Smartphones Xiaomiworking on a shell MIUI or a new one HyperOSover time begin to accumulate a huge amount of temporary files. This data, known as cache, is created to speed up applications, but when overfilled, it causes UI slowdowns, lags, and low storage space. Users often notice that a phone that was flying in the first month after purchase begins to thoughtfully open the menu or load heavy pages for a long time.
Cleaning these accumulations is not just removing garbage, but an important system maintenance procedure Android. Many device owners are afraid to delete unnecessary files for fear of losing important photos or contacts, but cached data do not contain your personal information. They are only temporary copies of elements that the application can download again if necessary. Regular cleaning helps restore the device to its former sharpness and free up gigabytes of space.
In this material we will analyze in detail all available cleaning methods: from standard system tools to advanced methods through the menu Recovery. You will learn to distinguish safe files from system-important ones and understand why automatic “accelerators” do not always cope with the task as effectively as manual configuration. Let's take a look at how to properly maintain your gadget.
What is cache and why it needs to be deleted on Xiaomi
Cache is a memory area where the application stores temporary files for quick access to frequently used data. For example, Instagram saves thumbnails of photos that you have already scrolled through, so that when you scroll through the feed again, you do not have to download them from the Internet. Browsers store copies of visited pages, and navigators store fragments of maps. Over time, the volume of such data can reach several gigabytes, taking up precious space.
The problem occurs when the cache update mechanism fails. Old files are not deleted, new ones are added, and the database grows to gigantic proportions. This leads to the processor Xiaomi spending more time searching for the necessary data in the “cluttered” storage. As a result, you see stuttering, case heating, and rapid battery drain.
⚠️ Attention: Clearing the cache does not delete your logins, passwords, or game progress. However, logging into some applications (for example, banking or social networks) may require re-authorization after completely clearing their data.
There are two main types of clearing, which are important not to be confused: cache clearing and data clearing. The first is safe and recommended regularly. The second completely resets the application to the “just installed” state, deleting all your settings inside it. To combat the lack of space, we need the first option or selective cleaning of garbage.
Using the built-in “Security” application
The easiest and most accessible way to clear garbage on smartphones Xiaomi is to use a standard application that is pre-installed in the system. It is called Security (or Security) and has an icon in the form of a green shield. This tool is designed specifically to optimize the operation of the shell MIUI and can find hidden temporary files that are not visible in the standard Explorer.
To get started, launch the application and click on the button Cleaning. The system will scan and show the volume of garbage. However, standard cleaning is often superficial. To get to deeper layers, click on the “trash can” icon or select Junk cleaning in the bottom menu. Here the system will offer to remove old installation packages APK, remnants of uninstalled apps and advertising.
For deeper cleaning in the Security application, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Junk cleaning settings" to activate the search in hidden folders.
It is important to understand that the built-in tool is sometimes too aggressive or, conversely, skips the messenger cache. Therefore, after the automatic procedure, it is recommended to check the results manually. In the Deep cleaning section, you can safely delete duplicate photos and large files that you no longer use, freeing up space for new data.
Manually clearing the cache of specific applications
If a specific application, for example YouTube or TikTok, does not work correctly or takes up a disproportionate amount of space, it is better to clear its cache manually. This method allows you to target the problematic app in a targeted manner without affecting the operation of the entire system Android. This approach is most effective for combating “bloated” messengers.
To perform this operation, go to the menu Settings of your smartphone. Find the section Applications and select item All applications. In the list that opens, find the desired app (for example, Viber or Telegram) and click on it. The application management page will open, where we are interested in the item Storage.
- 📱 Press the button Clear cacheto delete temporary files without data loss.
- 🗑️ The button Clear everything (or “Delete data”) will completely reset the application, deleting correspondence and settings.
- 📉 In the “Busy” section you will see the difference between the size of the application and the cache size.
This is where you can see that the cache of one application can weigh 5-10 GB, although the application itself only takes up 200 MB. Regularly checking the “heavyweights” helps keep the system in good shape. Please note that after clearing the cache, the application may take a little longer to launch the first time, since it will have to download the necessary resources again.
☑️ Checking for problematic applications
Cleaning through the Recovery menu (Advanced methods)
For users who want to deep clean the system cache (Dalvik/ART cache), the mode is Recovery. This method does not delete personal files, but clears temporary system compilation files, which often helps after major updates Android or with strange interface errors.
