How to clean RAM on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: the complete guide

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T with 3/4 GB of RAM often begins to “brake” after 1-2 years of active use. The reason is not always weak “iron”: the MIUI system tends to clog RAM with background activity of applications, cache and service processes. Unlike flagships, budget models like Note 8T do not have a margin of performance, so every megabyte of RAM counts.

This article is not about “magic buttons” like Clear Memory in the Notification Curtain (they only remove the visible part of the iceberg), we will analyze 7 working methods from basic to advanced, including hidden MIUI 12/14 settings, autoboot optimization and even manual control of processes through ADB. All methods are tested on the Redmi Note 8T with Global and EEA firmware.

Important: The Note 8T has hardware limitations of 4GB of RAM as complete as possible. If the lags remain after cleaning, the problem may lie in the wear of eMMC memory (typical for budget smartphones after 2-3 years of use), in which case only replacing the chip or switching to custom firmware with a core optimized for weak iron will help.

1. Basic cleaning: What removes the button in the notification curtain

The most obvious way is to swipe down to call the notification bar and tap on the Clear button (or Boost in newer versions of MIUI). But what actually happens?

• 🧹 Background applications, other than system applications, are closed (e.g., com.miui.securitycenter).
• 🗑️ Cache of user applications is cleared, but not system.
• ⚠️ Not affected by Google, MIUI Daemon and other critical processes.

The effect of this cleanup is temporary: after 10-15 minutes, RAM clogs again. Why? Because MIUI aggressively restarts closed applications through ActivityManager, for example, Facebook or Instagram can automatically resume work even if you force them to stop.

⚠️ Attention: Frequent use of the Clean button can increase battery consumption. Forced process restarts force CPU cores to run at higher frequencies.

2 Manual process control through the “Developer Settings”

The hidden section of the developer settings allows you to manually control which applications can run in the background.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version (you will be notified “You became a developer”).
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.

Now, find these key options:

Critical: Disabling background processes can disrupt messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram) and geolocation services, and only use this method if you are willing to manually open messaging apps.

Activate Developer Mode |Limit process limit to 2|Disable window animation (accelerates work)|Enable Do not save actions |Check stability after each change-->

3. Cleaning the cache of system applications (without root)

MIUI system applications (e.g. com.miui.weather2 or com.android.browser) can take up to 500-800MB of RAM in the background. Their cache is not cleared by standard methods, but there is a workaround:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all processes.
3. Find applications marked System (e.g. Browser, Weather, Music).
4. Select Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

Pay special attention to these processes:

• 📱 com.miui.home - launcher MIUI (It can take up to 300 MB).
• 🌐 com.android.chrome – even if you don’t use Chrome, it can work in the background.
• 🎵 com.miui.player – a music player, often hangs in the memory.

⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the cache for com.android.phone and com.miui.securitycenter, which can cause network loss or sensor failures.

4. Disable the Autoboot of Applications

The Redmi Note 8T suffers from "autostart," a mechanism that returns closed applications to memory.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook).
3. Slip AutoRun and turn off the slider.
4. Repeat for all “voracious” applications (social networks, instant messengers, games).

For mass shutdown, use the hidden boot menu:

1. Enter the dialer code ##4636##.
2. Select Battery Information → Use of the.
3. Slip on any application and turn off Autostart.

Unique to the Note 8T: On this model, code ##4636## only works on MIUI firmware 11 and below. In MIUI 12+, use an alternative method:

5.Using ADB for Deep Optimization

If previous methods didn’t work, it’s time for ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to disable system processes that can’t be stopped through the interface.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (better-than-original).

Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands:

adb shell


pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics # Disables Xiaomi Analytics Gathering




pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.ab # MIUI Advertising Module




pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.bugreport # Error Reports




pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.cloudservice # Xiaomi Cloud (if not used)




pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.miservice # Service Notifications

Once you have completed the commands, restart the phone, and these processes will no longer start automatically, freeing up to 200-400MB of RAM.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling com.miui.analytics may lead to errors in the work MIUI Account (e.g., the theme will not sync) If you notice a crash, return the process with the command: pm enable com.miui.analytics

adb shell pm list packages > apps_backup.txt

This will help restore the system if something goes wrong.-->

6. transition to lightweight firmware (for advanced)

If the Redmi Note 8T is slowing down even after all the optimizations, the reason could be in the firmware. Stock MIUI is overloaded with unnecessary services, especially in global builds.

• 📱 MIUI Lite – Xiaomi’s lightweight version (officially available for some regions).
• 🛠️ Castom firmware based on Android 10/11 (For example, Pixel Experience or LineageOS).
• ⚡ Kirin core firmware (optimized for weak iron).

The firmware process requires unlocking the bootloader and can lead to a loss of warranty. If you decide, follow the instructions from the XDA-Developers forum for the ginkgo model (codenamed Redmi Note 8T).

Advantages of custom firmware:

• 🚀 Absence of background processes MIUI (savings of up to 1 GB of RAM).
• 🔄 More aggressive memory management (the kernel kills unnecessary processes faster).
• 📉 Lower battery consumption due to lack of analytics.

💡

Switching to custom firmware is a last resort, and before you do that, try all the software optimization methods and check the state of your eMMC memory (for example, through the AIDA64 application).

7 Hardware problems: when cleaning RAM does not help

If the Redmi Note 8T continues to lag after all the manipulations, the problem may be:

1. EMMC wear (typically after 2-3 years of use) can be checked through AIDA64 (Storehouse → Memory State) and Reallocated Sector Count above 100 indicates critical wear.
2. CPU overheating (the Snapdragon 665 in the Note 8T is prone to trottling). Use the CPU Monitor to monitor temperature.
3. Memory malfunctions (rarely, but sometimes) are diagnosed through tests in MemTest86 (requires unlocking the bootloader).

If the diagnosis showed hardware problems:

• 🔧 Replacement of eMMC – temporary solution (cost) ~30–50$).
• 📱 Switching to a new smartphone – if memory wear is critical.
• ⚙️ Installation of light firmware (such as Android Go) to reduce load.

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 8T Often there is a defect in soldered memory (BGA-Symptoms: random reboots, data loss, broken sectors, and in this case, only soldering the chip in the service center will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning RAM on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T