How to increase memory on Xiaomi Redmi 8: from cleaning garbage to using microSD

The Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of the most popular budget smartphones with a balance of price and performance, but its main drawback is limited internal memory (32 or 64 GB).Over time, users face a notification of "Not enough memory" even if they do not install heavy games. The problem is compounded by the fact that the system MIUI Actively reserves space for updates and cache, and many applications by default save data in internal memory.

In this article, we will discuss all working ways to increase memory on Redmi 8 – from banal garbage cleaning to microSD expansion (including hidden settings). MIUI, We will focus on the nuances of this model: Why not all memory cards are suitable for formatting as an internal drive, how to circumvent restrictions on porting applications, and what to do if the system “does not see” free space after all the manipulations.

1. Cleaning the system: delete unnecessary files and cache

The first and most obvious step is to free up space by deleting temporary files, which can be done manually or with built-in tools on Redmi 8. MIUI. Start by checking the “Storage” section in the settings:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Storage.
2. Wait for the analysis (it can take up to 1 minute).
3. Click on the category “Junk” or “App Cache”.
4. Select “Clean” (for cache) or mark unnecessary files manually.

Pay special attention to the following memory eaters:

• 📁 Google Play Services cache – can take up to 1-2 GB. Remove it in the app settings.
• 🎮 Game data (e.g, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty – often store cache of cards and textures in internal memory.
• 📥 Downloads -- folder /Download clogged with upk files, images and documents.
• 📺 Offline maps (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps) – can weigh hundreds of megabytes.

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If after cleaning the cache, the application began to slow down, restart it or restart the phone. MIUI Automatically restore critical cache data on the next run.

For deep cleaning, use the Security app from Xiaomi:

1. Open Security. → Cleanup.
2. Select “Deep Clean” (confirmation may be required).
3. Delete unnecessary up-files, duplicate photos and residual data of remote applications.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui) - this can cause interface failures. /Android/obb/, If you are not sure about their purpose: some games store critical data there.

2. Transfer data to a microSD memory card

Redmi 8 supports microSD cards up to 512 GB, but there are nuances:

• 🔄 The card can be used as a portable storage (files are manually transferred) or as an internal memory (formatted as part of the system.
• ⚡ Formation as internal memory requires a class card UHS-I (U1/U3) It's a very fast recorder. Cheap cards may not work.
• 📱 Not all applications support the transfer to SD — This depends on the developer’s policy (e.g. WhatsApp does not allow chat transfers).

Instructions for configuring the card as internal memory:

1. Insert the card into the slot (on Redmi 8 it is combined with SIM-slot 2).
2. When a notification appears, select “Configure» → «Internal memory».
3. Confirm the formatting (all data on the map will be erased!).
4. After formatting, go to Settings → Annexes → [Select the application] → Warehouse → Change. → Map. SD.

If the internal memory option is inactive:

• Try another card (e.g. SanDisk Ultra) A1 Samsung EVO Plus).
• Update the firmware to the latest version MIUI (In the older versions, there was a recognition error. SD).
• Use it. ADB for forced transfer (instruction below in the section "For advanced persons»).

3. Application optimization: what can be transferred and what can not

Even after the setup SD Not all applications can be ported to the Redmi 8:

• ✅ You can transfer: most games (Clash of Clans, Brawl Stars), instant messengers (Telegram, Viber), media players.
• ❌ Cannot be moved: system applications (Google Play Services, MIUI Security, some social networks (Facebook, Instagram) block the transfer).
• ⚠️ Partial portability: Some apps (e.g. YouTube) allow only cache transfer, not core data.

How to check which apps take up the most space:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort by size (click on the filter icon in the upper right corner).
3. Select the application → «Warehouse» → «Clear the cache" or "Move to the SD» (if the option is active).

For applications that cannot be ported, use alternative methods:

• 🎵 Music/video: in the player settings (for example, VLC or MX Player) point to the folder SD as a default place of preservation.
• 📸 Photo/video: in the camera, select save to memory card (Camera settings) → Warehouse → Map. SD).
• 📁 Documents: In Google Drive or Mi Cloud, set up automatic file uploads to the cloud.

4. Hidden settings MIUI memory-free

MIUI It has hidden features that help make room without manual cleaning:

1. Cleaning "Other" Files

The Storage section often displays a category of "Others" that is several gigabytes in size.

• 🗑️ Residual data of remote applications (folder) /data/data/).
• 📄 System logs and error dumps (/data/tombstones/).
• 🔄 Temporary update files (/cache/).

To remove them:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Warehouse → Others.
2. Click on the category and select “Clear”.
3. If the option is inactive, use Files (application from Xiaomi) → «Cleanup» → «Deep cleaning».

2. Disable diagnostics and log collection

MIUI It collects data for error reports by default, which takes up to 500 MB:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone. → All parameters. → Debugging.
2. Turn off Automatic Report Collection.
3. In the same section, turn off "Record logs" MIUI».

3. Background Limitation for Applications

Some apps (like Facebook or TikTok) consume memory even in the background.

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Select “Background Limitation” and add voracious apps to the list.

5. Use of cloud storage and data compression

If physical memory is sorely lacking and the microSD card doesn't solve the problem, move some of the data to the cloud. Redmi 8 is available:

• 🌥️ Mi Cloud (5GB free) – integrated into MIUI, Automatically synchronizes contacts, notes and photos.
• 📁 Google Drive (15GB) – Suitable for documents and backups.
• 📸 Google Photos – compression to “High Quality” (unlimited storage).

How to set up automatic uploading of photos in Google Photos:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Open the settings. → «Backup and synchronization».
3. Select “High Quality” (Compression) and enable Wi-Fi download.
4. After downloading, remove the originals from your phone (the “Free space” option).

For music and video, use:

• 🎵 YouTube Music or Spotify – Cache tracks in the cloud, not on your device.
• 🎬 VLC streaming instead of downloading.

⚠️ Warning: When using Mi Cloud, turn off automatic video downloads in original quality – this will quickly exhaust the free 5GB. → Synchronization settings → Photo quality and select "Compressed».

6. For the advanced: ADB, root and alternative firmware

If standard methods don't work and memory runs out, you can use advanced settings, which require technical knowledge and can lead to loss of warranty!

Forced transfer of annexes to SD through ADB

Even if there is no transfer option in the settings, it can be activated via ADB:

1. Install Platform Tools on your PC.
2. Enable USB debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times click to activate Developer Mode, then Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging over USB).
3. Connect the phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 This will cause the system to install applications on the SD by default.

Installation of custom firmware

Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience are optimized better than standard MIUI And they take up less space:

• ✅ Pros: No pre-installed garbage, more free space.
• ❌ Cons: loss of warranty, risk of “bricking”, possible bugs with the camera or sensors.

3. Obtaining root rights and use Link2SD

With Magisk and the App Link2SD possible:

• Transfer applications to SD without formatting as internal memory.
• Freeze system applications.
• Clear the dalvik cache to free up space.

Instructions for installing Magisk on Redmi 8:

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Use of the ADB Xiaomi warranty voids custom firmware. If the phone is warranty, try all the standard ways to free up memory first.

7. Alternative solutions: what to do if nothing helps

If you’ve tried all of these methods, but your memory is running out anyway, consider the following options:

1. Buying a phone with a large amount of memory

Redmi 8 was released in versions 32 GB and 64 GB. If you have 32 GB — even after all the optimizations, there will be little space for modern games and applications. The cost of the redmi 8 with 64 GB is not much higher, and the difference in user experience is significant.

2.Use of OTG-storage

Connect the flash drive through OTG-Adapter (for example, SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive). MIUI It supports external drives like a folder, minus the flash drive sticking out of the phone, but you can connect drives up to 256 GB.

3. Removal of system updates

MIUI Stores update files in a folder /data/ota_package/. They can be removed:

1. Use a root-access file manager (such as Root Explorer).
2. Move to the /data/ota_package/ Delete all files with the.zip extension.
3. Reboot the phone.

4. Reset to factory settings

Extreme measure, but sometimes necessary.

• Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
• Save your photos to your PC or cloud.
• Write down the logins/passwords from the accounts (they will erase!).

⚠️ Note: Redmi 8 may be reset by the Mi Account binding, which blocks access to certain features (such as themes). → Accounts. → Mi Account → Get out.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory on Redmi 8