How to completely clean Xiaomi Redmi 8/Note from garbage: from cache to hidden files

Xiaomi Redmi 8 and Redmi Note 8 are popular smartphones with good hardware, but over time even they begin to “brake” due to the accumulated digital garbage. App cache, residual files after deleting programs, duplicate photos and clogged memory with system logs all eat up precious gigabytes and slow down the device. In this article, we will discuss 7 working methods of cleaning, including hidden MIUI functions that will help return the phone to its previous speed.

The Redmi 8/Note feature is limited internal storage (32/64/128GB depending on the modification) and no memory card slot in the base version of Redmi 8. This means that every megabyte counts. We will not advise the banal “remove unnecessary photos” – we will focus on technical methods that give results after the first application.

1. Built-in cleaning in MIUI: what does and what is missing

The manufacturer has put the safety → cleaning tool in MIUI firmware, but it works superficially. Let's see how to use it correctly -- and why it's not enough.

To start the built-in cleaning:

• 📱 Open the Security app (shield icon).
• 🧹 Select the Cleanup section → Garbage.
• ⚙️ Press Deep Clean (at the bottom of the screen).
• 🗑️ Check all categories (cache, residual files, APK) and confirm the removal.

The built-in tool removes:

• ✅ Application cache (temporary files).
• ✅ Residual data after uninstallation of programs.
• ✅ Empty folders and thumbnails.

But he doesn't touch:

• ❌ System Logs (/data/log/).
• ❌ Duplicate photos and videos (even if they take up gigabytes).
• ❌ Cash of system applications (MIUI protect).

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After cleaning through the built-in tool, be sure to restart the phone - this will allow the system to recalculate the free space and close the background processes that could block deleting files.

2. Manual cleaning of the cache of system applications

Many of the brakes on Redmi 8/Note are due to a bloated cache of system services that MIUI does not automatically clean, such as com.miui.system or com.android.providers.media, which can take up 500MB-1GB each.

To clean them manually:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Show all the processes.
3. Sort the list by cache size (click on the cache size in the cap).
4. Select an application with a large cache → Storage → Clear the cache.

Pay special attention to these applications (they often “clog” memory):

• 📁 Downloads (com.android.providers.downloads.ui) – here temporary files from the browser accumulate.
• 🎵 Music (com.miui.player) – caches album covers and metadata.
• 📷 Gallery (com.miui.gallery) – stores thumbnails and data for facial recognition.

On the Redmi Note 8 with MIUI 12.5+ firmware, the cache of the com.xiaomi.scanner app can take up to 2GB due to a logging error and can be safely cleaned without consequences.

3. Delete hidden files and logs through File Manager

System logs and error dumps (/data/log/, /data/anr/) can take up to 3 to 5 GB, but they are hidden from the user.

1. Open File Manager (Integrated File Manager) MIUI).
2. Go to Categories → System files.
3. Select Logs and Reports → Mark all files and delete.

If the /data/log/ folder is not displayed:

• 🔧 Enable Hidden Files Display: In File Manager, click on three dots → Settings → Show hidden files.
• 📂 Manually cross the path /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ and delete folders of remote applications (they can weigh on the 100–300 MBT each).

4. Cleanup of duplicate photos and videos with Google Files

Google Files (formerly Files Go) can find duplicate photos, screenshots and large files that take up space. Download it from the Play Market and follow the instructions:

1. Open Google Files → go to the Cleanup tab.
2. Select Duplicate Files or Large Files.
3. View the list and remove the unnecessary (pay special attention to files >100 MB in size).

For Redmi Note 8 with 48 MP camera duplicate photos can take up to 2-3 GB.

• 📸 Blurred photos (lubricated pictures).
• 🎥 Unsuccessful screenshots (empty or identical).
• 📄 Old Memes and Images from Chats (WhatsApp, Telegram).

Check the date of creation of files|Make sure that the photos you delete are not in the "Favorites" album"|Backup important files in Google Photos|Clean the basket after removal-->

5. reset the /cache partition cache via Recovery

If the phone is severely braking even after cleaning, resetting the /cache partition cache through recovery mode will help.This does not delete user data, but requires caution.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (control – volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
4. After cleaning, restart the device (Reboot).

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option will erase all your data (photos, apps, settings).

This method helps if:

• 🐢 The phone is loaded long after switching on.
• 🔄 Applications are closed spontaneously.
• 📱 The system emits a “lack of memory” error, even though there is a place.

6. Disconnecting unnecessary system processes

MIUI runs a lot of background processes that eat up RAM and create debris, some of which can be turned off without consequence.

List of safe services to disable (via Settings → Applications → Application Management → All):

• 🔊 Mi Music (com.miui.player) – if you don’t use the built-in player.
• 📰 Mi Video (com.miui.videoplayer) is a YouTube analogue, but with ads.
• 📡 Mi Drop (com.xiaomi.midrop) is useless if you don’t transfer files over Wi-Fi Direct.
• 🎮 Game Turbo (com.miui.gameturbo) – if you don’t play mobile games.

To disable:

1. Select the app from the list above.
2. Click Disable (Do not "Delete"!).
3. Confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: Do not disable Google Play Services (com.google.android.gms) – this will cause disruptions in the Play Market and other Google services.

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Disabling unnecessary system applications not only frees up memory, but also reduces battery consumption by 5-15% by reducing background activity.

7. Cleaning automation: setting up MIUI Optimization

MIUI has hidden optimization settings that allow you to automatically clean up your garbage on a schedule, so you can activate them:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times on the MIUI version to enable Developer Mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find MIUI Optimization and turn it on.
5. In the Auto Cleanup section, set up a schedule (we recommend weekly).

This will allow:

• 🗓️ Automatically clean the cache once a week.
• 🧹 Delete temporary files with low memory.
• 🔋 Optimize background processes to save battery.

For the Redmi Note 8 with 4GB of RAM, this feature is especially useful – it prevents memory leaks, which cause the phone to “lag” after a few days of use.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi cleanup 8/Note