How to Clean Cache on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: From Apps to System Garbage

Why Redmi Note 8T cache needs regular cleaning

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T often face a slowdown in the smartphone after 6-12 months of active use, the reason is not the “aging” of the iron, but the cache — temporary files that the system and applications create to speed up repeated operations. For example, Instagram cache can take up to 1-2 GB, and the system debris MIUI — even more.

On the Redmi Note 8T with its 3/4 GB of RAM and 32-128 GB of internal storage, the cache is clogged as follows: applications open for a long time, Google Play gives an error “Not enough memory”, and in the storage settings you see the cherished “Other files” with a volume of several gigabytes. Clearing the cache is the first step to optimization, but you need to do it correctly so as not to disrupt the system.

In this article, we will explore unique ways to clean up the cache for the Redmi Note 8T, including hidden MIUI 12-14 features that are not described in the standard instructions, how to clean the cache of individual applications, system debris, and what to do if the phone becomes even worse after cleaning (spoiler: it can be fixed).

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications through settings

The safest method is to manually clean the cache for specific programs, which will not delete your data (such as WhatsApp correspondence or saved games), but will free up space occupied by temporary files.

How to do this:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size, so you will see the most "gluttonous" programs.
3. Select an app (such as Facebook or TikTok) and click Storage.
4. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data!).

Typical cache drives on Redmi Note 8T:

• 📷 Gallery - photo and video miniatures (can take up to 500 MB).
• 🎵 Music or Spotify – album covers and buffered tracks.
• 🎮 PUBG Mobile/Free Fire – textures and temporary files of games (up to the 1–3 GB!).
• 🌐 chrome MIUI Browser – web cache and cookies.

Apps with cache size > 200 MB|

Social networks (Facebook, Instagram, VK)|

Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) |

Games with 3D-graphic (PUBG, Genshin Impact)-->

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of system applications like com.android.phone or MIUI Systems are not absolutely necessary, and this can cause a malfunction of the mobile network or interface.

Method 2: Automatic cleaning through "Safety" (MIUI Optimizer)

MIUI has a built-in optimization tool called Security, which not only cleans the cache, but also closes the background, saving battery life, but it doesn't always work correctly, sometimes removing data from the clipboard or resetting brightness settings.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Security app (if it isn’t on your desktop, search through search).
2. Go to the Optimization tab (broom icon).
3. Click Deep Cleanup → Garbage Files.
4. Select categories for cleaning: 🗑️ App cache (safe). 📁 Residual files (remote applications). 🔍 Log files (system logs).

Clean up

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If the phone is slower after cleaning through Security, reboot it. MIUI sometimes incorrectly processes the vacant space before rebooting.

Method 3: Clearing the browser cache (Chrome, MIUI Browser, Firefox)

Browsers are one of the main garbage storage devices. On the Redmi Note 8T, Chrome or MIUI Browser can take up to 500 MB-1 GB of cache, especially if you often watch videos on online cinemas or social networks.

Instructions for popular browsers:

Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome, tap three dots. → History.
2. Choose Clear Data.
3. Set a period for all time.
4. Check the boxes: 🗃️ Cookies and website data. 🖼️ Cached images and files.

Clear the data

MIUI Browser

1. Open the browser, tap on three points → Settings.
2. Go to Confidentiality. → Clear the data.
3. Select Cash and Cookies.
4. Confirm the cleanup.

⚠️ Attention: Clearing the browser cache will delete saved passwords if you are not syncing with your Google account! before the procedure, check if sync is enabled in Settings → Google → Managing a Google Account.

Method 4: Manually clean the cache through the file manager (for advanced ones)

If standard methods don't work, you can manually delete the cache through the file manager, which is suitable for advanced users, because it requires access to system folders. Delete error can cause crashes!

How to do this:

1. Open any file manager (such as embedded Files or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/).
3. Open the folders: 📂 Android/data/ — Here is a cache of games and applications (e.g. com.tencent.ig for PUBG). 📂 Android/obb/ — Additional game files (can be deleted if games are not installed). 📂.thumbdata – thumbnails for gallery (hidden folder, enable the display of hidden files).

.obb

Examples of safe ways to delete files:

• 🎮 Files with.obb extension for remote games.
• 🗑️ Folders in Android/data/ for uninstalled applications.
• 🖼️ Files. thumbdata3--1967290299 (miniature-gallery cash).

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Never manually delete folders of active applications (e.g. com.whatsapp or com.android.vending)!

Method 5: Reset the partition cache (wipe cache partition) via Recovery

If the phone is slowing down a lot and standard methods aren't working, you can clear the partition cache through Recovery mode. This won't delete your data, but it will reset all temporary system files. This method is useful after MIUI updates or if the phone has spontaneously rebooted.

Instructions for Redmi Note 8T:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery menu (English or Chinese).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
5. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
6. Confirm action (Yes).
7. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option will completely reset the phone to factory settings, deleting all your data.

This method is particularly useful if:

• 🔄 phone is stuck on startup Redmi logo after update.
• 🐢 The system has become unbearably slow for no apparent reason.
• 📱 Applications are constantly being sent out with the error "Stop".

What to do if after cleaning the cache, the phone began to work worse

Paradoxically, sometimes, once the cache is cleaned, the Redmi Note 8T starts to brake even more, because:

1. The system spends resources on re-cache creation for frequently used applications.
2. Some programs (for example, Facebook) when they first start up after cleaning the cache, load the data again, which creates an additional load.
3. MIUI may not properly treat the vacant site if the cleaning has been interrupted.

How to fix it:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone – it helps 80% of the time.
• ⚡ Turn off animation in the developer settings (reduces the lag): Activate the developer mode: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times. Go back to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers, install window animation. = Off., Animation of transitions = Off..

Limit background activity

1. Go to Settings → Battery → Selection of applications.
2. For slowing apps (like Facebook), select Limit Background Activity.

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If the lags appear after cleaning the game cache (such as PUBG or Call of Duty), go to the game settings and manually lower the graphics to "Low" or "Balanced" This will reduce the load on the processor when you reload textures.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up the cache on the Redmi Note 8T