Xiaomi 8 Pro is the flagship of 2018, which still remains relevant thanks to the powerful hardware and support for MIUI 14. However, even 128 GB of internal memory over time clogged with unnecessary files: app cache, duplicate photos, remnants of deleted programs and system debris. If your smartphone began to “slow down”, issue notifications about memory shortages or spontaneously close applications – it’s time to clean up.
In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to clean up memory on Xiaomi 8 Pro, including hidden MIUI features, working with ADB for power users and safe methods of removing garbage without risking losing important data. Particular attention will be paid to the unique problem of this model – “hang” cache after MIUI updates via OTA, which blocks up to 3-5 GB of memory.
1. MIUI Integrated Tools: Cleaning Cache and Garbage
To start with, basic methods that don't require third-party applications to be installed. MIUI has a built-in Cleanup tool that deletes temporary files, remnants of deleted programs and cache, and to use it:
- Open the Settings → Memory.
- Slip the Clean button in the Garbage section.
- Confirm the action by selecting Clear [X]MB.
This method removes up to 1-2 GB of unnecessary data, but often leaves deep system caches intact. For example, after updating MIUI 12 → MIUI 14 on Xiaomi 8 Pro, up to 500-800 MB of “dead” cache from older firmware versions can remain in memory.
For deeper cleaning:
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
- 🔍 Sort programs by cache size (tap on cache size).
- 🧹 Select cache apps > 100MB (e.g. YouTube, Telegram, Google Play Services) and click Clear cache.
- ⚠️ Do not clear the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui) – this can cause shell malfunctions.
⚠️ Attention: Clearing the Google Play Services cache may temporarily disrupt Google services (such as push notifications.
2. Removal of duplicate photos and videos
One of the main memory eaters on the Xiaomi 8 Pro is duplicate photos and videos.
- 📸 Automatic backup in Google Photos and Mi Cloud.
- 🔄 Synchronization with messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
- 🎥 Screenshots and screen recordings that are saved in DCIM/Screenshots.
To search for duplicates:
- Install Files by Google (free in the Play Market).
- Open the Cleanup section → Duplicate files.
- Select unnecessary copies and click Delete.
The alternative is to manually check folders:
/storage/emulated/0/DCIM/
/storage/emulated/0/Pictures/
/storage/emulated/0/Download/
/storage/emulated/0/Movies/💡
Before mass deleting duplicates, enable the display of hidden files in any file manager (for example, in Mi File Explorer: Settings → Show hidden files). Often duplicates are hidden in folders like.thumbnails or.cache.
| Type of file | Typical duplicate size | Is it safe to remove? |
|---|---|---|
| Screenshots | 500MB - 2GB | Yeah, unless you need it for work. |
| Cash Google Photo | 1-3 GB | Yes, but photos should be uploaded to the cloud. |
| Video from messengers | 2–5 GB | Yes, if you have copies saved in chat rooms. |
| APK-file | 300MB - 1GB | Yes, if the applications are already installed |
3. Clearing Dalvik and ART cache (for power users)
The Dalvik/ART system cache is a temporary file that is created when you run applications. On the Xiaomi 8 Pro with MIUI 14, this cache can take up to 1-1.5 GB, but it cannot be cleaned by standard means.
- Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times)
- Enable USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute commands through ADB: adb shell su rm -r /data/dalvik-cache/*
After cleaning, be sure to restart the device. The first start after this procedure can take up to 5-10 minutes - this is normal, since the system recovers the cache.
⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB If you're not sure what you're doing, skip this method or use an alternative, the app. SD Maid (requires root rights).
What happens if you delete Dalvik cache without rebooting?
4. Remove unnecessary system applications (without root)
Xiaomi 8 Pro comes with pre-installed apps (bloatware), which can not be removed by standard methods.
- 🎵 Mi Music and Mi Video (Duplicate Google Play Music and YouTube).
- 📰 Mi Browser (less secure than Chrome or Firefox).
- 🛒 GetApps, Mi Pay, Mi Credit (not relevant outside of China).
You can remove them through ADB without obtaining root rights:
- Connect your phone to your PC and activate Debugging via USB.
- Download Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools.
- In the list of applications, mark the unnecessary and click Uninstall.
List of safe packets to remove (for Xiaomi 8 Pro):
com.miui.videoplayer
com.miui.player
com.android.browser
com.xiaomi.mipicks
com.miui.analogclock
com.miui.bugreport
com.xiaomi.payment✅ Create a backup copy of important data
✅ Check the list of safe packets to remove
✅ Charge your phone at least 50 times%
✅ Connect the original USB-cable (do not use hubs)
5.Storage optimization with the help of SD-map
If your Xiaomi 8 Pro has a slot for microSD, you can transfer some of the data to an external drive, but MIUI does not support full-fledged memory expansion through Adoptable Storage (as on pure Android), but allows:
- 📁 Transfer files manually (photos, videos, documents).
- 🎮 Installation of annexes SD-card (only if it is formatted as internal memory, but this will reduce its speed).
How to transfer applications to SD:
- Insert a memory card (UHS-I Class 10 is recommended).
- Format it as internal memory in Settings → Memory. → SD-map.
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the application and tap Transfer to SD-Card (not available for all programs).
⚠️ Attention: Formatting SD-The card as internal memory makes it tied to this device, and once it's retrieved, it's not available on other devices, and it also increases the wear and tear of the card because of the frequent recording operations.
6.Reset to factory settings (last chance)
If all previous methods failed and the Xiaomi 8 Pro has less than 1-2 GB of free space, you will have to resort to hard reset.
- 📱 Installed applications and their settings.
- 📂 Photos, videos, music (unless synced to the cloud).
- 📋 Accounts and passwords (except those linked to a Google account).
How to reset:
- Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
- Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
- Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
After discharge:
- 🔄 Do not restore data from the backup right away – first check how much memory is freed up.
- 📥 Install only the necessary applications (avoid cluttering from the first days).
- 🔧 Turn off automatic download of media files in messengers.
💡
The reset to factory settings on the Xiaomi 8 Pro takes ~10 minutes, after which the system creates a new cache, so the first day the phone can run slower than usual.
7.Prevention: How to avoid memory filling in the future
To avoid going back to cleaning your memory every few months, follow these rules:
- 📴 Turn off automatic media downloading in WhatsApp/Telegram: Chat settings → Media and files → Autoboot → Wi-Fi only (or off.)
- 🗑️ Set up automatic cleaning in Files by Google: Settings → Cleanup → Autoclean (turn on)
- 📊 Check the storage regularly through Settings → Memory. → Analysis.
- 🚫 Avoid installation APK Unverified sources (often containing hidden debris).
For advanced users:
- 🛠️ Install Magisk and Universal Module GMS Doze to limit background activity of Google Play Services (saves up to 500MB of cache per month).
- 📦 Use App Cloner to create “lightweight” versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite instead of the main client).