How to Free Memory on Xiaomi 8 Pro: From Basic Methods to Hidden MIUI Chips

Xiaomi 8 Pro is the flagship smartphone with 64/128 GB of internal memory, but even that amount becomes scarce over time. High-resolution photos, app cache, system updates and temporary MIUI files eat up precious gigabytes. If your device starts to slow down, issue notifications about memory shortages or refuse to install new programs, it’s time to act.

In this article, we’ll break down 7 proven ways to free up memory on Xiaomi 8 Pro, including standard tools. MIUI, And we're going to focus on safe methods that don't require factory resets or important data deletion, and for those who are willing to go further, we're going to focus on how to migrate applications to the next level. SD-map (yes, it is possible even without root!) and clean up system debris through ADB.

Warning: some methods require careful attention, such as deleting the Dalvik cache can speed up the smartphone, but if you do not do it correctly, it can lead to a reboot cycle, so at critical moments we will give accurate commands and menu paths to minimize risks.

1. The analysis of occupied memory: what exactly eats the place?

Before you clean it, you need to understand which files and applications take up the lion's share of memory. MIUI has a built-in tool for this — Settings → Phone → Memory. Here you'll see a diagram of the allocation of memory by category: System, Applications, Images, Videos, etc. Click on any category to see a detailed report.

Please note the other section – here are often hidden:

• 📁 Residual files after deleting applications (folders) Android/obb and Android/data).
• 🗑️ Logs and dumps (files with.log or.dmp extension in the root folder).
• 🔄 Cash updates. MIUI, which is not automatically cleaned.

If the System is occupied more than 15-20 GB, this is an occasion to check for duplicate firmware (MIUI sometimes saves old versions "just in case").

1. Open the File Manager → The device.
2. Go to the folder. MIUI → downloaded_rom.
3. Delete all files with the.zip extension except the latest (by date).

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from the folder MIUI/stable — It could disrupt the job. OTA-If you are not sure which file is fresh, check the firmware version in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

2. Cleaning the application cache and system

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up work, and over time, it grows to giant sizes (especially for instant messengers, social networks and games), and you can clear the cache in two ways:

Method 1: Manual cleaning for individual applications

Go to Settings → Applications → App Management. Select an app (like Facebook or Telegram) and click Clear Cache. For games (like PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact), the option Clear Data is also available, but it will reset all settings and progress!

Method 2: Mass cleaning through safety

MIUI has a built-in optimizer:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleaning Tab → Deep Cleaning.
3. Check the Cash of applications, Unused files and Residual files.
4. Press Clean (reboot may be required).

For advanced users, if the cache accumulates quickly after cleaning, try to limit the background activity of applications.

Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management → Application Selection → Limit background activity

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Once the cache is cleared, some apps (like YouTube or Google Maps) can load longer on the first run.

3. Removal of duplicates and unnecessary files

Photos, screenshots and downloads are often duplicated or accumulated in folders like DCIM/.thumbnails (miniatures), Download (unsorted files) and Pictures/Screenshots.

Tool 1: Built-in file manager

Open File Manager → Categories → Duplicates. MIUI automatically finds duplicate files and prompts you to delete them.

• 📸 folder DCIM/Camera — here may lie RAW-photos (weighing by weight) 20-50 MBT).
• 🎵 Music folder – often there are songs from messengers (for example, voice messages from WhatsApp).
• 📄 Documents folder — PDF, DOCX and other files that were downloaded "for later".

Tool 2: Third-party annexes

For a deep analysis, we recommend Files by Google or SD Maid (requires root for full functionality).

• 🗃️ Empty folders.
• 🔍 Files with the same content but different names.
• 📂 Residual files after uninstallation of applications.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files with.odex,.apk or.so extensions from system folders (/system, /vendor). It could lead to a collapse. MIUI!

4. Transfer applications and files to SD-map

Xiaomi 8 Pro supports microSD cards up to 256 GB, but by default, the applications are installed in internal memory.

