Cleaning up RAM on Xiaomi Redmi 8: the full guide

Why Redmi 8 is slowing down and how it relates to RAM

Your Xiaomi Redmi 8 is slower, apps are slow to open, and games are hanging? 90% of the time, it’s overloaded RAM. This model is equipped with only 3/4 GB of RAM (depending on the modification), and even the background MIUI processes can take up to 70% of resources, while the system does not always effectively manage memory allocation: some applications “hang” in the background, although you have not used them in a long time.

Many users make the mistake of forcing RAM to be cleaned manually through Task Manager, which has a short-term effect, but exacerbates the problem in the long run: MIUI begins to cache data more aggressively to fill up the vacated space. The right approach is comprehensive optimization, not one-off actions. In this article, we will discuss methods unique to Redmi 8 that do not require root rights and work on MIUI 10-14.

Method 1: Automatic cleaning through “Safety”

MIUI has a built-in RAM freeing tool called the Security App, which not only closes the background processes, but also analyzes the heavy applications that are not using memory efficiently.

• 📱 Open the Security app** (Icon with shield).
• 🔍 Go to the Optimization section → Accelerate.
• ⚡ Click Clear Memory (at the top of the screen).
• 🔄 Turn on the Autoclean option so that the system itself frees up RAM when the screen is locked.

⚠️ If after cleaning the phone began to work even slower, then, MIUI It killed critical system processes, and in that case, reboot the device, and it will restore balance.

Close all active applications manually

Connect your phone to charge (if charge < 20%)

Shut down the mobile internet for 10 seconds

Check the vacant space in the vault (should be) > 1GB)-->

This method is the most gentle, but it does not remove the application cache, which also "eats" RAM. For deep cleaning, move to the next method.

Method 2: Manual cleaning of the application cache

Caches are temporary files that apps create to speed things up, accumulate over time and take up to 500-800MB of RAM in the background. On Redmi 8, the cache can be cleared in two ways:

Option A: Through Application Settings

1. 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
2. 📊 Sort the list by cache size (click on three dots in the upper right corner).
3. 🧹 Select an app (like Facebook or YouTube) and click Clear cache.

Option B: Mass cleaning through storage

• 📁 Open the Settings. → Warehouse.
• 🗑️ Click Clean under App Cache** (usually 1–3 GB).
• 🔄 Reboot your phone to make the changes take effect.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui) this can cause malfunctions. MIUI, including the disappearance of the notification panel.

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the phone is slowing down.

Never clean.-->

Method 3: Disable Auto-Run Unnecessary Applications

Many apps (especially social networks and instant messengers) automatically start when you turn on your phone and hang in the background, consuming RAM. On Redmi 8, you can prevent this:

• 🔍 Select an app (such as TikTok or AliExpress).

Once you disable autorun, these programs won't load when you start, but you can open them manually. Exceptions: don't disable autorun for Google Play Services, MIUI Daemon, and other system components -- that will disrupt your phone.

💡

To find all the apps that are running auto, click on the Application Management menu at three points → Autorun. You can turn off the ones that are not needed en masse.

Method 4: Using the Lite Mode

Xiaomi Redmi 8 supports hidden mode "Light"** (Light interface), which reduces the load on RAM by simplifying animations and disabling background processes.

1. 🔧 Go to Settings. → Special facilities.
2. 🌙 Select Lite Mode (may be called Simplified Mode).
3. ⚡ Turn on the slider and reboot the phone.

In this mode:

• ❌ Some functions are not working MIUI (For example, dual annexes).

Light mode is useful if you need to release memory urgently, but it is inconvenient to use it all the time – the interface becomes too ascetic.

Method 5: Reset MIUI settings (without data loss)

If previous methods didn’t work, try resetting MIUI settings. This won’t delete your files or apps, but will return system settings to factory values, which often solves RAM management problems.

Settings → About phone → Reset settings → Reset MIUI settings

After discharge:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📱 Set up. MIUI Re-select theme, fonts, permissions for applications).
• 🚀 Check the free memory in the settings → The phone. → Memory.

⚠️ Note: This method will reset all personal settings MIUI (Wallpaper, sounds, app resolutions, but not photos, music, or installed programs, and if you have problems after resetting, you'll have to look at hardware issues, like memory wear and tear.

Method 6: Increase virtual memory (swap)

Redmi 8 can create a swap file that uses some of the internal memory as an extra RAM, which won't replace physical memory, but will help with a resource shortage. It requires a root or unlocked bootloader!

If you have root access, do it in Termux or through ADB:

su


dd if=/dev/zero of=/sdcard/swapfile bs=1M count=512




mkswap /sdcard/swapfile




swapon /sdcard/swapfile

This will create a 512MB swap file. To make the changes permanent, add the string /sdcard/swapfile none swap sw 0 0 to the file /etc/fstab.

⚠️ Attention: Frequent swap usage speeds up the wear and tear of internal memory (eMMC). Do not create a paging file larger than 1 GB - this will lead to lags due to slow read/write speeds.

Method 7: Alternative launchers to save RAM

The standard MIUI launcher consumes up to 200-300 MB of RAM even in the idle, and by replacing it with a lighter alternative, you free up resources for other tasks.

To install an alternative launcher:

1. 📥 Download. APK from the official website (for example, Nova Launcher).
2. 🔧 Install the file by allowing installation from unknown sources.
3. 🏠 Click Home and select a new launcher as the main one.

After the launcher is replaced, it will free up to 150-250 MB of RAM, and the interface will become smoother, but some MIUI features (such as Double-Tap for locking) may stop working.

💡

Alternative launchers not only save RAM, but also speed up the opening of applications due to optimized animations. The best choice for Redmi 8 is Lawnchair (minimalistic) or Nova Launcher (advanced users).

Frequent Questions (FAQ)