Memory Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: A Complete Guide with Proven Methods

Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro is a popular smartphone with 64 or 128 GB of internal memory, but even this amount becomes scarce over time. High-resolution photos, app cache, system updates and temporary files fill the storage, slowing down the device. If your Redmi 8 Pro starts to slow down, issue notifications about memory shortages or refuse to install new applications, it’s time to act.

In this article, you will find 7 proven ways to clean up memory, from basic (cache removal) to advanced (file analysis via PC).We will analyze which data can be safely deleted and which should not be touched so as not to disrupt the system. All methods are tested on Redmi 8 Pro with MIUI firmware 12-14 and are relevant for 2026.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly is the memory?

Before you clear the memory at random, determine which files fill it. MIUI has a built-in storage analyzer that will show the allocation of memory into categories: applications, media, cache, system data.

How to check:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Storage.
2. Wait for the analysis to be completed (it may take 10–30 seconds).
3. Click on any category (such as "Apps") to see the details.

Typical memory eaters on the Redmi 8 Pro:

• 📸 Photos and videos – especially in the format HEIF/HEVC (borrow 30–50% Less space, but not all devices support it).
• 🎮 Games like Genshin Impact weigh in ~15GB Call of Duty Mobile – up to 6GB.
• 🗑️ Application cache – temporary files that accumulate over time (can take up to 5-10 GB!).
• 📄 Downloads — PDF, APK, Archives that are downloaded and forgotten.
• 🔄 System Updates – Firmware files (.zip) can remain in memory after installation.

Redmi 8 Pro with MIUI 12+ firmware has a hidden /MIUI/backup folder that stores backups of settings, which can weigh up to 1-2 GB and not show up in a standard analyzer, and you need a root file manager or PC connection to see it.

2.Cache cleaning applications: a quick way to free up 1-5 GB

Cache is a temporary file that applications create to speed up work, accumulate over time and take up gigabytes of memory. On Redmi 8 Pro, the cache can be cleared in two ways: for individual applications or completely for all.

Method 1: Clearing the cache for a specific application

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as YouTube or Telegram).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

Method 2: Mass cleaning of the cache

1. Open the Settings → Storage → Clean.
2. Select the "App Cache" and confirm the action.

Check the vacant space in the vault

Close all active applications

Connect your phone to charge (if the memory is almost full)

Backup of important data (in case of failure)-->

⚠️ Caution: Clearing cache for some applications (such as maps or instant messengers) may result in:

• 🔄 Reload data at the next start (traffic!).
• ⏳ Slowing down the application in the first minutes after cleaning.
• 📱 Loss of temporary files (such as unsent messages to WhatsApp).

Do not clear the cache for system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui or com.miui.home) – this can cause MIUI to malfunction.

3. Deletion of unnecessary files and “digital garbage”

Redmi 8 Pro accumulates files that are not needed for the system to work, but take up space.

• 📁 Download folder – here all downloaded files are stored (APK, PDF, picture).
• 🗑️ folder DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo and video miniatures (can weigh up to a maximum of two) 500 MB!).
• 📥 folder MIUI/backup — backups of settings and applications.
• 🔄 folder Android/obb — game data (e.g. additional levels for Asphalt) 9).

How to delete:

1. Open the built-in Files (or install Solid Explorer from Google Play).
2. Go to the Inner Memory → Folder (e.g. Download).
3. Select unnecessary files and click "Delete".

Table: Safe to delete folders on Redmi 8 Pro

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders Android/data or MIUI It will cause the system to fail, and only delete specific files inside if you are sure of their purpose.

4.Photo and video optimization: how to save up to 50% of space

High-resolution photos and videos are the main memory eaters on the Redmi 8 Pro. The smartphone camera defaults to JPEG (weight ~3-5 MB per photo) and MP4 video (up to 100 MB per minute) and there are several ways to reduce their weight without losing quality:

Method 1: Change the format of saving photos

• 📷 Go to the camera. → Settings → Photo format.
• 🔄 Choose. HEIF instead JPEG — This will reduce the weight of the photo by 30-50% without any visible loss of quality.

Method 2: Reduce video resolution

• 🎥 In the camera settings, select Video Resolution → Full HD (1080p) instead 4K.
• 🔄 This will reduce the weight of a minute video with ~375MB (4K) before ~130 MB (1080p).

Method 3: Use cloud services

• ☁️ Upload photos to Google Photos (up to 15GB free) or Mi Cloud (5GB).
• 🗑️ After downloading, delete the originals from your phone (in the settings of Google Photos there is an option "Free space").

💡

If you shoot videos often, install the Video Compress app from Google Play, which compresses videos without noticeable loss of quality, saving up to 70% of space.

⚠️ Attention: Format HEIF It is not supported by some social networks (for example, VKontakte) and older devices. If you plan to share photos, it is better to leave them. JPEG.

5. System garbage disposal via Safe Mode and ADB

If standard methods didn't work and the memory is still full, the problem may be in system debris that is not visible to the user. On Redmi 8 Pro, this is:

• 🔄 Residual files after updates (/cache and /data/dalvik-cache).
• 📦 Unnecessary APK-file /data/app (remain after removal of applications).
• 🗃️ Logs of the system (/data/log), weighable 1 GB.

Method 1: Cleaning with Safe Mode

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power button and when the Redmi logo appears, hold the Volume button down until Safe Mode loads (there will be a caption at the bottom of the screen).
3. In this mode, remove suspicious apps or clear the cache.
4. Reboot the phone.

Method 2: Cleaning through ADB (for advanced)

If you are familiar with ADB, you can manually delete unnecessary files:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*




rm -rf /cache/*

💡

Cleaning system folders through ADB can cause your phone to run in an unstable way, and only do this if you are confident in your actions and have previously created a backup!

6. Transfer data to a memory card or cloud

The Redmi 8 Pro supports microSD cards up to 512GB, and transferring data to it is one of the most effective ways to free up internal memory.

What can be transferred to SD-map:

• 📸 Photos and videos (via Gallery app) → "Move it").
• 🎵 Music and podcasts.
• 📄 Documents (PDF, Word, Excel).
• 🎮 Some games (through Settings) → Annexes → Move it to SD).

What I CAN'T TREAT:

• 📱 System applications (MIUI block this option).
• 🔧 Application data (e.g. game saving).
• 🔄 System update files.

How to transfer data:

1. Open the files. → Internal memory.
2. Select the files → "More" → "Move it".
3. Choose. SD-map and confirm.

💡

If you put the games on SD-map, use the class map A2 (For example, SanDisk Ultra A2). It is optimized for running applications and runs faster than regular maps.

⚠️ Note: Not all applications will work with SD-For example, WhatsApp and Telegram can give errors when transferring, and the speed of applications from the memory card is lower than from the internal drive.

7. Reset to factory settings: a last resort

If all previous methods failed and the memory is still filled with unknown files, the last option is a factory reset.

• 📱 Applications and their settings.
• 📸 Photos, videos, music.
• 📱 Accounts and passwords (except those synced to Google).
• 📱 Messages and Contacts (unless saved in Google Contacts).

How to reset:

1. Back up your important data (via Mi Cloud or Google Drive).
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Erase all data.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• 🔄 The phone will be like new, with a free memory.
• 📱 At the first inclusion, they will be offered to restore data from the backup copy.
• 🔧 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → Updating the system.

⚠️ Note: Redmi 8 Pro with firmware MIUI 13+ After the reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account. Make sure you remember your login and password!

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleaning on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro