The Xiaomi Mi 8, launched in 2018, is still popular thanks to its powerful processor and high-quality screen. However, over time, even the fastest flagship starts to run slower and memory space disappears rapidly, the main reason for this phenomenon is the accumulation of temporary files that the system and applications create to speed up their work.
This temporary data, known as cache, helps open frequently used programs faster, but an excess of it can cause crashes. If you notice that the interface slows down and applications fly out, cleaning the cache is the first step to restore normal device performance.
In this article, we will take a look at all the cleanup options available, from standard MIUI tools to advanced methods through an engineering menu, and learn how to distinguish useful data from digital garbage and safely free up gigabytes of space without losing personal information.
Why you need to clean the cache on Xiaomi Mi 8
Cache is a buffer zone where you store copies of frequently requested data. When you open a browser or social network, the device stores some of the images and scripts so that the next time you log in, the page loads instantly. On the Xiaomi Mi 8, with its high-resolution screen, such files can take up a significant amount of space.
The problem arises when old cache files conflict with new versions of applications or are damaged by system errors. Instead of speeding up, they start to slow down the processor and take up precious space. Regular cleaning allows you to eliminate these conflicts and return the system to its former responsiveness.
⚠️ Cache cleaning does not delete your personal photos, contacts or correspondence in messengers. It is a secure procedure that affects only temporary files.
This is especially true for models with less internal storage, and if your Mi 8 has 64 or 128 GB, it can overflow faster than the owners of the larger versions, and understanding what we delete helps to avoid the fear of losing important data.
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Use the Cleanup function in the Security app once a week to maintain optimal system speed.
Use of the built-in "Security" application
The easiest and most reliable way to delete temporary files is to use the standard tool from the developers of MIUI. Security app is preinstalled on every smartphone Xiaomi and optimized to work with the file system of the device.
To get started, open the app menu and find the green shield icon. Once you run the program, you'll see the Cleaner button in the top left corner or in the center of the screen, depending on the shell version, and the system will automatically analyze the storage and find files that can be deleted.
☑️ Checking before cleaning
After scanning, the system will prompt you to remove the "garbage." It's important to look closely at the list, as sometimes there may be large files that you forgot to delete manually. The standard analyzer usually finds the browser cache, gallery thumbnails and temporary update files.
- 📱 Click on the desktop security application icon.
- 🔍 Wait for the automatic scanning of the system to be completed.
- 🗑️ Click the Clean button to remove the debris found.
- 📂 If necessary, select Files for manual sorting of large documents.
This method is the safest for inexperienced users: MIUI algorithms know which files are critical to the system and which can be deleted without consequences, and regular use of this tool prevents critical overflow of memory.
Clearing the cache of individual applications
It often happens that a particular app, such as Instagram or YouTube, grows to an incredible size, taking several gigabytes. In such cases, global cleaning may not be enough, and a targeted impact on the heavyweight is required.
To get to the settings of a particular program, go to the Settings menu and select the App. Next, click All Apps and find the program you want in the list. In the menu that opens, select Memory, where you will see the Clean and Clear Everything button.
| Action. | What's removed | Impact on data |
|---|---|---|
| Clear the cache | Temporary files, thumbnails | Secure, data is stored |
| Clear it all up. | Cash, logins, settings, databases | Complete reset of the annex |
| Delete the appendix | All program files | Re-installation required |
It is important not to confuse the Clean button (which only cleans the cache) and Clean everything (which resets the app to factory state).If you press the second button, you will have to re-enter passwords and configure the program. Be careful when working with messengers such as Telegram or Viber.
Why is the app's cache growing so fast?
Cleaning through the Recovery menu
For deeper cleaning that affects system partitions, you can use Recovery Mode Recovery Mode. This method is useful if the phone is unstable or hangs on the logo. On the Xiaomi Mi 8, the keyboard combination enters this mode.
Turn off the smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the volume button and the power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power, but keep the volume up until the Main Menu menu appears.
This menu is controlled by volume buttons (up/down) and power button (select). Find the Wipe Data item and select it. Next, choose Wipe Cache. The system will warn about the consequences, confirm the action.
- 🔌 Turn off your smartphone and wait for the process to stop completely.
- 🔊 Hold the volume.+ and feeding at the same time.
- 📉 In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Cache with volume buttons.
- ✅ Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.
⚠️ Note: In the Recovery menu, do not select Wipe All Data unless you want to lose all your photos and contacts.
Once you've cleaned, select Back to Main Menu and then Reboot. The phone will reboot, and the first run may take longer than usual. This is the normal system reaction to clearing system temporary files.
Use of third-party utilities
If built-in tools are not enough, the market offers a variety of third-party solutions, applications like CCleaner, SD Maid or Clean Master can find remnants of remote programs and hidden debris that a standard MIUI analyzer misses.
However, installing such programs on the Xiaomi Mi 8 requires caution: Aggressive cleaners can delete files necessary for the system to work or constantly hang in the background, consuming the battery.
When you install, pay attention to the permissions you're asking for, if a simple cleaner requires access to contacts, microphones, geolocation, that's a wake-up call. A good program works locally and doesn't require excessive access rights to personal data.
Third-party utilities are particularly useful for finding duplicate files and large forgotten downloads, and they can visualize the storage by showing which folders take up the most space, which helps you decide which applications should be removed completely.
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MIUI’s built-in tools handle 90% of cleaning tasks, making installing third-party software often a redundant measure.
Prevention of memory overflow
To avoid having to clean the cache constantly, it is better to prevent it from accumulating uncontrolledly. Set up automatic cleaning in the Security app. To do this, go to the cleaning settings and activate the Clean Automatic function when you reach a certain filling threshold.
Also worth reviewing your messaging habits: Telegram and WhatsApp can limit automatic downloads of media files, go to the settings of each messenger, find the Data and Memory section, and turn off autoboot for mobile networks and Wi-Fi.
Check Downloads regularly, often with APK installation files that are no longer needed after installing programs, or with old documents, removing those files frees up space more effectively than cleaning the cache.
- ⚙️ Activate auto-cleaning in the standard Security app.
- 💬 Turn off autoloading photos and videos in messengers.
- 📁 Once a month manually check the download folder.
- 🚫 Remove unused apps right away, don’t store them “just in case».
Compliance with these simple rules will allow your Xiaomi Mi 8 to work quickly and steadily for a long time, memory will remain free, and the system will not waste resources on processing unnecessary temporary data.