How to clean memory on Xiaomi Redmi 8T: step-by-step instructions and tips

Xiaomi Redmi 8T

slow down

32GB

In this article, you will find 7 proven ways to clean up memory on Redmi 8T, from simple methods (cache removal, transfer files to memory card) to radical ones (reset to factory settings). We will also analyze which files can be safely deleted and which should not be touched so as not to disrupt the system. All instructions are adapted to MIUI 12/13/14 and do not require root rights.

If your smartphone is slowing down, or issuing a Memory Full notification, or refusing to update apps, it's time to act. Start with the safest methods and move on to the more serious ones only when necessary.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly is the memory?

Before you start cleaning, it’s important to understand which files or apps are eating up the lion’s share of memory. Redmi 8T has a built-in storage analysis tool that can help identify the “culprits.”

To open it up:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Wait for the scan to be completed (usually 10–30 seconds).
3. Click on the category (such as “Applications”, “Images” or “System Data”) to see the details.

Pay attention to the following points:

• 📱 Apps: Often the culprits are messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), social networks (TikTok, Instagram) and games. They not only take up a lot of space on their own, but also accumulate gigabytes of cache.
• 📷 Media Files: High-resolution photos (especially in format.HEIC or RAW), Videos downloaded from the Internet and screenshots.
• 🗑️ System data: This includes updates MIUI, Log files and temporary data that can be cleaned without risk to the system.
• 📁 Download: Download folder often becomes a dump for unnecessary files (APK, PDF, archive).

If the Other section is more than 5-10 GB, it is a signal of a buildup of garbage – fragments of deleted applications, erroneous downloads or corrupted files, in which case a deep cleaning (about this in section 4) will help.

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

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up their work, and over time, it accumulates and can take several gigabytes, and it can be safely deleted, as it will recover the next time programs run.

Method 1: Clearing the cache for individual applications

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as YouTube or Facebook).
3. Press "Storage" → "Clear the cache".

Method 2: Mass cleaning the cache of all applications

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Click "Select data for cleaning" and tick "Cash applications".
3. Confirm the action with the "Clear" button.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t confuse “Clear Cache” with “Clean Data”! The second option will delete all settings and application files (such as WhatsApp correspondence or save in games), which is equivalent to reinstalling the program.

Check the space in the "Memory" section

Close all working applications

Backup of important data (in case of error)

Do not clear the cache of system applications (for example, "Settings" or "Phone")-->

After cleaning the cache, restart the smartphone, which will help the system correctly recalculate the free space. If applications start to work slower after the procedure, do not worry: they will restore the necessary data the next time you use it.

3. Delete unnecessary files: photos, videos and downloads

Media files are the main memory eater on any smartphone. On Redmi 8T with a 48 MP camera, one.HEIC photo can weigh 5-10 MB, and a minute video in Full HD can weigh up to 200 MB. Even 100 photos will take about 1 GB!

How to find and delete unnecessary files:

• 📸 Photos and videos: Open the Gallery app and go to All Media Files. Sort files by size: click on the three dots in the top right corner. → "Sort by" → "Size. Remove duplicates, blurred images and unnecessary videos. Use Selection Mode for convenience (Select → file → "Delete").
• 📥 Downloads: Open the Files app (or Explorer) and go to the Download folder. APK-files (application installation packages), PDF-Note files with extensions.apk,.zip,.rar, which are often left after installing programs.
• 🎵 Music and podcasts: Check the Music and Podcasts folders in the Files app. Delete tracks that you can listen to online (for example, via Spotify or Yandex Music).

⚠️ Note: When deleting files, do not touch folders with names:

• Android (app system data),
• MIUI (firmware files),
• DCIM/.thumbnails (miniatures for gallery)

Deleting the contents of these folders can cause malfunctions in the smartphone.

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Use cloud services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud or Yandex Drive) to automatically upload photos, which will remove the originals from your phone, freeing up space, but save access to files.

4. Data transfer to memory card: how to properly expand storage

The Redmi 8T supports microSD cards up to 512GB, which allows you to significantly expand the available space, but there are nuances: not all files can be transferred, and some applications may not work correctly from an external drive.

How to transfer files to a memory card:

1. Insert the microSD card into the slot (located under the lid next to the tray for SIM-map).
2. When you first connect, the system will offer to format the card - agree (all data on it will be deleted!).
3. Open the Files app and select files to transfer (such as photos or music).
4. Click "More" (three dots) → "Move to" → select a memory card (SD-card).

Transfer applications to a memory card (not all Redmi 8T models support this feature):

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Netflix or Spotify).
3. Click "Storage" → "Change" → "Memory Map".

⚠️ Note: Transferring applications to a memory card can cause them to work unstable:

• System applications (Settings, Phone, Messages),
• Applications that require quick access to data (such as Google Maps or banking programs)
• Games with high performance requirements.

5. Removal of system debris and unnecessary applications

Even if you regularly clean the cache and delete unnecessary files, the MIUI system accumulates temporary data that is not visible to the user.

• Residual files of remote applications,
• Log files of the system (.log,.tmp),
• Outdated. APK-update-file,
• Duplicate contacts or messages.

How to remove system debris:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the "Cleaning" section" → "Deep cleaning".
3. Wait for the scan to be completed and click "Clean".

Removal of pre-installed applications (bloatware):

Redmi 8T has a number of system applications (Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps) that can not be removed by standard means, but you can disable:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Browser).
3. Click "Disable" (if the "Delete" button is inactive).

Root rights will be required to completely remove system applications, but this is risky and unsafe, and the alternative is to hide them by running a command via ADB:

adb shell pm hide com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer

(Replace com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer with the batch name of the unwanted application).

6. Reset to factory settings: a radical method

If all the previous methods failed, and the space is still critically scarce, the last option is a hard reset, which will delete all data from the phone, including:

• Applications and their settings,
• Photographs, videos and music,
• Contacts, communications and correspondence,
• Accounts (including Mi Accounts)

How to reset:

1. Back up your important data (via Mi Cloud or manually on PC).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, follow the instructions for the initial setup.

⚠️ Warning: If you forget your Mi Account password, reset may lock your phone:

• Remember the username and password from Xiaomi account
• The “Find Device” function is disabled on the phone (otherwise, you will need to enter account data after resetting).

💡

Factory reset is a last resort, only use it if other methods have failed, and you are ready to lose all the data on your phone.

7.Memory optimization: how to prevent future filling

To prevent memory loss from recurring, follow these guidelines:

• 🔄 Regular cleaning: Set a schedule for automatic cache cleaning in the Security app (Section Cleaning" → "Autocleaning").
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Set up automatic photo uploads to Google Photos or Mi Cloud and delete originals from your phone.
• 📱 Control applications: Remove unused programs and limit background activity in battery settings.
• 🔍 Memory monitoring: Check the Memory section in the settings once a month to identify the “eaters” of the space in time.

You should also give up the habit of keeping on your phone:

• Movies and TV series (watch online or delete after watching)
• Large archives (for example, backups from PCs),
• Several versions of one application (APK-file).

If you install games frequently, use the “Light Mode” feature in Google Play – it allows you to download lightweight versions of apps that take up less space.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleaning on Redmi 8T