Method 1: Standard transfer (without root)

This method works for some applications (not all!):

1. Put it in. SD-map (formatted as a portable storage).
2. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select an app (such as Spotify) → Warehouse → Change. → SD-map.

Limitations:

• ❌ Not all applications support portability (especially system applications).
• ❌ Ported application widgets may not work.
• ❌ After extraction SD-Application maps will stop opening.

Method 2: Forced transfer via ADB (for experienced)

If the standard method didn’t work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge).This requires connecting your smartphone to your PC and enabling USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times click on the build number → return to Additional Settings → For Developers → Debugging by USB).

Next, run commands in the terminal (replace com.example.app with an application package, such as com.whatsapp):

adb shell pm set-install-location 2 # forced installation on SD


adb shell pm move-package com.example.app 2 # porting a specific application

⚠️ Note: Not all applications work properly after forced transfer. Test on non-critical programs (e.g., in the case of a forced transfer, FX File Explorer or File Explorer VLC).

Make sure the card is formatted in FAT32 or exFAT

Create a backup copy of important data

Check the list of supported applications in Settings

Enable debugging over USB (if you use ADB)

Connect your smartphone to charging (the process may take time) 10-30 minute)-->

5. Optimization of photos and videos

Photos and video are the main memory eaters. On the Xiaomi 8 Pro, the camera defaults to high-resolution (up to 12 MP) and 4K video. Here's how to reduce their weight:

Method 1: Change the camera settings

Open the Camera Application → Settings (cogs) and:

• 📷 Set the resolution of the photo at 9 MP (instead of 12 MP).
• 🎥 For the video, select Full. HD (1080p) instead 4K.
• 🔄 Turn it off. HDR+ (increases the weight of the images 30-50%).

Method 2: Compress existing files

Use apps like Photo Compress or Video Compress to reduce weight without critical quality loss.

• 📸 Photo can be compressed to 70-80% from the original without visible artifacts.
• 🎬 Video in the video 1080p can be transcoded into 720p bitrate 2-3 Mbit/s.

To automate the process, set up Google Photos:

1. Open Google Photos → Settings → Free up the space.
2. Enable Photo Compression (Quality High instead of Original).
3. Activate the automatic space release.

6. Removal of system debris and unnecessary applications

MIUI installs a lot of pre-loaded apps (bloatware) that can't be removed by standard means, including Mi Video, Mi Music, Mi Browser and Google's duplicate services.

Method 1: Disconnection through settings

Go to Settings → Applications → App Management, select an unnecessary app (like Mi Pay) and click Disable.This won’t delete it completely, but will stop background processes and free up some of the memory.

Method 2: Remove via ADB (requires a PC)

To completely remove system applications:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and activate Debugging via USB.
2. Open the terminal and do:

adb shell


pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer # deletes Mi Video




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.player # deletes Mi Music




pm list packages | grep 'miui' # shows all MIUI system packages

The full list of safe to remove packages for Xiaomi 8 Pro:

⚠️ Note: Do not delete packages with the names com.android, com.qualcomm or com.miui.home, this will lead to system failure!

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Even after removing system applications, they can return after another update. MIUI. To avoid this, disable automatic system program updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙) → Auto-update of applications.

7.Dalvik cache reset and system optimization

If the smartphone still slows down after all the manipulations, the cause may be a fragmented cache of Dalvik, the Android virtual machine. its cleaning will speed up the system and free up to 500 MB-1 GB of memory.

For this:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (not to be confused with Wipe Data!).
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

Once the system is restarted, it will reassemble the Dalvik cache, which can take 5-10 minutes.

For advanced users: If you have TWRP Recovery installed, you can further clean up:

• 🧹 Dalvik / ART Cache.
• 🗃️ System Cache.

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After cleaning the Dalvik cache, the first application launch may be slower than usual. This is normal - the system recovers optimized files.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory release