Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often encounter a situation where the device begins to work slower, and notifications about a lack of internal memory appear more and more often. One of the main reasons for system slowdown is the accumulation of temporary files that applications create as they work. This hidden layer of data is called cache, and regular cleaning can restore the phone to its former performance without losing important personal data.
The MIUI (HyperOS) shell provides powerful built-in tools for system maintenance, but not all owners know how to use them correctly. Some cleaning methods are safe and recommended by the manufacturer, while others require caution to avoid deleting your favorite apps' settings. Below we will analyze in detail all the available ways to free up space and optimize the operation of your gadget.
What is a cache and why it needs to be deleted
A cache is a temporary data storage that is created by the operating system and installed apps to speed up access to frequently used information. For example, when you open your favorite website in a browser or scroll through a feed on a social network, Xiaomi saves pictures, scripts and interface elements on the drive. The next time you log in, the system takes this data from memory rather than downloading it again from the Internet, which saves traffic and time.
However, over time, the volume of such temporary files can reach tens of gigabytes. Old data ceases to be relevant, but continues to occupy precious space in the internal memory. This leads to clogging, it is more difficult for the processor to manage data flows, and the phone begins to slow down. Regularly clearing the cache helps avoid software conflicts and application failures. RAM becomes clogged, it is more difficult for the processor to manage data flows, and the phone begins to slow down. Regularly clearing the cache helps avoid software conflicts and application crashes.
It is important to distinguish between the application cache and the entire system cache. In the first case, we remove garbage from a specific app, in the second, we carry out a deep cleaning of system logs and temporary update files. For the average user, the safest and most effective option is targeted cleaning through settings or a standard security application.
⚠️ Attention: Clearing the cache does not delete your personal photos, contacts, correspondence or saved passwords. You delete only temporary files, which the app can create again if necessary.
If the application, after clearing the cache, takes longer to launch than usual when first started, this is normal. It simply regenerates the temporary database.
Using the built-in Security application
The easiest and most reliable way to clean your phone of junk is to use a standard utility that is preinstalled on all devices Redmi and Poco. This application combines the functions of an antivirus, memory optimizer and cache cleaner. The operating algorithm here is as simplified as possible for the user: one click is enough for the system to analyze the state of the drive.
To start the procedure, find on the desktop an icon with a green shield labeled “Security”. Once open, click the big green button that says “Cleaning” or the broom icon. The system will automatically scan the device and find unnecessary files, including cache, advertising junk and remnants of uninstalled apps. You'll see a detailed list of what's taking up space and can choose what to delete.
The app also offers a Deep Clean feature that helps you find large files, duplicate photos, and unused apps. This is especially useful if standard cache clearing is not enough to free up space. The tool works at the system kernel level, so it is safe and will not affect important system files necessary for operation Android.
- 🧹 Click the "Cleanup" button to quickly remove garbage.
- 📂 Use the "Deep Cleaning" section to search for heavy files.
- ⚙️ Set up auto-cleaning in application settings for regular maintenance.
- 📊 View statistics of freed space after each procedure.
Manually clearing the cache of individual applications
Sometimes a problem with memory or incorrect operation is associated with a specific app, for example, a messenger or a video player. In such cases, it is wiser not to clean the entire phone, but to reset the cache of the problematic application. This is done through the smartphone settings menu, where information about the resource consumption of each installed app is stored.
Go to the section Settings, then select the item Applications and press All applications. In the list that opens, find the desired app (for example, Telegram or YouTube). Tap on it to open the information page and select Memory or Storage. Here you will see two buttons: “Clear cache” and “Clear everything”.
It is extremely important not to confuse these two functions. The “Clear cache”** button will delete only temporary files, leaving your logins, settings and database intact. The “Clear All” (or “Reset”) button will return the application to the state immediately after installation, deleting all your correspondence and authorization. Use the second option only in extreme cases, when the application works with critical errors.
☑️ Manually clearing the application
This method is especially effective for social networks and browsers that tend to accumulate gigabytes of images and videos. If you notice that a particular app is taking up a disproportionate amount of space (for example, 5 GB for a simple calculator), this is a sure sign that its cache needs attention.
⚠️ Attention: The settings menu interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS. If you don't find the "Memory" item, look for a folder icon or the words "Storage".
Clearing the system cache through Recovery Mode
If the phone is unstable after a major system update or installing new firmware, you may need to clear a special recovery partition, known as Dalvik Cache i Cache Partition. This process is not performed from a running system, but through a special Recovery menu, which allows you to remove system debris that is not available for regular cleaning.
To enter this mode, you must turn off the smartphone completely. Then hold down the Power and Volume Up buttons at the same time. Hold them until the logo Miappears, then release the Power button, but continue to hold the volume down until the main Recovery menu appears. Navigation here is carried out using the volume buttons (up and down), and the choice is confirmed with the power button.
