Where does memory disappear on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: a full analysis of the causes and solutions

You see the words "Memory is full" on your Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 again, even though you didn't seem to have anything to do with it? This is a typical problem for smartphones with 64/128 GB of memory, where the system and applications eat up space unnoticed. Unlike flagships, budget models like the Note 8 suffer from aggressive MIUI optimization, which creates duplicate files, accumulates cache and hides service data from the user.

In this article, we will not just list the standard tips like “clean the cache”, but we will examine 7 the real reasons why memory goes nowhere, including the hidden partition /data/media/0, which MIUI does not show in the standard file manager, you will learn how to find and delete unnecessary files without root rights, which system processes can be safely disabled, and why even after deleting applications, memory is not freed, and at the end, a checklist for quick diagnosis and FAQ with answers to acute questions.

1. System garbage and cache: why standard cleaning doesn't work

The first thing you'd advise is to clear the cache through Settings → Storage → Cleanup. But on the Redmi Note 8, this method only works on 30-40%. The fact is that MIUI hides part of the cache from the user, especially if you're using:

• 📱 Social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) – their cache can weigh up to 5-7 GB, but only a fraction is displayed in the storage settings.
• 🎮 Games (PUBG, Genshin Impact, Call of Duty) – they create temporary files in the /Android/obb folder that are not always deleted when uninstalled.
• 📺 Streaming services (YouTube, Netflix) cache video at resolution to 1080p, even if you are watching in 480p.

To see the full volume of garbage, you need to use third-party tools like Files by Google or SD Maid.

• 🗑️ Residual files of remote applications (folders /data/data and /Android/data).
• 🔄 Photo and video duplicates created by MIUI editing or backup.
• 📁 Empty folders that take up space in the file system (especially after updates).

⚠️ Warning: Do not manually delete folders called com.android. or com.xiaomi. — This may cause MIUI to fail. Use only proven cleaners with Safe Deletion feature.

For deep cleaning:

1. Install SD Maid from Google Play.
2. Run the scan in the CorpseFinder section (search for residual files).
3. In the AppControl section, sort apps by cache size and delete unnecessary data.

2 Hidden MIUI files: where to look for 'invisible' gigabytes

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 based on MIUI 12/13/14 actively uses hidden folders for backups, logs and temporary files.

To see these folders:

1. Install the file manager for Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer.
2. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
3. Go to the root directory (/storage/emulated/0).

Critical folder /data/media/0/.estrongs (if any) – it can not be deleted! These are temporary files of the ES Explorer manager, but they can weigh up to 2 GB. Clear the cache of the ES Explorer itself through the application settings.

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If you can’t find hidden folders, connect your smartphone to your PC and use Windows Explorer with the hidden files display enabled (the View → Hidden Items tab).

3. Automatic updates and duplicates of MIUI

MIUI automatically creates duplicates of many files, which is part of a backup system.

• 📸 Photo and video: When edited in the gallery, the original is saved, plus a copy is created marked " edited."
• 📄 Documents: Files from the Mi Cloud can be duplicated in /MIUI/CloudBackup.
• 🔄 Software Updates: Downloaded service packs (.zip files) remain in /cache even after installation.

How to find and remove duplicates:

1. Open the gallery → Albums → Show hidden
2. Check the Edited, Screenshots_edited, MiCloud folders.
3. For documents, use the Duplicate Files Fixer app.

⚠️ Warning: Don't delete the /MIUI/Extra folder -- it stores files to recover the system after a reset, but you can archive the contents and transfer them to your PC if the location is critical.

To disable automatic creation of duplicates:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Gallery → Permissions.
2. Disable access to Warehouse (this will not delete existing files, but will stop creating new duplicates).

4.Apps that 'inflate' over time

Some applications on the Redmi Note 8 take up several times more space over time than when installed.

How to reduce their size:

• 📵 Turn off autoload media in the messaging settings (WhatsApp, Telegram).
• 🗺️ Clear the card cache: Go to Settings → Offline Maps → Delete in Google Maps.
• 🎥 Limit video quality in TikTok/Instagram: Select Traffic Savings in the app settings.

For a radical solution:

1. Remove the application through Settings → Apps.
2. Clean the /Android/data/com folder by hand (e.g. com.facebook.katana).
3. Install the app again (this will reset all settings, but will free up to 70% of the space).

5. Viruses and malware: unexpected "settlers"

The Redmi Note 8 is not immune to viruses, especially if you install APKs from unverified sources.

• 🕵️‍♂️ Download files in the background (advertising banners, videos).
• 📊 Collect data and send it to servers by creating logs (folders /data/data/com.*.update).
• 🔄 Replace system files, resulting in errors and additional debris.

Signs of infection:

• 🔋 Quick battery discharge even in standby mode.
• 📶 Increased mobile internet traffic (check in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic).
• 📁 Unknown files in /Download or /Android/obb folders.

How to check and clean:

1. Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light.
2. Start a deep scan (not fast!).
3. Remove suspicious apps through Settings → Apps.
4. Check the autostart list in Settings → Battery and Performance → Autostart Management.

⚠️ Warning: If you find files with the.apk extension in the /system or /data/app folders, don't manually delete them, which can cause a system crash. Use antivirus or reset your phone to factory settings.

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Even “clean” APKs from third-party sources can contain hidden modules to collect data. Always check the hash of the file before installing it (for example, via VirusTotal).

6. File system errors and fragmentation

Over time, the Redmi Note 8 file system (usually F2FS or ext4) starts to clog up due to:

• 🔄 Frequent recordings/deletions (e.g., when shooting video in 4K).
• 🛑 Incorrect shutdowns (if the battery is discharged to 0%).
• 📉 Fragmentation (files are broken down into smaller pieces, taking up more space).

How to check and correct:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and run a drive check via CHKDSK (FAT32/exFAT only, doesn’t work for F2FS!).
2. Use the Storage Analyzer app to visualize occupied space.
3. If there is root, follow the command: fstrim -v /data This will clear out the unused blocks of the file system.

For users without root:

• 🔄 Make a backup copy of important data.
• 📱 Reset your phone to factory settings via Settings → About Phone → Reset settings.
• 📥 Restore data selectively, avoiding unnecessary files.

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If the memory is quickly lost after reset, the problem may be in the damaged memory (NAND- chip), and its health can be checked through the application Dead Pixel Detect and Fix (section "Memory Test").

7 Misconfigured MIUI settings: what to disable right now

MIUI by default includes features that actively consume memory, and can be safely disabled:

It is also recommended that:

• 📵 Disable background activity for unnecessary applications in Settings → Battery → Application Selection.
• 📁 Reduce the cache size of the gallery: in the Gallery → Settings → Clear the cache.
• 🔍 Disable device search (if not using): Settings → Xiaomi Account → Find the device.

FAQ: Answers to Tough Questions