How to completely clean the memory on Xiaomi Mi 8: from cache to system garbage

Xiaomi Mi 8 is still a popular smartphone in 2026, but its 64/128 GB of memory is often clogged with unnecessary files. If your device starts to slow down, issue a notification “Not enough memory” or refuses to install updates, it’s time to conduct a deep cleanup. In this article, we will analyze all the ways to free up space: from basic (cache removal) to advanced (cleaning system logs and dalvik cache through Recovery).

The Mi 8 is a MIUI firmware that actively caches data and creates duplicate files, such as photos from the Gallery can be automatically copied to the MIUI/Extra folder, and instant messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp store media in hidden directories, and we will show you how to find and remove this garbage without breaking the system.

Important: The Mi 8 runs Android 9/10 (depending on the MIUI version), so some methods (like cleaning through Storage Sense) are not available here, but there are unique features like deep cleaning MIUI and manual log files management.

1. Basic cleaning: cache, debris and temporary files

Start with the simplest thing, removing app cache and system debris, and this will free up 1 to 5 GB of storage without risking losing important data.

How to clean the cache on Xiaomi Mi 8:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Slip three dots in the top right corner and select "Sort by size».
• 🗑️ For each major app (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) click Storage → Clear the cache.
• 🚀 For mass cleaning, use the settings → Memory. → Cleaning (garbage icon»).

Note that apps with over 500MB of cache are the main memory eaters, such as Google Play Services or MIUI Launcher can take up to 1-2GB per cache.

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If the cache returns quickly after cleaning, turn off auto-update apps in Google Play or limit background activity in Settings → Battery → Power Saving Mode.

2. Removal of duplicates and unnecessary media files

Xiaomi Mi 8 It has a nasty feature: automatic duplication of photos and videos, for example, pictures from WhatsApp or Viber are saved in the folder of the messenger and in the folder of the messenger. DCIM/Camera. To find and remove duplicates:

Use the built-in tool “Duplicate Search”:

1. Open the gallery → Albums → Utilities → Search for duplicates.
2. MIUI will scan the storage and show the duplicate files.
3. Select unnecessary duplicates and click Remove.

For deep media cleanup, use third-party tools like Files by Google or SD Maid.

• 📸 Blurred or unsuccessful photos (such as random screenshots).
• 🎥 Low-resolution videos (remainders from TikTok or Instagram Stories).
• 🔊 Audio files without tags (downloads from VKontakte or YouTube Music).

3. Clearing system logs and dalvik cache (for advanced)

If the basic methods didn't work, it's time to remove system debris: error logs, temporary update files and dalvik-cache.This will free up 500MB to 1.5GB, but requires caution.

Method 1: Recovery Mode (without root):

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and restart.

Method 2: Through ADB (for power users):

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*




rm -rf /cache/*

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders /data/app or /system — This will result in loss of user data or a device blink. If you are not sure about the commands, use only the first method (via Recovery).

4.Storage optimization through MIUI Lab (hidden functions)

MIUI has hidden memory management tools that you can't see in standard settings, so you can activate them.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5 times on the MIUI version until the notification “You became a developer!” appears.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate MIUI Optimization (MIUI optimization).

Now in the Memory menu will appear new options:

• 🔄 «Deep Cleanup – Deletes residual files of uninstalled applications.
• 📊 «Storage analysis" - shows the distribution of memory by category (system files, user data, etc.).
• 🚫 «Background caching prohibition – restricts caching for selected applications.

Backup important data | Charge your phone at least 50% | Disable two-factor authentication in messengers | Remember account passwords (after cleaning, you may need to re-enter)

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5. Transfer of applications to SD-card (if supported)

Xiaomi Mi 8 doesn’t officially support memory expansion SD-But there's a workaround for moving some of the applications:

1. Put it in. SD-map (class recommended) UHS-I U3 speed).
2. Format it as internal memory through Settings → Memory. → SD-map → Set up as an internal.
3. After formatting, go to Settings → Apps, select the desired application and click Storage → Change. → SD-map.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not all apps support portability (such as WhatsApp or Banking apps).
• ⚠️ After extraction SD-Maps of the transferred applications will stop working.
• ⚡ Speed of application with SD-cards are lower than internal memory.

⚠️ Attention: Formatting SD-The card as internal memory deletes all the data on it and makes it tied to this phone. Once removed, the card cannot be read on other devices without re-formatting.

6.Reset to factory settings (last chance)

If none of the methods worked and the Mi 8 has less than 1 GB of free space, you’ll have to do a hard reset, which will delete all data, including apps, photos and settings, but will return the phone to a “clean” state.

How to reset Xiaomi Mi 8 to factory settings:

1. Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, the phone will look like new.

Alternative method (if the phone is not turned on):

1. Press Volume Up + Power to Enter Recovery.
2. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data.
3. Confirm the reset and wait until it is completed.

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Before resetting to factory settings, be sure to untie the Mi Account in Settings → Xiaomi Account, otherwise after resetting the phone will require entering the old password (Mi Cloud Lock protection).

7. How to prevent memory filling in the future

To prevent the problem from recurring, set up the Mi 8 to auto-optimize:

• 🔄 Include “Autocleaning” in Settings → Memory. → Automatic cleaning (set a schedule, for example, once a week).
• 📥 Limit downloads in messengers: in Telegram, turn off Media Autoload in Settings → Data and memory.
• 🎮 For games, use cloud-based saves (such as Google Play Games) to avoid storing heavy files locally.
• 📂 Check the Download folder regularly – unnecessary ones accumulate here. APK-file.

Also install lightweight analogues of popular applications:

• 📷 Instead of Instagram, Instagram Lite.
• 🎵 Instead of Spotify, YouTube Music (or offline player) VLC).
• 📺 Instead of Netflix, Tubi or Plex (if you watch content on the web).