How to completely remove cache on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: all ways from simple to complex

Cache on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is like dust in the apartment: it accumulates imperceptibly, but sooner or later it begins to interfere. Cache cleaning can solve problems with slow work, overheating or memory shortage, but only if you do it correctly. Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to click “Clear cache” in the application settings – in fact, this is only the tip of the iceberg.

Redmi Note 8 Pro

begonia

Mediatek Helio G90T

MIUI

The main danger

dalvik-cache

1-2GB

In this article, we will analyze 5 proven methods of cleaning cache - from basic to advanced, including working through Recovery and other methods. ADB. You will learn which files can be deleted without risk and which should not be touched, even if they take up a lot of space. Separately, we will focus on myths (for example, that cleaning the cache speeds up the smartphone by 100%) and why the cache returns after cleaning after a few days.

1.What is the cache on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro and why it needs to be cleaned

Cache (from English cache - "cache") are temporary files that are created by applications and the system to speed up work. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the cache is divided into three types:

🔹 Applications – saves data for quick download (for example, thumbnails in a gallery or map cache in Google Maps).

🔹 Dalvik-cache: Optimized versions of installed applications for the processor. /data/dalvik-cache.

🔹 Cache updates – firmware and patch files that are downloaded in the background (/cache).

When cleaning the cache is necessary:

• 📉 The smartphone began to slow down for no apparent reason (especially when switching between applications).
• 🔋 Battery discharges faster than usual - cache can cause unnecessary processes in the background.
• 📱 Memory is full, but you haven’t installed any new apps.
• 🔄 Apps crash or work incorrectly (for example, Instagram does not load Stories).

What happens if you don't clean the cache:

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 8 Pro 64/128 GB of memory cache can lead to automatic deletion of important files by the system. MIUI Begins to aggressively cleanse memory when there is less space 10%, It can even affect the photos in DCIM.

However, blindly clearing the cache is not always useful:

• ⏳ After cleaning, applications will have to re-upload data, which will increase traffic consumption and waiting time.
• 🔄 Some games, for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact can start lagging until they recover their cache.
• 📱 Frequent cleaning of the system cache (dalvik-cache) can lead to damage to optimized files and malfunctions in the work.

💡

Before cleaning the cache, check how much space it takes up in Settings. → Memory. → Memory analysis: If the cache is less than 500MB, cleaning it is unlikely to have a noticeable effect.

2. Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications through settings

The safest method is to remove the cache only for applications that cause problems, which does not affect system files and does not require superuser rights.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Sort by size.
3. Scroll down the list – the apps with the largest cache will be at the top.
4. Tap on the desired application (for example, Facebook or Telegram).
5. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – it will delete all settings!).

Which apps to clean first:

Google (Play Services) - before 1 GB|Facebook — 300-800 MB|Instagram — 200-500 MB|Telegram — 100-400 MB (depends on media files)|MIUI Gallery — 100-300 MB (miniatures)-->

Features for the Redmi Note 8 Pro:

What to do if the "Clear Cache" button is inactive:

⚠️ Note: If the button is gray, the application uses a secure cache (for example, MIUI Security or Google Play Services. Attempting to clean up through ADB Root may disrupt the system.

3. Method 2: Completely clean the cache through Recovery Mode

If the smartphone is slowing down or is giving you update errors, cleaning the cache through Recovery mode will help, which does not delete user data, but resets the system cache, including update files.

Instructions for Redmi Note 8 Pro:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.

What is cleaned in this mode:

When this method does not help:

• 🚫 If the problem is in the damaged application data (you need to clean the cache of each application separately).
• 🚫 If the cache takes up space because of MIUI (For example, duplicate files in /MIUI/backup).
• 🚫 If the phone is locked with a pattern lock, Recovery will not reset the lock.

What to do if Recovery does not open:

4. Method 3: Cleaning the cache through ADB (for advanced users)

If the standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — A debugging tool that allows you to control your smartphone from a computer, and this method is suitable for cleaning the cache of system applications that are not available through normal settings.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original from Xiaomi).
• 🛠️ Installed drivers ADB Fastboot (you can download from the Android Developers website).
• 📱 On the smartphone enabled mode Debugging on USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 8 Pro to your computer and confirm the debugging permission on your phone.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. To clear the cache of all applications, perform: adb shell pm trim-caches 1000000000 (this will clear the cache larger than 1 GB).
5. To clear the cache of a particular application (e.g. Google Play Services): adb shell pm clear com.google.android.gms

Commands for cleaning the system cache:

Warnings when working with ADB:

⚠️ Attention: Adb shell rm command -rf /data/dalvik-cache/* It can damage optimized application files if you run them while they are running.Always restart your phone after cleaning the Dalvik-cache.

The alternative ADB — Termux:

If you don't have a computer, you can use the Termux app from Google Play. Install it, then execute the commands:

pkg install android-tools


adb shell pm trim-caches 500000000

5. Method 4: Manually clean the cache through the file manager

Some cache files are not visible through standard settings, but can be manually deleted, and any file manager with access to system folders (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer) will do.

Where to find the cache on Redmi Note 8 Pro:

How to manually clean:

1. Open the file manager and enable the display of hidden files (in Mi File Manager: three points → Settings → Show hidden files).
2. Go to the file. /cache Delete all files inside (except the recovery folder if you have one).
3. In a file. /DCIM Find the hidden.thumbnails folder and clean it up.
4. To clear the cache of a particular application (such as WhatsApp) go to /Android/data/com.whatsapp/ and delete the cache folder.

What NOT to remove manually:

• 🚫 folder /data/dalvik-cache — This will cause app failures.
• 🚫 Files in /system — It can make your phone tick.
• 🚫 folder /MIUI Fully - there are stored theme and font settings.

How to recover deleted files by mistake:

⚠️ Note: If you accidentally delete important system files, don’t restart your phone – this could lead to a download to Fastboot. Instead, connect to your PC and try to recover files via ADB pull or reflash the device via the Mi Flash Tool.

6. Method 5: Automatically cleans the cache using applications

If you don't want to go through the settings, you can use third-party tools that analyze memory and suggest clearing unnecessary files, including cache, but not all apps are equally useful — some can delete important data or display false warnings.

Top.-3 Proven applications for Redmi Note 8 Pro:

How to use cleaners correctly:

• 🔍 Before cleaning, always check what exactly the app offers to remove. For example, CCleaner can mark as trash download files or screenshots.
• 📊 In the settings, turn off automatic cleaning - it can start at the wrong time (for example, during the game).
• 🔄 After cleaning, restart the phone so that the system reassembles the cache.

What to do if the cleaner has deleted important files:

⚠️ Attention: If after work SD Maid or CCleaner missing photos or documents, check folder /storage/emulated/0/Recycle — Some applications send files to the trash instead of deleting them completely, and you can also use data recovery software like DiskDigger.

7.Myths and truths about cache cleanup on Xiaomi

There are many myths surrounding cache cleaning, and we'll look at the most popular ones in the Redmi Note 8 Pro.

Myth 1: “Cache cleaning speeds up your phone by 100%”

🔹 The acceleration will be noticeable only if the cache takes more 1-2 GB and fragmented. In other cases, the effect is temporary. 1-2 The cache will recover and the brakes will return. The real solution is to optimize the background processes in the Settings. → Battery → Energy saving regime.

Myth 2: “Cache can be cleaned every day”

🔹 Truth: Frequent cleaning is bad for performance, and applications have to re-upload data that they can't do:

• 📶 Increases traffic consumption (especially on mobile Internet).
• ⏳ Slows down the launch of apps (for example, YouTube will be longer to load videos).
• 🔋 Expend an additional battery for reprocessing data.

Myth 3: “Dalvik-cache cleaning is safe”

🔹 Truth: Dalvik-cache contains optimized files for the Helio processor G90T. Cleaning it without rebooting can lead to:

• 🚨 Departures of applications with the error "Application is stopped".
• 🔄 Slow system operation until the next restart.
• 📱 Optimization loss for a particular chipset (you have to wait for the system to reassemble files).

Myth 4: “Cash only takes place in the internal memory.”

🔹 Truth: On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the cache can take up space on the SD-map if:

• 📷 The camera is configured to save a photo on the map, but thumbnails remain in internal memory.
• 🎮 Games (like Asphalt 9) cache data to a map, but don’t clean it after deleting the game.

Check the folder. /storage/<SD_CARD>/Android/data — There may be gigabytes of unnecessary files.

💡

Cache cleaning is not a panacea for brakes. If the Redmi Note 8 Pro is slow even after cleaning, check: memory fullness (should be free) ≥15%), number of background processes and processor temperature (optimum) ≤40°C).

8. FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning the cache on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro