Cache Clearing on Xiaomi Redmi 8: 5 Ways to Free Memory and Speed Up Your Smartphone

Xiaomi Redmi 8

Clearing the cache

Many users are afraid to delete the cache for fear of losing important data or breaking the system. In fact, cache memory is temporary files that the device can restore on its own. However, there are nuances: for example, cleaning the cache of some applications (for example, messengers) will lead to the re-download of media files. In this article, detailed instructions for Redmi 8, taking into account the features of its MIUI firmware.

We’ll cover all types of cache, from custom cache (which can be manually deleted) to system cache (requires superuser rights), and learn how to automate the process and avoid frequent errors, such as cleaning the cache of system applications, which can lead to crashes.

What is cache and why should it be cleaned on Redmi 8?

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications and a system to speed things up. For example, when you open Instagram, the app caches thumbnails of photos so that it can upload them faster the next time you run them, and over time, these files accumulate, taking up gigabytes of memory.

On Redmi 8, with its modest 4/64GB of memory by modern standards, crowded cache is becoming a critical issue.

• 📱 The phone is noticeably "hangs" when switching between applications.
• 🔄 Applications are loaded long or suddenly closed.
• 📉 Less than 10% of free memory is available (checked in Settings) → The phone. → Warehouse).
• 🔋 Battery discharges faster than usual (the system requires more resources to process garbage).

It is important to understand that there are three types of cache:

1. Application cache – temporary files of individual programs (for example, YouTube or Telegram).
2. System cache - files updates, logs and MIUI service information.
3. Dalvik cache – optimized data for the Android virtual machine (requires root rights to clean).

Redmi 8 with firmware MIUI 12+ system cache can take up to 3-5 GB after several updates, even if you have not installed new applications. OTA-Updates (updates over the air) that don’t always completely delete old files.

Method 1: Cleaning the cache of individual applications manually

The safest method is to remove the cache for specific programs, which will not affect their work, but will free up space.

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

For convenience, sort the applications by cache size:

• 🔍 In the Application Management section, click on three dots in the upper right corner.
• 📊 Select Sort. → By size.
• 🗑️ Remove the cache from the applications that occupy the most space (usually social networks, browsers and instant messengers).

Which apps to clean first:

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of system applications called com.android... or com.miui... this can cause malfunctions. MIUI. For example, cleaning the cache of com.miui.home will reset the desktop settings.

Close all background apps (swipe up in recent menus)

Connect your phone to charge (the process can take 5-10 minutes)

Back up important data (for example, chats in messengers)

Check the vacant storage space (less than 500MB is a reason to clean up)-->

Method 2: Automatically clean the cache through built-in MIUI tools

Xiaomi Redmi 8 has a built-in memory optimization utility called Security, which allows you to clear the cache of all applications at the same time, as well as delete unnecessary files.

Steps for automatic cleaning:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Cleanup tab (in the lower menu).
3. Wait for the scan (usually 10–30 seconds).
4. Click Clean next to Garbage Files or Cache apps.
5. Confirm the action by clicking Clean in the pop-up window.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔍 Automatically finds unnecessary files (including remnants of deleted applications).
• 🛡️ Safer than manual cleaning – does not affect critical system data.
• 📊 Shows how much space will be vacated before the process begins.

However, the security utility does not clear the Dalvik cache and some MIUI service files.

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If the phone still brakes after cleaning the cache, try restarting it. Many MIUI background processes only restart after the reboot.

Method 3: Clearing the cache through Recovery Mode (for power users)

If your smartphone is heavily polluted or unresponsive to standard methods, you can use Recovery mode, which will reset all temporary system files, including the update cache, but will not affect user data (photos, contacts, etc.).

Instructions for Redmi 8:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power and volume buttons up simultaneously.
3. Hold them until the Mi logo and the Recovery menu appear.
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
5. Select the Wipe & Reset option → Wipe Cache.
6. Confirm the action by selecting Yes.
7. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

What cleanses this method:

• 📂 Cash updates (OTA).
• 🔄 Temporary system files (/cache).
• 🖥️ Logs and error dumps.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option will completely reset the phone to factory settings by deleting all your data. On Redmi 8, these items are located next to the Recovery menu.

