Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 8 smartphones often face an unpleasant situation when the internal memory of the device is overflowing, and the specific reason for this is impossible to find. Android classifies a huge amount of data in the “Other” section, which can take from 10 to 20 gigabytes, significantly slowing down the gadget. This is not just a system error, but the result of the accumulation of temporary files, remnants of deleted applications and messenger cache, which has not been cleaned in years.
Cleaning this partition requires not just mechanically deleting files, but understanding the structure of the MIUI shell file system. Many users try to delete system files through third-party file managers, which can lead to unstable operating system operation. It is important to act consistently, using built-in diagnostic and deep cleaning tools to make room without harming personal data and settings.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the safe ways to free up space on your Redmi 8. You will learn how to use the standard Security app correctly, how to work with the social media cache, and what hidden folders can be removed without risk.
Analysis of the contents of the section Other
The Other section of Xiaomi’s storage is a collection of messaging apps where it puts everything it couldn’t attribute to photos, videos, audio or installed apps, including APK archives, documents, installation packages, and data remnants from long-deleted programs. Often, the bulk of it is messenger databases like Telegram or WhatsApp, which store the history of correspondence and media files separately from the standard gallery.
First, you need to do a thorough diagnostic to understand what exactly takes up space. The built-in memory analyzer allows you to see the distribution of data into categories, but it does not always show the detail inside the "Other" section. The user should pay attention to the size of the application cache, since it is often that it inflates to a giant scale after prolonged use.
System logs and error reports can also make up a significant portion of this volume. If you are a navigator user, offline maps can weigh several gigabytes. Understanding the nature of files is the first step to successful cleanups, avoiding the removal of critical components.
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Use the Cleanup feature in the standard Security app for initial analysis, but don’t rely on it alone for deep cleaning.
Use of the built-in MIUI cleaner
The MIUI shell has powerful built-in maintenance tools that users often underestimate. The standard Security app has a Cleanup module that scans the device for temporary files, ad debris and residual files, and running this procedure is a safe way to remove surface debris without risking damage to the system.
To access advanced features, you need to go to the app menu and select "Rescue Cleanup." The system will suggest removing the cache, which does not affect the operation of applications, but takes up space. It is important to distinguish the cache from the application data: cleaning the cache is safe, while cleaning the data will reset the application to factory settings, removing logins and correspondence.
☑️ Standard cleaning algorithm
After standard check, it is recommended to use the deep cleanup function if it is available in your firmware version.This mode analyzes large files, long-unopened applications and duplicates. Be careful when choosing files to delete in this mode, as the system may mark important documents as unused.
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Standard cleaning is safe, but only removes a small fraction of the garbage; additional methods are needed to get the real result.
Cleaning the cache of messengers and social networks
The most active memory consumers on Redmi 8 are instant messengers. Telegram, Viber and WhatsApp by default store all received photos and videos in the memory of the device, dubbing them into the system gallery and in their internal cache. This leads to a situation where the same video takes place twice, and the “Other” section grows in proportion to the activity in the chats.
The most effective way to clean up is to use the built-in tools of the apps themselves. Telegram needs to go to Settings → Data and memory → Memory Use. Here you can see detailed statistics and clear the cache by clicking the appropriate button. This action will not delete your correspondence, since it is stored on the server, but will free up gigabytes of space on the phone.
For WhatsApp, the procedure is slightly different, as it stores backups locally. You need to go to Settings → Data and Storage → Storage Management. The app will show files larger than 5 MB and let you select the chats with the highest amount of data for selective cleaning. It is also useful to disable auto-save media to the gallery so that new files do not create duplicates.
Why is the cache growing so fast?
Keep in mind to check the download settings in each application regularly. Setting a limit on autostarting media downloads only over Wi-Fi will help control the growth of the Other partition in the future, especially for models with a small amount of internal memory, such as the 32 or 64 GB versions of Redmi 8.
