Where is the storage in the phone Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: a complete guide to memory management

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is one of the most popular mid-range smartphones, Released in 2019, but still in demand thanks to the powerful Mediatek Helio G90T processor and capacious battery. However, even with 64/128 GB of internal memory, users often face a shortage of space. Where exactly is all this information stored? And how to effectively manage memory so as not to receive notifications about overflow?

In this article, we will discuss the physical and logical location of storage in Redmi Note 8 Pro, show how to check the occupied volume through settings and file manager, and give practical tips on space optimization, paying special attention to the nuances of working with external drives (microSD) and hidden system partitions, which many users overlook.

Physical Storage Location: Where Your Files Are Actually Stored

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro uses two types of memory: built-in (eMMC 5.1) and RAM (LPDDR4X). The data warehouse is one of the first types, a chip sealed on a motherboard next to the processor, which cannot be physically removed or replaced without special equipment (unlike the chip). SD-map).

Logically, memory is divided into several sections:

• 📁 User Data is the main partition for user files (photos, videos, applications), and its volume is indicated in the characteristics (64/128 GB).
• 🛡️ System - partition with firmware MIUI (4-6 GB, not available for changes without root rights.
• 🔄 Cache – temporary system and application files (cleaned automatically or manually).
• 📱 Internal Storage – a virtual partition that you see in the Explorer (combines User Data and a portion of system files).

It is important to understand: even if you bought a model for 128 GB, the real available will be ~112-115 GB.

• 📦 Firmware MIUI (3-5 GB).
• 📱 Pre-installed Xiaomi apps (up to 2 GB).
• 🔒 Service sections for recovery (recovery) and boot (boot).

⚠️ Note: Attempts to modify system partitions without root rights or through unofficial firmware can lead to a device bric (completely inoperable).In Redmi Note 8 Pro, it is especially risky to interfere with the modem partition responsible for communication.

How to check the storage volume through MIUI settings

The easiest way to find out how much space is occupied is to use the built-in MIUI tools.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section. → Warehouse.
3. Wait for the chart to load (it can take 10-20 seconds).

Here you'll see:

• 📊 Total memory (e.g. 115 GB of 128 GB).
• 🟢 The green area is free space.
• 🔴 Red/orange: occupied space by category (applications, multimedia, cache, etc.).

Click on any category (like Apps) to see a list of the most voracious programs, so you can quickly find and remove unnecessary games or messengers that take up gigabytes.

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If the storage diagram doesn't update, reboot the phone. Sometimes MIUI caches the data and shows outdated information.

Searching for Storage through File Manager: Hidden Folders and System Files

Xiaomi’s built-in Files (or File Manager) allows you to study the memory structure in detail to open it:

1. Click on the Files icon on the home screen (folder with the document).
2. At the top of the screen, select Device (Inner Memory) or your name. SD-map.

You will see the standard Android folders:

• 📂 DCIM — photo and video.
• 📂 Downloads – downloaded files from the browser.
• 📂 Android – Application data (including game cache).
• 📂 MIUI — System firmware files (not recommended to be deleted!).
• 📂 Pictures, Music, Movies – hand-downloaded multimedia.

The Android/obb folder stores additional game files (such as graphics packages for Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) that can be safely deleted if the game is no longer in use, but they will recover the next time you run.

To see hidden files (such as application configuration files):

1. In the file manager, click on three dots (⋮) top-right.
2. Select Settings → Show hidden files.

⚠️ Attention: Delete files from folders MIUI, system or data without root rights can cause malfunctions in the phone, for example, deleting files from the phone. /data/app It is equivalent to uninstalling applications, but without correct deletion of data.

External storage: how to use SD-Map in Redmi Note 8 Pro

The Redmi Note 8 Pro supports microSD cards up to 512GB (officially tested at 256GB).

• 🔄 The map is formatted in FAT32 (4GB max file or exFAT (no restrictions) for video recordings 4K Choose exFAT better.
• 📱 V MIUI 12+ You can configure the card as a portable storage (for files) or internal (for applications, but this slows down the work).
• ⚠️ When used as internal memory, the card cannot be removed without formatting!

To set up SD-map:

1. Insert the card into the slot (located on the left end of the phone, under the tray for SIM).
2. After notifying you about the new drive, open Settings → Storage.
3. Click on the title. SD-map → Settings (three points) → Format as internal or portable storage.

If you've chosen internal storage, the system will suggest moving some of the data from the phone to the map, which can take 10 to 30 minutes.

• 📱 Applications will be installed on the map by default (but not everyone supports it).
• 🔄 Application speed may decrease (depending on class) SD-map).

Cleaning Storage: 5 Ways to Free Up Space Without Losing Data

If the memory is full and you don’t want to delete important files, use these methods:

1. Cleaning up the app cache

Cache is a temporary file that speeds up programs, but over time takes up gigabytes.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as YouTube or Facebook).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

For mass cleaning, use Settings → Storage → Cash.

2. Transfer files to the cloud

Google Photos, Mi Cloud or Yandex.Disk allow you to store photos and videos in the cloud, freeing up space on your phone.

1. Install the app and log in to your Google account.
2. Enable Backup and Synchronization.
3. Choose High Quality (unlimited storage) or Original (15GB Google Drive credit).

3. Removal of duplicates and unnecessary files

Use the built-in File Utility → Clean up or third-party apps like Files by Google.

• 📸 Duplicate photos (e.g. screenshots with the same content).
• 🎵 Large audio files (forgotten podcasts or voice messages).
• 📄 Old ones. APK-file.

4. Application optimization

Some programs (like Telegram or VK) cache gigabytes of media to limit this:

• In Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Media autoload → turn off photo / video download in the mobile network.
• In VK: Settings → General → Autoplay Video → Select Never.

5. Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If the phone is severely slowing down, and the memory is clogged with unknown, reset:

1. Save important data on a PC or SD-map.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data.

After the reset, you will get a clean phone with ~110 GB of free space (for the 128 GB model).

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Regularly cleaning the cache and transferring media files to the cloud can save up to 20-30 GB of space without deleting important data.

Frequent storage problems and their solutions

Redmi Note 8 Pro users often face the following errors:

1. "Not enough memory, although there is a place"

Reason: MIUI reserves ~5-10 GB for system operations, and if less than 10% is free, a warning appears.

Solution: Free up an extra 2-3GB (e.g., remove heavy play).

2. SD-The card is defined as damaged

Reasons:

• 🔌 Improper retrieval of the card (without Safe retrieval).
• 🛠️ Physical damage or fake card (check on PC).

Solution: Format the card in exFAT via PC, then paste back in.

3. the annexes are not installed on SD-map

Not all programs support portability, such as WhatsApp or Google Play Services, which always stays in internal memory.

Solution: Use the SD Transfer feature only for games and instant messengers (such as Facebook or Messenger).

4.After updating MIUI memory is "eat" by the system

Newer firmware versions can take 1-3 GB more, for example, switching from MIUI 12 to MIUI 13 adds ~1.5 GB of system files.

Solution: Before upgrading, free up 3-5 GB to avoid crashes.

5 Files disappear after connecting to a PC

If you plugged in your phone in File Transfer (MTP) mode and then turned off without Safe Retrieval, the files could get corrupted.

Solution: Connect the phone again, wait for sync and retrieve correctly.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions