How to clean Xiaomi Redmi 8 from unnecessary files: the complete guide

Your Xiaomi Redmi 8 And the memory is filled with incomprehensible files? 32/64 GB of internal memory, especially after a year of active use. Even if you haven't installed hundreds of applications, the system and background processes are gradually clogging the storage with cache, remnants of deleted programs and system debris.

In this article, unique cleaning methods are available for Redmi. 8, sensing MIUI We'll take a look at not only the standard tools, but also the hidden features that Xiaomi doesn't advertise. 5-7 GB of unnecessary data without root rights and reset to factory settings.

Important: procedures are optimized for MIUI 12/13/14 (If your phone runs on older firmware, some menu items may differ, we will warn you about this separately.

Why is Redmi 8 getting trashed so quickly?

The reason is not just your actions. Xiaomi Redmi 8 (codenamed olivelite) has architectural features that speed up the accumulation of unnecessary files:

• 🔹 The weak Snapdragon 439 processor forces the system to actively use the cache to speed up work, but does not always clean it correctly.
• 🔹 Cheap eMMC memory (instead of the UFS) slows down write/delete operations, which causes temporary files to accumulate longer.
• 🔹 Aggressive policies MIUI Backup of application data (even after they are deleted).
• 🔹 Duplicate media due to Mi Gallery bugs (especially when synchronized with Mi Cloud).

According to our tests, after a year of use on Redmi 8 with 32 GB of memory, on average, accumulates:

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files in the folder /data/app manually through the file manager! This can cause the system to crash due to a violation of access rights).

Preparation: What to do before cleaning

Before you start deleting files, follow these steps to avoid losing important data:

1. Create a backup copy of your contacts, SMS and multimedia through settings → System and device → Backup. This is especially critical if you're planning to clean a folder. DCIM duplicate.
2. Check the free space in the Settings → The phone. → If it's less than 500MB free, the system can start to lay down as soon as it's cleaned.
3. Turn off sync with Mi Cloud (if enabled) in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud to avoid conflicts when deleting files.
4. Charge your phone to at least 50% – some operations (such as optimizing a gallery database) consume a lot of power.

💡 If you have a microSD card installed, transfer heavy applications (such as games) to it via Settings. → Annexes → Application management → [select] → Warehouse → Change. It frees up internal memory for system operations.

Method 1: Integrated MIUI tools

Xiaomi has integrated into MIUI We'll show you some cleaning tools, but they often don't work well.

Clearing cache and debris

The fastest way to free up 1-3 GB is:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Storage.
2. Click on “Clean” in the “Jump” section (usually 500MB-1.5GB).
3. Tap “Deep Clean” and select all items except “System logs” (deleting them may disrupt some features).
4. Confirm the action and wait until the completion (can take up to 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is rebooted after deep cleaning, critical cache files of system applications have been deleted, in which case only restarting in safe mode will help (press the power button). → Hold on to "Switch off power» → «Restarting in Safe Mode»).

1.2 Removal of duplicates in the gallery

Mi Gallery has a built-in tool for finding duplicates, but it is hidden:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → «Management» → «Duplicate».
3. Select Automatic Deletion or manually check (manually recommended as the algorithm sometimes goes wrong).

🔍 Secret trick: If duplicates are not found, try sorting the photo by size (in the gallery) → three-point → «Sorting. Often, doubles are the same size, making it easier to find them.

Clearing of loads

Download folder is one of the most clogged places to clean it properly:

1. Open Files (application from Xiaomi).
2. Go to Categories → Downloads.
3. Tap on three points. → «Sorting» → «By date” (from old to new).
4. Select all files older than 6 months and delete them.

💡

Built-in tools MIUI They can free up to 40 percent of the trash, but they often miss hidden files.

Method 2: Manually Delete Hidden Files

The system and applications create files that are not visible through the standard file manager.

2.1. Enable the display of hidden files

By default, MIUI hides the system folders to see them:

1. Open the Files app.
2. Tap on three lines (menu) → «Settings».
3. Activate the “Show hidden files” switch.
4. Go back to the root folder (/storage/emulated/0/).

Now you'll see folders that start with a dot (e.g.,.thumbdata,.nomedia).

2.2 Which folders can be manually cleaned

⚠️ Note: Never manually delete files in folders:

• /system/ — This will lead to a device blink;
• /data/dalvik-cache/ — disrupt ART-Cache, the phone will slow down;
• /efs/ — contain IMEI Serial numbers, recovery is possible only through the service center.

2.3. Clearing the Google Play Services cache

This service can take up to 1-2 GB of cache, but standard methods don't clean it.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Tap on three points. → «Show all the processes».
3. Find Google Play Services and open it.
4. Press "Storage» → «Clear the cache».
5. Don’t click Clear Data – it will reset your Google account settings!

Method 3: Use of third-party utilities

Standard tools MIUI Not always good at deep cleaning. Consider the proven apps that will safely remove debris on Redmi 8.

3.1. SD Maid (for experienced users)

SD Maid is one of the few apps that can clean system folders without root rights. Download it from Google Play or the official website (version). 5.5.3 and newer supports Android 10/11, squatting 8).

Instructions:

1. Launch it. SD Maid and provide all the permissions requested.
2. Go to the “CorpseFinder” section – here you can see the remnants of remote applications.
3. Press "Run" and wait for the scan.
4. Select all the files found and tap "Delete".
5. Then go to AppCleaner and clear the cache for all applications.

💡 Useful advice: B SD Maid has a SystemCleaner feature, but on Redmi 8 It's not rootless, it's limited. Don't use it to clean. /data or /system — It can cause disruption.

3.2 Files by Google (for beginners)

Google’s app is easier to use and safer for inexperienced users:

1. Install Files by Google from the Play Market.
2. Open the "Cleanup" tab.
3. Select "Unnecessary Files" and "Dublicates".
4. Review the files proposed for deletion and confirm the action.

✅ Advantage: The application automatically ignores critical system files, so the risk of damage to the system is minimal.

3.3. CCleaner (with caution!)

CCleaner is popular, but Xiaomi can delete too much, including useful files.

• 🔹 Turn off the “Dalvik Cache Cleanup” option (may slow down your phone).
• 🔹 Do not clean the "Call Journals" and «SMS», if you need them.
• 🔹 Before cleaning, create a restore point in Settings. → System system → Backup».

💡

If, after using CCleaner or SD Maid phone is slower to work, restart it in safe mode (press the power button) → Hold "Switch off power" and it resets the system's temporary settings.

Method 4: Cleaning through ADB (advanced)

If you are ready to use the command line, ADB This will help you delete files that are not available through conventional methods:

• 🔹 You have already tried all of the above methods;
• 🔹 There is less than 1 GB of free space on the phone;
• 🔹 You understand the risks (with the wrong command, you can damage the system).

Preparation

You'll need:

• 🔹 Computer with Windows/Linux/Mac;
• 🔹 USB-cable (preferably original);
• 🔹 Installed drivers ADB (You can download from the Android Studio website);
• 🔹 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Cleaning commands

Connect your phone to your PC and execute in the command line (cmd):

adb shell


pm clear com.miui.gallery #Cleaning up gallery cache




pm clear com.android.providers.media #Disposal of the media base




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files




rm -rf /cache/* # Clearing the cache folder (safe)




exit

⚠️ Note: Do not follow the rm command. -rf /data/* — This will completely erase all your data and lead to the need to flash it!

After you execute the commands, restart the phone. The first run can take up to 5-10 minutes, which is normal, since the system recovers the cache.

💡

ADB — It's a powerful tool, but it's dangerous. Use only commands you understand. If you're in doubt, skip this method and go back to safer ways.

Method 5: Optimization after cleaning

Delete files is only half the battle, and to make Redmi 8 work faster, follow these steps:

5.1 Disabling unnecessary system applications

MIUI Clogged with pre-installed apps that can’t be removed but can be disabled:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Tap on three points. → «Show all the processes».
3. Find unnecessary apps (e.g. Mi Music, Mi Video, Mi Browser) and open them.
4. Click "Disable" (not "Delete"!).

📌 List of safe applications to disable:

• 🔹 com.miui.videoplayer (Mi Video)
• 🔹 com.miui.player (Mi Music)
• 🔹 com.android.browser (Mi Browser)
• 🔹 com.xiaomi.scanner (Scanner)
• 🔹 com.miui.analytics (Analytics) MIUI — You can turn it off without consequences)

Auto-cleaning setup

To prevent the garbage from accumulating again:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Warehouse → Settings (cogs).
2. Turn on Auto Clean and set a schedule (e.g. once a week).
3. Activate “Clean the cache when blocking”.

Transfer of annexes to SD-map

If you have a microSD installed, transfer heavy applications to it:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Facebook or Instagram).
3. Tap the "Storage» → «Change» → choose SD-map.

⚠️ Note: Not all apps support portability. If the Change button is inactive, the developer has banned this feature.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If after all the manipulations on the Redmi 8 there is less than 500 MB of free space, and the phone still brakes, you will have to resort to radical measures.

Reset to factory settings

It's a last resort, but sometimes necessary.

• 🔹 Create a backup through Settings → System and device → Backup;
• 🔹 Take a picture or take a picture of your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and account settings;
• 🔹 Make sure you know the username and password from your Xiaomi account (required after resetting).

For discharge:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase all data”.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 10-15 minutes).

6.2 Flashing through Fastboot

If the reset didn't help, there might be a problem with the corrupted system files, and then the clean firmware on Fastboot will help.

1. Download the latest version MIUI Redmi 8 (Olisolelite code) from the official website.
2. Unpack the archive and follow the instructions from the readme.txt file.
3. Use the Mi Flash Tool for firmware.

⚠️ Attention: Fastboot firmware deletes all data, including files on internal memory, and there is a risk of a brisk interruption!

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Redmi 8