How to clean memory on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: from cache to complete reset

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T, with its 32/64/128GB of internal memory, is quickly clogged with photos, apps and system debris. Even if you don't install games, app cache, MIUI updates and background processes can eat up gigabytes of space. In this article, 7 proven ways to clean up memory, including the hidden features of MIUI 12/13/14, that are not obvious to most users.

The Redmi Note 8T (codename willow) features internal memory (for applications) and external memory (for files). Many users don't know that even with a microSD, some data (like the Google Play cache) still takes up internal memory, and we'll look at how to transfer applications to a memory card, which files can be safely deleted, and when to resort to hard reset.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly eats memory?

Before you clean it, you need to know which files are taking up space. MIUI has a built-in storage analyzer, but it's hidden in the back of the menu.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Storage.
2. Slip on the schedule of occupied space (usually blue).
3. Wait for the scan (can take up to 2 minutes).

The system will show the distribution of memory into categories: Applications, Images, Videos, Audio, Documents and others.

• 📁 Temporary update files (.apk and.zip in folder) Download/MIUI)
• 🗑️ Google Play Services cache (can weigh up to 1-2 GB)
• 🔄 Logs of the system (/data/log — root-only)
• 📱 Mi Cloud backups (if automatic backup is enabled)

If the analyzer shows that more than 50% of the memory is occupied by the "Other" - this is a signal for a deep cleanup, in which case the usual deletion of photos will not help.

2.Cleaning the application cache: safe and efficient

Cache is a temporary file that applications create to speed up work, and over time, they accumulate and can take up to 3-5 GB.

Method 1: Clearing the cache for all applications at once

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data!).

Method 2: Selective cleaning for “gluttonous” applications

Some apps are particularly active in cache accumulation.-5 culprits on the Redmi Note 8T enter:

• 🎮 PUBG Mobile/Call of Duty (cache up to 2GB)
• 📷 Google Photos (cache of thumbnails)
• 🗺️ Google Maps (offline maps)
• 📺 YouTube (cash video)
• 💬 Telegram (downloaded media)

To clean them:

1. Go to Settings → Apps.
2. Find the right app and tap it.
3. Select Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache for Mi Gallery and Mi Video - this can lead to loss of thumbnails and metadata of media files.

3. Deletion of unnecessary files and “digital garbage”

The Redmi Note 8T has a few junk folders that you can safely clean.

For automated cleaning, we recommend using Files by Google (available in the Play Market).

• 🔍 Finding large files (>100MB)
• 🗑️ Remove duplicates and fuzzy photos
• 📁 Clean up downloads from old files
• 📊 Show which applications have not been used >30 days

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from folders /sdcard/MIUI/Theme/ and /sdcard/MIUI/Wallpaper/ — This can lead to a failure of the theme of the design MIUI. If you need to free up space, transfer these folders to a microSD.

4. Transfer applications and data to a memory card

The Redmi Note 8T supports microSD up to 256GB, but not all data can be transferred to it.

What can be transferred:

• 📷 Photos and videos (via Gallery or file manager)
• 🎵 Music and podcasts (manually or through Google Play Music)
• 📄 Documents (.pdf,.docx,.xlsx)
• 🎮 Part of the game data (e.g. cache) PUBG Mobile)

What I CAN'T move:

• 📱 System applications (Mi Home, Security)
• 🔒 Annexes with OBB-files (most games)
• 📋 Data data WhatsApp/Telegram (Only manually through export)
• 🔄 System updates (.zip in) /cache)

To transfer applications (where possible):

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Spotify).
3. Slip the vault. → Change. → Memory map.
4. Confirm the transfer (may take up to 5 minutes).

Important: After the transfer, the application can run slower, since the microSD (even the A1 class) loses the speed of the internal memory of eMMC 5.1.

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Before perenosoming applications to the memory card, format it as internal (in Settings → Storage → Memory Map → Settings → Format as internal) This will allow you to install applications directly on the SD, but the card will be tied to the phone and will not be read on other devices.

5. Cleaning up the system: removing updates and unnecessary features

MIUI is known for accumulating update debris, and every time you upgrade, you leave old files in your /cache folder that you can delete without risk.

Method 1: Cleaning Update Cache

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner.
3. Select Remove the downloaded service pack.
4. Confirm removal (released to 1-2 GB).

Method 2: Disabling unnecessary system applications

MIUI has a lot of apps that you can't delete, but you can turn off, and it won't free up much space, but it will reduce background activity.

• 🎵 Mi Music (if you use Spotify or YouTube Music)
• 📺 Mi Video (if you watch a video on YouTube or on YouTube) VLC)
• 📰 Mi Browser (if you use Chrome or Firefox)
• 💼 Mi Pay (unless you use contactless payments in China/India)

To disable:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find an unneeded app (like Mi Browser).
3. Turn it off (do not delete!).
4. Confirm the action.

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable Security (antivirus), Finder (device search) and Mi Share (fast file transfer function). MIUI.

6.Reset to factory settings: a last resort

If all previous methods failed and the phone still shows "Memory is full," it's time to consider a hard reset.

• 📱 Installed applications and their data
• 📷 Photos, videos, music (if not on the internet) SD-map)
• 📋 Contacts, SMS, call-book
• 🔑 Settings Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, accounts

Before discharge, it is mandatory:

1. Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Copy photos and videos to your computer or cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
3. Export contacts to.vcf (via Contacts → Settings → Export).
4. Take a picture or write down your Wi-Fi passwords (they will reset!).

For discharge:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Settings Reset.
3. Choose to Erase All Data (not Reset Network Settings!).
4. Enter your password (if installed) and confirm.

The phone will reboot and start the reset process (it will take 5-10 minutes), and after switching on, you will be asked to configure the device as new.

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Factory reset is the only way to completely clean the /data partition, which stores the remnants of remote applications and system debris, but this is an extreme measure: use it only if other methods have not worked.

7 Hidden MIUI features to save space

MIUI has a few little-known features that help save space without manual cleaning, often overlooked by even experienced users:

• 🔄 Autocleaning Cache: Included in Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning up garbage → Autoclean.The phone will automatically delete the cache once a week.
• 📸 Photo compression: The camera has the option of Photo Quality → This reduces the weight of the images by 30-40% without noticeable loss of quality.
• 🎥 Video recording restriction: In camera settings, you can set a video duration limit (e.g., 3 minutes) to avoid giant files.
• 📱 Light mode. MIUI: B Settings → Special facilities → Light mode turns off animations and background processes, which reduces the load on memory.
• 🔒 Protection against duplicates: The Gallery has a function Smart grouping, which finds similar photos and offers to leave the best.

Another useful feature is the virtual disk in MIUI 12+, which allows you to create an encrypted area on the memory card where you can transfer sensitive files without taking up internal memory.

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Memory Map.
2. Tap Settings → Create a private disk.
3. Set the password and confirm.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Redmi Note 8T