How to remove excess memory Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: from cache to system files

Why Redmi 8 Pro is Fast and How to Fix It

Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro owners often face a problem: the smartphone gives a notification “Memory is full” even though you haven’t installed new applications in a long time. What’s the point? The reason is that MIUI, Xiaomi’s proprietary shell, works by actively caching data, backing up and accumulating temporary files that aren’t always deleted automatically, such as instant messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp, which can take up gigabytes of memory only from downloaded media files.

Another trap is duplicate photos, and the Gallery app in Redmi 8 Pro often saves copies of edited images, and cloud services like Google Photos sync them back up again, so the same photo can be stored in 2-3 copies. In addition, many users forget about the system partition, which also requires cleaning - there accumulate error logs, outdated. APK-file and update cache.

In this article, we will analyze 7 working ways to free up memory on Redmi 8 Pro - from basic (cache removal) to advanced (transfer applications to the Redmi 8 Pro). SD-All methods tested on current versions MIUI 12-14 and do not require root rights, and you will learn which files can be safely deleted and which should not be touched, so as not to disrupt the system.

1. Delete the app cache: a quick way to free 1–3 GB

Cache is a temporary file that apps create to make things faster, like YouTube caches videos to load faster when you re-watch them, and Instagram saves thumbnails of stories. Over time, the cache grows to a few gigabytes, although it doesn't really do much good.

• 📱 Through phone settings: go to Settings → Annexes → App management, select the desired app (such as Chrome or Facebook) and click Clear Cache».
• 🧹 Mass cleaning: in Settings → Memory. → Clean up click “Clear Cache” – the system will delete unnecessary files for all applications at once.
• ⚙️ Auto Clean: Enable the Auto Clean option in the same section to MIUI I removed the cache once a week.

Important: Don't confuse cache with app data! If you click Clear Data, all settings will reset (e.g. WhatsApp will delete chats), and the cache can be cleaned without consequences - the apps will simply recreate it the next time they run.

⚠️ Warning: After clearing the cache, some applications (such as Google Maps or Spotify) can load longer on the first run.

Clear the browser cache (Chrome, Mi Browser)

Delete the cache of social networks (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)

Clear the cache of messengers (Telegram, Viber)

Clear the cache of Google Play Services (often 500+MB)

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2. Removal of duplicates and unnecessary media files

Photos and videos are the main memory eaters on the Redmi 8 Pro. Even if you don’t shoot much, the system can create duplicates:

• 📸 Edited photos: Gallery app saves original + modified.
• ☁️ Sync with the cloud: Google Photos or Mi Cloud can download copies of existing files.
• 📥 Downloads from messengers: pictures and gifs from Telegram/WhatsApp automatically saved to the Download folder.

To find and remove duplicates:

1. Open the Gallery app → click on the three dots in the top right corner → select “Manage”.
2. Go to the “Dublicates” tab – the system will show the duplicate files.
3. Click "Select All» → «Delete».

For a deeper cleaning, use third-party utilities like Files by Google or CCleaner – they even find hidden duplicates.

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Before mass deleting photos, back up your photos in Google Photos or Mi Cloud, so you can recover randomly deleted photos within 30 to 60 days.

3. Systemic garbage cleanup: what can be removed without risk

Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro accumulates system debris in three main places:

1. Android/data folder – This is where game and app data is stored (e.g. downloaded maps in Google Maps).
2. MIUI/backup folder – backups of settings and SMS created by the system.
3. Download folder — APK-Files, outdated updates and temporary files.

To safely clean these folders:

1. Use the built-in tool: Settings → Memory → Cleanup → Deep Cleanup.
2. For manual cleaning, open File Manager → go to Internal Memory → find folders from the list above.
3. Delete only files that have temp, backup, cache, or.apk extensions in their name (unless they are current updates).

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders Android/obb — It stores game data (such as graphics resources for Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) and deletes them will cause game crashes.

4. Transfer applications and files to SD-map

The Redmi 8 Pro supports microSD cards up to 512GB, but not all apps can be ported to them.

• ✅ You can transfer: most games and applications (for example, Spotify, VLC, WPS Office).
• ❌ Cannot be transferred: system applications (Settings, Phone, Messages) and some messengers (WhatsApp does not support porting to the Internet) SD).

Instructions for transfer:

1. Put it in. SD-map (format) FAT32 exFAT).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select an app (such as Netflix) → press "Storage» → «Change» → specify SD-map.
4. Confirm the transfer. The process may take a few minutes.

To transfer photos, videos and music:

1. Open the File Manager → highlight files.
2. Click "More" (three dots) → "Move".
3. Choose. SD-map.

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Transfer of applications to SD-The card can slow them down, especially if a Class 4 or Class 6 card is used. UHS-I.

5. Factory reset: a last resort

If none of the methods worked, and the Redmi 8 Pro still produces a memory-insufficient error, then a hard reset remains, which will delete all data, including:

• 📱 Applications and their settings.
• 📸 Photos, videos, music (if not saved) SD-map).
• 📞 Contacts, SMS, Call logs (unless synced with Google or Mi Account).

How to reset:

1. Create a backup: Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select “Reset” → “Erase all data”.
4. Confirm the action by entering a password (if installed).

The phone will reboot and return to factory condition.

⚠️ Warning: After a Redmi 8 Pro reset, it can take a long time (5-10 minutes) - this is normal. MI.

6.Memory optimization: how to prevent future filling

To prevent the problem from recurring, set up the Redmi 8 Pro to auto-optimize:

• 🔄 Autocleaning cache: enable in Settings → Memory. → Cleanup → Automatic cleaning (recommended once a week).
• ☁️ Cloud Storage: Configure automatic photo upload to Google Photos or Mi Cloud (in Settings) → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Synchronization).
• 📴 Download restriction: in instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) disable autosave media files in Settings → Data and memory.
• 🎮 Cleaning up the cache of games: in Google Play Games or Game Turbo (in the game) MIUI) Clean temporary files regularly.

Critical information: If you are using Redmi 8 Pro with firmware MIUI Global Stable, then the function "Light mode" (Settings) → Special opportunities → Light mode can significantly reduce memory consumption, in which the system turns off animations and background processes, which reduces the load on the storage.

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Install SD Maid or Files by Google – they analyze memory and suggest removing unnecessary files that MIUI can’t see (for example, remnants of remote applications or empty folders).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Redmi memory 8 Pro