How to Clean Memory on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: The Complete 2026 Guide

Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro with its 64 or 128 GB of internal memory seemed spacious when buying, but over time even this volume becomes scarce. High-resolution photos, app cache, system updates and MIUI junk files eat precious gigabytes, and the smartphone begins to slow down. In this article, 7 proven ways to clean up memory, including hidden MIUI functions that work even on outdated versions of firmware. We will discuss how to safely delete unnecessary data without losing important information, and what to do if the system shows “memory is full”, although there are almost no files.

The Redmi 8 Pro features hybrid memory (eMMC 5.1), which degrades over time with frequent write/delete. So some cleaning methods (e.g. fastboot formatting) can speed up the wear of the drive. We only selected those methods that have minimal impact on memory health but have maximum effect. At the end of this article, a table comparing methods for efficiency and risk.

1. Built-in utility "Cleanup" in MIUI: hidden opportunities

The most obvious, but often underrated, way is the standard Cleanup app (or Global Firmware Security), which not only removes cache, but also analyzes duplicate files, major media, and rarely used applications to get the most out of the utility:

• 🔍 Run Cleanup and press Deep Cleanup (not quick scan!). 2-3 minutes, but will find 30-40% more trash».
• 📁 In the Files section, sort by size – often forgotten videos are found there. 1-2 GB or backup archives.
• 🗑️ The Recycle Bin tab stores deleted files for up to 30 days, and clean them manually if you need a place to stay.
• ⚙️ In the utility settings (⋮ → Settings) turn on Autoclean when locked – this will remove the cache of background apps when you turn off the screen.

An important nuance: the utility does not see the cache of system applications (for example, Gallery or Music). To clear it, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, select the system application and click Clear Cache. For Redmi 8 Pro, this will free up an additional 1.5-2 GB (the exact volume depends on the version of MIUI).

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the data (Clear data) of system applications such as Services & feedback or Mi Account – this can lead to malfunctions in the Xiaomi account.

2 Manual deletion of “heavy” files: where to look?

MIUI hides some folders from the user, but they can be accessed through a file manager (for example, Files by Google or built-in Explorer).

• 📸 DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo and video miniatures (can weigh up to a maximum of two) 500 Only remove if you do not use the gallery MIUI.
• 🎵 MIUI/sound_recorder — recordings from the recorder (often there are hourly audio files that you have long forgotten).
• 📦 Android/obb — cache of games (for example, com.gameloft.* can take up 3-4 Remove if you haven't used the game for a long time.
• 🔄 MIUI/backup/AllBackup — old backups. If the smartphone is stable, they can be removed.

To see hidden folders, click on the file manager ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files. Don't delete folders with names:

• MIUI/extra – System fonts and themes
• Android/data – save games (only if you’re ready to lose progress)
• Lost.dir – files recovered after a crash (it is better to transfer them to the cloud and check).

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Before mass deletion of files, back up your files to Google Photos or Mi Cloud. Even if you delete something important, you can restore it in 5 minutes.

3.Cache cleaning applications: what can be removed without risk?

Cache speeds up applications, but it grows to giant sizes over time. On the Redmi 8 Pro, it's particularly voracious:

How to clean the cache safely:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort by size (⋮ → Sorting → Size).
3. Select the app and click Clear cache (not Clear Data!).
4. System applications (e.g. Gallery) may require password confirmation.

⚠️ Attention: If after cleaning the cache Google Play Services smartphone began to warm up strongly or discharge quickly, restart it.

Clean the cache no more than 1 time in 2 weeks|Do not delete system application data|After cleaning, restart the smartphone|Check the work of push notifications (Viber, WhatsApp)-->

4. Transfer of applications to SD-Map: Does it work on the Redmi 8 Pro?

Redmi 8 Pro supports microSD cards up to 512 GB, but with reservations:

• 📱 Only a portion of the applications can be transferred to SD (systemic - not).
• 🐢 Work with SD Slower than internal memory (especially in games).
• 🔄 After the map is removed, the applications will stop working.

How to move applications:

1. Put it in. SD-map (preferably) UHS-I Class 10 for speed).
2. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select the application and click Transfer to SD-Card (not active for everyone).
4. Wait 1-2 minutes – the system will copy the data.

Alternative way (for advanced users): use SD-Card as internal memory through settings → Memory. → SD-map → Settings → Internal memory. This formats the map and encrypts the data, and once extracted, the files will not be available on other devices.

5. Factory reset: when is it justified?

The extreme measure, hard reset, should be applied if:

• 📉 Smartphone slows down even after cleaning (possibly fragmentation of memory).
• 🔄 The system shows “memory is full” but there are few files (failure to access the system). MIUI).
• 🐛 Applying errors (for example, constant crashes).

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Move the backup to your PC or cloud (the file weighs 3-8 GB).
3. Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Erase all data.
4. Choose Clear everything and confirm with a password.
5. After the reboot, restore the data from the backup (but not all – see the tip below).

⚠️ Warning: Don't restore backup system applications (Gallery, Music, Mi Video) - this will bring back old cache and memory problems. Install them again from Play Market.

Hidden Resetting Method (if your smartphone is not turned on): Press Volume Up + Power for 10 seconds to log in to Recovery. Next, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (control – volume and power buttons).

6. MIUI Optimization: Disabling Unnecessary Functions

MIUI is sinning with background processes that eat up memory.

• 📊 Analytics. MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Send feedback → Analytics → Shut down.
• 🔄 Auto-update MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⋮ → Settings → Auto-downloading updates → Shut down.
• 📷 Media background download in the gallery: Gallery → ⋮ → Settings → Download media automatically → Shut down.
• 🎵 Caching music: Music → ⋮ → Settings → Kesh. → Clean and disconnect.

Also disable auto-run of unnecessary applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Autorun.
2. Turn off auto-runs for social media, games, and underutilized programs.
3. In the same menu, go to Permissions → Additional → Run in the background and limit background work for the same applications.

These actions will be released before 1 GB of memory by stopping background caching, and the battery will be kept on. 10-15% longer.

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Disabling MIUI analytics and auto-updates not only frees up memory, but also reduces the CPU load, which is especially important for the Redmi 8 Pro with its Snapdragon 665.

7. Alternative methods: for experienced users

If the standard methods did not help, try:

• 🛠️ ADB-Cleaning commands: adb shell pm clear com.miui.gallery This will completely reset the gallery (including settings), but free up to 1.5 GB. Requires enabled Developer Mode and PC connection.
• 🗃️ Manual defragmentation (for root users only): su e2fsck -f /dev/block/mmcblk0pX Replace X with the partition number (you can find out through mount) | grep /data). Incorrect commands can lead to data loss!
• 🔧 Remove Bloatware (pre-installed applications) via ADB: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop Complete list of safe packet removal for Redmi 8 Pro can be found on the forum XDA Developers.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB or root voids the warranty and may cause the device to blink. TWRP (if established).

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleaning on Redmi 8 Pro