Xiaomi Redmi 8, released in 2019, is still a popular budget smartphone due to balanced specs and support MIUI. But over time, even this reliable machine starts to slow down, applications take a long time to load, the system hangs down, and there is less free memory, because of the filled cache that accumulates over the years, but not everyone knows that there are different caches: system, application cache and even hidden cache. MIUI, which is not cleaned by standard methods.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to clean up the Redmi 8 cache, including little-known tricks through the engineering menu and Recovery that don’t require root rights, which cache can be deleted without consequences, and which should not be touched so as not to break the system, and we’ll analyze why memory is refilled after cleaning – and how to avoid it.
What is cache and why should it be cleaned on Redmi 8?
Cache is a temporary file that creates a system and applications to speed things up. For example, when you open Instagram, the app caches thumbnails of photos so that it can show them faster the next time it runs, and the problem is that over time, these files accumulate, taking up gigabytes of memory, and the benefits are minimal.
On the Redmi 8, with its modest 3/32GB or 4/64GB of storage, cache cache cache is becoming a critical issue.
- 📱 The phone slowly opened apps, although it used to run them instantly.
- 🔄 After restarting the free memory becomes noticeably larger (this is cleared temporary cache).
- 📉 In the "Storage" section (Settings) → The phone. → Warehouse) can be seen that "Cash" is >1GB.
- 🔋 Battery goes down faster than usual (the system spends resources on processing unnecessary files).
However, not all cache can be deleted without consequences, for example, cleaning the cache of system applications like Google Play Services can lead to account sync errors, and deleting the MIUI Launcher cache will reset the location of icons on the desktop.
Method 1: Clearing the cache through standard MIUI settings
The safest and easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for removing the cache of user applications (WhatsApp, Chrome, TikTok, etc.), but does not affect system files.
Instructions:
- Open the settings (cog on the desktop).
- Go to the Apps → Application management.
- Select the app you want to clear (like Facebook).
- Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
- For bulk cleaning, go back to Application Management, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and select Sort by size, so you can see which apps take up the most space.
⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the cache of system applications with an icon MIUI (For example, com.miui.home or com.android.phone, this can cause your phone to crash, and avoid clearing the cache of the Google Play Market and Google Services Framework, or you will have to re-sign in to your Google account.
☑️ Checklist before cleaning the cache
Method 2: Deep Cleaning with Security App
MIUI has a hidden deep cleaning tool called Security, which not only removes cache, but also optimizes autoboot, closes the background processes, and finds junk files.
How to use:
- Open the Security app (the shield icon). If it's not on your desktop, search through the search (swipe down the screen → type "Security").
- Go to the Cleaner tab.
- Press Deep Clean and wait for the scan.
- Check the boxes: 🗑️ Cash app. 📁 Unnecessary files (includes temporary files and remnants of deleted applications) 🔍 Residual files (if any)
Don't celebrate.
Downloads.
Large files
Clean up
💡 Useful tip: The same menu also has Boost, which closes the background apps, but doesn't delete the cache, and use it if your phone starts to lie down while playing or watching videos.
💡
If the app is slower after cleaning the cache, don't worry, it's temporary, the cache will start filling again, and the speed will return.
Method 3: Clear partition cache via Recovery Mode
If standard methods don’t work and your phone is slowing down, try clearing the Wipe Cache Partition through Recovery, which doesn’t delete personal data, but resets temporary system files that can cause crashes.
⚠️ Note: Do not confuse Wipe Cache Partition with Wipe Data/Factory Reset! The second option will wipe everything off your phone, including photos and contacts.
Instructions:
- Turn off Redmi 8.
- Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time and hold for ~10 seconds until the MI logo and Recovery menu appear.
- Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
- Choose a language (usually English or English).
- Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
- Confirm action (Yes).
- After you complete the process, select Reboot to System.
What happens if you interrupt the process in Recovery?
Method 4: Manually clean the cache of system applications (for experienced)
Some MIUI system applications (e.g., com.miui.weather2 or com.xiaomi.scanner) accumulate gigabytes of cache but don’t show up in the standard cleaning menu, and you’ll need access to hidden settings to find them.
Instructions:
- Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version until the notification "You've become a developer!" appears.
Settings → Additional → For Developers
Do not turn off background processes
App Inspector
Google Play
ADB
com.miui.gallery
Settings → Applications
⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of the following packets unless you know what they are responsible for:
| Packet name | What's going to happen when you clean up? |
|---|---|
| com.android.phone | Reset network settings (may disappear saved Wi-Fi passwords) |
| com.google.android.gsf | Problems with synchronizing Google account |
| com.miui.home | Reset the desktop (icons, widgets, wallpaper) |
| com.xiaomi.finddevice | Find My Device features can be disabled |
Method 5: Automatically cleans the cache with third-party applications
If you are too lazy to clean the cache manually, you can use third-party utilities, but be careful: many Google Play cleaners accumulate cache themselves and display false notifications of “critical errors.”
- 🧹 SD Maid (paid version) – deletes residual files and cache of even system applications.
- 🔍 Files by Google – Google’s free trash cleaner.
- 🛠️ CCleaner is a classic cleaner, but there are a lot of ads in the latest versions.
💡 Tip: Before using third-party apps, disable their autorun in Settings → Annexes → Auto-start, otherwise they will consume the resources of the phone.
How to set up automatic cleaning in SD Maid:
- Open the application and grant permissions to access memory.
- Go to the CorpseFinder tab (search for residual files).
- Press Run and wait for the scan.
- Check the boxes for Cache and Orphaned files.
- Press Delete and confirm.
💡
The side of the cache cleaning app can be useful, but often cause the brakes themselves. Use them only when urgently needed and remove after cleaning.
How to prevent fast cache filling on Redmi 8
Cleaning the cache is a temporary solution, so that the problem does not come back every week, follow these tips:
- 📵 Limit the background activity of applications: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management. Select an app (e.g. Facebook) → Battery → Background activity → Limit.
- 🔄 Turn off auto-update apps: Open the menu on Google Play → Settings → Auto-update of applications → Never.
- 🗃️ Transfer the cache to the memory card: Insert microSD (up to 512 GB supports Redmi 8). In the application settings (for example, WhatsApp), select Storage → Memory. SD-map.
- 📥 Use the “Lite” versions of apps: Replace Facebook with Facebook Lite, Messenger with Messenger Lite, etc.
📊 According to Xiaomi, after turning off background activity for the 10 most voracious applications (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc.), the average gain of free memory on Redmi 8 is 1.2-1.8 GB per month.