Xiaomi Redmi 8A Memory Cleanup: A Complete Guide with Hidden MIUI Chips

Xiaomi Redmi 8A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its 32 GB of internal memory is quickly clogged with garbage. Even if you do not install games, the MIUI system and background processes eat up up to 50% of the space in six months of active use. In this article, we will discuss 7 working methods of cleaning memory, from basic to advanced, which do not require root rights and do not delete important data.

The Redmi 8A feature is that there is no memory card slot in some versions (e.g. M1908C3IG). This means that users have to save every megabyte. We tested all methods on MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 13 firmware, the results are summarized in the efficiency table below. Important: before cleaning, check how much System data in Settings → Memory takes. If there is more than 10 GB, your smartphone needs urgent optimization.

1. Memory Occupation Analysis: What's Eating Space on the Redmi 8A

Before you clean it, you need to figure out which files are taking up memory. Redmi 8A has a built-in analyzer, but it hides some of the data.

Open Settings → Memory → Memory Analysis. The system will show the distribution by category:

• 📁 Apps - here usually 40-60% Pay attention to games (even remote ones can leave cache) and messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp.
• 📷 Multimedia - photo in DCIM, Movies video, browser downloads. 8A The camera defaults to save pictures in 12 MP resolution, which quickly fills the memory.
• 🗑️ System data is the most insidious item. This includes cache. MIUI, mistake (/data/log), Temporary update files and duplicates APK.
• 📄 Other – here are hidden downloads from Xiaomi Cloud, offline maps Google Maps and files from Android/obb (play-off).

If the System Data section is more 8 GB is an anomaly, and the most common fault is the Google Play cache that's on Redmi. 8A may grow 3-4 GB due to bug in MIUI 12.0.3.0. Solution – forced cleaning through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Show system-based → Google Play Services.

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete the folder /data/dalvik-cache You can manually use the file manager, and this will cause you to reboot your smartphone in a cycle, and you can only clean it with your regular tools or recoveries.

2 Manual cleaning: what can be removed without risk

Start with secure files that won’t affect your system. Redmi 8A has 5 junk folders that you can clean regularly:

To access your system folders, use Xiaomi File Manager (enable hidden files in your settings) or Solid Explorer. Do not delete files with extensions:

• 🚫.odex and.oat: components of the system
• 🚫.db in the folder /data/data — database
• 🚫 boot.img or recovery.img — criticalism

Check the free space in the settings → Memory

Backup important files on the PC

Disable synchronization with Mi Cloud (Settings → Xiaomi Account)

Close all applications in multitasking-->

3.Cache and garbage cleanup through hidden MIUI features

MIUI has deep cleaning tools built in, but they're hidden from the user. Here's how to activate them:

Method 1: Secret menu "Deep cleaning"

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5 times on the line MIUI version – will be a notification “You became a developer”.
3. Return to the main settings menu, open Additional → for developers.
4. Activate Debugging over USB and Allow location simulation.
5. Now in Settings → Memory will appear button Deep Clean (click and confirm).

Method 2: Clean through the engineering menu (powers Redmi 8A with firmware up to MIUI 12.5.4):

1. In the phone app, dial the code ##4636##.
2. Choose Warehouse.
3. Tap Clear Dalvik cache (it's safe, but the phone will reboot).

These methods remove up to 2-4 GB of hidden debris, including duplicates APK, obsolete OTA-Google Play Services Service Packs and Cache, after cleaning, check the System Data section, which should decrease by 30-50%.

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the place ends.

Never cleaned.-->

4. Application optimization: what can be removed or replaced

Redmi 8A has many MIUI system applications that cannot be removed by standard methods, but can be disabled or replaced with lighter ones:

To remove system applications without root rights:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC and connect Redmi 8A over USB (enable Debugging over USB).
2. Enter the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.video (replace com.miui.video with the desired application package).
3. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete applications with packages: com.android. – system components of com.qualcomm. – processor drivers com.xiaomi.finddevice – device search service This will lead to the inoperability of the smartphone!

💡

Before you uninstall system applications, create a restore point in TWRP (if installed) to recoil in case of an error.

5. Transfer data to a memory card (if there is a slot)

Redmi 8A models with the index M1908C3IC and M1908C3IE support microSD cards up to 512 GB. Here is how to transfer data correctly:

Step 1: Formatting the card as an internal memory

This method allows you to install applications on SD-The card, but it has a nuance: the card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices:

1. Put the card in your smartphone.
2. Go to Settings → Memory → SD card.
3. Select Settings (cogs) → Internal memory.
4. Confirm the formatting (the data on the map will be erased!).

After that, in Settings → Memory will appear the option to Transfer data.

Step 2: Transfer of applications

Not all apps support porting to SD. To check:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook).
3. If there is a button, move to SD-map -- press it.

Important:

6. Reset to factory settings: when necessary

If after all the manipulations are free less than 1 GB, and the system brakes - it's time to do a hard reset. On the Redmi 8A there are 2 ways:

Method 1: Through the settings menu (stores data on the memory card, if it is installed):

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Enter your password (if installed) and confirm.

Method 2: Recovery (if the phone is not switched on or freezes):

1. Turn off Redmi 8A.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
3. From the recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the choice and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Attention: After the Redmi reset 8A It can be a long time (up to 10 minutes) — that's okay. Don't interrupt the process! If the Mi is on for more than 20 minutes, then there's been an error (possibly due to a damaged firmware).

To recover data after resetting:

• 🔄 Use a backup from Mi Cloud (if sync was enabled).
• 📱 Connect your smartphone to your PC and use Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver to recover photos/contacts.
• 🚫 Do not install new applications immediately after resetting – let the system stabilize for 1-2 hours.

💡

Factory reset removes viruses, fixes MIUI errors, and returns “clean” firmware, but does not solve problems with physically damaged memory (if any).

7. Advanced methods: for experienced users

If the standard methods didn’t help, try these expert techniques (take care!):

Method 1: Removal of APK duplicates

The /data/app folder often contains files from remote applications with the extension -1.apk or -2.apk.

1. Install Root Explorer (or any file manager with root access, if any).
2. Go to /data/app.
3. Delete files with suffixes -1, -2, etc. (e.g. com.facebook.katana-2.apk).

Savings:

Method 2: Cleaning the /cache folder

This folder contains temporary update files and a recovery cache to clear it:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
3. Select the Wipe Cache Partition.
4. Reset the device.

Important:

Wipe Data

Method 3: Disabling MIUI logs

The MIUI system maintains detailed logs that take up to 500 MB to disable them:

1. Activate Developer Mode (as in Section 3).
2. Open to the developers → Logistics of operations.
3. Turn off all switches (Bluetooth Log, Wi-Fi Log, etc.).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Redmi memory 8A