Modern smartphones, such as Redmi 9, have powerful hardware, but over time they begin to work slower due to the accumulation of temporary files. This data, known as cache, is designed to make applications launch faster, but when it grows too large, it causes crashes and takes up valuable space. Users often notice that the interface MIUI begins to slow down, and games crash, and the first thought is to clear the system.
In this article we will look in detail at how to delete the entire cache on Redmi 9, using built-in system tools and hidden Android functions. You will learn to distinguish between safe temporary files and critical data so as not to disrupt the operation of the device. Proper maintenance of the gadget will extend its service life and return the interface to its previous responsiveness.
What is cache and why does it clog the memory of Redmi 9
Cache is a buffer memory area where it stores temporary files for quick access to frequently used data. When you open an application for the first time, the system loads resources from disk, but when you launch it again, it takes them from the cache, saving time and reducing CPU load. However Android stores temporary files for quick access to frequently used data. When you open an application for the first time, the system loads resources from disk, but when you launch it again, it takes them from the cache, saving time and reducing CPU load. However working algorithms some apps may not be optimized, which leads to the accumulation of gigabytes of junk data.
On smartphones Xiaomi with the shell MIUI the situation is aggravated by the aggressive policy of background processes. Applications can create a lot of temporary reports, thumbnail images, and error logs that are not automatically deleted. If you do not carry out regular maintenance, the free space in the partition /data quickly runs out, which is critical for system stability.
What is the difference between a cache and application data?
Caches are temporary files that can be deleted without losing settings. Application data includes your correspondence, game saves, and authorization tokens. Deleting the data will reset the application to the "just installed" state.
It is important to understand the difference between clearing the cache and a full factory reset. Clearing the cache is safe and does not affect your personal files, contacts or photos. While a data reset (Clear Data) deletes all app settings, requiring re-authorization and configuration. For Redmi 9 with its memory capacity of 64 or 128 GB, regular clearing of the cache is a mandatory procedure.
⚠️ Attention: Before large-scale cleaning, make sure that important data is synchronized with the cloud Google or Mi Cloud. Although clearing the cache is safe, the human factor has not been canceled.
Cache speeds up work, but its excess slows down the system and takes up space. Regular cleaning is the key to the performance of Redmi 9.
Basic cleaning through the standard Security application
The easiest and safest way to remove debris is to use the built-in tool from Xiaomi. The application Security (Security) is pre-installed on all brand devices and has deep access to system partitions. It allows you to quickly scan your device and find files that can be safely deleted.
To start the procedure, go to the menu and select the icon Security. On the main screen you will see a button Cleaning (Cleaner). Click on it, and the system will begin to analyze the contents of memory, including application caches, advertising files and remnants of uninstalled apps. The process takes from 10 to 30 seconds depending on how full the drive is.
After scanning MIUI it will offer to delete the found files. You can press the button Clear for instant results. However, for deeper cleaning, you should go to the Memory Management or Deep Cleansection, where the system will show a detailed list of garbage by category. Here you can selectively delete the cache of specific heavy applications, such as Telegram or YouTube.
- 📱 Open the application
Securityon the desktop. - 🧹 Click on the large button
Cleaningfor a quick scan. - 📂 Select
Deep cleaningfor a detailed analysis of junk files. - ✅ Confirm deletion of selected items by pressing the appropriate button.
It is worth noting that the standard utility does not always find all hidden caches, especially when it comes to system services Google Play. Therefore, to completely free up space, it is recommended to combine this method with manual cleaning through the settings.
Manually deleting the cache of individual applications in the settings
If a particular application does not work correctly or takes up an abnormally large amount of space, it is better to delete its cache manually through the system menu. This method gives you complete control over what is deleted and helps you avoid accidentally losing important data from other apps. In Redmi 9 the path to these settings is standardized, but has its own characteristics in different versions. MIUI.
Go to Settings → Applications → All applications. In the list that opens, find the desired app, for example Instagram or browser Chrome. Inside the application menu you will see a button Storage (or Memory). This displays the amount of space used, divided between application data and cache.
☑️ Check before clearing the application
Press the button Clear cache. The system will warn you that temporary files will be deleted, but your logins and settings will remain in place. If you press Clear all (or Clear Data), the application will return to the state immediately after installation. For messengers this means deleting the entire correspondence history if it is not saved in the cloud, so be careful.
⚠️ Attention: Do not clear data from system applications such as
Phone,ContactorSettingsif you are not sure of your actions. This may result in network configuration reset or loss of call logs.
Particular attention should be paid to multimedia applications. YouTube, TikTok and streaming services cache video previews and video fragments, which can occupy several gigabytes. Regular manual cleaning of these apps frees up a significant amount of memory for Redmi 9.