Working with Android and DCIM folders
Manually working with the file system through Mi Explorer or Files by Google allows you to remove what automatic cleaners do not see. Android/data, And there's often folders of remote games and programs that weigh hundreds of megabytes.
In addition to your photos, the DCIM folder may contain the.thumbnails folder, which is a hidden folder where the system stores thumbnails of all images for quick display in the gallery. Over time, this file can grow to 1-2 GB. It can be safely deleted, but the system will create it again when you open the gallery, so it is worth doing this before selling the phone or when the space is critically small.
Also worth checking is Download. Browsers and instant messengers often save open documents, app installers and pictures. Cleaning up the directory is a quick way to free up space. Deleting old APK installation files after updating programs is a good habit.
| Path to folder | Content description | Can I delete? |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb | Cache files of heavy games and applications | Only if the application is removed |
| /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails | Miniatures of gallery photos | Yes, but will recover over time |
| /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/debug_log | Logs of system debugging | Yeah, it's safe trash. |
| /storage/emulated/0/Tencent/MicroMsg | WeChat and QQ Data | In-app only |
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When you delete files from your Android/data folder, be sure that you no longer need the app or know what data is stored there.
Cleaning the system cache through Recovery
If the software methods don’t work, you can resort to cleaning the partition cache through Recovery mode.This method doesn’t delete personal files, contacts or applications, but clears temporary system files that may have been corrupted or taken up too much space after MIUI updates.
To enter Recovery mode on Redmi 8, you need to turn off your phone and then press the power and volume buttons simultaneously. Once the Mi logo appears, you can release the power button while still holding the volume. In the recovery menu, which is controlled by the volume buttons and confirmed by the power button, you need to select Wipe Cache.
⚠️ Warning: Do not choose Wipe All Data or Factory Reset if you want to save your data, and this will completely destroy the information on the phone, returning it to the factory state.
The cleaning process takes a few seconds. Once completed, you need to select the Reboot to restart the system. The first boot may take longer than usual, as the system will reassemble the cache, a method that is particularly effective after major firmware updates.
What to do if the Recovery menu does not open?
Removal of unused applications and their residues
Often, the Other section is inflated by apps you haven't used in a long time but haven't deleted. MIUI has an Application Removal feature that shows not only the programs you've installed, but also the ones you've rarely used, and removing those programs is the first step to freeing up space.
But simply removing it from the desktop is often not enough: Many applications leave behind folders with settings and cache at the root of internal memory. Once you uninstall the program manually go through the root directory and delete folders with the names of remote applications, which can be folders from old games, bank customers or delivery services.
Also worth checking is the list of applications with administrator rights and file access. Malware or low-quality programs can covertly download data. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications and sort the list by size. Apps that take up suspiciously much space (for example, a simple 500 MB calculator) should be removed and replaced with analogues.
⚠️ Note: Do not remove Xiaomi and Google system apps unless you are sure of their purpose «MIUI System can cause phone malfunction.
For advanced users, there is the option of using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to remove system debris from a computer, which requires a USB connection and commands, but allows you to access hidden partitions that are not available to the average user.
adb shell pm list packages -f
adb shell pm clear name.packet.applicationsUse of such commands requires caution. An error in the name of a package can cause an important process to stop. Always check the name of the package before cleaning.
Prevention of memory overflow
To keep the problem from returning in a month, you need to change your smartphone usage habits. Regular cleaning of the shopping cart in the gallery and in the Deleted folder in the explorer is a mandatory procedure. Files in the shopping cart take up space for another 30 days unless they are forcibly deleted.
Use cloud storage to store archives of photos and documents. Services like Google Photos or Yandex.Disk allow you to free up space on your device with a single click, saving copies in the cloud. On Redmi 8 with its limited memory, it is a critical feature for comfortable work.
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Regular prevention and use of cloud services is more effective than emergency cleaning of a crowded phone.
Turn off automatic app updates over the mobile network if you have a limit tariff or an unstable Internet. Updates may take up space temporarily, but when you interrupt the download, they may leave broken packets in the download section. Configure updates only through Wi-Fi.