Xiaomi Redmi 8 with its modest 32 or 64 GB of internal memory quickly clogs up with unnecessary files, especially if you actively use messengers, social networks and the camera. Even after removing photos and applications, the free space mysteriously disappears - the fault of the system cache, residual files and hidden MIUI debris. In this article, we will analyze 7 working methods of cleaning memory, including little-known tricks for deep optimization.
Feature of Redmi 8 — lack of a memory card slot in some modifications (for example, M1908C3JG s 3/32 This means that every megabyte counts, and we're not going to recommend the trivial "remove unnecessary photos" -- instead, we're going to show you how to find and remove gigabytes of hidden debris that you can't see in a standard file manager. MIUI 12.5–14 and do not require root rights.
1. Diagnosis: Why does memory end?
Before you clean it, you have to figure out what's taking up space. Redmi 8 has a built-in memory analyzer, but it doesn't show everything.
- 📊 Open the Settings. → The phone. → Memory. Here you'll see the distribution by system, application, media, file, and note the other one, which is where 30 percent of the garbage is hidden.
- 🔍 Install a third-party analyzer, such as Files by Google or SD They will show folders with residual files after deleting applications (for example, /Android/obb/ and /Android/data/).
- 📁 Check the folder. DCIM/.thumbnails — Here are the photos and videos that can weigh up to 1–2 GB.
A typical situation: the user deletes the game, but the folder with its data (com.game.studio/) remains in /Android/obb/ and takes 1-3 GB. Or messengers (for example, Telegram) cache media files to /Android/media/, although you have long cleared them through the application interface.
2. Cleaning the application cache and system
Cache is a temporary file that speeds up programs, but over time it grows to giant sizes. Redmi 8 divides cache into two types:
- Cache of user applications (for example, YouTube, Instagram).
- System cache (MIUI files, Android kernels, updates).
How to clean:
- 🧹 For individual applications: Settings → Annexes → Select an application → Warehouse → Clear cache.For example, the cache of Google Play Services can weigh up to 500MB.
- 🗑️ Mass cleaning: Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup → App cache. You can delete up to 1 to 3 GB at a time.
- 🔧 System cache: Requires a reboot in Recovery Mode. more in the next section.
Close all applications
Connect your phone to charge (the process can take 5-10 minutes)
Check the free space before and after cleaning.
Do not clear the cache of system applications (such as MIUI System) without needing to-->
⚠️ Attention: Clearing the cache of the Google Play Store or Services may cause temporary errors when downloading applications.If the store does not work after cleaning - restart the phone.
3.Deep cleaning through Recovery Mode
If standard methods don't work, and the memory is running out anyway, it's time to use recovery mode, which removes the dalvik-cache that you can't see in the normal interface. Importantly, this isn't factory reset, your data will remain intact.
Instructions:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
- From the Recovery menu, select the language (English / Whale), then Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
- Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 1-2 minutes).
- Reboot the phone (Reboot) → Reboot to System).
After this procedure, the system will work faster, and the free space will increase by 500 MB-1.5 GB (depending on the degree of contamination).
What happens if the Recovery Mode does not open?
4. Deletion of junk files and application residues
When you delete an application through Settings or Play Store, its data folders often remain in the system, for example, after uninstalling a PUBG Mobile game, files weighing 1.5–2 GB may remain in the /Android/obb/com.tencent.ig/ folder.
How to find and delete:
- 📂 Use a file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer: /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/ /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/ Delete folders with names of remote applications (for example, com.whatsapp, if WhatsApp has been uninstalled long ago).
- 🗑️ Use for mass cleaning SD Maid (requires root permissions for full scanning) The app will find "orphaned" files - data that does not belong to any installed application.
| folder | What it keeps. | Can we clean it? |
|---|---|---|
| /Android/obb/ | Additional game data (graphics, levels) | Yes, if the game is deleted. |
| /Android/data/ | Settings and app cache | Yes, for remote programs. |
| /DCIM/.thumbnails | Photo and video miniatures | Yes, it's safe. |
| /Android/media/ | Media files of messengers | Partially (see below) |
⚠️ Note: Do not delete the folders of current applications in /Android/data/! It's going to crash. For example, if you delete it. com.facebook.katana/, Facebook will stop working until it updates its data.
5. Optimization of messengers and social networks
Telegram, WhatsApp and VK are the main memory eaters, cache media files, stickers and even service data, and in Redmi 8, this can eat up to 5-10 GB per month of active use.
How to reduce their appetite:
- 📥 Limit Automatic Download: In Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Autoboot media → Select "Never" or "Only on Wi-Fi." on WhatsApp: Settings → Warehouse → Autoboot media → disconnect for mobile data.
- 🧹 Clean the cache manually: B VK: Settings → General. → Clear cache. on Instagram: cache is only cleared through phone settings → Annexes → Instagram → Warehouse.
- 🗑️ Remove unnecessary media: In Telegram go to Settings → Data and memory → Storage and sort files by size. On WhatsApp, use the built-in file manager: Settings → Warehouse → «Memory management».
💡
In Telegram, you can enable the option “Clear Cache When Out” in Settings → Data and memory. This automatically deletes temporary files after the application is closed.
6. Transfer data to a memory card (if there is a slot)
Models Redmi 8 with support for microSD (for example, M1908C3JH 4/64 GB) allow you to expand the memory to 512 GB. But just insert the card is not enough – you need to correctly transfer data.
How to do this:
- Format the map as internal storage (only for Android 9+): Insert the card, then go to Settings → Storage → SD Card. Select “Format as internal” and follow the instructions. Attention: after that the card will only work with this phone!
- Move apps: To Settings → Apps → Select App → Storage → Click Change and select a memory card. Not all apps support portability (e.g. WhatsApp cannot be moved).
Configure the default media files to the map
- In camera: Camera settings → Storage → SD card.
- In instant messengers (for example, Telegram): Settings → Data and memory → folder for downloads.
⚠️ Note: Once formatted as an internal storage card, it will not be read on a PC without special programs (for example, DiskInternals Linux Reader), and the speed of applications from the card will be lower than with internal memory.
7.Extreme measures: reset to factory settings
If nothing works and there is a critically small amount of free space (less than 500 MB), hard reset remains, which deletes all data, including apps, photos and settings, so use it only as a last resort.
Step-by-step:
- Backup: Photos and videos: copy to PC or cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud). Contacts: export to VCF-file through Contacts → Settings → Exports. Messages: use SMS Backup & Restore from Play Store.
- Method 1: Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Erase all data.
- Method 2 (if the phone is not turned on): Recovery Mode (Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data)
- After reset, do not restore everything from the backup – select only the files you need to avoid returning the garbage back.
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Reset to factory settings deletes all accounts (including Mi Account).After the procedure, the phone will require you to enter a login and password from the last associated Xiaomi account (FRP protection).