The Xiaomi Mi 8T, launched in 2019, is still a popular device due to its excellent price-performance ratio. However, over time, any Android gadget, regardless of its characteristics, starts to run slower, and free space in memory is rapidly shrinking, due to the accumulation of temporary files that create applications for fast downloading content.
The accumulated cache of applications can take up several gigabytes of memory, which is critical for models with limited internal storage. Users often confuse the cache with important data for fear of removing excess and disrupting the system. In this article, we will discuss safe and effective ways to free up space on the Mi 8T model.
Regularly cleaning temporary files not only frees up space for your photos and videos, but can also solve problems with hanging individual programs.Cache cleaning is a regular maintenance procedure that should be carried out periodically to keep the MIUI shell at a high level.
What is cache and why it should be removed
Cache is a buffer memory that stores temporary data to speed up programs. When you open a social network feed or browse the Internet, the Xiaomi Mi 8T saves thumbnails of images and interface elements on the disk. When you re-access these resources, the device reads them from a fast drive, rather than downloading them again over the network.
The problem is that many apps don’t have a mechanism to automatically delete old files, or they are reluctant to do so, and over time, the cache folder can grow to enormous sizes, taking up precious gigabytes, especially for multimedia applications like YouTube, TikTok or Telegram.
Technical aspect of the cache operation
There is a perception that constantly cleaning the cache harms the battery, as the processor has to regenerate data. This is only partly true: if you clear the cache of the card before you travel, the navigator will take longer to load the card. But if the disk space is filled by 95-98%, the speed of the entire file system drops catastrophically, and cleaning becomes vital.
Cleaning the cache through the standard Security app
The MIUI shell installed on the Xiaomi Mi 8T has a powerful tool built in to maintain the system.It is the easiest and safest way to remove the main debris without going into technical settings. The Cleanup feature scans the device for temporary files, uninstall residues and advertising debris.
To start the procedure, look for an app on your desktop called "Security" (a green shield icon). Launch it and click on the large "Clean" or "Speed" button. The system will automatically scan and show you the amount of files that can be safely deleted.
☑️ Standard cleaning algorithm
After the analysis is complete, you will see a list of file categories. Please note that the standard utility does not always show the cache of heavy messengers to the fullest. For a deeper cleaning, click on the "Dumpster Cleanup" option in the bottom menu if it is available in your version of MIUI. Here you can selectively delete the cache of specific applications if you do not want to touch the data of other programs.
⚠️ Warning: The standard cleaner sometimes marks map cache files or offline navigation as “junk.” If you use a navigator without internet, check the list before deleting to avoid being left without maps on the road.
It is important to understand the difference between a clear button and a full reset. We are talking about temporary files. Personal data such as contacts, WhatsApp correspondence (unless you choose to delete the data completely) and photos, using a regular cleaner will not be affected.
Managing the cache of individual applications in settings
If a standard cleaning didn’t work, or a specific application (such as Instagram or Chrome) takes up an abnormally large amount of space, you need to act point-by-point. On Xiaomi Mi 8T, this is done through the application management menu, which allows you to see the real cache size of each installed program.
Go to Settings → Applications → All apps. In the list that opens, find the program you want. You can use a top-down search or size-sort search to find the heavyweights right away. Click on the name of the application to open the control page.
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Use size sorting in the app list to instantly identify the memory-consumption leader programs, often messengers or streaming services you may have forgotten about.
On the app page, you'll see the Memory button or the amount of space you've occupied. Click on Clear (or Storage → Clear cache). It's important not to confuse this button with Delete or Clear all data.
- 📱 Clear cache: only temporary files are deleted, logins and passwords are saved.
- 🗑️ Clean Everything: Resets the app completely to “just installed” by removing accounts and settings.
- 📂 Storage management: allows you to see in detail what exactly occupies the place.
Once the cache is cleared, the app can open a little longer on its first run, as it will have to re-download the necessary resources. This is normal Android behavior. Repeat this procedure for the largest applications once a month to maintain order.
Cleaning the cache in the Google Chrome browser
The browser is one of the main sources of garbage on the smartphone. When surfing the Internet, Google Chrome stores copies of visited pages, images and scripts. On the Xiaomi Mi 8T with its high-resolution screen, the graphics cache can take up a significant amount of volume.
To clear your browser cache, open Chrome and click on the three dots in the top right corner. Select History and then New Tab (or go straight to history). From the history menu, click Clear History.
In the window that opens, select the All-Time time range, make sure that the tick is only opposite to the item “Images and other files stored in cache” and uncheck “Browser History” and “Cookies” if you want to remain logged in.
chrome://settings/clearBrowserDataYou can type this command into the browser address bar to get straight to the cleaning menu, and it's a quick way to get to the settings you want without having to search the menu.
| Type of data | What's removed | Impact on account login |
|---|---|---|
| Cash (Images) | Copies of sites, pictures | It doesn't. |
| Cookies | Session data, authorship | Re-entry will be required. |
| History | List of visited URLs | It doesn't. |
Regularly cleaning your browser cache also solves problems with incorrect display of sites when you see an old version of a page instead of an updated one.For the Xiaomi Mi 8T, it's also a way to speed up your Internet surfing a little.
Using Developer Mode for Deep Cleaning
In Android, and in particular in the MIUI shell on the Xiaomi Mi 8T, there is a hidden menu for developers to access more subtle memory management settings, a method suitable for advanced users who want to control every megabyte.
To activate the menu, you need to go to Settings → About the phone and 7 times quickly click on the "Version" MIUI». After the message “You became a developer” appears, go back to the main settings menu, go to “More» → «For developers».
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The developer menu is a powerful tool, but changing unknown parameters can lead to unstable system operation.
Find Services or Memory (location may vary across MIUI versions) and you can see detailed statistics on RAM and ROM usage. While there may not be a direct Clear Everything button here, this section helps identify processes that eat away at memory in the background.
Also in this section you can find the function “Do not save actions” or limit background processes. Enabling the limitation of background processes to 2-3 pieces can prevent the accumulation of cache by many running simultaneously applications, which is important for devices with 6 GB of RAM, like the Mi 8T.
⚠️ Note: Do not disable Google’s system services processes or MIUI This can cause notifications to stop, sync, and even a cyclical reboot of the smartphone.
The main purpose here is to monitor and limit background activity, which indirectly helps to combat cache proliferation.
Cleaning the cache through Recovery Mode (Technical method)
There is a way to clear the system cache (Dalvik/ART cache) through the Recovery menu, a method often recommended when updating firmware or if the phone is extremely slow after an update. On the Xiaomi Mi 8T, this is done through standard Recovery.
To enter recovery mode, turn off the phone completely. Then press the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, continuing to keep the volume.
In the Recovery menu, you can navigate with volume buttons, and you can choose with a power button (or touch the screen if supported). Find Wipe Data or Clear Cache. Be very careful: we only need Wipe Cache.
- 🔴 Wipe Cache Partition: Securely Deletes Temporary System Files.
- ☠️ Wipe Data / Factory Reset: Completely deletes all data from your phone (photos, contacts, apps).
- 🔄 Reboot: Reboots the device in normal mode.
If you randomly choose to reset your phone, it will go back to factory settings. So on the Recovery menu, always read the words twice. For regular trash cleaning, this method is rarely used, only in case of serious failures.
Volume Up + Power = Entry to Recovery
Volume Keys = Navigation
Power Button = SelectionAfter successfully cleaning the cache partition, the system will restart. The first run may take longer than usual, as the system will need to recreate the necessary temporary files again.