Clearing the system cache through Recovery mode
The deepest level of cleaning is deleting the system cache (Dalvik Cache and temporary update files). This procedure is performed through the menu Recovery Mode, which is loaded before the main operating system starts. This method is especially useful if the phone freezes, gets hot, or you just updated the firmware MIUI.
To enter recovery mode, you need to turn off the device completely. Then press the Redmi 9 you need to turn off the device completely. Then press the buttons simultaneously Volume Up and Powerbuttons simultaneously. Hold them until the logo Miappears, then release the power button, continuing to hold the volume until the menu Main Menuappears. Control here is carried out by the volume buttons, and selection is made by the power button.
Input sequence:1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power.
3. Wait for the Mi logo.
4. Release Power, hold Volume down to the menu.
In the menu, select item Wipe Data, and then Wipe Cache. Please note: do not confuse this with Wipe All Datawhich completely erases the phone. After confirming the action, the system will clear temporary system files. When finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System for a normal boot.
The first launch after clearing the cache in Recovery may take longer than usual (up to 5-7 minutes). Don't panic and don't turn off your phone at this moment.
This procedure is safe for personal data (photos, contacts, applications), since it affects only the system partition. However, it requires precision in actions, since the Recovery interface does not support touch controls (on most versions) and looks ascetic.
Using the “Memory” function to analyze space
In the shell MIUI there is a hidden but very useful statistics section that shows what exactly the memory is occupied by. It allows you to visualize storage (occupancy) and find "heavyweights" that you might have forgotten about. It is accessed through Settings → About phone → Storage (or simply Memory in the main settings).
Here you will see a color chart where systems, applications, images, videos and other garbage are indicated in different colors. By clicking on a category Applications, you can sort them by size. It often turns out that old games or navigators with loaded offline maps take up the lion's share of space.
| File category | Description | Can be deleted | Risk data loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application cache | Temporary files for acceleration | Yes | Low |
| Downloads | Downloaded files from the browser | Selective | Average |
| System files | Android and MIUI OS files | None | Critical |
| Other | Unidentified files, logs | With caution | Average |
Section Cleaning this menu also offers to delete large files (more than 100 MB) that are rarely used. This is a great way to find forgotten videos or archives that are slowing down your work Redmi 9. The system itself will suggest candidates for deletion, but the final decision is always up to the user.
Memory analytics also shows how much space duplicate photos take up. The duplicate search feature helps free up space by deleting copies of images that could have been created due to synchronization failures or re-downloads.
What to do if the “Other” category takes up too much?
Often these are messenger files (WhatsApp, Telegram) or remnants of deleted applications. Try clearing the cache of these particular apps or using a file manager to search for folders with a creation date in the past.
Automation of cleaning and useful tips for optimization
In order not to constantly have to do manual cleaning, Redmi 9 allows you to set up automatic maintenance. The application Security has a function Cleaning schedule (Scheduler). You can set a time, for example, 3 am, when the phone is not in use, to automatically remove garbage.
In addition, it is worth paying attention to the settings of the applications themselves. In Telegram, for example, you can set the media cache to automatically clear after 3 days or a week. This will prevent the cache folder from growing to gigantic proportions. Similar settings are available in Spotify and other streaming services.
- ⚙️ Set up automatic cleaning in the application
Security. - 📉 Set the cache limit in the settings of instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp).
- 🗑️ Regularly delete the folder
Downloadfrom unnecessary APK installation files. - 🔄 Reboot your smartphone at least once a week to reset system processes.
Another important tip: do not store application installation files (APK) on your device. After installing the app, the file .apk is no longer needed, but often remains in the downloads folder, taking up space. The file manager MIUI can find such installers and offer to remove them.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and names of menu items may vary slightly depending on the version MIUI (Global, Russia, China) and Android version. If you do not find the item, use the search in the settings.
Automating the cleaning processes and setting cache limits in applications will save you from the need to constantly monitor memory manually.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to delete the cache for all applications right away?
Yes, it's safe. Deleting the cache does not affect your personal data, accounts or settings. The only effect is that applications may open a little slower when first launched after cleaning, until a new cache is created.
Why does the cache fill up quickly again after cleaning?
This is normal system behavior. Applications create a cache for their work. If the cache grows too quickly (hundreds of megabytes per hour), perhaps a particular application is not working correctly or has a “bug” and should be reinstalled.
Do I need to clear the cache after updating MIUI?
It is advisable. After a major system update, it is recommended to clear the cache via Recovery Mode (Wipe Cache) to avoid conflicts between old temporary files and the new firmware version.
Will my WhatsApp correspondence be deleted when clearing the cache?
No, if you click “Clear cache”. The correspondence will only be deleted if you select "Clear All Data". Be careful when selecting a button in the storage menu.