Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is one of the most popular mid-range smartphones, but even its 64/128 GB of internal memory is eventually clogged with unnecessary files. If your phone starts to slow down, apps fly out, and the system gives notifications about the lack of space, it’s time to clear up the memory. In this article, we will analyze 7 proven ways, including hidden MIUI functions, which will help free up gigabytes of space without losing important data.
The Redmi Note 8 Pro features hybrid memory (if you have a 6/128GB version), where you can use part of the internal storage as a RAM, which makes it difficult to manually clean, but we will show you how to work with both types of memory. Important: before you start, check how much space is occupied in Settings → About Phone → Storage – this will help track the effectiveness of each method.
1. Built-in MIUI cleaning: a quick way
MIUI has a built-in garbage cleaner that removes temporary files, application cache and residual data, which is the safest method, since it doesn't affect user files.
- Open the settings → About the phone → Storage.
- Click "Clean" in the "Junk Files" section.
- Wait for the analysis (may take 1-2 minutes).
- Select categories to delete (cache, temporary files, APK) and confirm.
This method usually frees up between 500MB and 2GB, depending on the time of the last cleanup, and if the option is inactive, it means that the system has not found the junk files (or they are hidden in other partitions).
⚠️ Note: Do not delete files in the Downloads section through this utility if important documents are stored there.
2. Manual cleaning of the app cache
App cache is the main memory eater, such as YouTube or TikTok, which can accumulate up to 5-7 GB of cache in a few months, and unlike built-in cleaning, the manual method allows you to control which data to delete:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
- 🔍 Select the application (start with the most “heavy” – social networks, instant messengers, games).
- 🗑️ Press "Storage» → «Clear the cache».
- 🚫 Do not click “Clear Data” – this will delete settings and accounts!
To speed up the process, sort the applications by size: in the same control menu, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort → By Size, so you quickly find the main culprits of the filled memory.
Sorting applications by size
Clear cache in messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)
Check out games (especially with online mode)
Delete the cache in the browser (Chrome, MI Browser)
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3. Delete unnecessary files and duplicates
Photos, videos and documents are often duplicated or accumulated in folders like DCIM/.thumbnails (miniature photos) or Download (browser downloads).
- Use the built-in File Manager (MI File Manager).
- Go to the Categories section → “Duplicates” or “Large Files”.
- Check the folders: 📸 DCIM/Camera — photo and video. 🎵 Music and Ringtones - audio files. 📄 Documents — PDF, Excel, Word.
Pay special attention to the Android/data folder – it stores game and application data (for example, downloaded maps in Google Maps or Spotify cache).
What to do with the Android/obb folder?
| Type of file | Typical size | Can I remove it? |
|---|---|---|
| Mini sketches (.thumbnails) | 100-500 MB | Yes (restore automatically) |
| Cash maps (Google Maps) | 1-3 GB | Yes (maps will be reloaded) |
| APK-files (installation packages) | 50–200 MB per file | Yes, if the application is already installed |
| Logs of system errors | 10–100 MB | Yeah (no impact on work) |
4. Data transfer to memory card
The Redmi Note 8 Pro supports microSD cards up to 256GB, but not all data can be transferred.
- 📷 Photos and videos: in the Gallery, select files → «More» → «Move it to SD-map».
- 🎵 Music and audio: Use the file manager to move your Music or Podcasts folders.
- 🎮 Games: Some (such as Asphalt 9) allow you to save data on the SD, But you have to manually configure it in every application.
Important: Applications cannot be migrated to SD – this is a limitation of MIUI (unlike older versions of Android), and do not store files that need quick access on the memory card (for example, offline maps of the navigator), – read speed with microSD is lower than with internal memory.
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If the memory card is not identified, format it in your phone: Settings → Storage → SD card → Format as internal storage. But remember: after formatting, the data on it will be deleted!
5. Cleaning system logs and dumps
The MIUI system creates hidden debugging files (logs), memory dumps (.dmp) and backups that can take up to 1-2 GB.
- Activate Developer Mode: Settings → The phone. → 7 times press on "Version" MIUI».
- Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
- Turn on “USB debugging” and connect the phone to the PC.
- Use it. ADB-command: adb shell pm trim-caches 256 This will clear the cache of all user applications.
To remove dumps manually:
- Open a file manager with root permissions (such as Root Explorer).
- Go to /data/tombstones and delete files with the.tombstone extension.
- Check the /data/log folder – there may be system logs.
⚠️ Note: Delete files in /data If you don't have root rights, you can crash your system.
6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)
If none of these things work, and there's a critically small amount of free space, it's a complete reset, and it'll delete ALL the data, including apps, photos and settings, but it'll put the phone back in its "clean" state.
Make a backup copy in Mi Cloud
Copy photo/video on PC
Record logins and passwords from accounts
Make sure your phone is at least 50% charged
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Resetting instructions:
- Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
- Select “Erase All Data” (not to be confused with “Reset” – these are different options!).
- Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).
Once reset, the phone will turn on as new. Don't restore data from the backup right away -- check first if there's enough memory. Often, the problem comes back if the copy contained the same junk files.
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Resetting to factory settings is the only way to remove system debris that is not visible to the user (for example, residual files after MIUI updates).
7.Memory optimization to prevent filling
To prevent memory from clogging again, set your phone correctly:
- 🔄 Autoclean: Enable in Settings → The phone. → Warehouse → Automatic cleaning.
- 📥 Download restrictions: in Chrome or MI Browser install folder for downloads to memory card.
- 🎮 Games: in the graphics settings, select Balanced Mode instead of High – this will reduce the cache size.
- 📷 Photo: In the camera, turn off the save RAW-File settings (camera settings) → Format → JPEG).
Also check the Download folder regularly, where unnecessary APKs, PDFs and archives accumulate. To automatically control, install Files by Google from the Play Market: the application will find duplicates and large files.