How to completely clear the cache on Xiaomi Mi 8: from applications to system files

Why Xiaomi Mi 8 cache needs regular cleaning

The Xiaomi Mi 8, released in 2018, is still popular with users due to its balanced features: Snapdragon 845 processor, 6 GB of RAM and MIUI based on Android. However, even such hardware gradually begins to slow down – and the reason for this is often crowded cache. These are temporary files that the system and applications create to speed up work, but over time they turn into digital garbage.

The cache on the Mi 8 is divided into three types: app cache (such as Instagram photos or YouTube videos), system cache (MIUI and Android files) and Dalvik cache (optimized data for the Android virtual machine).If the first can be cleaned manually without consequences, then the second and third need to be careful: removing them can slow down the smartphone until the next reboot, until the system restores the necessary files.

When should you think about cleaning?

• 📱 The smartphone began to “lay down” when switching between applications.
• 🔋 The battery goes down faster than usual (cache can take up to 1-3 GB of space and expend energy on background synchronization).
• 📸 The camera or gallery opens for a long time, although the memory on the device is enough.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Some functions are not working properly.

It’s important to understand that cleaning the cache is not a panacea. If the Mi 8 is slowing down due to a worn-out battery or overloaded storage (for example, filled with photos at 48 MP resolution), then deleting temporary files will only have a temporary effect.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications through settings

The safest method is to remove cache for specific programs. This will not affect their data (for example, saved games or chats in messengers), but will free up space. On the Mi 8 with MIUI 12-14, the path to the menu may be slightly different, but the general logic remains.

Instructions:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Choose the app you want (such as Chrome or Facebook).
4. Press Warehouse.
5. Slip on the Clear Cache button (not to be confused with Clear Data – this will delete all program settings!).

How much space can I get? Depends on the app.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Google Maps or Navigators) will take longer to load on the next run after cleaning the cache, as they will have to download the cards again. Also avoid clearing the cache for Google Play Services - this may disrupt push notifications.

Delete the browser cache (Chrome, Mi Browser)

Clear the cache of social networks (Instagram, Facebook, VK)

Check the cache of messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)

Delete temporary game files (if you are playing heavy projects)

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Method 2: Mass cleaning the cache of all applications

If you clean each app's cache separately for too long, MIUI offers a mass-cleaning feature, which will delete the temporary files of all programs except system ones, which is suitable if the smartphone has started to slow down noticeably, but you do not want to do a full reset.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Memory.
2. Click on Cleanup (in some versions of MIUI – Clean up garbage).
3. Wait for the system analysis (it can take 10–30 seconds).
4. Check the box against the app cache (do not touch Unused Files or Big Files unless you are sure of their contents!).
5. Click Clean and confirm the action.

🔹 What happens after cleaning up?

• 📱 Applications can be loaded longer on first launch.
• 🔄 Some games or programs will require re-authorization.
• 📸 Photos and videos in the gallery will remain in place (galleries cache not affected).
• 🔋 Possible temporary increase in battery consumption (the system will recover the cache).

⚠️ Warning: If the Mi 8 has gotten worse since the mass cleanup, it's probably not the cache that's causing the problem, but the fragmented memory or the corrupted system files, and if you do that, you'll only need to reset to factory settings or flash through Fastboot.

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Before mass clearing the cache, close all background applications through the multitasking menu (swipe up and hold) to speed up the process and reduce the risk of crashes.

Method 3: Cleaning the system cache with Recovery Mode

System cache (or cache partition) is a temporary file that Android and MIUI use to speed up the system load, and cleaning it can help if the Mi 8 starts to glitch after an update or stays on for a long time, but this method requires a reboot to Recovery Mode.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time and hold for 5-10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery Mode menu (in English or Chinese).
4. Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to select the Wipe & Reset (or Wipe Cache) item.
5. Select Wipe Cache Partition and confirm the action.
6. Once completed, go back to the main menu and select Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse Wipe Cache Partition with Wipe Data/Factory Reset! The second option will completely reset the smartphone to factory settings, deleting all your data. 2–3 Months – This can lead to unstable work MIUI.

