Where does memory go on Xiaomi Redmi 8: full analysis + ways to free up space

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 8 often face a problem: the smartphone shows that the memory is full, even though you have not installed new applications or downloaded large files. What is the matter? It is about the features of MIUI, the hardware limitations of the model and hidden processes that “eat” gigabytes unnoticed. In this article, we will not just list the standard tips like “clean the cache”, but will analyze the specific mechanisms that make the memory on Redmi 8 melt like snow in the spring – from system logs to “heavy” Google Play Services updates.

Redmi 8 (codenamed olive) came out in 2019 with 32/64 GB of internal memory, from which the user is available 5-10 GB less due to preinstalled MIUI firmware and system partitions. Even if you bought a version of 64 GB, the real free space is about 50-52 GB — and this is without considering updates and cache. But why does memory continue to leak even when you do nothing? The answer lies in a combination of factors: from duplicate files to background MIUI activity, which the manufacturer does not advertise.

1. System cache and junk files: why they take up gigabytes

The main reason for the “disappearance” of memory is the cache of applications and system debris. On Redmi 8, the cache can take up to 8-12 GB (depending on the number of installed applications and user activity), and this is not only about the cache of the browser or social networks, but also about:

• 📁 Dalvik cache (.dex and.oat files) that are created when you optimize applications after updates.
• 🗑️ Loga MIUI (/data/log/), weighing 1–2 GB and rarely cleaned automatically.
• 🔄 Temporary update files (/cache/), Remaining after installing firmware or updates to Google Play.

The Redmi 8 has a feature that doesn’t automatically clean the cache when there’s a memory shortage (unlike Xiaomi’s flagship models). For example, if you use YouTube or TikTok a lot, their cache can swell to 3-5 GB in a couple of weeks, without notifying the user of the need to clean until the memory is 90%+ full.

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse the cache of applications (useful data to speed up work) and junk files (residues after uninstallation, broken downloads). The former can be cleaned without consequences, the latter must be deleted manually through the file manager.

How to check what takes place:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Click on the Cached Data section – here is the total cache volume of all applications.
3. For detailed analysis, use the Files by Google app (free in the Play Market).

MIUI and its “hidden” appetites: what eats memory without you knowing

MIUI firmware (even in the latest Redmi 8 versions) is known for duplicating files and backing up files without asking, and here are the main memory eaters:

• 📸 Gallery miniatures (.thumbnail): MIUI It automatically creates smaller copies of all photos and videos, even if you haven't edited them.
• 🔄 Backup copies MIUI (/MIUI/backup/): system retains copies of settings, SMS And call logs every week. 500 MB.
• 🎵 Music player cache: even if you don't listen to music through a standard player, MIUI Downloads album covers and metadata.

Redmi's unique problem 8: Due to hardware limitations (Snapdragon processor) 439 and 3/4 GB RAM) MIUI aggressively using a swap file, which causes the system to back up to 1–2 GB for "pumping" even if you don't run heavy applications. ADB:

adb shell free -h

If the output has a string Swap: with a non-zero value – your smartphone uses the disk as RAM, which reduces the available space.

💡

To turn off automatic thumbnail creation, go to Settings → Apps → Gallery → Autoboot and turn off the “Create thumbnails” option, which will save up to 2 GB of space.

3. Updates and "heavy" system applications

Another hidden memory consumer is the MIUI and Google updates, which take place in two ways on Redmi 8.

1. Update files (*.zip in) /cache/ or /data/ota_package/): Even after installing the firmware, they don't always automatically delete — 1,5–2,5 GB.
2. Bloated system applications: Google Play Services, MIUI Security and GetApps can take up to 500 MB-1 GB each after the updates.

How to check:

• Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
• Sort by size and find Google Play Services, MIUI Security Center, Mi Video.
• Click on “Storage” → “Clear Cache” (not data!).

Google Play Services updates are particularly insidious: they download in the background and can eat up to 2-3 GB if left unchecked, to limit them:

1. Turn off the "Background data transmission".

4.Social networks and instant messengers: invisible giants

Apps like Facebook, Instagram, Telegram and VK are the main culprits behind the memory shortage on Redmi 8, not only cache media files, but also store copies of databases that are not cleaned by the standard procedure.

