How to Clear Cache on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: The Complete Guide

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is still a popular smartphone years later thanks to the powerful MediaTek Helio G90T processor and 6 GB of RAM. However, over time, any device begins to “brake” — applications open longer, the system hangs, and free space on the disk mysteriously disappears. 90% of the time, the fault is contaminated cache: temporary files, remnants of deleted programs and debris from MIUI updates.

This article is not about the “magic” cleaning software (which often becomes a source of garbage), but about the system methods tested on the Redmi Note 8 Pro with MIUI 12, 13 and 14 firmware.

• 📱 Cache of individual applications (without deleting data)
• 🗑️ System cache (including Dalvik and Dalvik) ART)
• 🔄 Residual files after uninstallation of programs
• 📁 Hidden folders with garbage (Thumbnails, Logs)

No root rights, no risk of data loss – only official tools Xiaomi.

Warning: Cleaning the cache won’t increase RAM or turn your Redmi Note 8 Pro into a flagship for 2026, but it will bring back smooth interfaces, free up to 3-7 GB of space (depending on the intensity of use), and eliminate lag when switching between tasks. If after all the manipulations the phone still slows down, the problem is deeper (worn flash memory, damaged sectors or outdated firmware).

1. Clearing the cache of individual applications

The safest way to do this is to only remove cache for programs that are clearly slowing down or taking up too much space, such as Telegram can accumulate up to 1-2 GB of garbage per year, and Google Play Services can accumulate up to 500 MB.

How to check and clean:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. In the list, look for apps marked “Cash” (usually in gray).
4. Click on the app → Storage → Clear the cache.

📸 Instagram (up to 1.5 GB)

🎵 Spotify / Yandex Music (up to 800 MB)

🗺️ Google Maps / Yandex Maps (up to 1 GB)

📱 MIUI System Launcher (up to 300 MB)

💬 Telegram/Whatsapp (up to 2 GB)

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Important: Do not clean the cache for MIUI System Launcher and Android System unnecessarily, this can cause a malfunction in the interface. If after cleaning the application becomes worse (for example, Google Maps loads maps longer), just restart it - the cache will recover automatically.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Clear cache and Clear data! The second option will delete all your settings in the app (for example, Instagram logins or saved games in the app). PUBG Mobile).

2. Automatically clean the cache through "Security"

Xiaomi has built its own optimization tool into MIUI, the Security app, which can find and delete unnecessary files, including:

• 🗑️ Temporary application files
• 📥 Unused. APK (leftovers after installation)
• 📁 Empty folders and duplicates
• 🔍 Log files (logs)

How to use:

1. Open the Security app (if it isn’t on the home screen, search through search).
2. Go to the Cleanup tab (or Accelerate in older versions of MIUI).
3. Press the Check and wait for the analysis (it will take 10–30 seconds).
4. Select file categories for deletion (we recommend that you tick only on “Cash” and “Junk”).
5. Slip Clean and confirm the action.

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the phone starts to brake

Never cleaned.

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Hidden function: In MIUI 14, Deep Clean menu has a Deep Clean option that removes not only the cache, but also the residual files of uninstalled applications, and use it if you recently deleted large programs (games, social networks).

⚠️ Note: The Security app sometimes mistakenly marks as “junk” files from the Download folder (e.g., the Download folder, PDF-Documents or archives: manually check the list before cleaning!

Manual cleaning of system cache (without root)

The system cache (Dalvik-cache and ART) controls the speed of application launches, and over time it fragments, leading to "sweeping," which can be cleaned without superuser rights, but you need to restart.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version line and tap it 7-10 times until you have the following message: You are a developer!
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate the USB Debugging Switch (you don’t have to plug the cable!).
5. Scroll down and find Do Not Save Actions (or Process Limitation in MIUI 14). Set a value without background.
6. Reboot the phone.

Once rebooted, the system automatically reassembles the cache, which does not delete user data, but can reset some settings (such as live wallpaper or widgets on the home screen).

4.Removing garbage from hidden folders

Even after cleaning the cache through the settings, the system still has “invisible” files that take up space, which can be manually deleted through any file manager (for example, Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).

What folders to clean:

Important: Don't delete Android/obb and Android/media folders, which store game and media data, and avoid folders called com.xiaomi*, which are the system components of MIUI.

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Before you delete hidden files, back up your important data. Connect Redmi Note 8 Pro to your PC and copy DCIM, Pictures and Documents folders to your computer.

5.Cache reset via Recovery Mode (advanced method)

If the phone is slowing down and previous methods have not helped, you can use Recovery Mode, which cleans all temporary system files, including the update cache and Dalvik, but does not affect user data.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
2. Press the Power and Volume buttons up at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to Recovery Mode (English menu).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power for selection.
5. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
6. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 1-2 minutes).
7. Reboot the phone (Reboot) → Reboot to System).

⚠️ Warning: Don’t confuse Wipe Cache and Wipe Data! The second option will perform a full factory reset and delete all your files, photos and apps.

Once you restart, the system will collect the cache again, so the first 5 to 10 minutes of the phone can run slower than usual. That's okay.

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Cleaning the cache through Recovery Mode is the most effective way to eliminate lag after a MIUI update. Use it if the phone starts to brake immediately after installing a new firmware.

6.How to prevent repeated cache clogging

Cache cleaning is a temporary solution, so that the Redmi Note 8 Pro does not brake again in a week, follow these rules:

• 🚫 Don’t install cleaners like Clean Master or CCleaner, they create garbage and consume resources.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI regular: new versions optimized cache work (especially in the MIUI 14).
• 📵 Limit the background activity of applications: Settings → Battery → Background restriction.
• 🗃️ Transfer files to the memory card (if installed) – this will reduce the load on the internal drive.
• 🔍 Check the “heavy” applications in Settings → Annexes → Use of data.

Hidden setting: MIUI has Auto Cleanup, which removes debris when the battery is low, to enable it:

1. Open the Settings. → Battery.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Battery Settings.
3. Activate the Auto Clean switch at low charge.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up the cache on the Redmi Note 8 Pro