🔹 What does cleaning the system cache do?

• 🔄 Removes freezes when booting the system.
• 📱 Corrects errors after updating MIUI.
• 🔋 It can reduce battery consumption slightly (if the cache has been heavily fragmented).

Method 4: Cleaning Dalvik cache (for power users)

Dalvik cache is an optimized file that Android creates to speed up applications on a virtual machine, and cleaning it can help if the Mi 8 starts to produce errors like "App Stopped" or "Android System Not Responding," but this method requires superuser rights (root) or access to TWRP Recovery.

If you have a TWRP installed:

1. Boot in TWRP Recovery (similar to standard Recovery, but with Power + Volume clamping up longer than 10 seconds).
2. Go to the Advanced section → Wipe Dalvik Cache.
3. Confirm swipe to the right.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: After cleaning the Dalvik cache, the first launch of the smartphone can take up to 5-10 minutes - this is normal, since the system restores optimized files. Do not interrupt the process, even if the screen remains black for a long time! TWRP this method is not available.

🔹 When to Clean Dalvik Cache?

• 🔧 After manual firmware update through TWRP.
• 🐌 If the smartphone became unbearably slow and other methods did not help.
• 🔄 If there are persistent application errors (e.g., "com.android.phone stopped").

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Cleaning Dalvik cache is a last resort. In 90% of cases, 1-3 is enough. If you are not sure about your actions, you better consult a specialist.

Method 5: Automatically cleans the cache with third-party applications

If you are too lazy to manually clean your cache, you can use specialized utilities, but be careful: many Google Play cleaners themselves become a source of garbage or show false warnings about “critical errors.”

Top.-3 supplant 8:

• 🧹 SD Maid (requires root for deep cleaning, but works without it) Pros: deletes residual files after uninstalling programs, cleans the cache of Google Play Services.
• 🔍 Files by Google (from official developer) Pros: simple interface, shows large files and duplicates. Cons: does not clear the system cache.
• 🛠️ CCleaner (popular but Controversial) Pros: massive cache cleanup, autoload optimization. Cons: aggressive advertising in the free version.

How to use SD Maid (for example):

1. Download the app from Google Play and give access to memory.
2. Run the analysis in the CorpseFinder section (search for remnants of remote programs).
3. Go to AppCleaner and select the cache cleaner apps.
4. Press Run and wait until it is completed.

⚠️ Warning: Don't use "optimizers" that promise to "speed up your smartphone by 300%" is a marketing trick. The real acceleration after cleaning the cache will be no more than 10-15%, and then temporarily. SMS Contacts for “optimization” are a sign of fraud.

What NOT to do when cleaning the cache on the Mi 8

Clearing the cache seems like a simple procedure, but many users make mistakes that only make things worse.

Common mistakes:

• 🚫 Cleaning the cache daily will force the system to constantly recover temporary files, which will increase battery consumption and processor load.
• 🚫 Delete the cache of system applications (e.g. Google Play Services or MIUI This can cause notifications or mobile internet to crash.
• 🚫 Use tasks such as *#9900#. These engineering codes are not intended for the average user and may disrupt the communication module.
• 🚫 Clear the cache through ADB Incorrect command (e.g. pm clear instead of pm clear) --cache) delete all application data.

Also avoid “advice” from questionable sources, such as:

• “Format /cache partition via Fastboot” – this will lead to a complete loss of the ability to download the smartphone without flashing.
• “Delete the Android/obb folder to free up space” – game data is stored there, and their removal will disrupt the work of installed projects.

If you are in doubt about your actions, you should use official methods (methods 1-3) or contact the Xiaomi service center. Remember: the Mi 8 is a reliable smartphone, but careless manipulation of system files can turn it into a brick.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning the cache on Xiaomi Mi 8