Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, even 4-5 years after its release, remains a popular smartphone thanks to the powerful Mediatek Helio G90T processor and 64-MP camera. But over time, any Android phone begins to “brake”: applications open for a long time, the system hangs, and memory ends for no apparent reason. 90% of cases, the fault is contaminated cache – temporary files that accumulate for years and eat up to 10-15 GB of memory.
Clearing the cache on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is not just a way to free up space, but also a method of fixing bugs: from application crashes to Wi-Fi connection problems. However, many users make critical mistakes: clear the cache of all applications at once (which leads to authorization failures) or delete system files through the file manager (risking “bricking” the phone). This guide contains 5 proven methods of cleaning the cache, adapted for MIUI 12-14 and features of the Redmi Note 8 Pro firmware.
We'll take it apart.
- 🔹 How to clear the cache of individual applications without losing data (for example, saving logins in messengers).
- 🔹 Why Cleaning All Data in Settings MIUI It is dangerous and how to do it correctly.
- 🔹 Hidden cache folders that are not visible in the standard file manager (including.thumbnails and com.xiaomi.midrop).
- 🔹 How to Automate Cleaning with Security App and Third Party Utilities (without root rights).
1.What is Xiaomi cache and why it needs to be cleaned
Cache (from English cache - "cache") are temporary files that create applications and a system to speed up work.
- 📸 Photo gallery caches thumbnails of images to show them faster.
- 🌐 The browser saves copies of web pages for offline browsing.
- 🎮 Games store textures and levels so they don’t load them again.
On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the cache is divided into three types:
- Application cache – files of specific programs (for example, com.whatsapp for WhatsApp).
- System cache - MIUI data (updates, logs, temporary firmware files).
- Dalvik cache is optimized code for fast Java applications (removed only through Recovery).
When the cache grows, problems arise:
- ⚠️ Memory deficit: 64/128 GB model cache can take up to 5–8 GB.
- ⚠️ Brake: the system spends resources on processing outdated files.
- ⚠️ Application crashes: conflicts between old and new versions of cache (e.g. in Google Play Store).
Method 2: Clearing the cache of individual applications (Secure method)
If the phone starts to “glue” after updating a particular application (for example, Instagram or Tinkoff Bank), just clear the cache of this program. This will not delete your data (photos, messages, logins), but will reset temporary files.
Instructions for MIUI 12-14:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the appropriate app (e.g. YouTube).
- Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
Check the space in memory (should be ≥1 GB)
Close the application through the multitasking menu
Turn off the auto-update app on Google Play
Back up important data (e.g., chats in Telegram)
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⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse Clear cache and Clear all data! The second option will delete all settings and application files (for example, saved passwords in the browser).
| Action. | What's removed | Effects of consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Clear the cache | Temporary files (images, scripts, log files) | The app will take longer to load on the first run. |
| Clear all data | Cash + settings, accounts, uploaded files | You will have to re-enter your account and set up the application. |
| Remove updates | The factory version of the app will return | New functions may be missing |
Example: If you clear the cache in Google Chrome, only saved thumbnails and temporary files disappear, but if you click Clear all data, you lose bookmarks, history and saved passwords.
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After cleaning the messenger cache (Viber, WhatsApp), download fresh stickers and media files again – this will eliminate errors with the display of pictures.
3. Method 2: Mass cleaning of cache of all applications
If the phone is slowing down a lot and manually cleaning each app’s cache takes a long time, use the built-in MIUI function.
- 🔄 You will have to log in to some accounts (for example, in banking applications).
- 📱 Can reset the settings of widgets and wallpaper.
- 🎵 Music players (such as Spotify) will lose tracks.
How to clean the cache of all applications:
- Go to Settings. → Memory.
- Click Clean in the Garbage Files section.
- Select the app cache and confirm the action.
🔍 Hidden function: B MIUI 14 Added Deep Cleaning (available via Settings path) → Memory. → Three dots in the top right corner. It deletes not only the cache, but also the residual files of the remote applications.
What to do if the “Clean” button is inactive?
⚠️ Warning: After mass cache clearing, the Redmi Note 8 Pro can reboot - that's OK. MI More than 5 minutes, force it to restart (clip the power supply) + Volume up for 10 seconds).
