How to Free Your Memory at Xiaomi Redmi 8: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of the most popular budget smartphones with 32 or 64 GB of internal memory. But even this volume becomes scarce over time: apps, photos, videos and cache take up precious megabytes. If your Redmi 8 starts to slow down, issue notifications about memory shortages or refuse to install updates, it’s time to act.

In this article, you will find 7 working ways to free up memory, including hidden functions. MIUI, We'll figure out which files can be safely deleted, how to transfer data to the next location. SD-map (yes, it works even on modern versions of Android!), and what to do if the system takes up too much space. No universal "advice for all Android" - only specific solutions for the Redmi 8, taking into account its features.

Important: Before you start cleaning, check how much memory is occupied. Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory. If less than 10% of the total volume is free, the smartphone will start to slow down very much, as Android needs a reserve for temporary files.

1.Cleaning App Cache: A Quick Way to Free 1–3 GB

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up work, and over time, it accumulates and can take up several gigabytes. On Redmi 8, cache is growing especially fast due to the optimization of MIUI for the weak Snapdragon 439 processor.

To clear the cache:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Select the All Apps tab and sort them by size (click on the three dots in the upper right corner).
• 🧹 Click on the app (such as YouTube or Facebook) → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 For mass cleaning, use the settings → Memory. → Clear the cache (this will remove the cache of all applications at once).

On Redmi 8, Google Play Services and MIUI System can cache up to 500MB each — they can be cleaned without risk to the system.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Clear cache and Clear data! The second action will delete all application settings (such as logins in messengers) and return it to factory state.

Clear the cache of Google Play Services (up to 1 GB)

Remove the MIUI System and Security cache

Check the cache of messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)

Clear the browser cache (Chrome, MI Browser)

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2. Removal of unnecessary applications and MIUI "junk"

Xiaomi is known for preinstalling a host of unnecessary apps on smartphones, from Mi Video to Mi Pay. Many of them can’t be removed by standard means, but they can be disabled or removed via ADB.

First, remove the obvious debris:

• 🗑️ Go to Settings. → Apps and sort the list by size. Remove games and programs you don't use.
• 🔧 For system applications (such as Mi Music or Mi Browser), click Disable – this will prevent them from running in the background.
• 📦 Check the Downloads folder (use the File Manager) – old ones often accumulate there. APK, paperwork.

If you want to remove the built-in apps completely, use this method (computer required):

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.videoplayer

Replace com.xiaomi.videoplayer with the package you want, and you can find the list of packages online or through the App Inspector app.

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications can lead to unstable work MIUI. Don't delete. MIUI Security, Google Play Services and other critical services.

Social networks (Facebook, TikTok)

Games (PUBG, Free Fire)

Xiaomi System Applications (Mi Music, Mi Browser)

Messengers (WhatsApp, Viber)

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Transfer of data to SD-Map: Bypassing the limitations of Android

Redmi 8 supports microSD cards up to 512GB, but current versions of Android limit the portability of applications.

Method 1: Transfer files (photos, videos, music)

• 📁 Open the File Manager → select folders DCIM (Photos, Downloads (downloads) or Music.
• 🔄 Press the file. → Highlight everything → Move over → choose SD-map.
• 📌 To save new photos immediately on the map, open the camera → Settings → Preservation site → SD-map.

Method 2: Application portability (requires root or ADB)

Without root rights, only a part of the applications can be transferred:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → Press 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Open the command line and type: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This will cause the system to offer SD-map as default installation location.
3. Reinstall the apps you want – some of them (like Spotify or VLC) can now be moved.

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If SD-The card is defined as “portable storage”, format it as “internal memory” in Settings → Memory. → SD-map → Three points. → Settings → It's formatted as internal. It'll allow you to port more apps, but the map will only work on this phone.

4. Cleaning up system debris through hidden MIUI functions

MIUI has built-in deep cleaning tools that aren't obvious at first glance.

1. Cleaning "Other Files"

In Settings → Memory, you will see the category "Other Files." These are temporary data, logs and remnants of deleted applications. Click on it → Clear.

2. Removal of duplicate files

• 🔍 Open the File Manager → Cleanup → Duplicate files.
• 📊 It scans the memory and shows you repetitive photos, videos and documents.

3. Cleaning of downloads and baskets

MIUI stores deleted files in the bin for 30 days to clear it:

• 🗑️ Open the File Manager → Basket → Clean up.
• 📥 Check the download folder – there are often old ones left. APK, PDF and other unnecessary files.

5.Storage optimization through Google Files

Google Files (formerly Files Go) is better than the standard MIUI file manager at finding garbage. Download it from the Play Market and follow the instructions:

• 📱 Open the application and give all permissions.
• 🔍 Go to the Cleanup tab. → press Free space.
• 🗑️ In the Unnecessary Files section, select: - Application Cache - Duplicate Files - Old Screenshots - Large Files (video) >500MB)
• 📊 In the Analysis tab, see which apps take up the most space.

Google Files can also compress video without loss of quality, for example, a 500 MB video can be reduced to 150 MB at a resolution of 1280×720.

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Google Files finds 20 to 30 percent more junk than a standard MIUI manager, thanks to its analysis of duplicates and large files.

6. reset of the partition cache (wipe cache partition)

If you run out of memory after all the manipulations, try resetting the cache partition, which will not delete your data, but will clear temporary system files that can take up to 1-2 GB.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone (Reboot).

⚠️ Warning: Don't choose Wipe Data - it's a full factory reset! Also don't interrupt the cache reset process - this can lead to a cyclical phone reboot.

After this procedure, the system will work faster and the memory will be a little bit more free. Do this every 3-6 months.

7. Radical measures: reset to factory settings

If nothing works and you have less than 5% of free memory, you'll have to do a hard reset, which will delete all the data, so first:

• 📱 Make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup.
• 🔗 Save your contacts in a Google Account or export them to a file VCF.
• 📸 Transfer photos and videos to your computer or cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).

When it's all done:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data and confirm.
3. After restarting, set your phone as new.

Once reset, you’ll have the cleanest system possible with 25-30GB of free memory (on the 32GB model).Install only the necessary apps and clean the cache regularly.

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Resetting to factory settings is the only way to return the native 30GB on a 32GB model, where initially only ~27GB is available.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory release on Redmi 8