Free up space on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: a complete guide with proven methods

Your Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T again shows the notification “Not enough memory”? Smartphone starts to slow down, apps fly out, and photos are not saved? The problem is familiar to most owners of this device – despite the 32/64/128 GB of internal memory, the system and cache quickly “eat” free space. But don’t rush to buy a new phone or memory card: in 90% of cases, memory can be freed without losing important data.

In this article — 10 proven methods of memory cleaning, from basic (removal of garbage and cache) to advanced (transfer of applications to the SD-We'll look at which files can be safely deleted and which ones shouldn't be touched, how to set up automatic cleaning and which applications can help with that. 8T firmware MIUI 12/13/14 and relevant to models with 32, 64 and 128 GB memory.

Important: Before you start cleaning, check how much memory is occupied. Go to Settings → About Phone → Storage. If less than 10% of the total volume is free, the smartphone will work slower, as the system does not have enough space for temporary files.

1. Delete cache and junk files through MIUI settings

The fastest way to free up 1-3GB of storage is to clear the app cache and system debris. On the Redmi Note 8T, this is done in a few taps:

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Slip on "Clean" in the "Junk Files" section.
3. Select App Cache, Downloads, and Unused Files (if they are listed).
4. Click “Clear” and confirm the action.

The system will automatically scan the device and show how much space can be freed up, usually between 500 MB and 2 GB, depending on the number of apps installed, for example, YouTube or TikTok cache can weigh up to 1 GB, and temporary messenger files can weigh another 300-500 MB.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear cache for applications that store important data (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) and this may result in the loss of unsaved media or chat history.

If you have an item called "App Remains" on your junk file list, delete it. These are fragments of programs that were incorrectly deleted and are in vain. It's also helpful to look at Settings → Applications → Application Management → Sort by size and manually clear the cache for the heaviest programs.

Delete the cache of messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber)

Clear the cache of social networks (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook)

Delete temporary browser files (Chrome, Mi Browser)

Clean the cache of games (PUBG, Genshin Impact, Call of Duty)

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2. Transfer of applications to SD-map (only for the purpose of MIUI 12 and below)

If your Redmi Note 8T supports microSD cards (models with 32/64 GB), you can transfer some of the applications to an external drive.

• 📱 It only works on MIUI 12 And down. MIUI 13/14 portability SD removed.
• ⚡ Not all applications support portability. System programs and some games (e.g. Genshin Impact) cannot be ported.
• ⚠️ SD-The card must be formatted as internal memory, otherwise the portability option will not be available.

Instructions for transfer:

1. Put it in. SD-map (recommended class — UHS-I U3 or A2 speed).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select the app you want to migrate (like Spotify or Netflix).
4. Slip on the "Storage» → «Change» → «SD-map».

After the transfer, the application will run slower (due to speed limits). SD-It will free up to 500 MB of internal memory for each application moved, and if the port option is inactive, your firmware does not support this function.

3. Clean up downloads, duplicates and unnecessary media files

Download folder and gallery often become a black hole for memory, where documents, photos from messengers are downloaded, APK-files and other garbage. 8T These files can be found and deleted so:

• 📁 Download folder: Open Files (File Manager app) → Categories → Downloads. Sort by size and remove unnecessary ones.
• 📷 Duplicate photos: in the gallery tap on three points → «Management» → «The system will find duplicate images.
• 🎵 Audio files: Check the Music folder - there may be tracks downloaded from the music VK or YouTube and long forgotten.

Pay special attention to files with extensions:.apk (application installation packages),.zip/.rar (archives),.tmp (temporary files).

They can be removed without risk to the system.

For convenience, use Xiaomi's built-in File Manager, which can sort files by size and type. If you want to find the heaviest files, tap three dots in the upper right corner and select Storage Analysis.

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Before mass deleting photos, check the DCIM/.thumbnails folder – it stores thumbnails of images that can be safely cleaned (up to 200 MB free).

4. Optimization of messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber

Messengers are the main memory eaters, for example, WhatsApp can take up to 5 GB of media files alone, and Telegram can take up even more because of the cache of stickers and voice messages. Here's how to reduce their appetite:

WhatsApp

• 🗑️ Cleaning Media Files: Open Chat → three-point → «More» → «Media, links and docks. Delete unnecessary photos/videos.
• ⚙️ Disabling Auto Download: Settings → Warehouse → Storage management. Mark files to delete.

Telegram

• 🧹 Cache cleanup: Settings → Data and memory → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📁 Transfer of media to SD: In the same settings, select “bootloader” and specify SD-map.

Viber has similar settings in More → Settings → Account → Storage. Note the “Clear History” item, which deletes all media files from chats, but saves text messages.

⚠️ Note: If you use Telegram with the “Save Media to Gallery” enabled, all photos and videos are duplicated in the folder. DCIM/Telegram. Disable this option in the messenger settings to avoid duplicates.

5. Removal of unnecessary applications and their residues

Many users delete apps but forget about their residual files and data. On the Redmi Note 8T, it can take up to 1-2 GB.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the unnecessary app and tap "Delete".
3. After uninstallation, check the folders /Android/data/[name packet] and /Android/obb/[name packet]—there may be files left.

For mass removal, use the Guest mode (if enabled) or the Files by Google app from the Play Market, which can find unused programs and suggest removing them.

List of applications that can be removed without consequences (if you do not use):

• 🎵 Mi Music (if you use Spotify or Yandex.Music)
• 📺 Mi Video (substitutes: VLC or MX Player)
• 📖 Mi Browser (better than Chrome or Firefox)
• 🎮 Game Turbo (unless you play heavy games)

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Do not remove system applications marked “Disabled” – this can cause MIUI to malfunction.

6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If all previous methods did not help, and there is less than 1 GB of free memory, you will have to do hard reset. This will delete all data, including photos, contacts and applications, but will return the smartphone to the “clean” state. Redmi Note 8T after reset will be like new, with 25-30 GB of free space (on models with 64 GB).

How to reset:

1. Save important data to your computer or cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” and confirm the action.
4. After restarting, perform the initial setup.

If the phone freezes or does not respond to touch, the reset can be done through Recovery mode:

1. Turn off the smartphone.


2.Put the power button + volume up until the MI logo appears.




3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage volume and power buttons).




4. Confirm the reset and wait for the reset.

⚠️ Note: On models with a blocked bootloader, a reset via Recovery may result in a Mi Account entry requirement!

7. Additional tips: cloud storage and MIUI optimization

To prevent the memory problem from returning, set up the Redmi Note 8T to auto-optimize:

• ☁️ Cloud Backups: Enable autosynchronization of photos in Google Photos or Mi Cloud (settings in Settings) → Accounts. → Mi Cloud).
• 🔄 Autocleaning: in Settings → Warehouse → Enable the option of “Automatic cleaning».
• 📱 Easy mode: if memory is critically small, activate Settings → Special facilities → Light mode. It'll shut down animations and background processes.

It’s also helpful to disable auto-update apps in the Play Market (especially if you have limited traffic). Open Play Market → Settings → Auto-Update apps → Never.

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If you shoot 4K video frequently, switch to Full HD (1080p) in the camera settings. The difference in quality is minimal, and space is saved by 2-3 times.

FAQ: Frequent Memory Cleanup Questions on Redmi Note 8T