How to completely remove cache on Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro: system, applications and Dalvik

Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro is the flagship of 2018, which is still used by many users thanks to the powerful “iron” (Snapdragon 845, 8 GB of RAM) and support for current versions of MIUI. However, over time, even such a smartphone begins to “brake”, and the reason for this is a crowded cache. Unlike the new models, the Mi 8 Pro has limited storage (128/256 GB without a memory card slot), so cleaning the cache here is especially relevant.

In this article, we will analyze all ways to remove cache on Mi. 8 Pro – from standard tools MIUI You will learn how to clear the cache of individual applications, system cache (including: Dalvik/ART), And what if the phone starts to slow down after cleaning, and we'll focus on the unique problem of Mi. 8 Pro – “hang” after cleaning the cache through Recovery, which occurs due to a conflict with the fingerprint module in some firmware.

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

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications and a system to speed up work. On the Mi 8 Pro, the cache is divided into three types:

• 📱 Application cache – data of games, social networks, instant messengers (for example, uploaded pictures in Telegram or cache cards in Google Maps).
• ⚙️ System cache - files MIUI, Android kernels and Google services. Includes Dalvik-cache (optimized code for the virtual machine).
• 🔄 Update cache – residual files after patch installation MIUI (frequently 1-2 GB).

On the Mi 8 Pro, the cache can take anywhere from 3 to 10 GB depending on the intensity of use. For example, Genshin Impact accumulates up to 5 GB of cache per month, and Facebook - up to 1 GB. If you do not clean the cache regularly, you can:

• 🐢 Slowing down the interface (lags when swiping, delays when opening applications).
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge (the system spends resources on processing unnecessary files).
• 📛 Errors in apps (for example, Instagram doesn’t load stories or YouTube falls when playing).
• 🚨 Message "Memory is filled" with free 5-10 GB (the system reserves space for cache).

⚠️ Attention: On the Mi 8 Pro with MIUI 12+ Automatic Cache Cleaning through Settings → The storage can delete Mi Account data (such as synchronized notes). Before mass cleaning, check if backup is included in Settings. → Xiaomi account → Cloud.

2. Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications

The safest method is to remove the cache for specific programs, and it won't affect their work, but it will free up space.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Tapping on the desired application (such as Chrome or TikTok).
3. Select Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

To speed up the process:

• 🔍 Use Size Sorting: In Application Management, Click on Three Dots → Sorting → By size.
• 📊 Pay attention to cache apps >500MB: Facebook, WhatsApp, Google Play Services.
• 🚫 Do not clear the Miui System, Android System, and Google Services Framework cache – this can cause crashes.

Close all background applications

Check the space available (should be >1 GB)

Back up important data (such as WhatsApp chats)

Do not clear the cache of system applications without the need-->

On the Mi 8 Pro, some apps (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) can recover the cache after cleaning.

1. After cleaning the cache, open the application.
2. In the application settings, turn off Auto Content Update or Media Caching.

3. Method 2: Mass cleaning of cache through the "Storage"

If you need to make room quickly, use the built-in MIUI tool:

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Slip on Clean in the Garbage Files section.
3. Select the app cache and confirm the action.

Features of the method on the Mi 8 Pro:

• 🔄 Cache of all user applications is cleared, but not system.
• 📉 Can remove it before 2-3 GB of data at a time.
• ⚠️ Sometimes deletes Mi Cloud files (e.g. thumbnails of photos).

After mass cleaning:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone – it will speed up the rebuilding of the cache.
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi: Many apps (like Netflix) will download data again.

Method 3: Cleaning the system cache through Recovery

For deep cleaning (including Dalvik-cache), Recovery mode is required.

• 🐌 The phone is slowing down after the update. MIUI.
• 🔧 Applications are constantly crashing with the error “App is stopped».
• 📱 Memory is full, but in Settings → The storage does not show large files.

Instructions for the Mi 8 Pro:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
5. Reboot the phone (Reboot) → Reboot to System).

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 11-12 for Mi 8 Pro after cleaning the cache through Recovery, the fingerprint scanner may stop working.This is due to damage to the files of the fingerprint module. To avoid a problem, before cleaning: Delete all fingerprints in Settings → Lock screen → Fingerprints. Backup Mi Cloud. If the scanner stops working, you need to flash it over the Fastboot.

5. Method 4: Delete Dalvik/ART cache for power users

Dalvik cache (or ART in newer versions of Android) are optimized application files that speed up their launch. On the Mi 8 Pro, it can take up to 1-1.5 GB and is rarely cleared by standard methods.

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (unlocked bootloader).
• 🛠️ Established TWRP Recovery or OrangeFox.
• 📱 Root rights (optional, but simplifies the process).

Step-by-step:

1. Boot to TWRP (click Volume Up + Power).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Find the /data/dalvik-cache folder and delete its contents.
4. Also clear /cache (but don't delete the folder itself!).
5. Reboot the phone. The first run will take 5-10 minutes (the system will recover the cache).

