the “Cleaning” section (broom icon). Here the system will offer to delete large files, duplicate photos and caches of specific applications. You can selectively mark the items you want to delete, or use the “Clear All” function. This approach allows control the contents memory without deleting excess.
Set up automatic cleaning in the Security application so that the phone itself frees up space when the free space becomes less than 1 GB.
Manually clearing the cache of individual applications through settings
If problems are observed only with one specific app (for example, only the browser or instant messenger is slow), it makes sense to clear the cache specifically for it. Go to menu Settings, select item Applications and press All applications. In the list that opens, find the problematic app, for example Chrome or Viber.
Inside the application card, find the “Memory” or “Storage” section. There you will see two buttons: “Clear” and “Delete”. Attention: you need exactly the “Clear” (or “Clear cache”) button. Clicking on “Delete” will completely erase the app with all data, which is not required in this case. After pressing the button, the cache will be cleared and the application will launch as for the first time, but with your accounts saved.
This method is especially useful for “heavy” applications such as TikTok, Telegram or navigators that accumulate gigabytes of map data and media files. Regular manual cleaning of such apps helps to maintain stable speed the operation of the entire system. You can also see how much space the cache takes up right in the list of applications, sorting them by size.
☑️ Manual cleaning checklist
Deep cleaning through Recovery mode
There is a more radical method that clears the system cache (Dalvik Cache), created by the operating system for optimization launch apps. This method is useful if after updating Android or MIUI the phone is unstable. To enter recovery mode on Redmi 9 you need to completely turn off the device, and then simultaneously hold down the Volume up and Power buttons.
When the logo appears Mi, You can release the power button while still holding down the volume. You will be taken to the menu Main Menu, where control is carried out with the volume buttons (up/down), and selection is carried out with the power button. Find the item Wipe Data and select it. In the next menu, select Wipe Cache (do not confuse with Wipe All Data!). Confirm the action and wait for the process to complete.
After cleaning, the system will prompt you to return to the main menu (Back to Main Menu) and select Reboot -> Reboot to System. The first boot after this procedure may take longer than usual - this is normal as the system re-creates the optimized files. This method helps eliminate deep system errorsthat are invisible during normal operation.
⚠️ Attention: Be extremely careful in the Recovery menu. Selecting the Wipe All Data item will completely reset the phone to factory settings and delete all your files.
What to do if the phone is not included in Recovery?
If pressing the buttons does not work, try connecting the switched off phone to the computer via a USB cable, and then pressing the button combination. Also make sure that the battery charge is at least 15-20%.
Clearing the DNS and browser cache to speed up the Internet
Often users forget that the cache accumulates not only in applications, but also in network settings. Resetting the DNS cache can solve problems with connections taking a long time or being unable to open certain sites. To do this, go to Settings -> Connection and sharing -> Private DNS. Try switching the mode or entering the address manually, for example dns.google, and then return the automatic settings.
The browser requires special attention. In Chrome or the built-in browser Mi you need to go to the settings (three dots in the corner), select “History” and “Clear history”. Here it is important to check the boxes next to “Images and other files stored in the cache” and “Cookies”. This will free up space and fix page display errors.
It’s also worth checking your Wi-Fi settings. Go to Settings -> Wi-Fi, click on the gear next to your network and select “Delete network” (Forget network). This will clear the connection configuration data. After this, you will need to re-enter the router password. This action helps if the phone “sees” the network, but does not receive an IP address or constantly loses the connection.
Cleaning automation and useful widgets
To avoid manual cleaning all the time, you can set up automation. In the "Security" application