Memory Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: A Complete Guide with Expert Tips

Why Redmi Note 8 Pro is slowing down and how it relates to memory

Your Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is getting slower, apps are crashing, and not enough memory is coming every day? 90% of the time, it's overflowing storage. Even with 64 or 128 GB of internal memory, the device is overgrown with unnecessary files: app cache, duplicate photos, remnants of deleted programs and system debris.

The Redmi Note 8 Pro features its MIUI firmware, which actively uses cache to speed up work. On the one hand, it is a plus: often used data loads faster. On the other hand, it is a minus: over time, the cache grows to giant sizes. For example, Google Play Services can take up to 1-2 GB, and social networks like TikTok or Instagram – 500 MB each, while the system does not always correctly clean temporary files automatically.

Another trap is duplicate media files, and when you transfer a photo from a computer or restore it from a backup, you often create copies with titles like this. IMG_20230515_123456(1).jpg. And editing applications (like Snapseed or PicsArt) save intermediate versions of images that are not deleted.

Method 1: Cleaning the application cache manually

Starting with the safest method, deleting temporary application data, will not affect your personal files (photos, videos, documents), but will free up from 500 MB to several gigabytes.

How to do this:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Click on the app with a large cache volume (usually YouTube, Chrome, Facebook or MIUI Gallery).
4. Select Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Clear cache and Clear data! The second action will delete all the settings of the application (for example, logins in social networks or bookmarks in the browser.

Clear the cache of Google Play Services (up to) 1-2 GB)|Delete the cache MIUI Gallery (Photo preview)|Clear Download Manager Data (downloads)|Delete the Chrome cache or other browser-->

To speed up the process, use a cache-size filter. Apps with more than 100MB of cache should be checked first. For example, WhatsApp can store up to 500MB of cache from voice messages and stickers, although the chats themselves take much less.

Method 2: Automatic cleaning with MIUI Optimizer

Xiaomi has built a memory optimization tool into the firmware, MIUI Optimizer (formerly called Security), which analyzes the system and suggests removing unnecessary files, duplicates and remnants of deleted applications.

Instructions:

1. Launch the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleanup tab (or Optimizer in newer versions of MIUI).
3. Press Deep Clean and wait for the scan to be completed.
4. Select file categories to delete (we recommend that you note everything except Downloads – there may be important files).
5. Slip Clean and confirm the action.

⚠️ Attention: If MIUI Optimizer finds "Big Files" and don't delete them right away, including backups (.zip or.bak), videos from important events, or installers (.apk). Always open the folder and check the content before cleaning.

Once a week.|Once a month|Only when the place ends.|Never cleaned.-->

Method 3: Removing duplicate photos and videos

One of the main memory eaters on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is duplicate media files.

• 📸 Import photos from other devices (computer, flash drives).
• 🔄 Automatic backup in Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
• 🎨 Edit images in applications (copies with edited suffix are created).
• 📥 Getting the same files in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).

To find duplicates, use:

1. The built-in MIUI tool: Open Gallery → Albums → Duplicates. The app automatically groups similar photos. Choose which to leave and which to delete.

Third-party annexes:

• Files by Google (Cleanup Tab → Duplicates).
• Duplicate Files Fixer (allows you to search for duplicates by content, not by name)

⚠️ Note: When you delete duplicates in Google Photos, files are deleted from the cloud if sync is enabled. To avoid losses, first turn off autosynchronization in the application settings: Settings → Backup and synchronization.

💡

Before mass removal of duplicates, back up your photo on your computer or cloud. Use the Export function in Google Photos or connect your phone to your PC via USB in File Transfer (MTP) mode.

Method 4: Transfer files to a memory card or cloud

Redmi Note 8 Pro supports microSD cards up to 512 GB, which allows you to offload internal memory.

• 📁 Not all applications can be transferred to SD-map (especially system and games).
• 🔄 Speed with memory card is lower than with built-in memory (class) UHS-I U3 recommended 4K-video).
• 🔒 When you remove the map, some applications may stop working.

How to transfer files:

1. For media: Open Files → Categories → Images / Videos. Select files, click More → Move → Memory Map.

For applications (if supported):

• Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
• Select the application and click Storage → Change → SD card.

Alternative to memory card – cloud storage:

⚠️ Note: When using Google Photos in the “High Quality” mode (with unlimited storage until 2021), new photos take up space in the general limit of 15 GB. Check the settings: Google Photos → Settings → Backup and synchronization → Load size.

Method 5: Remove Unnecessary Applications and Remains

The average user installs 30-50 apps, but only actively uses 10-15. The rest take up space not only by themselves, but also with their cache, databases and settings files. For example, one game like PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact can weigh 2-4 GB, plus another 1-2 GB of cache.

How to clean:

1. Delete apps: Go to Settings → Apps → App management. Sort by size and remove unnecessary ones (e.g., pre-installed games from Xiaomi like Mi Game Center).
2. Removal of residues: Use Files by Google (Cleanup tab → Application Residues). Or manually check folders: /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/ - game files. /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ - application data.

Once you delete the apps, be sure to restart the phone, and some processes can continue to work in the background and take up RAM, creating the illusion of "hanging."

Method 6: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If previous methods didn't work, and the phone still brakes, you'll have to have a hard reset, which will delete all the data from the device, including:

• 📱 Installed applications and their settings.
• 📂 Personal files (photos, videos, documents) on internal memory.
• 🔑 Accounts (Google, Mi Account, social networks).
• 📋 System settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, wallpaper).

How to reset:

1. Create a backup (see the cloud section or connect your phone to your PC).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
4. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with bootloader unlocked, the reset can result in an anti-rollback protection. If you have previously changed firmware, return to the official backup before resetting. MIUI via Mi Flash Tool.

💡

Factory resets are not a panacea; if the phone is slowing down due to physical memory wear (for example, after 3-4 years of use), only replacing the storage chip at the service center will help.

Method 7: Optimize memory for games and heavy applications

If you use the Redmi Note 8 Pro for games (Call of Duty Mobile, Genshin Impact) or video (CapCut, KineMaster), standard cleaning methods may not help.

1. Turn off background activity: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Select a game and turn off AutoRun and Background Activity.
2. Use Game Turbo: Enable mode in the notification curtain or through Settings → Special features → Game Turbo. This will limit background processes and allocate more resources to the game.

Transfer the games to the memory card (if supported):

• Not all games allow this, but some (such as Minecraft) do.

⚠️ Note: When playing Redmi Note 8 The processor temperature can reach 60-70°C. If the phone starts to trottling (reduce performance due to overheating), cleaning the memory will not help - you need a replacement of the thermal paste or cooling stand.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up memory