Cache Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 8A: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Xiaomi Redmi 8A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but over time even it begins to “slow down.” The main reason is a crowded cache that takes up precious memory and slows down the system. Unlike flagships, the Redmi 8A has only 2/3 GB of RAM and 32/64 GB of ROM, so cleaning the cache here is especially relevant.

Many users confuse cache with user data or are afraid to touch it for fear of resetting, but in fact, cache is a temporary file that creates applications for quick operation, and their removal is not only safe, but recommended when:

• 🐢 Slowing the interface and “hangs»
• 📱 Lack of free space in memory
• 🔄 Frequent errors in applications (e.g., “app stopped»)
• 🔋 Quick battery discharge.

In this article, you will find 5 working methods for cleaning cache, from standard MIUI tools to hidden features for power users. All methods are tested on Redmi 8A with MIUI 10–14 versions (including global and Chinese firmware).

1. Clearing the cache through “Settings” is the easiest way

If you're a beginner, start with this method. It doesn't require third-party apps to be installed and takes less than a minute. The instructions are relevant for all versions of MIUI, including MIUI 12.5 and later.

Open the Settings menu → Applications → Application Management. Here you will see a list of all installed programs, sorted by the size of the memory you take, to clear the cache for a particular application:

1. Tap the app name (like YouTube or Chrome).
2. Select Warehouse.
3. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – it will delete all app settings!).

For mass cleaning:

1. In the same Application Management menu, click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
2. Select Sort. → By cache size.
3. Flick through the list and clear the cache for applications that are larger than 100-200 MB.

Clear the cache|Remove unnecessary APK-file|Disable Auto-Run Applications (Saves RAM)|Clear data only for unnecessary applications-->

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache for system applications called com.android., miui. or google.* – this can cause malfunctions MIUI. Exception: com.android.vending (Google Play Store) – its cache can be cleaned without risk.

2.Use of the built-in “Optimizer” (Security App)

Xiaomi has pre-installed the Redmi 8A Security app, which automatically finds and deletes unnecessary files, including cache, a method that is suitable for those who do not want to manually browse each application.

How to start optimization:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Optimization tab (or Cleaner in English).
3. Press the check and wait for the scan to be completed.
4. In the Garbage Files section, select the App Cash and click Clear.

The advantage of this method is that it analyzes not only the cache, but also:

• 🗑️ Temporary download files
• 📁 Empty folders
• 🔍 Residual files of remote applications
• 📊 Log files (log files)

However, the Security App has a downside: it doesn’t always find cache of system applications that can take up to 1-2 GB (like the cache of Google Play Services or Mi Video).

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If the phone still brakes after cleaning through the Security App, try restarting it. Some processes can freeze in memory and interfere with the system.

3. Clear cache via Recovery Mode (for power users)

This method is suitable if:

• 📵 The phone is slow and does not respond to touch.
• 🔄 You need to clear the cache of all applications at once, including system
• 🛠️ You are ready for the possible loss of unsaved data (for example, unclosed tabs in the browser)

To enter Recovery Mode on Redmi 8A:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons - you will be taken to the Recovery menu (navigation is carried out by volume buttons, the choice is by the power button).

Select from the menu:

Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache → Confirm

After the process is complete (it takes 1-3 minutes), restart your phone via Reboot → System.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option will perform a full hard reset by deleting all your files, photos and apps. 8A This process is irreversible without backup!

4. Manually clear cache through file manager

This is a method for those who like to control the process, which allows you to see which files are taking up space and delete them selectively, and you will need any file manager with access to root folders (for example, Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).

The application cache is stored in two main ways:

• /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ – cache of user applications
• /data/data/ – System cache (available only with root rights)

Instructions:

1. Open the file manager and go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/.
2. Find folders with app names (e.g. com.facebook.katana for Facebook).
3. Inside each folder will be a cache subfolder – its contents can be completely deleted.

Beware of deleting files outside the cache folder! For example, /Android/data/com.whatsapp/ stores:

• 📁 Cache – Temporary files (can be deleted)
• 📁 files – your correspondence and media (cannot be deleted!)
• 📁 databases – account settings (deletion will result in the exit from WhatsApp)

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Manually clearing the cache through the file manager is the most accurate method, but it requires caution. Always check file extensions before deleting: the cache is usually.tmp,.cache or stored in folders called cache.

5. Automatic cache cleaning with ADB (for advanced)

If you're familiar with the command line, you can clear the cache of all applications right through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which doesn't require root rights, but you need to install ADB Tools on your computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on the phone Developer Mode (go to Settings → About phone and tap 7 times on the item MIUI version).
2. In the Settings menu → Additional → For developers, activate Debugging by USB.
3. Connect Redmi 8A to your PC and open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
5. Cache cleansing for all user applications: adb shell pm trim-caches 500M This command will remove cache in excess of 500MB (can be replaced with 1G for 1GB).

To clean the cache of a particular application, use:

adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.example.app

Replace com.example.app with the batch name of the app (e.g. com.android.chrome for Chrome).

⚠️ Attention: pm clear command deletes all application data, not just cache! To clear only cache, use: adb shell run-as com.example.app rm -rf /data/data/com.example.app/cache/* However, this method does not work for all applications (certain permissions are required).

6. Third-party cache cleanup apps: should you use them?

Google Play has hundreds of “optimizers” and “cache cleaners,” but most of them are either useless or harmful. On Redmi 8A, with its modest specs, such apps can only exacerbate the problem by consuming additional resources.

If you want to try it, choose the proven options:

• 🛡️ SD Maid – can find residual files and cache, but requires root for full operation.
• 🧹 CCleaner is a simple interface, but the free version has limited functionality.
• 🔍 Files by Google – Google’s official app that safely removes garbage.

Before installation, check:

• 📌 App rating (should be higher than 4.0)
• 📅 Date of last update (current applications are updated at least once every 2-3 months)
• 📄 Reviews – if there are complaints about “pop-up advertising” or “independent installation of viruses”, avoid such software.

Our verdict: Redmi 8A is better done with built-in tools (Security App or manual cleaning). Third-party optimizers rarely give a noticeable increase in performance, and their background work can, on the contrary, slow down the system.

Frequent Cache Cleaning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even a process as simple as cleaning up cache can go wrong, and here are the typical Redmi 8A mistakes and ways to prevent them:

Error 1: Delete data instead of cache

Many people confuse the Clear Cache and Clear Data buttons, the second one deletes all the application settings (such as logins, saved games, chats) to avoid losing the important:

• 🔐 Before clearing the data, make a backup (for example, for WhatsApp use Settings). → chat → Backup copy).
• 📌 Remember: the Clear cache button is always gray, and Clear data is red.

Mistake 2: Excessive cleaning of the cache

Cache is used for fast application operation, if you clean it too often (for example, daily), you will get the opposite effect:

• 🐢 Applications will take longer to load (they will have to download data again).
• 📡 Increased traffic consumption (cache saves up to 30% of mobile data).

The optimal cleaning frequency is once every 1-2 weeks or when brakes appear.

Mistake 3: Ignoring system updates

Sometimes the brakes on the Redmi 8A are not caused by cache, but by outdated firmware.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. If a new version of MIUI is available, install it – often updates include optimizations to save memory.

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If the phone gets worse after cleaning the cache, check the memory space. 8A You need at least 1-1.5 GB of free space to work smoothly. If there is less memory, delete unnecessary applications or transfer files to the computer. SD-map.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions