How to completely clean the memory on Xiaomi Redmi 8A: from cache to system garbage

Xiaomi Redmi 8A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its modest 2/3 GB of RAM and 32/64 GB of internal memory quickly clog with unnecessary files. If your phone starts to slow down, give notifications about memory shortages or spontaneously close applications, it’s time to do a general cleaning. In this article, we will discuss 7 working methods of cleaning memory, from basic to advanced, taking into account the features of MIUI for the Redmi 8A.

It's important to understand that just removing photos or apps isn't enough, and the main memory eaters are the app cache, the residual files after uninstallation, duplicate media files, and the system debris that accumulates after updates, and we'll show you how to find and delete all of these without risking damage to the system, and we'll give you tips on how to prevent future memory clogging.

1.Cleaning the app cache: quick freeing up space

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up their work. Over time, they take up gigabytes of memory, although they can be safely deleted. On Redmi 8A, the cache is cleaned in two ways: manually for each application or massively through system settings.

To clear the cache for a specific application:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (like YouTube or Facebook).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

For mass cleaning of the cache of all applications:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Warehouse → Cleanup.
• 🧹 Click Clear cache (the system will show how much space will be freed up).
• ⚡ Confirm the action – it won’t delete your data, only temporary files.

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If the app is slower after cleaning the cache, don't worry. It just recreates the cache, and after 1-2 runs, the speed will return to normal.

On Redmi 8A, the cache of the Google Play Services app can take up to 1-2 GB. Cleaning it is especially useful if the phone is starting to heat up or run out quickly.

2. Delete unnecessary files through the built-in MIUI cleaner

MIUI It has a built-in memory cleaning tool – Security → He analyzes the system and finds it:

• 🗑️ Residual files after deleting applications;
• 📁 Duplicate photos and videos;
• 📄 Large files (for example, downloaded from messengers);
• 🔍 Multimedia files that have not been opened in a long time.

How to use:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Select the Cleanup tab and wait for the scan to be completed.
3. View the categories of files, tick unnecessary and click Clear.

Residual application files|Duplicate photo/video|Unused. APK-file|Cash of mini-programs (Quick Apps)|Uploaded files from the browser older than 30 days-->

Note that MIUI cleaner sometimes flags as “unnecessary” files that may be important, such as removing.nomedia files from music folders or downloaded documents. Always check the list before cleaning, especially if you are unsure of the file’s purpose.

3. Manual removal of large and duplicate files

Even after the MIUI cleaner is running, Redmi 8A still has invisible files that take up space, most commonly:

• 🎥 High-resolution video (especially from WhatsApp or Telegram);
• 📸 Photo format HEIC (They're not seen by many galleries);
• 🎵 Musical tracks downloaded via Boomplay or Spotify;
• 📄 PDF and DOCX-files downloaded from mail or messengers.

To find and remove them:

1. Use a file manager (e.g. Files by Google or Built-in Explorer).
2. Sort files by size: Explorer → Categories → Large files.
3. Check folders: Download (downloads from the browser); DCIM →.thumbnails (miniature photos); Android → data (remnants of remote applications).

Photographs and videos|Apps and their cache|Messenger files|I don't know, I haven't.|Other-->

It's convenient to use third-party applications like Duplicate Files Fixer or CCleaner to search for duplicates, scan memory and show repetitive photos, music or documents. Importantly, before mass-deleting duplicates, back up important files — sometimes algorithms mistakenly identify unique files as copies.

4. Transfer data to a memory card or cloud

Redmi 8A It supports microSD cards up to 512GB, but not all files can be transferred to them. MIUI move:

• 📸 Photos and videos;
• 🎵 Music and podcasts;
• 📄 Some documents (PDF, DOCX);
• 🎮 Data from individual games (if supported).

How to transfer files to a memory card:

1. Open Explorer → Select files → Click More (three dots) → Move.
2. Choose. SD-map.
3. Confirm the transfer.

To transfer applications to the memory card:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app and click Storage → Change. → SD-map.

The alternative to a memory card is cloud storage, with Xiaomi offering 5GB for free in the Mi Cloud and Google Drive offering 15GB.

1. Open the gallery → Settings → Backup.
2. Select Mi Cloud or Google Photos and enable autoload.

5. Reset the recovery cache (for power users)

If standard methods didn't help and the phone is still slowing down, you can clear the recovery partition cache.This won't delete your data, but will reset temporary system files that can cause crashes.The method is recommended only if you understand the risks.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu (manage volume buttons, choose the power button) select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

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Cleaning the cache in recovery does not delete personal data, but it can reset some system settings (e.g., regional settings or background processes).

⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option (full reset) will delete all your files, photos and apps, return the phone to factory settings.

6. Full reset settings (last chance)

If the memory is so clogged that the phone can't update or it's constantly giving out errors, it's a radical method that will put the Redmi 8A back into a boxy state, and all the data will be deleted, so back up first.

How to reset your settings:

1. Save important files to your computer or the cloud.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select Reset all settings and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, the phone will prompt you to set it up as new.

Alternative method (if the phone is not turned on):

1. Press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery.
2. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data.
3. Confirm the reset.

⚠️ Attention: After the Redmi reset 8A You may need to enter a Mi Account if you have previously enabled Device Protection. Make sure you remember your username and password!

7.Memory clogging prevention: 5 rules for the Redmi 8A

To avoid having to clean your memory regularly, follow these tips:

It is also useful to turn off background activity for unnecessary applications.

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Select the application and set a Background activity limit → Limit.

This will reduce memory and battery consumption, as applications will not work in hidden mode.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Redmi memory 8A