Smartphones of the POCO X3series, whether NFC or Pro models, begin to work slower over time due to the accumulation of temporary files. This is a natural process: system cache helps applications load faster, but over time it grows to gigabytes, taking up precious space in the internal memory. Users often notice that the phone begins to “slow down” when opening a menu or switching between tasks precisely because the storage is full.
Clearing the cache on Xiaomi with shell MIUI or new HyperOS is a safe procedure that will not delete your personal photos, contacts or instant messenger conversations. However, it is important to understand the difference between clearing temporary files and doing a full factory reset. In this article, we will look in detail at how to properly free up space on your device using built-in tools and manual methods.
Many owners POCO X3 erroneously believe that to clean they need to install third-party “cleaners”, which themselves create unnecessary load on the processor. In fact, standard Android tools and proprietary utilities from Xiaomi cope with this task much more efficiently and securely. Let's look at the main methods for optimizing memory.
Using the built-in "Security" application
The easiest and most reliable way to remove temporary garbage is to use the pre-installed application “Security” (Security). Xiaomi developers have implemented a powerful scanning algorithm that automatically finds remnants of uninstalled applications, advertising files and system cache. Launch the application, find the shield icon on the main screen or in the “Tools” folder.
After launch, click on the button Cleanup (broom icon). The system will conduct a quick scan and show the volume of files that can be deleted without harming the operation of the phone. This usually includes thumbnail images, APK installer files, and browser caches. Pressing the button Cleanup will instantly free up space.
For a deeper scan, a section is provided inside the "Security" application Storage cleaning. Here you can analyze in detail which types of files take up the most space. Pay attention to the section "Large files" —sometimes heavy videos that you forgot about are accidentally saved there.
⚠️ Attention: In the "Storage cleaning" section, look carefully at the "Recent deletions" category. If you empty the gallery trash from there, it will be impossible to restore photos without special software.
☑️ Check before complete cleaning
Manually clearing the cache of individual applications
Sometimes the problem of brakes does not lie in the system in general, but in a specific “heavy” application, for example Telegram, YouTube or Instagram. These apps can accumulate gigabytes of cache (especially watched videos and pictures). To clear the cache selectively, go to Settings your POCO X3.
In the settings section, find the item Applications and select All applications. You will see a complete list of installed software. For convenience, you can sort the list by memory size by clicking on the corresponding sort icon. Select an application that consumes a lot of resources.
In the application card you will see a button Clear or Storage. It is important here not to confuse two functions: "Clear cache" and "Clear everything" (or “Reset”). The first deletes only temporary files, the second completely resets the application to its factory state, deleting logins and settings.
- 📱 Messengers: Telegram cache and WhatsApp can take up to 5-10 GB if auto media deletion is not configured.
- 🌐 Browsers: Chrome and Yandex.Browser store copies of visited pages for quick loading.
- 📸 Gallery: App “Gallery” creates thumbnails for all photos, which also takes up space over time.
Inside the Telegram messenger, it is better to clear the cache through the settings of the application itself (Data and memory → Memory usage), since there you can configure automatic deletion of the cache after 3 days or a week.
Clearing the system cache via Recovery Mode
If the phone is unstable after updating the firmware or installing erroneous patches, clearing may be required Dalvik / ART Cache. This is a system cache that contains optimized files for running applications. It is accessed through the recovery menu (Recovery Mode), which is built into the bootloader Xiaomi.
To enter this mode, you must completely turn off the smartphone POCO X3. Then hold down the volume up button (Vol +) and the power button (Power) at the same time. Hold them until the logo appears POCO, then release the power button, but continue to hold the volume until the Recovery menu appears.
In the control menu, use the volume buttons to move up and down and the power button to confirm the selection. Find the item Wipe Data. Inside this section, select the option Wipe Cache. Confirm the action by pressing Confirm. After completing the procedure, select Reboot to reboot the system.
| Action | Risk of data loss | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Clearing the application cache | No (temporary files only) | Weekly or if there is not enough space |
| Wipe Cache (Recovery) | No (system optimization files) | After firmware updates, with glitches |
| Wipe All Data (Recovery) | High (delete everything) | Only before sale or in case of critical failures |
⚠️ Attention: In the Recovery menu, never select the “Wipe All Data” item if your goal is simply to clear the cache. This action will completely delete all your photos, contacts and applications, returning the phone to its factory state.
