How to Clean Memory on Xiaomi Redmi 8T: A Complete Guide with Proven Methods

Xiaomi Redmi 8T is a popular smartphone with excellent value for money, but even it eventually begins to “brake” due to the memory filled. If your device is slower to work, applications fly out, and the system gives notifications about the lack of space, it’s time to take action. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to clean up memory, from simple to radical, taking into account the features of the MIUI firmware and the technical characteristics of the model.

The Redmi 8T’s main problem is that it has only 32/64/128 GB of internal memory (depending on the modification), of which a significant portion is occupied by system files, and over time, app cache, temporary files and “junk” that is not always visible to the user, we will show how to safely free up up to 10-15 GB of space without deleting important data, and what to do if standard methods do not help.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly is the memory?

Before you start cleaning, you need to understand which files are eating away at memory. MIUI has a built-in storage analysis tool, but it doesn't always show the whole picture. Here's how to use it:

Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory. Here you will see a diagram of the allocation of memory by category: system files, applications, multimedia, cache, etc. Pay attention to:

• 📱 Applications – often take up to 50% of memory, especially if they haven’t been updated in years.
• 🗑️ Cache and garbage – temporary files that can be deleted without consequences.
• 🎵 Multimedia – photos, videos and music you haven’t watched in a long time.
• 📂 Downloads – a folder where unnecessary files accumulate (APK, documents, archives).

If the built-in analyzer shows that the system is occupied by 20+ GB, this is normal for MIUI, but you can reduce this amount by removing system application updates (more on this below). The average garbage on Redmi 8T after a year of use is 3-7 GB.

2. Clear cache and temporary files (without data loss)

The safest way to free up 1 to 3 GB is to remove the app cache and system debris, which won't affect your data, but can speed up your phone.

Method 1: Through the MIUI settings

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Select an app (such as YouTube, Facebook, Chrome) and click Clear Cache.

Method 2: Using the built-in "Cleanup" utility

MIUI has a special tool for garbage disposal:

1. Launch the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleanup tab.
3. Press Deep Clean and wait for the scan to be completed.
4. Delete all files found (cache, residual data, unnecessary APKs).

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache for system applications like com.android.systemui or com.miui.home – this can cause shell malfunctions.

Residual files after deleting applications

Cache of browsers and social networks

Temporary download files

Unnecessary APK-file-->

3. Removal of unnecessary applications and their data

Many users install dozens of apps, but only a few, and removing unnecessary programs can free up 5 to 10 GB of storage.

How to Find and Remove “Heavy” Apps

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management and sort them by size.

• 🎮 Games (e.g., games, PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact – can weigh 1-2 GB each.
• 📺 Social networks (TikTok, Instagram) – accumulate cache and media files.
• 🗺️ Maps (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps) – store offline maps that occupy hundreds of megabytes.
• 📱 Duplicate applications (for example, two browsers or two messengers).

To completely remove the application, click on it → Delete. If the button is inactive (like preinstalled programs), click Disable - this will stop it from working and free up some memory.

How to delete application data without uninstallation

If you need an application, but it takes up too much space, you can reset its data:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → [Application name].
2. Press Warehouse.
3. Select Clear Data (this will delete all settings and application files).

⚠️ Attention: Clearing the data in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) will delete all correspondence and media files!

4. Cleaning up multimedia: photos, videos and downloads

Photos and video are the main memory eaters. On the Redmi 8T with a 48 MP camera, one RAW photo can weigh up to 50 MB, and a minute video in 1080p can weigh up to 200 MB.

Method 1: Removing duplicates and blurred photos

The MIUI Gallery has a built-in tool for finding duplicates:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Tap it on three points. → Management → Cleanup.
3. Select Duplicates or Blurred Pictures and delete unnecessary files.

Method 2: Transfer files to a memory card or cloud

Redmi 8T supports microSD cards up to 512 GB, transfer photos and videos to it.

1. Connect the memory card (if you haven’t already).
2. Open Files (application from Xiaomi).
3. Select DCIM (photo) and Movies (video) folders.
4. Click Transfer and select a memory card.

The alternative is to upload files to the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud, Yandex.Disk) and delete local copies. Importantly, before deleting, make sure that the files have successfully downloaded!

Method 3: Cleaning the Downloads folder

The Download folder often contains unnecessary files: old APKs, documents, archives, to clean it up:

1. Open the Files app.
2. Go to Downloads.
3. Sort files by date (Last → Old).
4. Remove anything older than 6 months (if not necessary).

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To automatically save new photos and videos to a memory card, open the Camera → Settings → Save Place and select the Memory Map.

5. Cleaning system files and updates

Over time, MIUI accumulates system debris: old updates, log files, backups, which can be manually deleted, but carefully - wrong actions can disrupt the phone.

Removal of update packages

After installing the MIUI updates, the update files are stored in memory to delete them:

1. Open the Files app.
2. Go to the Inner Memory → MIUI → downloaded_rom.
3. Delete all files with the.zip extension.

Cleaning up log files

System logs can take up to 1 GB to delete:

1. Set Root Rights (optional, but simplifies the process).
2. Use a file manager with access to root folders (such as Root Explorer).
3. Go to /data/log and delete all files.

⚠️ Note: Without Root Rights, Do Not Delete Files from Folders /system or /data — This can lead to a phone blink (breakdown!

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If you are not sure about your actions, use only the built-in MIUI tools for cleaning. Manual deletion of system files requires experience!

6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If all previous methods failed and the phone still brakes, it will delete all data, including apps, photos and settings, so back up first!

How to make a backup copy before resetting

Use the built-in MIUI tool:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Local Backup.
3. Check the data for saving (contacts, messages, applications).
4. Click Create a backup and wait until it is completed.

How to perform reset to factory settings

There are two ways:

Method 1: Through settings

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Settings Reset.
3. Click Delete all data and confirm the action.

Method 2: Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. Select Wipe Data (manage volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
4. After reset, select Reboot.

⚠️ Warning: Once reset, the phone will return to the factory firmware, and if you have a custom firmware installed (like LineageOS), you will have to reinstall it again.

7.Memory optimization after cleaning

To prevent your memory from filling up so quickly, follow these tips:

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly (once every 1-2 weeks).
• 📱 Remove unused applications immediately after installation.
• 🖼️ Compress the photo before saving (in the camera settings, select Quality: High instead of Original).
• 🔒 Turn off automatic download of media in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
• 🗑️ Use cloud services to store photos and videos.

You can also limit the background activity of applications:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management
2. Select App Selection and disable background work for unnecessary programs.

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Optimal free memory for stable operation of Redmi 8T is at least 10% of the total volume (for example, 3-4 GB for the 32-gigabyte version).

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleaning on Redmi 8T