In the menu, select the item Wipe Data, and then Wipe Cache. Confirm the action by pressing Confirm. After completing the procedure, select Reboot to reboot the phone. This method is safe for personal data (photos and contacts are not deleted), but it resets some system settings and the update cache.
| Cache type | Where it is located | Impact on data | Clearing frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application cache | Settings → Applications | Safe, data is saved | As needed |
| System cache | Recovery menu | Safe, reset system settings | After updates |
| Browser cache | Browser settings | Deletes history and cookies | Once every month |
| Dalvik Cache | Recovery menu | Slows down the first startup | In case of system failures |
What to do if the phone does not enter Recovery?
Make sure that the phone is completely turned off and not rebooted. Try connecting the cable to the computer before pressing the buttons. Some models require an unlocked bootloader.
Specifics of cleaning in instant messengers and social networks
Messengers such as Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber deserve special attention. These applications have their own built-in memory management tools, which often work more efficiently than standard tools Android. They allow you to delete the cache selectively: for example, erase all downloaded videos, but keep photos and documents.
In Telegram, the path to clearing looks like this: Settings → Data and memory → Memory usage. Here you will see a Cache slider and a Clear Cache button. It is also recommended to set an automatic timer to ensure that the cache does not exceed a certain limit (for example, 500 MB). This will prevent memory clogging in the future.
In WhatsApp the situation is similar: go to Settings → Data and storage → Storage management. The app will show you which chats are taking up the most space and allow you to remove media from specific conversations. This approach allows you to free up gigabytes of space without deleting the correspondence itself.
- 📱 In Telegram, you can set a cache size limit.
- 💬 WhatsApp allows you to clear memory for individual chats.
- 🗑️ Viber has the “Clear cache” function in the main settings.
- 📸 Social networks (VK, Instagram) are best cleaned through the phone settings.
What not to do when clearing memory
In pursuit of free space, users sometimes make mistakes that can harm the system more than a clogged cache itself. There are a number of actions that are categorically not recommended without a deep understanding of the consequences. For example, the use of dubious third-party cleaner apps from the Play Market often leads to the appearance of advertisements and the collection of personal data.
You should not manually delete files from system folders through Explorer if you do not know their purpose. Folders with names like Android, data or obb contain critical data for the operation of games and apps. Removing them will cause applications to stop running or require a complete reinstallation.
Also avoid frequent full data clearing (Factory Reset) just for the sake of deleting the cache. This is an extreme measure that erases everything from the phone. For prevention, it is enough to use the built-in MIUI tools once every 1-2 weeks. Constantly aggressive cleaning can even reduce performance, since the system will have to constantly re-index files.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party cleaning applications often become a source of garbage themselves. Trust only the built-in “Security” application from Xiaomi.
The built-in MIUI tools cope with cleaning better than third-party apps, since they have access to system partitions without obtaining root access.
Prevention and optimization of Xiaomi
So that the question “how to clear the cache” bothers you like as often as possible, you should adhere to simple rules for using a smartphone. Regularly rebooting the device (every 3-4 days) helps clear accumulated errors in the RAM and terminate frozen background processes. This is a simple procedure that often solves brake problems better than any cleaning.
Keep an eye on system and application updates. Developers Xiaomi constantly optimize the shell, improving memory management algorithms. Also try not to install applications from unknown sources, as they often contain hidden miners or advertising modules that generate a huge number of junk files.
Use cloud storage for photos and videos. If the gallery is full, the phone will run slower regardless of the amount of free cache. Transferring media files to Google Drive or Yandex.Disk will free up internal memory for the needs of the system and applications.
Enable the “Memory Expansion” function in the settings if you have little RAM. This uses part of the drive as virtual RAM, improving multitasking.
Will clearing the cache delete my photos and contacts?
No, clearing the cache only affects temporary app files. Your personal data, including photos, videos, contacts and messages, will remain completely safe. Only downloaded pictures from the Internet and temporary logs are deleted.
How often should you clear the cache on Xiaomi?
It is enough to carry out preventive cleaning once every 2-3 weeks using the built-in “Security” application. If you actively use instant messengers and social networks, you can check their storage once a week.
Why did the phone start working slower after clearing the cache?
This is a temporary phenomenon. When you launch applications for the first time after cleaning, the system needs to download and save temporary files again. After 10-15 minutes of active work, performance will be restored and even improve.
Is it possible to delete the Android folder on the phone?
It is strictly not recommended to delete the folder Android entirely. It stores data from all installed applications. Deleting this folder will reset all apps to the factory state and delete their settings.
What to do if the “Clear cache” button is inactive?
If the button is inactive (gray), it means that there is no cache for this application or it has already been cleared. This can also happen with system applications that do not allow the user to interfere with their work without root access.