How to see the memory status on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: step-by-step instructions with pictures

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but even it is not immune to memory problems. Over time, users face slowdowns, sudden reboots or reports of space shortages. The reasons can lie in both internal storage and RAM failures. In this article, we will analyze all available diagnostic methods, from basic to advanced, including hidden MIUI tools.

It is important to understand the difference between the types of memory: internal storage (where files, applications and system are stored) and RAM (responsible for multitasking). On the Redmi Note 8 with 4/64 GB or 6/128 GB configuration, problems are more often caused by unoptimized resource use. We will show how not only to look at the current state, but also to identify memory eaters that are slowing down the device.

1. Check internal memory through standard settings

The easiest way to do this is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which give you basic information about storage occupancy, but they don't show you detailed analysis by file type. Here's how to do this:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section. → Warehouse.
3. Wait for the chart to load (it can take up to 10 seconds).

The screen will show:

• 📊 Total memory (e.g. 64GB or 128GB).
• 📁 Occupied space by category: “Applications”, “Images”, “Video”, etc.
• ⚠️ System files (cannot be deleted without root rights).
• 🗑️ Garbage (cache, temporary files) – it can be cleaned right here.

⚠️ Note: If the “Other” section is more than 10 GB occupied, this is a sign of fragmentation of memory or accumulation of unnecessary data from remote applications. → Annexes → Application management → Clear the cache.

For detailed analysis, click on any category (e.g., "Applications"). The system will show a list of programs sorted by place, where you can immediately remove unnecessary ones or transfer them to a memory card (if installed).

Delete unused apps | Clear cache manually |Transfer photo/video to the cloud |Check Downloads folder for garbage |Disable autosave messengers-->

2. Monitoring of RAM (RAM) in real time

The RAM on the Redmi Note 8 (4 or 6 GB depending on the modification) is responsible for smooth interface operation. If it is not enough, the phone begins to slow down or force to close applications.

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Go back to the main settings menu and find a new section for developers.
3. Scroll down to the Debugging block and turn on the option to Show Memory Use.

Now, in the upper right corner of the screen, a mini-graphic with three colors will be displayed:

• 🟢 Green is free memory.
• 🟡 Yellow – a busy system and applications.
• 🔴 Red – cached data (the system can release them if necessary).

If the yellow band is consistently over 80%, that's a signal of a lack of RAM.

• 🔄 Close background applications through recent tasks (swipe up and hold).
• ⚙️ Turn off the autoload of unnecessary programs in Settings → Annexes → Auto-start.
• 📱 Install a light firmware (for example, MIUI Lite) or slide back to a more stable version.

Once a day.|Only when it's slowing down.|Never.|Using automatic cleaning.-->

Advanced diagnostics via engineering menu (#4636##)

The hidden engineering menu provides technical memory status data that is not available in the standard interface. On the Redmi Note 8, this method only works on MIUI firmware prior to version 12.5 - newer versions may have limited access.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636## (no call confirmation).
3. Select the item Phone Information.

In the Usage block, you will see:

• 📱 Total RAM — total memory.
• 🔄 Used RAM — currently occupied.
• 🗑️ Free RAM — Free (critically if less than 500 MB).
• 📊 Cached data (can be released without consequences).

⚠️ Note: If the Unknown displays in the engineering menu instead of numbers, it means that your version is the same. MIUI It blocks access. The alternative is to use applications like this. CPU-Z (see next section).

To analyze the internal storage in the engineering menu, go to the Storage tab.

• 💾 Internal Storage – a section with user data.
• 🔧 System Storage – occupied by system files (cannot be changed!).
• ⚠️ Misc – Other files (often there is garbage hiding here).

4. Third-party applications for in-depth analysis

The built-in MIUI tools provide limited information, and for detailed diagnostics, we recommend:

Example of CPU-Z use:

1. Install and open the application.
2. Go to the Memory tab.
3. Note the lines: Total RAM is total. Used RAM is currently occupied. Cached RAM is cached data.

Storage

Internal Storage

SD Card

AIDA64 also allows you to perform a read/write memory test.

1. Launch the app.
2. Go to Tests → Memory Read/Write.
3. Press Start Benchmark.

⚠️ Note: If the reading/writing speed is in the test AIDA64 below 150 MB/s is a sign of memory wear (especially relevant for devices older than 3 years.

💡

Before installing third-party utilities, check their ratings and reviews. Some "memory cleanup" apps consume resources themselves and display false warnings.

5. Memory check via ADB (for power users)

If you want the most accurate data, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting your smartphone to your PC and basic command line knowledge.

1. Download and install Platform Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on USB debugging on your phone (Settings → Developer).
3. Connect the Redmi Note 8 to your PC via USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode).
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
5. Enter the command to check RAM: adb shell dumpsys meminfo or to analyze internal storage: adb shell df -h

Deciphering the key parameters in the output meminfo:

• 📌 MemTotal - Total volume RAM.
• 📌 MemFree - Free Memory.
• 📌 Cached - cached data.
• 📌 SwapTotal – a swap file (if any).

The df-h command will show the vault sections with the occupied and vacant space, for example:

Filesystem      Size  Used  Avail  Use%  Mounted on




/dev/block/mmcblk0p53




64G   45G   19G   70%   /data

You can see here that out of 64 GB of internal memory, 45 GB (70%) is occupied.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from partitions /system or /vendor through ADB — This will make your phone inoperable. /data (user files).

💡

ADB is the most accurate way to diagnose, but it requires caution. Wrong commands can disrupt the system.

6. Memory analysis via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If the Redmi Note 8 is not loading due to critical memory errors, you can try the diagnostics through Recovery Mode.This mode allows you to check the integrity of the partitions and clear the cache.

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to Recovery Mode.
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
5. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (this is secure and will not delete your data).

If after cleaning the cache, the phone still does not turn on, the problem may be:

• 🔋 Damaged section /data (Reset to factory settings required).
• 💽 Memory wear (if the device is more than 3-4 years old).
• 🔧 Incorrect firmware (you need to reflash through Fastboot).

To check the memory status in Recovery Mode, select Advanced → File System Check. The system will scan the partitions for errors and try to fix them.

7. Signs of memory failure and when to contact the service

Memory problems are not always solved by software, and if you see the following symptoms, you may need repairs:

• 🔄 Cyclical reboots (phone turns on, shows logo and switches off again).
• 📱 Hanging on the Mi logo (more than 5 minutes).
• 💾 Errors when installing applications (for example, “Not enough space” although memory is free).

In such cases, self-diagnosis is powerless. Contact Xiaomi Service Center for:

• 🔧 Memory checks on specialized equipment (e.g, UFS Tester).
• 🔄 Replacement of the memory module (on the Redmi Note 8 it is eMMC 5.1 or UFS 2.1, depending on the lot).
• 📥 Flip-through EDL Mode (if the phone does not respond to the buttons).

The cost of memory repair in Redmi Note 8 (as of 2026):

• 💰 Diagnosis - from 500 rubles.
• 💰 Replacement of memory module – 2500-4000 rubles (depending on the type of memory).
• 💰 Data recovery – from 3000 rubles (if the memory is still read).

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8