What to do if Recovery Mode does not open?
If pressing the buttons does not lead to the menu appearing, the “Fast Boot” function may be enabled. Try connecting the switched off phone to the computer with a cable, and then hold down the buttons. Also make sure that the battery is not completely discharged.
Deleting the .thumbnails folder in Explorer
One of the most famous “problems” of the MIUI shell is the folder .thumbnails. It stores thumbnails of every photo and video you've ever viewed on your phone. Over time, this hidden folder can grow to several gigabytes, even if you have already deleted the original photos.
To get to it, open the application "Explorer". In the Explorer settings, be sure to enable display Hidden files. Follow the path: DCIM → .thumbnails. Inside you will see files with the extension .tmp or .jpg, which weigh a lot.
You can safely delete the contents of this folder. The system will automatically create it again the next time you open the gallery, but it will be empty and will not take up space. This is an effective way to quickly free up space on POCO X3 without losing the original photos.
The.thumbnails folder (created again) automatically when viewing a photo, so you can delete its contents regularly, this will not affect the operation of the camera or gallery.
Clearing the cache in the Chrome and Yandex browser
Web browsers are one of the main consumers of RAM and permanent memory. They save copies of pages, scripts, and images so that sites load instantly when you visit them again. However, an outdated cache may result in modern web pages not displaying correctly on your smartphone screen.
To clear in Google Chrome open the application, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select History. Next, tap New tab or immediately go to item Clear history. In the menu that opens, select the “All time” time range and make sure that the checkbox is opposite the item "Images and other files saved in the cache".
In the browser Yandex the procedure is similar: menu (three bars) → Settings → Privacy → Clear data. Here you can also choose to delete cache, downloads and site data. Regularly cleaning your browser helps not only free up space, but also increase the speed of surfing the Internet.
- 🚀 Speed: Clearing the cache solves freezing problems tabs.
- 🔒 Privacy: Traces of visiting sites and autosaved forms are deleted.
- 📉 Location: The browser cache can quietly take up from 500 MB to 2 GB.
Automating cleaning using a scheduler
In order not to constantly have to do manual cleaning, you can set up automatic garbage removal. The application "Security" has a scheduler function. Go to the application settings (gear in the corner) and find the item Scheduler or Auto tasks.
Activate option Storage & Performance and set the desired frequency, for example, “Daily” or “Once every 3 days”. It is also recommended to enable a notification when the volume of garbage exceeds a certain threshold (for example, 100 MB). This will keep POCO X3 on your toes without your participation.
In addition, in the battery settings you can limit the background activity of rarely used applications. Go to Settings → Battery and performance → Battery saving. Select applications that you rarely use and set the mode "Limit background activity". This will prevent them from accumulating excess cache in the background.
⚠️ Attention: The MIUI and HyperOS interface may differ slightly in different firmware versions. If you do not find the specified menu item, use the search in the settings by entering the name of the function.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will my WhatsApp correspondence be deleted when clearing the cache?
No, Clear Cache only affects temporary files, such as photo thumbnails and temporary session data. Your messages, media files and call history will be saved. However, if you click “Clear Data”, the application will reset to the original installation state, and the correspondence will be deleted if there is no backup.
Why does the cache quickly fill up again after clearing?
This is normal Android behavior. Applications create a cache to speed up their work. For example, a social network feed or YouTube will immediately begin loading previews of videos and pictures as soon as you open them. If the cache grows abnormally quickly (gigabytes per hour), there may be an error or a “bug” in a specific application in the system.
Is it safe to delete the Android/data folder?
In new versions of Android, access to the folder Android/data is limited to third-party explorers. It is not recommended to manually delete the contents of this folder, as game data and application settings are stored there. This may result in game progress being reset or downloaded maps being lost in navigators. Use only standard cache clearing through the settings.
Does clearing the cache affect battery life?
Indirectly - yes. When memory is full of junk, the processor and memory controller have to work harder to index files and search for data. Freeing up space and removing background processes can slightly reduce the load on the processor, which will have a positive effect on autonomy. POCO X3.
Do you need to reboot the phone after clearing the cache?
After normal cleaning through the settings, a reboot is not necessary, but is advisable to completely reset system processes. After clearing the cache via Recovery Mode (Wipe Cache), the reboot occurs automatically and is a mandatory step in completing the procedure.