How to Clean Xiaomi Redmi 8: From Cache to Deep Optimization

The Xiaomi Redmi 8, released in 2019, is still a popular budget smartphone thanks to its robust hardware and support for updates, but over time, even this device begins to slow down: apps open for a long time, memory is clogged with garbage, and the battery goes down faster. The reason is not in the outdated Snapdragon 439 processor, but in the accumulated digital “waste”: cache, remnants of remote programs, fragmented files and background software from the computer. MIUI.

In this article, we've tried and tested ways to clean Redmi 8 without risking data, taking into account the features of its firmware and hardware limitations, we'll figure out how to delete unnecessary files, optimize the system, get rid of viruses (if any) and even physically clean the device of dust. No universal "advice for all smartphones" - only specific actions for your model.

Important: Redmi 8 has 32/64 GB of memory (depending on version), so cleaning here is more critical than on flagships.If you've never cleaned your phone, after treatments you can free up before. 5–8 GB of space – and that’s without removing personal photos or apps!

1.Diagnosis: What exactly is stopping your Redmi 8?

Before cleaning, you need to understand what the problem is. MIUI (Even in current versions, he likes to "clog" memory with background processes, and a weak Redmi 8 processor does not always cope with the load»:

• 📊 Check CPU boot: Go to Settings → The phone. → Status of the system → If the load is constantly above 50% without running applications, there is a “heavy” process in the system.
• 🗑️ Memory Analysis: Open Settings → Memory. You can see how much it takes for apps, cache, media and other things (often garbage).
• 🔋 Battery test: in Settings → Battery → Battery use, see which applications are using up the charge in the background. If there's some unknown software, maybe a virus.

Typical Redmi 8 symptoms that require cleaning:

If you see a system data item in the memory list that's over 3-4 GB, that's a warning sign, and it's often inflated because of:

• 📁 Remnants of Remote Applications (especially Games).
• 🔄 Logos of the system (MIUI guides them in great detail).
• 📥 Unsuccessful downloads from Google Play or Mi App Store.

⚠️ Note: If you see a file in the Memory section that is larger than 500MB in size, com.miui.analytics is the accumulated data from Xiaomi analytics. → Annexes → Application management → Systemic → Analytics (button "Clear the data»).

2.Cache cleanup: Quick and safe

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up work. On Redmi 8, with its modest 2-3 GB of RAM, cache can lead to lags. You need to clean it regularly (every 1-2 months), but not more often - otherwise the applications will take longer to load.

Method 1: Through the MIUI settings

1. Open the settings → Memory → Clean.
2. Select Cash (do not touch Garbage – this will delete useful files).
3. Confirm the cleanup. On Redmi 8, it'll free up 500MB to 1.5GB.

Method 2: For individual applications (if one of them is slowing down)

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the app you want (like Facebook or Instagram).
3. Click Clear Cache (not Clear Data – it will reset the settings!).

Method 3: Through Recovery (if the phone is slowing down)

This method will reset all temporary system files, including the update cache.Such as Redmi 8 has become slower since the update MIUI.

Turn off the phone.

Press Power + Volume Up Before the Mi Logo Appears

Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (use volume buttons to navigate)

Confirm the action with the power button

Restart your phone (Reboot)

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⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache and Wipe Data in Recovery! The second option will erase all your data (photos, contacts, apps). On Redmi 8, the control buttons in Recovery aren't always intuitive - if you're not sure, better use the former method.

Once the cache is cleared, the phone can run slower for the first 10 to 15 minutes, which is normal: apps need to recreate temporary files.

• 📱 Apps open faster.
• 🔄 Less “suspend” when switching between tasks.
• 🔋 Battery lasts longer (background processes stopped eating resources).

3. Removal of garbage and unnecessary files

On Redmi 8, garbage accumulates in three places:

1. Download folder - here all downloaded files from the browser, messengers, email are stored.
2. folder DCIM/.thumbnails — Miniatures of photos that the system automatically creates.
3. folder Android/obb — Game data (can weigh several gigabytes!).

How to find and delete:

1. Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Mi File Explorer).
2. Go to Internal Memory and sort files by size (the largest ones are at the top).
3. Delete: 🗑️ Files with.apk extension (unless you manually installed applications). 🎮 Games that you haven’t used in a long time (in the Android/obb). 📂 Duplicate photos (use Google Photos app to search for photos).

Built-in MIUI tools:

Redmi 8 has a Deep Cleanup feature that detects garbage automatically:

1. Open Security. → Cleanup.
2. Click on “Deep Clean” (confirmation may be required).
3. Select file categories to delete (e.g., “Residual Files” or “Large Files”).

