Cache Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: A Complete Guide to Speeding Up Your Phone

Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro gets slower and apps take longer to load? Often due to overcrowded cache. This temporary data buffer, which should speed up the system, eventually turns into a “junk box” that takes up precious space and brakes. Unlike the newer Redmi models with MIUI 14, the Redmi 8 Pro (released in 2019) has its own nuances of cleaning — especially if it has MIUI 11-12 firmware on it.

In this article, you will find 3 proven ways to clean up cache, from manually deleting for individual applications to deep cleaning system files through Recovery mode. We will also discuss why the standard Cleanup function in MIUI does not delete all temporary files and how to fix it. If your Redmi 8 Pro became “glutty” after the update or just slowed down, these methods will help it return to its previous speed without resetting to factory settings.

What is cache and why should it be cleaned on Redmi 8 Pro

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications and a system to quickly access frequently used data, for example, when you open Instagram, the app stores thumbnails of photos in the cache so that the next run shows them instantly.

• 📉 It takes up gigabytes of memory – on Redmi 8 Pro 64 GB storage cache can "eat" before 5-8 GB.
• 🐢 Brake the system — MIUI You can search for more data among thousands of temporary files.
• 🔄 Cause errors – corrupted cache files can lead to dropouts of applications (for example, Google Play Store or YouTube).
• 🔋 Battery discharge – background cache cleaning wastes the resources of the Snapdragon 665 processor.

On Redmi 8 Pro, the cache is divided into three types:

1. Application cache – temporary files of specific programs (for example, WhatsApp or Chrome).
2. System cache – data from MIUI and Google services (including Dalvik-cache – optimized files for the Android virtual machine).
3. Update cache – Residual files after installing OTA patches (often not deleted automatically).

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse cache with app data! Cache cleaning won't delete your accounts, messages, or settings. But data cleaning (Settings Reset) erases everything, including logins and passwords.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications through settings

The safest method is to remove the cache for specific programs, which does not affect system files and does not require a reboot, but is suitable if only one application (for example, Facebook or Tinkoff Bank) is slowed down.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (like Google Chrome).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
4. For deep cleaning, tap Space Management (if any) and delete unnecessary files.

On the Redmi 8 Pro, some system applications (such as Mi Video or Theme Store) may not have a clean button.

Stop the application (Stop button in settings)

Reboot the phone.

Update the app through the Play Store

Remove updates (Remove updates button) if it is system software-->

To speed up the process, you can sort applications by cache size:

1. In Application Management, click on three dots (⋮) top-right.
2. Select Sort by Size → Cash.
3. Clear the cache for applications that are larger than 100-200 MB.

💡

After clearing the Google Play Store or YouTube cache, you may need to re-sign in to your Google account.

Method 2: Completely clean the cache through the storage menu

If the phone is noticeably slowing down, rather than one particular app, it's time to clean the entire system cache. On Redmi 8 Pro, this is done through the storage menu, but there's a caveat: MIUI by default hides some temporary files.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Storage.
2. Wait for the memory analysis (it can take 10–30 seconds).
3. Click Clean in the Garbage Files section.
4. Check the boxes across the street: 🗑️ Cash app. 📁 Temporary files 🔍 Error logs

Clear ({X}MB)

The screen will show a notification Cleanup complete, but that doesn't mean all temporary files have been deleted. MIUI default-free:

• 🔄 Dalvik cache – optimized files for the Android virtual machine (you can only delete via Recovery).
• 📦 Residual update files - packages OTA, which remain after the installation of the firmware.
• 🔒 Secure application cache (e.g. Mi Pay or Banking programs).

If less than 500MB of space is added after cleaning, then the main debris is hidden in system partitions, in which case you go to Method 3 (recovery cleaning).

Method 3: Deeply clean the cache through Recovery Mode

This is the most radical, but also the most effective method, and it deletes all temporary files, including the Dalvik-cache and update residues.

• 📱 The phone is severely slowing down or overheating.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Glitches (for example, spontaneous reboots).
• 📉 Free memory is less than 1 GB, although you have not installed anything.

Note: This method does not delete personal data (photos, messages), but resets some system settings (for example, wallpaper or screen brightness).

Instructions for Redmi 8 Pro:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons 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 Recovery Mode (English menu).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power for selection.
5. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
6. Confirm action (Yes).
7. After cleaning, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

It'll take 2-5 minutes.

• 🔄 The first start of the system can be longer than usual (up to 1-2 minutes).
• 📱 Some apps (like Google Play Services) will be optimized again.
• 🔋 The battery can run out faster in the first few hours (this is normal).

⚠️ Note: If you don't have Wipe Cache in Recovery, your Redmi 8 Pro has custom firmware installed (e.g. LineageOS). → Check out Cache and Dalvik Cache.

💡

Cleaning the cache through Recovery is the only way to remove Dalvik-cache, which takes up to 1-2 GB and is not visible in standard MIUI settings.

Automatic Cache Cleanup: MIUI Configuration for Redmi 8 Pro

To avoid manually cleaning the cache, you can set up automatic cleaning in MIUI. This feature removes junk files on a schedule, but it doesn’t work perfectly – for example, it doesn’t touch the cache of apps you use often.

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Storage.
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Storage settings.
3. Turn on the automatic cleaning option.
4. Set up a schedule: 🕒 Daily (recommended if memory is low). 📅 Weekly (optimum for most users). 🔄 With memory shortages (MIUI You decide when to clean it).

File types

• 🗑️ Cash app.
• 📥 Uploaded files (caution – important documents may be deleted!)
• 📁 Temporary files

Cons of automatic cleaning:

• ❌ Does not remove Dalvik-cache.
• ❌ Can delete the necessary files from the Download folder.
• ❌ Sometimes resets application settings (such as Spotify or Spotify) VK).

For more flexible settings, use third-party utilities, for example:

• 📱 SD Maid – clears the cache on schedule and finds duplicate files.

💡

If files from the Download folder are lost after automatic cleaning, check the Recycle Bin in the Files application (MIUI stores deleted files for 7 days).

What to do if cleaning the cache does not help

If the Redmi 8 Pro continues to brake after all the manipulations, the problem may be a nuisance.

1. Free memory: 📲 Redmi 8 Pro requires at least 1.5-2 GB of free space for stable operation. 🔍 Check in Settings → Warehouse. 🗑️ Remove unnecessary photos/videos or transfer them to a memory card.

Outdated firmware:

• 🔄 Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📡 If there are no updates, but the phone is slowing down – it may be time to reset the settings (see below).

⚠️ Note: Redmi 8 Pro with firmware MIUI 12+ After reset, you may need to link to your Mi Account. If you do not remember the password, restore it in advance!

Frequent errors in cleaning cache on Xiaomi

Many Redmi 8 Pro users make mistakes that not only don't solve the problem, but make it worse.

• 🚫 Delete the cache of system applications (such as Mi Security or Services Framework) and this can lead to bootloop (cyclical reboot).
• 🚫 Cleaning the cache too often (e.g. daily) will cause applications to constantly recreate temporary files, which will increase the workload on the processor.
• 🚫 Use "cleaners" with questionable permits (for example, asking for access to the SMS Many of them become a source of garbage themselves.
• 🚫 Clear application data instead of cache (Clear Data button erases accounts and settings!).
• 🚫 Interrupt cleaning through Recovery.If you take out the battery or force the phone to turn off during the process, it can damage system files.