After a reboot, the system can run slower for the first 5-10 minutes, which is normal, as MIUI recovers the necessary temporary files.

Method 4: Clean Dalvik cache (for root-righted users only)

Dalvik cache is an optimized file for the Android Runtime (ART) virtual machine that speeds up the launch of applications. On Redmi 8, it can take anywhere from 500MB to 2GB. Cleaning up a Dalvik cache is useful if:

• 🐢 The phone is much slower after the update. MIUI.
• 🔄 Applications often crash with the error "App is stopped".
• 📱 Free memory is critically low (less than 1 GB).

To clean up, you will need root rights and an application like Root Explorer or TWRP Recovery, instructions through TWRP:

1. Install TWRP Recovery on Redmi 8 (instructions are available on the 4PDA forum).
2. Download to TWRP (Food + Volume Up).
3. Go to the Advanced section → Wipe Dalvik Cache.
4. Swipe for confirmation.
5. Reboot the phone.

What happens after cleaning:

• ⏳ The first launch of the phone will take 5-15 minutes (the system recollects cache).
• 🔄 Apps will open more slowly in the first hours.
• 📉 Free up to 1-2 GB of memory.

⚠️ Warning: Do not clean Dalvik cache without root rights through standard Recovery! this can lead to bootloop ( looped reboot), as the system will not be able to recover critical files. MIUI 12+ this is required TWRP magisk.

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Cleaning Dalvik cache is a last resort, only try it if other methods have not worked and you are confident in your actions.

Method 5: Using third-party applications to clean up the cache

If the built-in MIUI tools don't work, you can use third-party utilities.The best options for Redmi 8 are:

• 🧹 SD Maid – Deep Cleanup, including Remnants of Remote Applications.
• 🗑️ CCleaner is a simple interface, but fewer features MIUI.
• 🔍 Files by Google – a free tool from Google with garbage cleaning function.

Example of cleaning through SD Maid:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Launch and provide access to the storage.
3. Go to the CorpseFinder tab (search for remnants of remote applications).
4. Press Run and wait for the scan.
5. Select unnecessary files and press Delete.

The pros and cons of third-party cleaners:

Important: some cleaners (like Clean Master) can be aggressive and delete useful files. Redmi 8 is better to use proven utilities from the list above.

How often should I clean the cache on Redmi 8?

The frequency of cleaning depends on the intensity of the phone use.

• 📱 When using actively (many applications, games, social networks) - once every 1-2 weeks.
• 📵 With moderate use (calls, messengers, browser) - once a month.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI — be sure to clear the cache of system applications (e.g. com.miui.updater).

Signs that it is time to clean the cache:

• 📉 Free memory less than 1 GB (checked in Settings) → Warehouse).
• 🔋 The phone is warming for no apparent reason.
• 🐢 Applications open longer than 3-5 seconds.
• 🔄 Errors such as “Missing memory” or “App is not responding” appear".

Do not clean the cache too often – this can lead to the opposite effect: the system will constantly reassemble temporary files, consuming the resources of the processor and battery.

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To clean the cache less often, turn off autoloading media files in messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and limit the background activity of applications in the battery settings (Settings → Battery → Application Selection).

What to do if cleaning the cache does not help

If Redmi 8 continues to slow down after all the manipulations, the problem could be deeper.

• 🔋 Worn-out battery – if the phone turns off at 20 to 30% charge, replace the battery. On the Redmi 8, it’s a common problem after 2-3 years of use.
• 📱 Overflowing Storage – If less than 500MB is available, delete unnecessary files or transfer them to a memory card.
• 🔄 Outdated firmware - update MIUI Up to the latest version (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 🛠️ Failure to work MIUI — Reset your settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and reset), but pre-repair backup.

If the problem is hardware (like worn-out flash memory), cleaning the cache won't help, in which case consider replacing the memory module or buying a new phone.

• 🔋 Battery (after 500-600 charge cycles).
• 📱 EMMC-Memory (with frequent recording/deletion of files).
• 🔌 Charging connector (due to mechanical wear).

To diagnose hardware problems, use the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code ##4636##.
3. Go to the Battery Information tab or Storage Use.

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