Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, released in 2019, is still a popular device due to its excellent camera and performance. However, time takes its toll: accumulated gigabytes of photos, app cache and system debris begin to slow down the MIUI operating system. When free space approaches zero, the phone stops receiving messages, and launching programs takes forever.
In this article, we will explore proven methods of freeing up space that will help return your gadget to its former speed. You will learn not only about standard cleaning tools, but also about the hidden functions of the system available to power users.
Analysis of vault occupancy
Before you start mindlessly deleting files, you need to understand what takes up precious gigabytes. Android provides tools for data visualization, but the MIUI shell has more advanced built-in analyzers. Start by evaluating the overall state of memory through standard settings.
Go to Settings → Memory. Here you'll see a diagram of the colored categories: apps, images, videos, documents, etc. Often it turns out that the lion's share of the space is occupied by messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp, who have been hoarding media files for years.
Notice the "Other" section, which often gets streaming cache and temporary update files, and if this section is bloated to an incredible size, you'll need to deep-clean or reset your settings, and don't ignore the amount of data the system is taking up, because sometimes a firmware update can temporarily increase your space.
Important: Do not attempt to delete system files manually through root file managers unless you are sure of their purpose.
⚠️ Before mass deletion of data, be sure to back up important contacts and photos in the Google Photos cloud or on your computer.
Use of the built-in "Security" application
The easiest and safest way to free up space is to use Xiaomi’s regular tool, the Security app, which is pre-installed on all the brand’s devices and contains a powerful cleaning module that scans the device for temporary files, remnants of remote programs and advertising debris.
Launch the app and click the Clean Up button. The system will automatically find files that can be deleted without harming the phone. However, automatic mode is not always effective against heavy files in download folders. For more detailed work, go to the Cleanup section inside the app and select the Deep Cleanup tab.
You can manually select categories to check from here, with special attention to "Large Files" and "Unused Applications." Often downloads contain installations. APK-files that are installed long ago and no longer needed, and deleting them is the fastest way to get a few hundred megabytes.
- 🗑️ Application cache: Temporary data that can be deleted regularly without losing logins and settings.
- 📦 Installation Packages: Files with the.apk extension left over after installing the programs.
- 📸 Similar photos: Duplicate images that are often created during editing.
- 📂 Downloads folder: Often crammed with forgotten documents and pictures from browsers.
☑️ Checklist of quick cleaning through "Safety»
Clearing the cache and data messengers
Messengers are the main memory eaters on modern smartphones. WhatsApp, Viber and especially Telegram store every photo and video viewed in the memory of the device. Over time, the database grows to 10-20 GB, which is critical for models with 64 GB of internal memory.
Telegram saves the situation with the built-in cloud storage function. Go to Settings → Data and memory → Memory use. You need to set a cache limit (for example, 500 MB or 1 GB) and turn on the autodelete timer. After that, click the “Clear Telegram cache” button – your chats will not disappear, since they are stored on the server.
WhatsApp is more difficult because your email history is stored locally. Go to Settings → Data and Storage → Storage Management. The app will show you the most space-consuming chats. You can selectively remove heavy attachments (video and GIFs) by leaving text messages intact.
Recommendation: Turn off auto-save media in the gallery for all group chats.This will prevent duplicate files: they will be in the application, but will not be copied to the system gallery, taking up double space.
Why does the cache take up so much space?
Work with Gallery and Cloud Services
The Redmi Note 8 Pro can take high-resolution images, but these files weigh a lot. One minute video in 4K can take up to 300 MB. Regularly reviewing the gallery and removing unsuccessful takes is a necessary ritual to maintain order.
Use the "Recently Deleted" feature. The Gallery app has a shopping cart where deleted photos are stored for 30 days. If you deleted a photo but the space didn't vacate, it just moved to the cart. Go to the "Recently Deleted" album and click "Clear it all."
For long-term storage, use cloud services. Google Photos offers compression ("Saving space"), which allows you to store an unlimited number of images in good quality. Once you upload originals to the cloud, you can safely delete them from the device, freeing up gigabytes.
| Storage method | Occupied seat | Access without the Internet | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal memory. | Full size of the original | Yes. | High (when broken) |
| SD-map | Full size of the original | Yes. | Medium (cards often break) |
| Google Photo (compression) | Minimum (cloud) | No (online needed) | Low. |
| Google Drive/Cloud | Depends on the tariff. | No. | Low. |
⚠️ Note: When using the “Free Space” feature in Google Photos, make sure that the sync is complete, otherwise you risk removing the originals from your phone before they have already uploaded to the cloud.
Deletion of applications and user data
Many users have been storing apps they've never used for years, games, banking apps from old cards, delivery services, all of which take up space and can be updated in the background.
Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Sort the list by size. You will be surprised to find that some games weigh 2-3 GB. If the application has not been used for a long time, delete without regret. For system applications that cannot be removed, use the “Disable” function.
Also worth checking is the AutoRun section. Apps running in the background not only eat the battery, but also create temporary files. Leave only messengers and alarms in autorunning. The rest is better to run manually as needed.
Critical: Some apps (like navigation maps or Spotify) can download offline content (region maps, playlists) that takes up a giant space.
💡
Use alternative “Lite” versions of apps (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite, Google Go) that take up 3-5 times less space and consume less RAM, which is critical for the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
Expanding memory with a MicroSD card
Redmi Note 8 Pro is equipped with a hybrid slot, which means the possibility of installing or second SIM-If you don't need two SIM cards, buying a quality memory card is the best solution to the problem of space shortage.
Once the card is installed, the system will suggest using it as Portable Storage or Internal Storage. Choose the first option for storing photos, videos and music. The second option (formatting with internal memory) on older versions of Android may be unstable, so it is better to manually transfer heavy folders to the map through the file manager.
In the camera settings, you can immediately specify the saving of photos and videos on SD-To do this, open the camera, click on three menu bars, select Settings, and find Save to SD-This will instantly unload the internal drive.
- 💾 Record speed: Buy class cards U3 or V30 videotape 4K, Otherwise, the video will stutter.
- 🔒 Security: A memory card is not a safe place to have a single copy of important documents.
- ⚙️ Formatting: When you first install the phone will prompt you to format the card, which will delete all the data on it.
💡
Combination of regular cleaning of messenger cache and transfer of media content to SD-The card allows you to comfortably use the Redmi Note 8 Pro even with a minimum amount of internal memory.
Radical measures: Resetting to factory settings
If none of the methods worked and the phone continues to signal a lack of space, the “nuclear option” remains – a complete reset – and this will return the device to the “out of the box” state, removing absolutely all user data, settings and applications.
Before the procedure, make sure to make a full backup. Once reset, you get a clean system without years of accumulated "digital garbage", hidden logs and registry errors.
To perform the reset, go to Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset → Erase all data. The system will request an unlock password and confirmation. The process will take 10-15 minutes, after which the phone will turn on as new.
Path to reset: Settings → About phone → Resetting → Erase all data