Xiaomi Redmi 8 smartphones, despite their popularity and reliability, often face the problem of lack of built-in storage. Android operating system in conjunction with the MIUI shell over time, overgrow a huge number of temporary files, remnants of deleted applications and duplicate photos, which leads to the fact that the device starts to work slower, applications fly out, and the system requires to make room for correct operation.
For users who are actively using instant messengers, social networks and take a lot of photos, the annoying notification βMemory is fullβ is familiar, which cannot be ignored, since it affects the stability of the entire system. In this article, we will discuss proven methods that will help free up gigabytes of free space without losing important data.
We'll look at both standard system tools and hidden features that many Xiaomi owners don't even know about. Proper cleaning will prolong the life of your gadget and return it to its previous speed.
Analysis of vault occupancy
Before you delete files at random, you need to determine exactly what is taking up space in your Redmi 8 memory. Android provides built-in tools for data visualization, but they are often hidden in the depths of the menu.
Usually, the lion's share is multimedia files and messenger cache. However, sometimes users find that a significant amount of "eat" system files or forgotten downloads. For a detailed study, go to Settings β Storage. Here you will see a color diagram of resource allocation.
If you want more information, you can use a hidden debugging menu or third-party analyzers, but you can start with regular tools. Pay attention to the Other section, which often hides application data that is not automatically classified by the system.
It is important to understand the difference between user data and system files, and removing system files without understanding their purpose can lead to unstable phone performance or even a brick, so we will work with user-generated content first.
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Use the Memory widget on your desktop to always see the space available, and you can add it through the widget menu by clamping the empty space on the screen.
Use of the built-in "Security" application
The MIUI shell is famous for its aggressive approach to optimization, and the built-in Security app is the main tool for this, allowing you to quickly clear the cache of the system and temporary files accumulated during the lifetime of the Xiaomi Redmi 8.
Run the Security app and select Cleanup, and the system will scan and suggest removing what's called junk. Don't be afraid to press the Cleanup button, because there are only temporary files that don't affect the applications, and that's the safest way to prevent them quickly.
But automatic cleaning often doesn't affect large files or a specific cache, and there's a section on the menu called Deep Cleaning that lets you find installations. APK-Files, sparse photos and packages that are no longer needed.
βοΈ Daily rapid cleaning
β οΈ Attention: In the Deep Cleanup section, carefully look at the files you want to delete, and sometimes the system may mark important documents or rare image formats as unnecessary.
Regular use of this tool helps keep the system in good shape, and it is recommended to do this at least once a week if you are an active smartphone user, this will prevent critical memory filling at the most inopportune time.
Cleaning the cache of messengers and social networks
The most voracious apps on any Android smartphone, including Redmi 8, are instant messengers. WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber store every photo, video and voice message received in the phoneβs memory. Over time, the folders of these applications can grow to several gigabytes.
Cleaning is best done inside the apps themselves, as it saves important correspondence by only removing media files. On WhatsApp, go to Settings β Data and Storage β Storage Management. Here you will see a list of chats sorted by volume.
Telegram is even more interesting, because it's a cloud messenger. You can safely clear the cache in the settings (Settings β Data and memory β Memory Use β Clear cache). Your photos and videos will stay in the cloud and download again if necessary, without taking up space on the device.
- π± WhatsApp: Remove old videos from group chats, they take up the most space.
- π£οΈ Viber: Turn off auto-save to the gallery in the app settings so duplicates donβt accumulate.
- βοΈ Telegram: Set autodelete the cache (for example, after 3 days) in the memory usage settings.
After manually cleaning the inside of the apps, be sure to check the file manager. Sometimes the leftover media files remain in the Android/media folders. Deleting these folders is safe if you have already cleared the chat history inside the apps.
Why is the cache growing so fast?
Removal of duplicates and large files
Over the years of use, Xiaomi Redmi 8 inevitably accumulates duplicate photos, the same videos and forgotten downloads from the browser. Finding them manually is almost impossible if you do not have special software or built-in analyzer functions.
Xiaomi's Explorer app has a Files category. Click on the menu (three dots) and select Storage Analyzer or simply scroll down to the Big Files section. The system will show you files larger than 100MB. Often forgotten movies or archives are found there.
Also worth paying attention to is the Download folder, where browsers save all downloaded documents and pictures by default, and periodically reviewing this folder allows you to free up hundreds of megabytes. Be careful not to delete important documents like tickets or checks.
| File type | Where to find | Can I remove it? |
|---|---|---|
| APK installers | Download / Install folder | Yes, if the app is installed |
| Thumbnails | DCIM/.thumbnails folder | Yeah, it's a miniature photo. |
| Log files | Different system folders | Yeah, those are error reports. |
| Temporary files | Temp folder | Yes, it's safe. |
You can use third-party apps from Google Play to find duplicate photos, but often just look closely at the Screenshots and Video albums. Screenshots are often forgotten and hang dead weight for years.
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Removal of installation APK-Files after installing programs are the fastest way to get back to the system, as they are no longer needed by the system.
Transfer data to memory card and cloud
Xiaomi Redmi 8 supports microSD card installation, which is a lifeline for models with a small amount of internal memory. You can transfer photos, videos and music there, freeing up internal storage for the system and applications.
To transfer files, insert the card into the slot (combined with a tray) SIM-Then, in the Explorer app, select the files you want, click on More and select Move. SD-The system will perform the operation, and the files will physically move to the external media.
The alternative is to use cloud services, where Google Photos or Yandex.Disk can automatically upload your images to the Internet and delete them from your device, creating the effect of limitless memory, but requiring the Internet.
- βοΈ Google Photos: Enable the βFree spaceβ function in the app settings.
- π Conductor: Move heavy video to memory card manually.
- π Synchronization: Set up autoboot so you donβt think about data safety.
β οΈ Warning: When transferring data to a memory card, make sure it is of good quality and not damaged. Cheap cards can suddenly fail and you lose your photos forever.
Resetting settings as a last resort
If none of the above methods worked, and the memory on Redmi 8 is filled instantly even after cleaning, it is possible that the system has accumulated critical errors or malware.
This procedure will return the phone to a store-like state, all your data, contacts, photos and apps will be deleted, so make sure to back up all your important data on your computer or in the cloud before you reset.
To perform the reset, go to Settings β About Phone β Settings Reset. Select βErase All Data.β The phone will reboot and the cleaning process will begin, which can take 10-15 minutes. Once turned on, you will get a clean system with maximum free memory.
What is Factory Reset Protection?
After reset, don't install all the applications at once, just put in the essentials and watch the system work, often helping to identify the virus application that was causing memory problems.