• 📘 Facebook: Cache + The database can take up to 1.5-2 GB.
• 📷 Instagram: Stores all Stories and Reels viewed in /Android/data/com.instagram.android/cache/.
• 💬 Telegram: by default downloads all media files from chats (up to 5 GB for six months of active use).

How to clean:

1. For Telegram: go to Settings → Data and memory → Clear cache.
2. For Facebook/Instagram: uninstall the app and install Lite versions (weigh 5-10 times less).
3. For all messengers: disable autoload media in the settings.

⚠️ Note: Deleting the app data (not the cache!) in Telegram or WhatsApp will result in the loss of chats.

Delete the cache Facebook/Instagram|Disable autoload media in Telegram|Go to Lite versions of applications|Clean Download folder from unnecessary files-->

5. Viruses, Advertising Software and Left-wing Apps

If memory is leaking too quickly (for example, 1-2 GB per day), the fault may be a virus or advertising software. Redmi 8 is especially vulnerable because of:

• 🦠 Fake. APK: Install applications from unverified sources (e.g. modified games).
• 📢 Promotional SDK: Some apps (even from Play Market) contain hidden modules for displaying ads that download data in the background.
• 🔍 Spyware: Surveillance programs (such as Kids Place or Family Link) can log user actions.

How to check:

1. Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light and scan the system.
2. Check the list of applications in Settings → Applications for suspicious ones (for example, with names like com.system.update or android.service.secure).
3. Open Settings → Battery → Battery Use and see which apps are actively working in the background.

Typical symptoms of infection:

• 🔋 Quick battery discharge even in standby mode.
• 📶 Increased mobile data traffic (check in Settings) → SIM cards and mobile networks → Traffic).
• 📱 Spontaneous opening of advertisements or redirecting in the browser.

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If you find a virus, it's not enough to simply delete the application, and you also need to clear the /sdcard/Download/ and /data/data/ folders (requires root or ADB) of the remaining files.

File system and fragmentation: why memory is "squeezing"

Redmi 8 uses a F2FS file system (for 64GB models) or ext4 (32GB models) that fragments over time, leading to:

• 🐢 Slow down the recording/reading of files (especially noticeable when shooting video in the video) 1080p).
• 📉 «Memory loss: The system shows that the space is occupied, but the files do not appear in the managers.
• 🔄 Frequent overwriting of the same blocks, which reduces the life of memory.

How to fix it:

1. Defragmentation: manually impossible without root, but you can reset to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset).
2. Transfer files to SD card: If you have a microSD-enabled model, move photos, videos, and music manually.
3. Using a disk analysis file manager (such as Solid Explorer) to find “broken” files.

Important: Fragmentation is especially critical if you frequently:

• Remove and reinstall the same applications.
• You shoot high-resolution video (files weigh a lot and fragment memory).
• Use your phone as a flash drive (often you connect to your PC to transfer files).

7.How to free up memory on Redmi 8: step-by-step instructions

Now, let's get to the point. Here's a proven algorithm that will free up 3 to 10 GB of memory.

1. Clear the cache of all applications: Go to Settings → Memory → Cached data. Click Clear (this will remove the cache of all applications at once).
2. Removing duplicates and debris: Install Files by Google and run Cleanup in Clean Up. Manually check folders: /DCIM/.thumbnails /Download/ /MIUI/backup/ /Android/data/
3. Disable Media Autoboot: In Telegram: Settings → Data and Memory → Media Autoboot → Select Never. On WhatsApp: Settings → Storage and Data → Media Autoboot → Disable for Mobile Data and Wi-Fi.
4. Remove heavy apps: Check the sized app list (Settings → Apps → App management → Size sorting). Remove unnecessary games (e.g. PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty can weigh 2-4 GB).

Reset to factory settings (if nothing helps)

• Make a backup copy of important data.
• Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset → Resetting.
• Select “Delete all data” (this will clear the internal memory completely).

For a full transfer, root rights or applications like App2SD are needed (does not work on all firmware).