The Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro is a flagship device that, even years after its release, has been performing well. However, like any Android-based gadget, it accumulates temporary files over time. This data, called cache, is created by apps to speed up their work, but when it is oversized, it can slow down the system and take up precious space in internal memory.
Many users notice that the phone is slowing down and the space is shrinking rapidly, and often overcrowded cache is the cause of these problems, and it's important to understand that cleaning up this data doesn't delete your personal photos, contacts or passwords, but only rids the system of "digital garbage."
In this article, we will take a look at all the cleaning methods available, from standard MIUI shells to deep cleaning through the recovery menu, and learn how to safely free up space and return the device to its previous speed without losing important data.
What is cache and why you need to clean it on Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro
Cache is a memory buffer where temporary files are stored to load frequently used applications quickly, and when you open a browser, social network, or game, the system stores some of the data so that the next time you run it, you don't download it again from the Internet or from the disk, which speeds up the interface response, but has its limits.
The problem is when the cache grows to giant sizes or when corrupted files appear, instead of speeding up, they start to slow down the Snapdragon 845 processor installed in your model, and the system spends resources on rummaging through unnecessary data, which leads to heating of the case and fast battery discharge.
Regular cleaning allows you to maintain optimal performance, especially for models with a fixed amount of memory, where every gigabyte is in the account. Deleting the cache does not erase logins, passwords or progress in games, it is safe for user data.
There are several types of cached data: system cache, application cache, and browser cache, each of which takes up space and requires periodic attention, and ignoring this process can lead to errors in the operation of programs and the appearance of broken links.
Cleaning the cache through the standard Security app
The easiest and safest way to free up space on the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro is to use a built-in system tool. The MIUI shell has a pre-installed app that automatically scans the device for temporary files. This is the first step to take before using more sophisticated methods.
To get started, look for an icon on your desktop or in the Tools folder called Security (green shield), launch the app and click on Clean up, and the system will quickly analyze how much space you can free up right now.
Once you scan, you'll see a list of categories that occupy space. Click on "Cash" to detail the list. It'll show the temporary files of the system and installed programs. You can selectively delete the data of heavy applications or clear everything at once.
⚠️ Be careful when clearing the messenger cache (Telegram, WhatsApp) through this tool, as you can lose previously uploaded images and videos from correspondence if they are not saved in the gallery.
Using a regular tool is the safest method for inexperienced users, and it ensures that you do not delete systemically important files that are necessary for Android to work smoothly.
Deep Cache Cleaning of Individual Applications
If a particular application is not working properly, freezes or takes up abnormally much space, individual cleaning is required. In the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro, this is done through the settings menu, which allows you to point-to-point delete the data of the problem program without affecting the rest of the system.
Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. In the list that opens, find the program you want (like YouTube or Instagram). Click on it to open the management page. Here you are interested in the Memory section.
Inside the section, you'll see two buttons: "Clean" and "Delete." We're interested in the first one. When you click on it, the system will tell you to choose whether to delete the cache or all the data. Choose Clear the cache. This is a safe action and does not require re-authorization.
If you choose Clear All (or Delete Data), the app will return to state immediately after installation, you will have to re-enter your username and password, so only use cache cleanup to prevent this.
- 📱 Open your phone settings and go to the app section.
- 🔍 Find a program that takes up a lot of space in the list.
- 💾 Click on "Memory" and select cache cleanup.
- ✅ Confirm the action and check the vacated place.
This method is especially useful for browsers, where the cache can take several gigabytes. Regularly checking heavy applications helps keep the system on track.
☑️ Checking before cleaning
Using Developer Mode to Clean Dalvik Cache
For more advanced users of the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro, there is the option of clearing the ART/Dalvik cache.This is a system cache that compiles applications to run on the processor. Cleaning it can help if the phone is unstable after updating the firmware.
To access these features, you need to activate the developer menu. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI version.
Next, go to Advanced Settings → For developers. Find the partition related to memory or debugging. However, it is worth noting that in modern versions of Android, manual cleaning of Dalvik through settings is limited, and most often this is done through Recovery.
⚠️ Warning: Do not change other settings in the developer menu unless you know exactly what they are responsible for.
This is considered an expert method, and the standard cleaning described in the previous sections is often enough for the average user, and only when applications are clearly compiled fails, this should be resorted to.
Why do you need Dalvik Cache?
Clearing the cache through Recovery Mode
The deepest and most effective way to clean up is to use Recovery mode, which removes temporary files from the operating system itself that are not available in normal operation, and it's a "heavy artillery" for cases where the phone is slowing down.
To enter recovery mode on the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro, turn off the phone completely. Then press the Volume Down button and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release power, but keep the volume up.
When the Recovery menu (Main Menu) appears, the volume buttons (up-down) and the power button (select) are controlled. Find the Wipe Data and press the power button. In the next menu, select Wipe Cache. Confirm the action.
| Action. | Navigation buttons | Confirmation button | The result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance to the menu | Volume Down + Nutrition | — | Recovery launch |
| Selection of a paragraph | Volume Up/down | — | Moving the cursor |
| Confirmation | — | Nutrition | Execution of the team |
| Reboot. | Volume Up/down | Meals (on Reboot) | Android launch |
Once the cleaning process is complete, select Reboot and confirm Reboot to System. The first run may take longer than usual, as the system will recreate the necessary temporary files.
💡
Cleaning through Recovery is the most effective way to fix system errors, but requires accurate follow-up of the button instructions.
Cleaning cache in popular browsers and messengers
Browsers and social networks deserve special attention, since they are the main “eaters” of memory on Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro. Chrome, Yandex.Browser, Telegram and Viber accumulate gigabytes of pictures and videos.
In Google Chrome, the cleanup is done through a three-dot menu in the top right corner. Select History → Clear History. In the window that opens, be sure to tick the box opposite to "Images and other files saved in cache."
Telegram is a special messaging app, where you can use a built-in cleanup to keep important files from being deleted. Go to Settings → Data and Memory → Memory Use. Press Clear Cache. You can also set up autodelete the cache for, say, 3 days or a week.
You can do the same thing on Viber and WhatsApp through their internal settings, which is more secure than uninstalling it through the app menu, because you can see what you're deleting.
- 🌐 Browsers: Clear cache once a week to speed up page loading.
- 💬 Messengers: set up auto-clean so you don’t manually monitor your memory.
- 📸 Instagram and TikTok cache can take up to 5 GB, check regularly.
Regular maintenance of these applications allows you to save hundreds of megabytes of free space, which is critical for the stable operation of the system.