Memory Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 8T: a complete guide for users

Xiaomi Redmi 8T is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but even its 64 GB of memory can quickly fill up with photos, apps and system debris. If your phone starts to slow down, issue notifications about space shortages or spontaneously close programs, it’s time to clean up. In this article, we will discuss all the working methods, including hidden MIUI features, which will help to free up 2 to 10 GB of memory without losing important data.

The Redmi 8T features hybrid memory (eMMC 5.1), which degrades over time when overflowing, which means that regular cleaning not only speeds up the work, but also prolongs the life of the drive. We tested each method on a real device and sorted them by efficiency from simple (cache removal) to radical (reset to factory settings).

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly eats memory?

Before you start cleaning, you need to figure out which files are taking up the most space. MIUI has a built-in tool for this, but it's hidden in the depths of the menu. Here's how to find it:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode (if not already activated).
3. Go back to the main settings menu and select Memory (or Storage in newer versions).
4. Press Memory Analysis and wait until the scan is completed (may take up to 2 minutes).

The system will show a diagram with the distribution of memory by category:

• 📸 Photos and videos are usually taken 30-50% Especially if you're shooting in the 1080p Or use Pro mode or use Pro mode.
• 🎵 Audio: music, podcasts, voice recordings. Pay attention to the cache of music applications (e.g. Spotify or Yandex Music).
• 📱 Applications themselves APK-files and their data. Games like PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact can weigh in on the 2-4 GB.
• 🗑️ System garbage -- temporary files, logs, remnants of deleted programs. 1-3 GB discreetly.

If there's another item on the list (usually gray), that's the most dangerous partition, and it's a collection of fragmented files that the system can't classify, and you can only delete them through ADB or reset.

2. Cleaning the application cache and system

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to run quickly. Over time, they accumulate and can take up to 5-7 GB. Cache cleaning is safe: apps will simply create new files the next time they run.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook or Telegram).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

To speed up the process, sort the applications by cache size (stamp by icon) ⋮ top-right).

Method 2: Mass cleaning the cache of all applications

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Tap on the item Cache data (or Cache data).
3. Confirm the cleanup in the dialog window.

This method removes the cache of all applications at once, but does not touch user data (logins, saves in games).

Close all active applications

Connect your phone to charge (the process can take 5-10 minutes)

Check that important data is synced to the cloud

Do not interrupt the cleaning process.-->

⚠️ Warning: After clearing the cache, some apps (like Google Maps or Instagram) will take longer to load when you first run.

3. Delete unnecessary files and duplicates

Redmi 8T has a tendency to accumulate “digital garbage”: duplicate photos, failed screenshots, old ones APK-files and downloads from messengers. You can use both built-in tools and third-party utilities to find them.

Built-in MIUI tools:

• 📂 Files. → Categories → Downloads — this is where files from browsers and instant messengers accumulate. Delete anything older than 3 months.
• 🖼️ gallery → Albums. → Screenshots – Delete unnecessary screenshots (they often take 500MB-1GB).
• 🔍 Files. → Analysis → Duplicates – the system will find repeated photos and videos.

Third-party applications for deep cleaning:

⚠️ Attention: Apps like Clean Master or 360 Security often show false threats and slow down the system. 8T They do more harm than good.

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Before deleting files, turn on the hidden folders in Files (three dots in the corner → Settings → Show hidden files) so you will see folders like.thumbnails that can weigh up to 1 GB.

4. Transfer data to a memory card or cloud

Redmi 8T supports microSD cards up to 512GB, but there are nuances: not all files can be transferred without root rights.

Photo and video portability:

1. Open the Gallery → Select files → More → Move.
2. As the destination, specify the folder on SD-map (e.g., map, DCIM/Camera).

Note

MIUI

Use of cloud storage:

• ☁️ Google Photos – automatically uploads photos in original quality (up to 15 GB free).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud – 5GB free, but synced only with your Xiaomi account.
• ☁️ Yandex Disk – 10 GB free, there is autoload photo.

To enable autoloading in Google Photos:

1. Open the application → tap on the avatar → Photo settings.
2. Select Backup and Synchronization → Enable.
3. Specify quality Original (if it is important to save source) or High quality (unlimited storage).

5. Removal of pre-installed applications (without root)

Xiaomi is known for its abundance of built-in applications, many of which cannot be removed by standard means, but they can be turned off, which will free up memory and stop background activity.

List of safe applications to disable:

• 🎵 Mi Music – if you use Spotify or VK Music.
• 📺 Mi Video is a standard video player that duplicates Google Photos or MX Player.
• 📰 Mi Browser – can be replaced with Chrome or Firefox.
• 🛒 GetApps is a Xiaomi store that is rarely used.
• 📡 Mi Remote – if you do not control the equipment through the IR port.

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Browser).
3. Click Disconnect → Confirm.

The apps that are disabled will disappear from the menu, but will remain in memory. AADB or root rights will be required to completely remove them.

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Disabling system applications does not free up much space (usually 50-300 MB), but significantly reduces battery consumption and background activity.

6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If all previous methods failed, and the phone still gives notifications of memory shortage, it will be completely reset, which will delete all data, including accounts, photos and installed applications.

• 🔄 Make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• ☁️ Synchronize your contacts with Google Account.
• 📱 Save the list of installed applications (you can take a picture of the Settings screen) → Annexes).
• 🔋 Charge your phone at least 50% – reset can take up to 20 minutes.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to unlock the developer menu (if not already unlocked).
3. Return to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
4. Select Resetting → Erase all data.
5. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.

After the reset, the phone will reboot and prompt you to set it up as new.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 8T Internal Storage may disappear after a reset. It's a firmware bug. To get access back, reboot your phone. Connect to your PC and format it with Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac). If it doesn't work, run your phone through the Mi Flash Tool.

7.Memory optimization after cleaning

To prevent memory from filling up so quickly, set up Redmi 8T according to these recommendations:

• 📥 Limit background loading: in Settings → Battery → Battery Consumption Management Turn Off Auto Update for Unnecessary Apps.
• 🗑️ Set up automatic cleaning: in Settings → Memory enable Auto Cleanup (remove garbage once a week).
• 📷 Change the camera settings: lower the video resolution to 720p and turn it off HDR, If not, it saves up to 40% of the space).
• 🔄 Update the firmware: in new versions MIUI Optimized memory management. Check the updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

For advanced users:

adb shell pm trim-caches 1G

This command, executed through ADB, will forcefully clear the cache of all applications to the specified limit (here - 1 GB). Read more about setting up ADB for Xiaomi in our separate instructions.

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Regular memory cleaning (once every 1-2 months) on the Redmi 8T increases the speed of work by 20-30% and reduces the wear and tear of the drive.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up memory