How to completely clear the cache on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T is a popular smartphone with a balance of performance and price, but even it eventually begins to slow down. The reason for the cache is clogged: temporary application files, update remnants and system debris. Cleaning the cache not only frees up space, but also solves 80% of the problems with the slow operation of the device. In this article, all the ways to remove the cache on the Redmi Note 8T, from standard to hidden, with an explanation of when and what method to use.

It is important to understand that there are three types of cache – application cache (the safest to delete), system cache (requires caution) and Dalvik cache (recreates automatically, but its cleaning speeds up the system after updates), we will analyze each option, and also tell you how to avoid typical errors that cause users to lose data or exacerbate problems.

1. Clearing the cache of individual applications: when and how to do

The easiest and safest way is to remove the cache of specific programs, which will not affect their work, but will free up from 100 MB to several GB of memory, especially for instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), social networks (TikTok, Instagram) and games.

How to check which apps take up the most space:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Stick to three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. At the top of the list will be the most “voracious” programs.

Cleaning instructions:

• 📱 Select an app from the list (e.g. Google Chrome).
• 🗑️ Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 For a complete reset (if the application is buggy), use Clear Data, but note: this will delete all settings and accounts inside the program.

⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.phone or com.miui.home) unnecessarily. MIUI.

💡

If the app gets slower after cleaning the cache, that's okay. Give it 5-10 minutes to recreate the temporary files.

2. Completely clear the cache of all applications at the same time

If you delete the cache for one application for a long time, use the built-in MIUI function. This method deletes the temporary files of all user programs, but does not touch the system data.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Slip on Clean in the Garbage section (the system will scan the device for 10–30 seconds).
3. Select the app cache and confirm the action.

How much space will be freed up? On average, 500MB to 2GB, depending on the number of programs installed and the time of last cleaning. For example, after 3 months of use without cleaning, the Redmi Note 8T can accumulate up to 1.5GB of garbage.

3. Clean the system cache through Recovery Mode

If the Redmi Note 8T started to brake heavily after the MIUI update or overheats frequently, cleaning the system cache will help.This method does not delete user data, but requires a reboot in Recovery mode.

How to Sign In to Recovery on Redmi Note 8T:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time.
3. Hold on for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.

Further action:

• 🌐 Select the language (if the menu is in Chinese, use English).
• 🧹 Tapping on Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
• 🔄 Confirm the action and wait until the completion (1-2 minutes).
• 📱 Reboot your phone via Reboot → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option will reset your phone to factory settings and delete all your files.

4. Dalvik cache removal: for power users

Dalvik cache is optimized files for the Android virtual machine that speed up the launch of applications. its cleaning is useful after updating MIUI or manually changing system files, but can lead to an initial long load of the phone (5-10 minutes).

How to clear Dalvik cache:

1. Enter Recovery Mode (see previous section).
2. Choose Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache.
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

After cleaning, the Redmi Note 8T will take longer to boot — that's OK. The system will recover the cache automatically.

• 🐢 The phone has become slower since the update.
• 🔄 Apps are constantly flying out with an error.
• 📱 The memory is filled with unknown (in Settings) → Memory visible large section System).

Charge your phone at least 50%|Make a backup copy of important data|Make sure there is enough free space on your phone (at least 1 GB)|Remember passwords from accounts (after rebooting, you may need to re-enter them)-->

5. Automatic Cache Cleanup: Configure MIUI Optimizer

MIUI has a built-in tool for automatic garbage cleanup — Security (or Security in the global version) — that removes unnecessary files on a schedule, but often works inefficiently. Here's how to set it up correctly:

Algorithm of settings:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleanup. → Deep cleaning.
3. Activate the Auto Clean option and set a schedule (recommended every week).
4. Enable Cache Cleanup and Remove Unneeded Files, but turn off App Background Cleanup – this may interfere with notifications.

Challenges and solutions:

• ❌ Cache not cleared: Check if permissions for the Security app are disabled in Settings → Permits.
• ❌ Phone brakes after auto-cleaning: Turn off Memory Cleanup option - it kills background processes.
• ❌ Lack of space: Manually clean the Download folder and DCIM/.thumbnails via file manager.

💡

Autocleaning in MIUI only removes garbage, but does not replace the complete cleaning of the cache manually. Use it as an addition, not the main method.

6 Manually clear cache through file manager

For advanced users, there is a way to delete the cache directly through the file system, which is risky (you can delete important files), but effective if standard methods do not help.

What folders can be cleaned:

• 📁 /data/data/*/cache — cache of all applications (root rights required).
• 📁 /sdcard/Android/data/*/cache — cache.
• 📁 /sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo and video miniatures (can be removed without consequences).

How to clean without root:

1. Install a file manager with access to system folders (e.g. FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to internal memory → Android → data.
3. Remove the contents of the cache folders in the application directories (e.g. com.facebook.katana/cache for Facebook).

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files in folders /system or /vendor — If you're not sure, use standard cleaning methods.

7.Cache reset via ADB: for developers

If you're familiar with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can clear the cache through a command.This is useful if the phone isn't turning on normally or the Recovery menu isn't available.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB on your computer (download Platform Tools from Google).
2. Connect Redmi Note 8T to your PC via USB and enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times, then return to Additional → For Developers).
3. Open the command line in the ADB folder and type:

adb shell pm trim-caches 100G


adb shell cmd package bg-dexopt-job

These commands will force the cache of all applications to be cleared and optimized.

adb shell su -c "rm -r /data/dalvik-cache/*"

⚠️ Warning: Su commands require root rights, and without them, it will end in error.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)