Beware of the Google Play "optimizers"! most of them:

• 🚫 They become the source of garbage (background processes).
• 🛡️ Your data may be collected (especially Chinese apps).
• 🔄 Often delete useful files, masking them as “garbage».

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Before deleting files from the folder Android/obb Check if they're being used by the current games, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty store map data here - if you delete, the game will have to be downloaded again.

4. Application Optimization: What Can Be Removed Without Risk?

MIUI Redmi 8 defaults to installing a lot of pre-installed applications (bloatware) that can't be removed in standard ways. ADB (power-user).

List of safe applications to remove / disable:

How to disable unnecessary applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Pay).
3. Click "Disable" (if the button is inactive - the application is system, is deleted only through the ADB).

Removal via ADB (for advanced users):

If you are willing to use ADB, follow the instructions:

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications can lead to unstable work MIUI. For example, if you delete your Mi Account, you will not be able to use the Xiaomi cloud. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

After optimizing applications:

• 📲 Free up to 1-2 GB of memory.
• 🔄 The number of background processes will decrease.
• 🔋 Battery will last 10-15% longer.

5.Deep cleaning: Cache reset and Dalvik

If Redmi 8 is getting unbearably slow and standard methods are not working, it’s time to resort to “heavy artillery” – resetting Dalvik cache and system temporary files – that won’t delete your data, but requires care.

Cache reset via Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery.
3. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

Dalvik cache reset (for power users):

Dalvik cache is optimized files to speed up applications. If they're damaged, the phone will slow down.

1. Enter Recovery (as in the instructions above).
2. Choose Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache.
3. Confirm and reboot.

After this procedure:

• 🐢 The first download will take 5-10 minutes (this is normal!).
• 📱 Applications will open slower for the first few launches.
• 🔄 After 1-2 days, the phone will stabilize.

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the cache, the phone is stuck on the Mi logo for longer than 15 minutes, the firmware may be damaged. In this case, you will need to reflash the device via Fastboot (instructions are available on the official Xiaomi website).

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Resetting Dalvik cache helps if the phone started to brake after the update MIUI It's safer than a full reset, but it takes time to re-optimize the system.

6. Physical cleaning: how to clean connectors and body

Dust and dirt in Redmi 8 connectors can cause:

• 🔌 Charging problems (the phone can't see the cable).
• 🔊 Distortion of sound in a speaker or microphone.
• 📶 Bad network signal (if dust hits antenna module).

What you need:

• 🧴 Alcohol wipes (70% isopropyl alcohol).
• 🪥 Toothpick or plastic spatula.
• 💨 Compressed air cylinder (optional).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-map/lot.
2. Type-C charging connector: Carefully remove the dust with a toothpick (not a metal object!).
3. Speaker and microphone: Blow the holes with compressed air (hold the balloon vertically!) Don't use wet wipes - this can damage the membrane.
4. Body: Wipe the screen and back with a microfiber napkin. Use alcohol to remove greasy stains (but don't pour it directly on your phone!).

What can't be done:

• 🚫 Use a vacuum cleaner (may damage the microphone).
• 🚫 Clean connectors with metal objects (risk of short circuit).
• 🚫 Immerse your phone in water or soap solution.

If after cleaning the charging connector still does not work:

• 🔌 Try another cable (maybe the problem is it).
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 🛠️ If it doesn’t help, it may be a damaged charging controller (repair needed).

7.Protection against future clogging: how to maintain cleanliness?

To prevent Redmi 8 from becoming a digital junkyard in a month, follow these rules:

1. Set up auto-clean:

• 🗑️ Enable in Settings → Memory. → Autoclean (remove cache once a week).
• 📂 Set up Google Photos to automatically delete backups from your phone.

2. Control the installation of applications:

• 📱 Remove unused apps right away (they take up space even in the background).
• 🔍 Check reviews before installing some programs (especially from the APK) clutter up the phone.

3. Optimize the background processes:

• 🔄 Limit auto-start to Settings → Battery. → Auto-start.
• 📵 Turn off background activity for unnecessary apps (such as games).

4. Regularly check your memory:

• 📊 Open the settings once a month → Memory and delete large files.
• 🔍 Use Files by Google to find duplicates and junk.

5. Update the firmware:

Xiaomi regularly releases patches for MIUI, They're going to optimize the system:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on "Check Updates."
3. If a new version is available, install it (preliminarily freeing up 1-2 GB of memory).

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Regular cache cleaning and app installation control extend the life of Redmi 8 by 1-2 years, the main thing is to prevent less than 10% of free memory (this is a critical threshold for the Redmi 8). MIUI).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Xiaomi Redmi 8