How to Free RAM on Xiaomi Redmi 8: Proven Methods for 2026

Your Xiaomi Redmi 8 has become slow, applications spontaneously close, and the task manager constantly hangs a message “Not enough memory”? The problem is not a “weak” Snapdragon 439 processor – overloaded RAM is to blame. Even with 3-4 GB of RAM, a smartphone can work as 1 GB if the system and background processes eat up resources.

We tested all the ways to clean up RAM on Redmi 8 (including versions with MIUI 12-14) and selected only those that actually work without compromising performance. In this article, step-by-step instructions tailored to Xiaomi’s firmware features, hidden settings that don’t show in the standard menu, and a list of applications that kill RAM in the background. No universal “advice for all Android” – only specific actions for your model.

Why is Redmi 8 “suffocating” from a lack of RAM?

On paper, Redmi 8 has 2 to 4 GB of RAM — enough for 10 to 15 lightweight applications. But in practice, users face lags already with 3-4 open programs. What is the matter?

• 🔄 Aggressive optimization MIUI: The system forcibly closes the background processes, but does it chaoticly, because of which the applications are constantly rebooted, eating RAM again.
• 📱 Built-in Bloatware: Xiaomi pre-installed services (com.miui.analytics, com.xiaomi.midrop) work in the background and take up to 300-500 MB RAM.
• 🔋 Energy saving: Battery mode limits background activity, but instead of saving charge, results in memory fragmentation.
• 🤖 Android 9–11: An outdated OS version manages RAM distribution worse than new releases (starting with Android 12).

Compounding the problem, Redmi 8 does not support virtual memory (swap file), which could temporarily compensate for the lack of RAM with an internal drive, so the only way out is manual optimization.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t believe the advice to “disable all background processes” in the developer settings. On Redmi 8, this will lead to the opposite effect – the system will begin to kill tasks even more actively, and applications will open longer.

Method 1: Clean RAM through the hidden MIUI menu

Xiaomi hides the tool for forced memory cleanup, but it can be activated via the USSD code.This method works on all versions of MIUI and does not require superuser rights.

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##36446337###
2. The CIT (Factory Test Mode) menu will appear on the screen. Select Memory Test.
3. Slip on RAM Test → Clear RAM. The system will show the current state of the memory and prompt to clear it.
4. Confirm the action. In 2-3 seconds, free RAM will increase by 20-40%.

This method does not remove the cache of applications, but only resets background processes. It can be used 1-2 times a day without harm to the system. If after cleaning the memory is clogged again in 10-15 minutes, the problem is in the specific application (see Method 4).

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After cleaning the RAM through CIT, restart the phone – this will help reset “hanged” system processes that are not killed by standard methods.

Method 2: Disabling unnecessary Xiaomi system services

MIUI loads dozens of services into RAM that most users don’t need, such as com.xiaomi.mipicks (advertising service) or com.miui.videoplayer (default player) take up to 150 MB of RAM even if you don’t use them.

To turn them off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Show all processes.
3. Find the following services in the list (use a title search): 🚫 com.miui.analytics – statistics collection (can be turned off without consequences) 🚫 com.xiaomi.midrop – transfer of files over Wi-Fi Direct 🚫 com.miui.player - Music player 🚫 com.miui.videoplayer - video player 🚫 com.xiaomi.payment - Mi Pay (if you don't use it)

Shut down.

Disable the application

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable services called com.android or com.qualcomm, which are system components without which the phone can stop loading).

Method 3: Configure constraints for background processes

By default, MIUI allows applications to run in the background without restrictions. This is convenient for messengers, but it's detrimental for RAM. We'll set individual limits for each type of application.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management
2. Select the Applications Selection.
3. Set a mode for each application: 📌 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram): Without restrictions 📌 Social Media (Instagram, TikTok): Limit background activity 📌 Games: Banning Auto-Run 📌 System applications (e.g. Camera): Optimize

Battery management

Cleaning up memory when blocking the screen

Critical setting for Redmi 8: in the menu “For developers” (activated by 7 taps by the build number in “About phone”), disable the item “Limit background processes” – despite the name, on this model it works wrong and only aggravates the lag.

Disable Autostart for Games|Limit social media|Leave without restrictions messengers|Activate memory cleanup when blocking|Disable "Limit background processes" in the developer settings-->

Method 4: Finding and removing “gluttonous” apps

Some programs eat up RAM even when it's rolled up, like Facebook can take up to 500MB of RAM and TikTok can take up to 700MB. We'll find these monsters and replace them with lighter alternatives.

How to check the RAM consumption by application:

1. Install Simple App Launcher (free, no ads).
2. Open the application and go to the Processes tab.
3. Sort the list by column RAM (by descending).
4. Remember or record apps that take >100MB in the background.

Method 5: Optimize MIUI through Developer Settings

Hidden settings Redmi 8 allow you to fine-tune the control of RAM. the main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise the system will begin to "glutch".

What can be safely changed:

1. Activate the developer mode (7 taps according to the MIUI version in the About Phone menu).
2. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers and find: 🔧 Limit background processes → Turn it off (it doesn’t work properly on this model) 🔧 Don't keep up → Turn on (reduces RAM consumption on animation) 🔧 Debugging by USB → Turn it off if you don't use it (eats it). ~50MB RAM) 🔧 GPU-acceleration → Turn on (unload the processor)

Display → Animation of the system

No animation.

After applying the settings, restart the phone. The effect will be noticeable after 10-15 minutes of active use.

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On Redmi 8, you can’t enable the “Do Not Save Actions” option in the developer settings if you use navigation gestures – this will cause sensor malfunctions.

Method 6: Using light firmware (for advanced)

If all the previous methods did not work, the radical solution is to install custom firmware.

• 📱 Pixel Experience (Android 12) is the most stable, but requires unlocking the bootloader.
• 📱 LineageOS 18.1 (Android 11) – optimized for weak devices.
• 📱 MIUI Lite (unofficial build) – a lightweight version of the standard firmware.

The advantages of custom firmware for RAM:

• 🚀 No Bloatware (savings up to 500MB) RAM).
• 🔄 More aggressive memory management (apps less likely to hang in the background).
• 🔧 Ability to disable unnecessary system services without root.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if the phone is under warranty).
• ⚠️ Risk of “bricking” when installed incorrectly.
• ⚠️ Certain functions (e.g, IR-blaster) may not work.

If you decide to flash, follow the instructions with XDA Developers and be sure to back up through TWRP.

Method 7: Hardware reset (last chance)

If the phone brakes even after all the manipulations, it remains hard reset. On Redmi 8, it runs like this:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up for 10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the recovery menu, select Wipe Data. → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (5-7 minutes).

After discharge:

• 🔹 Do not restore data from the backup – it may contain “junk” that will clog RAM again.
• 🔹 Install applications one by one, checking memory consumption after each installation.
• 🔹 Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 8 resets factory settings via phone menu (Settings) → The phone. → Resets often work incorrectly and leave some user data. Use hardware reset only).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning RAM on Redmi 8