Memory Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: a complete guide with instructions and life hacks

Why the Redmi 8 Pro is running out of memory and what to do about it

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro often face the problem of lack of internal memory, despite the declared 64 or 128 GB. It is not only in volume, but also in the features of the firmware MIUI, which actively caches data, creates backups and accumulates system debris. Even after removing photos and applications, free space can “thaw” in front of the eyes — this is normal behavior for Xiaomi smartphones, but it can be controlled.

The main "eaters" of memory on Redmi 8 Pro: app cache (especially messengers and social networks), duplicate photos (MIUI automatically saves copies when editing, residual files after uninstallation of programs and system logs that accumulate over the years. 5–7 GB only cache, and the gallery - duplicate photos in folders.thumbnails and MIUI/Camera.

In this article, we will discuss the unique Redmi 8 Pro cleaning methods that are not suitable for other Xiaomi models, for example, this line has a bug with "phantom" files in the folder. /data/app-lib, which are not visible through a standard conductor, but occupy 1–2 GB. We also look at how to transfer applications to SD-Root-free card – a function that is officially blocked in the MIUI 12+, but works through detours.

1. Built-in tools MIUI: What can be cleaned without third-party programs

The MIUI firmware on the Redmi 8 Pro has built-in cleaning tools, but they are often hidden or inefficient. Let's start with the basic methods that don't require additional applications to be installed.

The first step is to use Memory Cleanup in settings: Settings → About Phone → Memory → Clean. Here, the system will show how much space the app cache, downloads and junk files occupy. However, this tool only removes surface debris.

• 📁 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Manage apps and manually clear cache for each app (especially for Telegram, WhatsApp, Google Chrome and Gallery).
• 🗑️ Remove the Download folder (downloads) through the Explorer MIUI — There are often unnecessary APK-file.
• 🔄 Restart the phone after cleaning: MIUI It completely releases the cache only after rebooting.

Note the Settings → Memory → Files section, which shows large files (video, APK, archives) that can be deleted in one click, but not all files here are safe to delete — for example, the Android/obb folder contains game data, and cleaning it will lead to a reset of progress.

2. Hidden folders and system debris: what can be manually removed

MIUI creates many hidden folders that are not visible in standard Explorer, but take up gigabytes of memory, and you'll need a root file manager or at least Total Commander to view them.

1. Open Total Commander and allow access to memory.
2. Enable the display of hidden files: Settings → Display → Show hidden files.
3. Go to the root folder /storage/emulated/0/ and find the following directories:

Attention! Do not delete Android/obb/ and Android/data/ folders for installed applications, this will cause crashes, and avoid touching files in /system/ without root rights.

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If the space has not increased after removing the hidden folders, restart the phone. MIUI will update the memory data only after the reboot.

3. Clearing the messenger cache: how to free 5-10 GB in 5 minutes

Messengers are the main memory eaters on Redmi 8 Pro. For example, Telegram caches all media files by default, and WhatsApp saves copies of sent photos. Hand-cleaning the cache through application settings helps poorly, since they recover data the next time they run.

• 📱 For Telegram: Open Settings → Data and memory → Storage and data. Click "Clear Cache" (this will remove all downloaded media). Turn off "Space Media" in chat rooms.

WhatsApp

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Delete all files older than 3 months (memory management option).
3. Turn off backup in Google Drive if you are not using it.

To radically clean up, you can use the “Clean Chat” feature on Telegram (hold your finger on the chat → Delete chat → Clear history) to delete all media files, but save text messages. WhatsApp has a similar option in the settings of each chat.

Remove the cache in the Telegram settings|Disable Media Autoboot|Clearing up older chat history 6 months|Delete WhatsApp backups in Google Drive|Check the folder. WhatsApp/Media conductor-->

4. Transfer of applications to SD-map: circumventing restrictions MIUI

Officially. MIUI 12+ Redmi 8 Pro does not support porting applications to the SD-But there's a workaround through the map. ADB (Android Debug Bridge, which runs without root rights, is suitable for applications that support installation on an external drive (not all programs allow this).

Instructions for transfer:

1. Enable USB debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and install ADB Tools.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) and type in adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This command forces the system to install applications on SD-default-card.
4. Restart your phone and check the space.

Attention, not all applications will work with SD-System programs (such as Settings or Phone) cannot be moved, and applications can run at speeds from the SD-The card may be lower, especially if you use a cheap Class 4 or Class 6 memory card.

5. MIUI Optimization: Disabling Unnecessary Functions and Services

The MIUI firmware on the Redmi 8 Pro by default includes many background processes that consume memory.

• 📊 Analytics MIUI: Settings → Confidentiality → Analytics → This feature sends phone usage data to Xiaomi, but does not affect performance.
• 🔄 Auto-update MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto-downloading updates → Disable. Updates weigh 1-2 GB and download in the background.
• 📷 Duplication of photos: Settings → Camera. → Save photos → Deactivate "Save in" MIUI Gallery. This will prevent you from making copies of your images.
• 🎵 Music player MIUI: Remove or freeze the Mi Music app, which scans all audio files and creates cache.

Another hidden memory eater is MIUI backups, which automatically backs up settings and data once a week to turn this off:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Backup.
2. Turn off Automatic Backup.
3. Remove old backups manually (they are stored in /MIUI/Backup/AllBackup).

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Disabling analytics and auto updates will not only free up memory, but also extend battery life by 10-15%.

6 Radical methods: factory reset and alternative firmware

If you've got less than 1-2 GB of free space after all the manipulations, you should consider resetting to factory settings, which will delete all the data, but return the phone to its original state.

1. Back up your contacts, photos, and messages (for example, through Google Account or Mi Cloud).
2. Record or take pictures of your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other devices settings.
3. Make sure that the phone has enough charge (at least 50%).

For discharge:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Erase all data.
2. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

If the reset didn’t help or you’re ready to experiment, you might want to consider installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) that will remove all Xiaomi apps preinstalled and optimize the system, but require:

• Unlock the bootloader (bootloader).
• TWRP Recovery installations.
• Experience with ADB and fastboot.

Attention! Installing custom firmware will void warranty and may cause a phone to break. The Redmi 8 Pro also has problems with the main camera on unofficial firmware.

7 Prevention: How to Prevent Memory Filling in the Future

To prevent memory loss from returning, follow the following simple rules:

• 📸 Photos and videos: Set up automatic downloads to Google Photos or Yandex.Disk, then delete local copies. Use the format HEIF instead JPEG (It takes up 2 times less space with the same quality).
• 🎮 Games: Delete the game cache through Settings → Annexes → [Game] → Memory. → Clear cache. Use cloud-based saves (e.g. in Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile).
• 📱 Updates: Turn off automatic downloading of updates for apps on Google Play. APK-files after installing applications (they remain in the Download folder).

It is also useful to check the Download folder once a month and delete unnecessary files. For convenience, you can use the Files by Google app, which automatically finds duplicates and large files.

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Regular cache cleaning and transfer of media files to the cloud will allow you to maintain at least 10-15% of free space on the Redmi 8 Pro, which is critical for the stable operation of MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Redmi 8 Pro