To get to this menu, turn off your smartphone completely Xiaomi. Then press the Volume up button and the Powerbutton simultaneously. Hold them until the logo Miappears, then release the power button, but continue to hold the volume down until the menu Recoveryappears. Control here is carried out with the volume buttons (up/down) and confirmation with the power button.
| Menu action | Function description | Security data |
|---|---|---|
Wipe Cache Partition |
Clearing the system cache | Safe (data is saved) |
Wipe Data |
Full reset to factory settings | ⚠️ Deletes everything (photos, contacts) |
Reboot |
Reboot the system | Safe |
Connect with MIAssistant |
PC connection mode | Safe |
Select item Wipe Cache Partition (Clear cache partition). Confirm the action. The process will take a few seconds. After completion, be sure to select Reboot (Reboot). This action is safe for your personal files, but it may take time to boot the system for the first time.
⚠️ Attention: In the Recovery menu, under no circumstances select the itemWipe DataorFormat Dataif you do not plan to completely reset the phone to its factory state. This action will permanently delete all your photos and documents.
The Recovery interface may differ depending on the version. MIUI. In some cases, the menu may be in Chinese. Focus on the position of the items: clearing the cache is usually located in the second or third line from the top. If you doubt your actions, it is better to limit yourself to software cleaning methods through the settings.
Features of cleaning in MIUI and HyperOS
Shells from Xiaomi have their own specifics for working with memory. An aggressive energy saving system often “kills” background processes, but at the same time accumulates error logs itself. In new versions HyperOS the mechanism for working with memory has been redesigned, and now the system manages the cache better, but manual intervention is still required for instant messengers.
One of the features is the presence of “Memory Expansion”, when part of the internal storage is used as RAM. If you have this feature enabled, cache flushing may occur more frequently as virtual RAM also needs maintenance. You can disable or configure this in the section Advanced → Memory expansion.
Why does the cache come back so quickly?
The cache is not a virus, but a working tool. If you actively use social networks, your cache will grow every hour. This is fine. You need to sound the alarm if one application takes up 20-30 GB for no apparent reason - this is a sign of an error in the application code.
It is also worth mentioning the folder Android/data, access to which in new versions Android (11 and higher) is limited. The built-in explorer may not be suitable for clearing garbage from this folder. It is recommended to use file managers like Total Commander or Files by Google, which request special permission to access system directories.
Automation and third-party utilities
Do I need to install third-party apps like CCleaner or Clean Master? On modern smartphones Xiaomi this is often not necessary, and sometimes such applications even cause harm, constantly working in the background and using up the battery. The built-in tools MIUI are quite sufficient for 95% of usage scenarios.
However, if you use specific software, you can consider installing specialized cleaners, but you need to use them wisely. The main rule is not to trust applications that promise to “speed up the Internet” or “cool the processor” in a magical way. The real benefit will only be from removing duplicate files and residual garbage.
- 🚫 Avoid “antiviruses” with a cleaning function, they often contain advertising.
- ✅ Use Files by Google to search for duplicates and large forgotten files.
- ⚙️ Set up automatic cleaning in the Xiaomi Security application itself.
The best automation is setting a schedule. In the application Security you can set the time when the phone will automatically check for garbage. This will save you from having to remember the cleaning procedure.
Third-party “accelerators” often create more problems than they solve, forcing the processor to work to clean itself. Trust the built-in tools of Xiaomi.
Preventing memory overflow
To avoid having to constantly fight for space, it is important to maintain digital hygiene. Regularly check the Downloads (Downloads) folder, where files from instant messengers and browsers accumulate. Often there are hundreds of unnecessary pictures and documents that can be safely deleted.
Another important aspect is the multimedia settings in instant messengers. You can disable autosaving of photos and videos to the gallery. This will prevent duplication of files: they will be stored inside the application (where their cache is easier to control), but will not take up space in the general phone gallery. Telegram, WhatsApp And Viber You can disable autosaving of photos and videos to the gallery. This will prevent duplicate files: they will be stored inside the application (where their cache is easier to control), but will not take up space in the phone's general gallery.
Keep an eye on application updates. Developers often release patches to fix memory leaks when an application no longer manages its cache correctly. If you notice that a particular app has begun to “eat up” memory, try updating it via Google Play or GetApps.
Is it safe to delete the DNS cache?
Yes, clearing the DNS cache (via Airplane mode or special commands) is safe. This can help if you have lost access to certain sites, but the server IP address has changed. The system will ask for current addresses again.
Will WhatsApp correspondence be deleted when clearing the cache?
No, if you clicked “Clear cache”. Correspondence is stored in the application database, and not in temporary files. However, if you click “Clear all” (data), the conversation will disappear if a backup copy has not been made.
Why does the phone run slower after clearing the cache?
In the first minutes after clearing, applications need to re-create temporary files to work quickly. This is fine. After 10-15 minutes of active use, the speed should recover and even increase.
Is it possible to delete the Android folder completely?
Absolutely not. Deleting the system folder Android will lead to the inoperability of most applications and possible system errors. You can only delete the contents of the folder cache inside it, and then with caution.