How to completely remove cache on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: all ways with explanations

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but even its 64/128 GB of memory is eventually clogged with unnecessary files. App cache and system temporary data can take up to 10-15 GB, slowing down the device. Unlike flagships, where cache cleaning is often automated, on the Redmi Note 8 with MIUI, this process requires manual control.

Compounding the problem, the manufacturer hides some cleaning options in the depth of the menu, and unselective deletion of the cache can lead to loss of data in games (for example, progress in Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile is stored in cache). In this guide, we will analyze all the current methods - from basic cleaning through settings to deep cleaning through recovery, and explain which files can be deleted without risk and which should not be touched.

Why Redmi Note 8 cache should be cleaned regularly

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications and a system to speed up work. On the Redmi Note 8 with a Snapdragon 665 processor and 4 GB of RAM, cache plays a critical role: it reduces the load on the iron, but when overflowing it gives the opposite effect.

The main signs that the cache requires cleaning:

• 📱 Smartphone slows down when switching between applications (even after rebooting).
• 🔋 The battery is discharged on 20-30% faster than usual due to background activity.
• 📲 Apps (especially Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) fly out or load content for a long time.
• 🚨 In the Storage section, the system shows "Other Files" more than 5 GB.

On Redmi Note 8, the cache is divided into three types: 1) Application cache - temporary data of games and programs (for example, video thumbnails in YouTube), 2) Dalvik cache - files of the Android virtual machine (accelerate the launch of applications), 3) System cache - MIUI log files and updates.

You have to remove them in different ways!

⚠️ Warning: Don’t confuse cache with app data! Deleting Telegram’s cache will simply clear up downloaded stickers, and deleting data will leave your account and delete all chats.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications through settings

The safest method is to selectively remove the cache for the programs that take up the most space. On the Redmi Note 8, this is done as follows:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Select an app (like Google Play Services or Facebook).
4. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

Top.-5 "Cache eaters on Redmi Note 8 (user data):

If the application after cleaning the cache began to work unstable (for example, VKontakte loads the tape for a long time), try:

Reboot your smartphone|Update the app in the Play Market|Clear the data (only if you are ready to lose the settings)|Turn off background activity in battery settings-->

Method 2: Automatic cleaning through "Safety" (MIUI Optimizer)

MIUI has a built-in optimization tool called Security, which not only cleans the cache, but also closes the background, which is especially true for the Redmi Note 8 with its modest 4GB of RAM.

Instructions:

1. Open the Security app (if not, download from the MIUI App Store).
2. Go to Optimization (or Acceleration in New Versions).
3. Click Deep Cleanup → Garbage Files.
4. Check the application cache and residual files, then tap Clear.

Advantages of this method:

✅ Clears the cache of all applications at once (no need to do it manually for each app).

✅ Deletes residual files after uninstallation of programs.

✅ The exact size of the vacated space.

⚠️ Note: Auto Cleaning function in MIUI It may conflict with some applications (e.g. WhatsApp stops saving media files). If you notice problems, turn off automatic cleaning in the Security settings.

Method 3: Cleaning the system cache with Recovery Mode

If the smartphone is severely slowed even after cleaning the app cache, the problem may be in the system cache (Dalvik-cache and temporary MIUI files), which can only be deleted through Recovery mode.

The following is a step-by-step instruction for Redmi Note 8:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up simultaneously and hold for 10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (English / Chinese), then tap Wipe & Reset.
4. Select Wipe Cache (not Wipe All Data!)
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 1-2 minutes).
6. Reboot your phone with Reboot → Reboot to System.

What this method does:

✔ Removes Dalvik cache – speeds up application launches.

✔ Cleans log files. MIUI, which can take up to 1 GB.

✔ Corrects errors such as "The application has stopped".

Method 4: Manually Delete Cache Through File Manager

For power users, there is a way to manually clean the cache through /data/data and /cache folders, which allows you to remove the cache even for applications that do not appear in the settings (for example, Google system services).

Important: You need root access or a file manager with superuser rights (like Root Explorer or FX File Explorer), and without root, you'll only see a fraction of the folders.

How to clean the cache manually:

1. Open a file manager with root access.
2. Go to /data/data, where all applications are stored.
3. Find the folder of the desired application (for example, com.facebook.katana for Facebook).
4. Delete the contents of the cache folder (don’t touch the other folders!).
5. For the system cache, go to /cache and delete all files inside.

Warnings:

• 🚫 Do not delete lib folders, databases or files with the.db extension – this will cause the application to crash.
• 🚫 Don’t clean the cache of com.android.providers.media – it will reset the media library.
• 🚫 After manual cleaning, restart your phone, otherwise the system may recover some files.

adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.package.name

(Replace com.package.name with ID applications).-->

Method 5: Cache reset via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool for PCs.

• 🔧 You need to clear the cache of system applications that do not appear in the menu.
• 🔧 The phone is stuck on the boot due to overcrowded cache.
• 🔧 You need to clear the cache for all users (if you use a multi-account).

Instructions:

1. Download ADB Tools on PC (for example, the official package from Google).
2. Turn on Redmi Note 8 Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode).
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and execute: Adb devices (should display your device) in the command line.
5. To clear the cache of all applications, enter: adb shell pm trim-caches 99999999999

Additional commands:

⚠️ Note: pm clear not only removes the cache, but also the application data (e.g. settings and accounts) and only use it if you are ready to reconfigure the program.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Clearing the cache on the Redmi Note 8 seems like a simple procedure, but many users face problems.

1.After cleaning the cache, the applications became slower to work

This is normal: apps need time to repair the cache, if the brakes don't pass after 1-2 days:

• 🔄 Reinstall the problem app.
• 🔋 Check the battery settings: it is possible, MIUI limit background activity.
• 📱 Update the firmware: in older versions MIUI 12 were caching bugs.

2.The system shows that the cache is cleared, but the space is not vacated

The reason is junk files in the /data/log folder, to delete them:

1. Get root access or use ADB.
2. Execute the command: adb shell rm -rf /data/log/*

3. there is a notification of "insufficient memory" after cleaning

This happens if MIUI reserves space for updates.

• 📁 Move the files to SD-card (if any).
• 🔄 Restart the phone – the system will count the free space.
• 🚫 Turn off automatic update downloads in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

💡

If the memory is still filled with invisible files after all the manipulations, check the /data/media/0/MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder – there may be gigabytes of old backups.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions