How to completely clean memory on Xiaomi Redmi 8: from cache to system files

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of the most popular budget smartphones with 32/64 GB of internal memory, but even this amount becomes scarce over time. High-resolution photos, app cache, system updates and hidden MIUI files eat up precious megabytes, slowing down the device. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to clean up memory from basic to advanced, including hidden MIUI functions and working with ADB.

It’s important to understand that just removing unnecessary files is not enough. On Redmi 8 (as on other Xiaomi smartphones), system backups, duplicate media files and residual data from deleted applications take up some of the memory, and we’ll show you how to find and remove this “invisible garbage” without resorting to radical measures like factory resets.

If your smartphone is slowing down, you give a notification "Memory is full" or the applications are not updated, this guide will help you return up to 10-15 GB of free space without losing important data.

1. Basic cleaning: Deletion of cache and unnecessary files

The first step is to get rid of the temporary files that accumulate as you go about your business, and on Redmi 8, you can do that through both the built-in MIUI tools and third-party utilities, starting with the standard tools.

Open the Settings menu → Storage. Here you'll see a diagram of the memory distribution by category: Apps, Images, Video, Audio, and Other. Click on "Other" -- this is where most of the garbage is hidden: cache, system logs, and residual files.

• 🧹 Clearing the application cache: Tap on the item "App cache" and confirm the removal. This is safe - the cache will recover the next time programs run.
• 🗑️ Delete downloads: Check the Download folder in the Files section. Unneeded downloads often accumulate here. APK, documents and archives.
• 📁 Duplicates and large files: In the same "Storage" menu there is a "Recommendations" tab, where the system suggests removing duplicate photos, old screenshots and large files.

Third-party utilities like CCleaner or Files by Google can find additional junk, but beware: some aggressively delete data, which can lead to app crashes. We recommend starting with the built-in MIUI tools.

⚠️ Note: Do not manually clear the cache of system applications (such as com.android.phone or com.miui.home) through application settings. MIUI.

2. Memory Cleansing through "Security" and "Optimization"

MIUI has a built-in Security tool that not only scans the device for viruses, but also helps free up memory. Open the Security app (the shield icon) and go to the Cleanup tab. Here you will see three main sections:

• 🗃️ Garbage files: Temporary files, remnants of deleted applications and cache.
• 📱 Unused Apps: Programs you haven’t used for more than 30 days.
• 📎 Large files: Videos, archives and documents larger than 10MB.

Pay particular attention to the Deep Clean section, which hides residual files from remote applications that standard methods do not touch, for example, after uninstallation of the game, there may be folders with saves or cache in /Android/obb/.

Also, in the Optimization menu (in the same Security app), you can turn off the background activity of applications, which will reduce the load on the memory and processor. This will not free up space directly, but will reduce the number of temporary files created.

Start “Security” → Cleanup → Delete garbage files

Check the Download folder for unnecessary files

Remove duplicate photos in the Gallery → Albums → Duplicates

Disable autoload media in instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)-->

3. Manual deletion of system files (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you'll have to dig deeper. On Redmi 8, you'll have system backups, log files, and update cache, and you'll need a root file manager (like Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer) or ADB to delete them.

First, we'll try to get away with rooting. Connect your smartphone to your PC and use ADB to delete unnecessary files. Open the command line and type in:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster # Cache cleaner


adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary system files




adb shell rm -rf /cache/* # Cache partition cleaning (requires reboot)

A more radical way is to delete update files that remain after installing new versions. MIUI. They're stored in a folder. /data/ota_package/ and can borrow up to 2–3 GB. They can only be removed through ADB or TWRP:

adb shell su


rm -rf /data/ota_package/*

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /system or /vendor rootless can lead to a device blink. Don't follow commands unless you're sure they're being used.

4. Transfer data to a memory card or cloud

If internal memory is sorely lacking, consider transferring some of the data to a microSD or cloud storage. Redmi 8 supports cards up to 512GB, but there are nuances:

• 📱 Annexes to SD-map: B MIUI You can only transfer some of the applications. → Annexes → Select the application → Warehouse → Change. → Memory card. Please note that not all programs support this mode.
• 🖼️ Photo and video: In the Gallery, select files, click "More» → «Move" and specify the memory card. Alternatively, automatically upload to Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
• 🎵 Music and Documents: Use the file manager to manually transfer the Music, Documents, and Download folders.

For cloud storage, Google Drive, Mi Cloud (15 GB free for Xiaomi users) or Yandex Drive are suitable. Set up automatic synchronization of photos and videos in the settings of the respective applications.

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If you use the card as an internal storage (Adoptable Storage), back up the data before formatting, and when you extract the card, the applications installed on it will stop working.

5. Factory reset: a last resort

If all previous methods fail, you will have to reset completely, which will delete all data, including accounts, apps and media files, so back up:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select the data to save (contacts, messages, applications) and click “Create a backup”.
3. Copy the backup file to your PC or memory card.
4. Return to the “Backup and Reset” menu and select “Reset settings”.

Once reset, the phone will reboot to its original state, and you can recover the data from the backup, but remember, this will also return some of the junk files, to avoid the memory clogging again:

• 🚫 Don’t restore app backups – install them manually from Google Play.
• 🔄 Turn off autoloading media files in messengers.
• 📊 Check the storage regularly through “Security» → «Cleanup».

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 8 reset via Recovery (Power buttons) + Vol Up) can cause the bootloader to lock if the device has been unlocked before. Use only reset via settings.

6.Memory optimization to prevent clogging

To prevent the problem from recurring, configure your smartphone so that it creates fewer unnecessary files:

• 📸 Photo and video: In camera settings (Settings) → Camera. → Select 12 MP instead of 48 MP – this will reduce the size of the images by 2-3 times without noticeable loss of quality.
• 🎮 Games: In the settings of the game graphics (for example, in PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Choose Balanced or Low Mode instead of Call of Duty HDR/Ultra.
• 📥 Downloads: In Chrome or Mi Browser, turn off automatic file downloads: Settings → Downloads. → Ask where to save files.

It is also useful to disable unnecessary system services:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → All applications.
2. Find Mi Video, Mi Music, Browser, and other standard programs you don’t use.
3. Select “Disable” or “Delete Updates” (if the button is active).

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Regularly cleaning the cache and transferring media files to a memory card can free up to 30% of internal storage without drastic measures.

Alternative methods: shutdown MIUI Optimizations and ADB-team

For advanced users, there are deep optimization methods that require unlocking the bootloader or using ADB. For example, disabling MIUI Optimizations can reduce the number of temporary files the system creates:

adb shell settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 1

This command disables some of the background MIUI processes, which can free up memory and speed up work a little, but after a reboot, some functions (such as navigation gestures) may not work properly.

Another way is to limit the number of backups that the system creates, and by default, MIUI stores up to 5 copies of settings, which takes up to 1 GB.

adb shell settings put global backup_max_sets 2

This will reduce the size of the /data/backup folder, but keep in mind that when you reset, you can only restore the last two backups.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Redmi 8