4. Method 3: Manually clean the cache through the file manager
Some cache files are not deleted through MIUI settings, for example:
- 📁.thumbnails folder – thumbnails of images (can weigh up to 1-2 GB).
- 📁 Folders com.xiaomi.* — system garbage from Xiaomi services.
- 📁 Android/data — game cache (e.g, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).
How to find and delete these files:
- Open Files (standard manager from Xiaomi)
- Go to internal memory → Android → data.
- Find folders with the name of the app (e.g. com.facebook.katana for Facebook) and delete the contents of the cache folder.
🔍 How to enable the display of hidden folders:
- In the file manager, click ⋮ (three-point) → Settings.
- Activate Showing Hidden Files.
| Cache folder. | Size (approximately) | Can I remove it? |
|---|---|---|
| .thumbnails | 500MB - 2GB | Yes (miniatures will be restored automatically) |
| Android/obb | 1-5 GB | Unless you're playing games. |
| com.xiaomi.midrop | 100-300 MB | Yes (file transfer cache over Mi Drop) |
| DCIM/.thumbnails | 200-800 MB | Yeah (galleries preview) |
⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders Android/secure and Android/obb, If you're not sure what they're doing, they store data from secure applications (e.g, DRM-keys to Netflix or Disney+).
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Manually clearing the cache through the file manager is the most effective way, but it requires caution. Always check file extensions before deleting (cache usually has.tmp,.cache,.log formats).
5. Method 4: Cleaning the cache through Recovery Mode (for experienced)
If the phone is heavily contaminated or not turning on due to overcrowded memory, cleaning the cache through Recovery Mode will help, a method that removes Dalvik cache and temporary firmware files, but does not affect user data.
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
- Press Power + Volume up for 5-7 seconds until the MI logo appears.
- In the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (control – volume buttons, choice – power button).
- Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 1-3 minutes).
- Reboot the phone (Reboot) → Reboot to System).
🔧 What does Wipe Cache do in Recovery:
- 🧹 Deletes Dalvik cache (optimized files for Java applications).
- 🗑️ Clears temporary update files MIUI.
- 🔄 Resets the system's core cache.
⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache and Wipe Data! The second option (Factory Reset) will completely reset your phone to factory settings, deleting all your files.
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If after cleaning the cache through Recovery, the phone boots for a long time (more than 10 minutes), do not panic - the system restores the Dalvik cache.
6. Method 5: Automatically clean the cache with Security App
Xiaomi is building a Security App utility into MIUI that can automatically clean the cache on a schedule, which is handy if you don't want to do it manually.
How to set up automatic cleaning:
- Open the Security (or Security) app.
- Go to the Optimization section → Cleanup.
- Click Settings (cogs) → Autoclean.
- Turn on the option and select the frequency (e.g., Every week).
📊 What Cleans Up Security App:
- 🗑️ Cash app.
- 📁 Residual files after uninstallation of programs.
- 📂 Empty folders.
- 📄 Log files of the system.
⚠️ Note: Autocleaning can remove the cache of applications you actively use (such as Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator) and this will lead to longer downloads).
7. Frequent errors in cleaning the cache and how to avoid them
Many Redmi Note 8 Pro users make errors that cause data loss or system failures.
- Deleting the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.phone or com.miui.home) can result in network loss or launcher failure.
- Clearing cache through third-party cleaners (such as Clean Master or CCleaner) often delete important MIUI files, causing widgets or theme settings to disappear.
- Delete the entire Android folder, and it stores app data, and deleting it would be like dropping your phone.
- Ignoring backup before clearing the cache of banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff) can block access to the account.
🛠️ How to Recover Data After an Error:
- If you have lost a photo or video, check the DCIM/.recent folder or use the DiskDigger program.
- If the application settings are reset, try to log in again (for example, in VK or Telegram, data is synchronized with the cloud).
- If the phone doesn’t turn on after cleaning through Recovery, try reflashing it through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
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Before any cache manipulation, check to see if there is a backup of important data. Even clearing the messenger cache can lead to the loss of unsent messages.