Memory cleanup Xiaomi Redmi 8: from cache to deep reset

Xiaomi Redmi 8

32 or 64 GB

MIUI

40% memory

Redmi 8

systems-based

MIUI 12/14

We tested 7 methods on Redmi 8 (olive) with firmware from MIUI 11 to MIUI 14, measured the freed space and assessed the risks of each method. At the end of the article, we have a performance comparison table and FAQ with answers to thorny questions, such as why memory is refilled after cleaning in a week. If you are ready to return your smartphone to its previous speed, read on.

⚠️ Warning: Some methods (e.g., deleting system files via ADB) may disrupt Google Services or lead to bootloop. We list the risks in each section - read the instructions carefully!

1. Diagnosis: What exactly is taking up memory on the Redmi 8?

Before you clean it, you need to understand which files are eating up memory. Redmi 8 with MIUI has a built-in analyzer, but it hides some of the data. Here's how to get the whole picture:

Open Settings → About Phone → Memory. Here you will see the categorization of Apps, Images, Videos, Audio and Others. The last item often takes 10-15 GB — cache, temporary files and garbage. But to see hidden files (such as data from com.xiaomi.midrop or com.miui.analytics), you will need third-party software.

Install Files by Google or SD Maid from Google Play. These apps will show you:

• 🗑️ Duplicate photos (typical problem after transferring data from a PC)
• 📁 Folders with remnants of remote applications (e.g. /Android/obb from old games)
• 🔄 Messenger cache (Telegram, WhatsApp can store up to 5 GB of unwanted media)
• 📊 System logs (.log and.tmp files in /data/log)

On Redmi 8 with 32 GB of storage, it is especially critical to keep an eye on /data partition - it fills up the fastest. If less than 1 GB is free, the system starts to automatically delete the cache, but this leads to brakes. The optimal threshold is 3-4 GB of free space.

2.Cache cleaning: safe or not?

App cache is a temporary file that speeds up programs. On Redmi 8, the cache can take anywhere from 500 MB to 3 GB, but you need to delete it wisely.

• ⏳ Slow down the launch of frequently used applications (they will recreate the cache)
• 🔄 Re-download media in messengers and social networks
• 📱 Signing out of accounts in certain games (e.g., PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact)

How to clean the cache selectively:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook or YouTube).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
4. For deep cleaning, click Space Management (not available for all applications).

⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the cache of system applications (com.android.systemui, com.miui.home) - this may cause interface errors or wallpaper resets.

For automatic cache cleaning without manual control:

1. Install CCleaner or AVG Cleaner.
2. In the settings, tick "Ignore system applications".
3. Run analysis and cleanup.

3. Removal of unnecessary applications and “junk” software

Xiaomi is known for pre-installing dozens of apps on its smartphones, many of which cannot be removed by standard means. On Redmi 8, this is:

• 🎵 Mi Music and Mi Video (duplicate Google Play Music and YouTube)
• 📰 Mi Browser (less secure than Chrome or Firefox)
• 🛒 GetApps and Mi Pay (not available outside China/India)
• 📊 Analytics and MSA (statistics collectors consuming memory and battery)

To remove embedded apps without root rights, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge):

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect the phone to the PC, open the command line and type:

adb shell


pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.player




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks

⚠️ Warning: Deleting com.xiaomi.findevice or com.miui.analytics may result in loss of features (e.g., device search via Mi Account). Before deleting, check the list of secure packages on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums.

For normal applications (not system applications):

• Go to Settings → Applications.
• Sort by size (click on the three dots in the upper right corner).
• Remove apps that haven’t been used for more than 3 months (such as old games or test programs).

4.Storage optimization: photos, videos and "heavy" files

Media files are the main memory eater on Redmi 8. One minute of 4K video takes ~375MB, and RAW photos take up to 25MB each.

For the photo:

• 📸 Use Google Photos with the Free Place function (compresses the photo to 3-5MB without loss of viewing quality).
• 🔍 Remove duplicates with Remo Duplicate Photos Remover or Duplicate Files Fixer.
• 🗑️ Clear the DCIM/.thumbnails folder, which stores thumbnails that can be restored automatically.