Alternative method without TWRP (requires ADB):

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*




rm -rf /cache/*




reboot

⚠️ Attention: On the Mi 8 Pro with MIUI 13+ After cleaning Dalvik-cache, access to Google Play Services may be lost.To restore work: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management. Find Google Play Services and click Clear Data (no cache!). Restart your phone and wait for the services to automatically update. 6. Method 5: Automatically clean the cache with apps If you don't want to manually clean the cache, use third-party utilities. For the Mi 8 Pro, it's fine: 🧹 SD Maid removes cache, duplicates and residual files. There is a feature CorpseFinder to find junk folders. 🔍 Files by Google – a simple tool with visualization of occupied space. ⚡ CCleaner - clears the cache and optimizes autoload (but can aggressively delete data). SD Maid for Mi 8 Pro: Open the app and provide Root access (if available). Go to CorpseFinder and start scanning. In AppCleaner, tick off unnecessary cache files. Press Run and confirm cleanup. SD Maid Deep Scanning, Root Support Paid Version for Full Files by Google Functionality Free, Simple, from Google Does not delete the CCleaner System Cache Autoboot Cleanup, RAM Optimization Can delete the necessary data, advertising 💡Before using CCleaner on the Mi 8 Pro, turn off the option of Clean Logs in Settings.This feature can delete log files. MIUI, This will make it harder to diagnose problems when you call the service center. 7 What to do if the phone gets worse after cleaning the cache Sometimes after removing the cache, the Mi 8 Pro starts to "lay" even more: 🔄 Cache reconstruction: After cleaning, the system creates new files, which loads the processor. The solution is to wait 1-2 hour or reboot the phone. 📥 Automatic Data Download: Apps (such as Facebook or Instagram) can re-download media files. Solution - limit background activity in Settings → Battery → Background restriction. 🔧 Damage to system files: If you cleared the cache through Recovery without TWRP. The solution is to flash your phone through Fastboot (Team: Fastboot Flash Cache) cache.img). If the lags don't pass: Check the CPU boot in Settings → The phone. → System status. If you boot >70% without active applications, software failure is possible. CPU Monitor from Play Market and check if the kernel is loading msm_thermal (frequent problem on Snapdragon 845). If nothing helps, reset to factory settings (but do a backup first!). 💡On Mi. 8 Pro after cleaning the Dalvik cache, the first launch of any application can take up to 20 seconds, that's okay. The system recovers optimized files. Don't interrupt the process! 8. How to prevent fast cache filling on Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro To clean the cache less often: 📵 Limit the background activity of applications in Settings → Battery → Background restriction. 🚫 Disable autoload media in instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram). 🔄 Update regularly MIUI — In new versions, the caching mechanism is optimized. 📁 Use Mi File Manager to manually clean folders /Android/data and /Android/obb (This is where you store heavy game files. 8 Pro: Go to Settings → Battery → Background Limitation: Select applications that should not work in the background (e.g. AliExpress or Wildberries). Activate the option to Limit background activity, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty): 🎮 In the game settings, disable High-quality graphics and caching resources. 📂 Clean the folder regularly /Android/obb/[Game name: There may be files weighing >2 GB: How to check which application caches the most data? 1. Install DiskUsage from Play Market. 2. Give access to the storage facility. 3. In the main menu, select Scan and wait for analysis. 4. The app will show you a visual map of the place you're in. The largest blocks are apps with large cache (like TikTok or Google Chrome). 5. Tap on the block to see the path to the files and delete them manually. FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning the cache on Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro ❓ Can I clean the cache of system applications (e.g. Miui System or Security)? ⚠️ Clearing the cache of system applications (especially com.miui.securitycenter or com.android.systemui) can result in: Disappearance of widgets from the home screen. MIUI (For example, the notification curtain will not open). Mi Account data loss (synchronized notes, themes) If you need to free up space, it is better to delete the cache of user applications or use Wipe Cache in Recovery. ❓ Why did Galery lose thumbnails after clearing the cache? It's because Mi Gallery keeps the previews in the cache. After cleaning: Open Galery and wait until it regenerates the thumbnails (may take a while to get the thumbnails). 5-10 If the photo does not appear, go to Settings → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the data (this will delete the app settings, but not the photos themselves!) Reboot your phone. To avoid problems in the future, in Galery settings, disable the option to Cach your thumbnails. ❓ How to Clean Google Play Services Cache Without Repercussions? Google Play Services is a critical service and cleaning it could disrupt the Play Market, Gmail and other Google apps. Secure Algorithm: Go to Settings → Annexes → All applications → Google Play Services → Storage. Press Space Control. → Clear all data (not just cache!) Confirm the action and restart the phone. After the restart, wait for the automatic service update (may take up to a few minutes). 15 If Play Market is not working after cleaning: Delete your Google account in Settings → Accounts and add it again. Install the latest version of Google Play Services manually (download it). APK APKMirror). ❓ Can I clear the cache without losing data (photos, messages, games)? ✅ Yeah, cleaning the cache doesn't remove it: 📸 Photos and videos (they are stored in the /DCIM or /Pictures). 💬 Messages in messengers (they are in the /Android/data/... or on servers). 🎮 Preservation of games (usually in the /Android/obb But there are exceptions: ⚠️ In some games (e.g. Brawl Stars), the cache contains downloaded resources. After cleaning, the game can re-download files (up to the end) 1 GB). ⚠️ Apps like Spotify or YouTube Music store offline tracks in cache, and you'll have to re-download them to secure the data before you clear the cache: Back up on Mi Cloud or Google Drive. Copy important files on your PC (like a folder). DCIM). ❓ Why on Mi? 8 Is the pro cache cleared, but the memory isn't freed? F2FS, which is used by Mi 8 Pro. Possible causes: Memory fragmentation: File system fails to release blocks; Solution: Reboot phone; Hidden update files: MIUI It can reserve space for future updates. /cache/ota and delete its contents through the Root Explorer. Scan error: In Settings → The storage may display incorrect information.Install DiskInfo for accurate diagnosis. If the problem is not solved: Run Wipe Cache in Recovery. Check your phone for viruses (for example, through Malwarebytes). In extreme cases, reset to factory settings (with a backup!).