How to completely clean the memory on Xiaomi 8 Pro: from cache to system garbage

Why Xiaomi 8 Pro is slowing down and how it relates to memory

Smartphone Xiaomi 8 Pro (codenamed udite), released in 2018, still remains popular among users thanks to the powerful processor Snapdragon 710 and the snapdragon. AMOLED-But even the flagship models tend to hang over time, and it's not so much hardware obsolescence as memory loss:

First, MIUI (especially versions 10-12) actively caches application data to speed up its launch. Over time, this cache grows to gigabytes, taking up space on the /data partition. Second, many applications (including system ones) create temporary files that are not always deleted automatically. Finally, users often forget to clean the Download folder, where outdated APKs, photos from messengers and other “digital waste” accumulate.

If your Xiaomi 8 Pro is slow to respond to touch, apps are loading for a long time, and the memory settings are lit with a “little space” warning – it’s time to act. But before you start cleaning, it’s important to understand which files can be deleted without risk to the system and which should not be touched. For example, deleting the /system folder will lead to “bricking” of the device, and cleaning the Google Play Services cache can disrupt Google services.

Method 1: Clearing the application cache through MIUI settings

The safest and fastest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which do not require root rights and is suitable even for beginners.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Stick to three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. In the list, find the apps with the largest cache (usually YouTube, Chrome, Facebook or Telegram).
4. Click on the app → Storage → Clear the cache.

For mass cleaning:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Memory. → Cleanup.
• 📊 Click Deep Clean – the system will scan the device for unnecessary files.
• 🗑️ Tick the boxes “App Cache”, “Residual Files” and “Advertising Files”, then tap Clean.

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If the app is slower after cleaning the cache, that's OK, and the system will create a new cache the next time it runs, but it's optimized.

⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse Clear cache and Clear data! The second option will delete all the settings of the application (for example, logins in messengers or saved games), and it will have to be configured again.

Method 2: Delete junk files through File Manager

MIUI has a regular File Manager that can find and delete unnecessary data to take advantage of:

1. Open the File Manager application (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Cleanup tab (in the lower menu).
3. Wait until the scan is completed – the system will show the categories of files that can be safely deleted: 🗃️ Duplicate files – copies of photos or documents. 📄 Large files – videos, archives, unused files APK. 📥 Downloads – Contents of Download folder. 🗑️ Recycle Bin - files that have been deleted previously but have not yet been completely cleaned.

Clean up

Pay special attention to the Download folder – outdated files often accumulate here:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Download — main-folder.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Download — browser-loading MIUI Browser.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data — cache and application data (can only be deleted via root or ADB).

Outdated. APK-file|Duplicate photos|bootloader cache (folder.cache)|Error Logs (files with.log extension)|Old backups (folder) MIUI/Backup)-->

Method 3: Cleaning up system debris through Safe Mode

If your smartphone is slowing down, advertising is disrupting, or you suspect a virus, try downloading into Safe Mode, which only runs system applications, allowing you to:

• 🛡️ Remove malware that blocks access to settings.
• 🧹 Clear the cache of system applications (for example, MIUI Daemon or Security).
• 🔧 Remove newly installed applications causing crashes.

How to Sign In to Safe Mode on Xiaomi 8 Pro:

1. Press the power button until the shutdown menu appears.
2. Tap and hold the "Off" option (or "Reboot" in new versions of MIUI).
3. Confirm the transition to safe mode (the Safe Mode will appear in the lower left corner of the screen).

In this mode:

• 🚫 Remove suspicious apps through Settings → Annexes.
• 🔍 Check the folders. /storage/emulated/0 For unknown files (for example, with extensions.apk,.xapk,.bin).
• 🛠️ Clear the cache of system applications (see Method 1).

⚠️ Note: Safe Mode does not work with fingerprint and Face Unlock, and may also lack some features MIUI, So, for example, topics or a second space. It's normal, when you reboot, everything will recover.

Once a week.|Once a month|Only when the phone starts to brake|Never cleaned.-->

Method 4: Using ADB for deep cleaning (for advanced)

If standard methods don't work and root rights don't, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which removes the cache of system applications that are not normally available for cleaning through the interface. ADB does not require unlocking the bootloader, but if used improperly can disrupt the system.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB Xiaomi 8 Pro (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Cleanup commands:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.home # Clearing up the MIUI launcher cache


adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.media # Cleaning up media storage




adb shell pm clear com.google.android.gms # Google Play Services Cleanup (caution!)




adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary system files

After you execute the commands, restart your smartphone. If you have errors (for example, Operation not allowed), then root rights are required for this application.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last chance)

If all previous methods failed and the smartphone is still slowing down, then Hard Reset remains, which will bring the Xiaomi 8 Pro back out of the box by removing all user data, apps and settings.

How to reset your settings:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Resetting → Delete all data.
3. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.
4. Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• 🔄 The smartphone will reboot and offer to configure it as new.
• 📱 Restore data from a backup (if it was created through Mi Cloud or Google Account).
• 🚀 Install only the necessary applications, avoiding “junk” software.

⚠️ Note: On the Xiaomi 8 Pro with the unlocked bootloader, a factory reset can result in the device being locked (re-assigning the Mi Account is required).If you're not sure, use the Fastboot command instead: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache

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Factory reset is a last resort: 90% of the time, it is enough to clean the cache and delete unnecessary files (see Methods 1-3).

How to Prevent Memory Clogging in the Future

To Xiaomi 8 Pro does not slow down again, follow the simple rules:

• 📵 Remove unused apps (especially games – they take up to 2-4 GB each).
• 📂 Clean Download folder regularly (once a month).
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest stable version – in new firmware optimized work with memory.
• 🚫 Avoid Play Market cleaners (such as Clean Master or CCleaner) – they often become a source of trash themselves.
• ☁️ Transfer photos and videos to the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) or to your computer.

It is also useful to disable the autoload of unnecessary applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application → Autostart → turn off the slider.

To monitor memory, use the Storage widget on your desktop or the Files by Google app – it can find duplicates and large files.

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If you often install APK From third-party sources, create a folder APK_Archive You can put the installation files on the memory card and transfer them after you use them, so they don't clog up the internal memory.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Xiaomi 8 Pro