Xiaomi Mi 8 Memory Cleanup: A Complete Guide to Restore Performance

Xiaomi Mi 8

MIUI

Mi 8

Memory's almost full.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to clean up memory, from basic (cache and debris removal) to radical (factory reset), focusing on hidden MIUI features that help make room without losing important data. All methods are tested on Xiaomi Mi 8 with MIUI 10–14 firmware (including global and Chinese versions).

Before you start, check how much storage is occupied right now: Settings → About Phone → Storage. If less than 10-15% is free, the smartphone will start to work unstable - this is a critical threshold for the Mi 8 with its 64/128/256 GB of internal memory.

1. Delete the application cache and system

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications that run fast, and over time, it accumulates and takes up to 5-10 GB of memory, and cleaning the cache is safe, and the applications will simply recreate it the next time they run.

How to clear the cache of individual applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook or YouTube).
3. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – this will delete accounts and settings!).

For mass cleaning, use the built-in MIUI tool: Settings → Storage → Cleanup. Here, the system will show garbage files (remnants of deleted applications, temporary data) and prompt them to be deleted with one tap.

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After cleaning the cache, restart the smartphone - this will help the system to recalculate the free space and avoid glitches with the display of memory.

⚠️ Note: Do not clean the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui) manually through Settings → All applications. This can cause interface failures. MIUI.

2. manually delete unnecessary files

Often users do not notice how duplicate photos, downloads from messengers or old ones accumulate. APK-Go through the key folders:

• 📁 Downloads (/storage/emulated/0/Download): This is where you accumulate files from browsers, messengers and email. Delete everything except the actual documents.
• 📸 DCIM →.thumbnails: miniatures of photos and videos that the system automatically creates. You can safely delete them, they will recreate.
• 🎵 Music and Podcasts: Check for unclaimed tracks.
• 📦 Android → data: this is where application data is stored. manual deletion is not recommended - only use built-in tools MIUI.

For convenience, use a guide. MIUI (Menus. → Files, or third-party managers like Solid Explorer, show files by category (images, videos, documents) and sort by size.

3.Storage optimization with MIUI Cleaner

MIUI Cleaner is a powerful tool that many Xiaomi Mi 8 users underestimate: it not only removes garbage, but also analyzes rarely used applications, large files and duplicates.

How to start a deep cleaning:

1. Open Security → Cleaning (icon with broomstick).
2. Click on “Deep Clean” at the bottom of the screen.
3. Wait for the analysis (may take 1-2 minutes).
4. Check the files proposed for deletion and confirm the cleanup.

Pay attention to the tabs:

“Unnecessary files” – temporary data and cache.

"Large files" - videos, archives, games.

“Recommendations” – applications that have not been used for a long time.

Delete the app cache|Clean up the downloads|Remove the miniatures (thumbnails)|Delete APK-file|Remove duplicate photos-->

⚠️ Attention: If MIUI Cleaner offers to delete files from the folder Android/obb, Check them manually! This is where game data (like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) is stored, and deleting them will require re-downloading several gigabytes.

4. Transfer data to a memory card or cloud

The Xiaomi Mi 8 doesn’t support microSD cards, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make room in other ways.

• ☁️ Cloud storage: upload photos and videos to Google Photos (up to 15GB free) or Mi Cloud (5GB for Xiaomi accounts). Use the “Free space” feature in Google Photos – it will delete local copies of already uploaded files.
• 💻 PC or external drive: connect Mi 8 to USB file transfer (MTP) and copy media files to a computer or flash drive.
• 📱 Other device: Use Mi Mover (built-in) MIUI application for transferring files to another Xiaomi smartphone over Wi-Fi Direct.

To automatically sync settings and contacts, back up in Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud → Backup. This won’t free up much space, but it will protect data when reset.

5. Removal of system applications (for experienced)

MIUI is known for its abundance of pre-installed applications, many of which cannot be removed in standard ways. If you are ready to experiment, you can disable or remove unnecessary services through ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect removal of system applications may result in broken features (e.g., a fingerprint scanner or camera will fail). → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

List of safe applications to remove (via ADB):

pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.analytics


pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.player




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.video




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.glgm

How it works:

1. Turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect the Mi 8 to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter commands one by one, checking the result after each.

6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If all previous methods did not work, and the Xiaomi Mi 8 is still slowing down, there is a hard reset, which will delete all data, including apps, photos and settings, but return the smartphone to the factory speed.

How to Reset Mi 8 Properly:

1. Make a backup of important data (see Section 4).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, set up your smartphone as new.

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

1. Turn off Mi 8.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage volume buttons, confirmation – power button).

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Factory resets remove even hidden files and app residues that are not cleaned by standard methods, and this is the only way to return the Mi 8 to its original state if it is heavily infected with viruses or overloaded with debris.

7.Memory optimization after cleaning

Once the space is cleared, it is important to prevent re-clogging, and here are the rules that will prolong the cleanliness of your Mi 8:

• 🔄 Regular cleaning: every 1-2 weeks start Safety → Cleanup.
• 🚫 Limit the cache: in Settings → Apps for “gluttonous” apps (like TikTok or Instagram) set a cache limit.
• 📱 Autoboot Control: Disable Autorun of Unnecessary Applications in Security → Auto-start.
• 🔒 Ad Blocking: Use AdGuard or the built-in blocker in the MIUI (Security → Blocking ads to reduce traffic and memory load.

For advanced users: install the Universal GMS Doze magisk module, which optimizes the work of Google’s background processes and saves memory.

⚠️ Note: If the Mi 8 still slows down after cleaning, the problem may be in the worn flash memory (especially for models with 64 GB), in this case, only replacing the memory chip in the service center will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning the memory Xiaomi Mi 8