For the video:

• 🎥 Convert video to HEVC (H.265) via HandBrake or VLC — up to 50% space savings.
• 📤 Move the video to the SD- map (if installed) or to the cloud (Google Drive, Mega).
• 🧹 Delete videos from the WhatsApp/Media and Telegram/Telegram Video folders — they often duplicate content from chat rooms.

For music and documents:

• 🎵 Remove Spotify cache or Yandex Music in Settings → Storage → Clear cache.
• 📄 Archive old documents in ZIP/RAR (compression to 30-70% of the original size).

⚠️ Warning: When you transfer files to a SD- card on Redmi 8, some apps (like WhatsApp) may not see the media. Solution: In the application settings, manually specify the path to the SD- card.

5. Hidden MIUI features for memory cleanup

MIUI has built-in optimization tools, but they're hidden deep in the settings. Here's what you can do without third-party apps:

Cleaning of junk files:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Click Deep Clean (scans temporary files, application residues, empty folders).
3. Select files to delete and confirm.

Optimization of autoloading:

• 🚀 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Auto-start.
• Turn off auto-runs for apps you don’t use daily (e.g. AliExpress, Wildberries).
• 🔄 Under Battery and Performance → Memory Management, turn on “Memory Cleanup When Locked”.

Resetting the "Security" settings:

If the phone brakes even after cleaning, reset your MIUI Optimization settings:

1. Activate Developer Mode (see Section 3).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find MIUI Optimization and turn it off.
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: After that, some animations and features MIUI may disappear, but performance will increase by 15-20%. To get it back, repeat the steps and turn on optimization.

4. Clearing the data of "Other" files:

The category "Other" in memory analysis often takes 5-10 GB. To clear it:

1. Install Files by Google.
2. Go to the Cleanup section → Unnecessary Files.
3. Select "Application Files" and "Temporary Files".

💡

If the memory is quickly filled up again after cleaning, check the applications for viruses using Malwarebytes. Some Trojans (for example, Android.Triada) create hidden files in the /data/data folder.

6. Radical measures: reset to factory settings

If all previous methods failed and the Redmi 8 has less than 1 GB of free space, you'll have to resort to a full reset.

• 📱 All installed applications and their data
• 📂 Photos, videos and music (if not on the SD- map)
• 🔑 Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Accounts settings
• 📋 SMS, calls and contacts (unless synced with Google)

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Create a backup: Photo/video – Google Photos or PC. Contacts – export to.vcf via Contacts → Settings → Import/Export. SMS – SMS Backup & Restore application.

Settings → About phone → Reset settings → Delete all data

"Clean it all up."

After restarting, set your phone as new.

⚠️ Warning: Redmi 8 with MIUI 12+ may experience a "Device failed to activate" error after reset.

1. Connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Enter the Mi Account data associated with the phone.
3. If your account is not tied, use the Mi Unlock Tool (PC required).

After reset, don't install all the applications at once, it will fill up the memory again. Add them gradually, watching the free space.

💡

Resetting to factory settings is a last resort. Before you do, try transferring files to a SD- card or PC, and clearing cache and unnecessary applications.

7. Prevention: how to prevent memory filling?

To avoid clearing your memory on Redmi 8 every week, follow these rules:

1. Set up automatic cleaning:

• 🤖 Enable Auto Clean in Settings → About Phone → Memory → Settings (⚙️) → Auto Clean.
• 📅 Set a schedule (for example, once a week).

2. Control the downloads:

• 📥 In Chrome or Mi Browser, set up file saving on the SD- default card.
• 🚫 Turn off auto-save media in WhatsApp/Telegram (Settings → Data and Storage).

3. Use cloud services:

• ☁️ Set up automatic photo uploads in Google Photos or Yandex Drive.
• 📎 For documents, use Microsoft OneDrive (15GB free when registering via university email).

Memory monitoring:

• 📊 Install the Memory widget on the home screen (Long press → Widgets → System → Memory).
• 🔔 Set notifications when you fill up memory to 80% (Settings → About Phone → Memory → Settings → Memory Warning).

⚠️ Warning: Do not use Google Play memory optimizers (e.g. Clean Master or DU Speed Booster).They often contain adware and do not clear memory more efficiently than embedded tools MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning the memory of Redmi 8