When choosing a budget smartphone, many users pay attention to the amount of internal storage and RAM. Xiaomi Redmi 8, released in 2019, became one of the bestsellers thanks to a successful combination of characteristics and price. However, the marketing figures on the box are often different from what a person sees after turning on the device. It is important to understand how much real free space will remain for your applications, photos and system.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the Xiaomi Redmi 8 configuration, explain the difference between the declared and actual volume, and explore ways to expand internal storage. You will learn why the system occupies a significant part of the disk and whether it is possible to run applications from a memory card. This knowledge will help you to properly configure the gadget and avoid problems with space shortage in the future.
The answer to how much memory Redmi 8 has depends on the specific modification you've purchased. There are several options that manufacturers have available, and each has its own file system features. Let's dive into the technical details so you can get a sense of what your device can do.
Technical characteristics and modifications of memory
Xiaomi Redmi 8 was originally shipped in two main configurations, which differ in the amount of RAM and internal memory. The global version is most often found with 32 or 64 gigabytes of permanent storage. RAM, responsible for multitasking, varies from 3 to 4 gigabytes depending on the region of sales.
It's worth noting that the type of memory used also plays a role in speed, with eMMC 5.1, the standard for the budget segment, providing acceptable read and write speeds, but inferior to the more modern UFS analogues used in flagships, which means that it can take longer to download heavy games and copy large files.
Memory chip details
Below is a table that clearly demonstrates the available modifications and their main parameters:
| Modifications | RAM (Ram) memory (RAM) | Integrated memory (ROM) | Support for microSD card support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic version | 3GB | 32GB | Up to 512GB |
| Extended version | 4GB | 64GB | Up to 512GB |
| Special (India/China) | 4GB | 64GB | Up to 512GB |
Real memory: Where did the place go?
Many users are surprised to find that there are far fewer 32 or 64 gigabytes available, which is normal for all Android smartphones, and some of the space is reserved for the system partition, which stores the Android-based MIUI operating system, and pre-installed services from Google and Xiaomi apps.
In addition, the file system uses a portion of the volume for service tables and data indexing, resulting in a 32GB model that gives users about 18-20GB of free space, and 64GB uses about 45-50GB. The file system cannot be used 100% for user data, as this would lead to unstable work.
⚠️ Warning: Don't try to fill up internal storage to the last megabyte.If less than 500 MB is free, the system may start to work with delays, and some applications will stop updating.
You can check the exact amount of available memory in the settings. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone → Storage. Here you will see the details: how much it takes apps, images, videos and system files. Regular monitoring of this section helps to keep the device running.
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System files and MIUI shells take up between 30% and 40% of the claimed storage capacity, which is the industry standard for budget smartphones.
Expanding storage with a microSD card
One of the main advantages of Redmi 8 is the availability of a separate slot for memory cards. Unlike many modern flagships, here you can install a microSD card up to 512 GB (officially) or even more (unofficially), which allows you to store huge archives of photos, music and videos without having to delete old files.
The card is installed through the tray for SIM-You're going to need a paper clip or a special key that comes with it. Carefully remove the tray, place the memory card in the intended slot, and return the tray back. The system automatically recognizes the new storage and prompts it to be configured.
☑️ Installation of a memory card
It's important to format the card correctly. You can use it as a portable storage for media files or as part of internal memory. In the second case, the system will encrypt the card and it will not be read on other devices without re-formatting. For most users, the portable storage mode is optimal.
RAM: features of MIUI operation
The RAM (RAM) in Xiaomi Redmi 8 is responsible for running applications and switching speeds between them. In versions with 3 GB of RAM, the system can more often unload background applications to free up resources. The 4 GB version runs more smoothly, allowing more tabs in the browser and messengers to be kept open.
The MIUI shell actively manages processes, sometimes aggressively closing background tasks to save battery life, which can cause notifications to arrive with a delay, and to avoid this, you can set exceptions to battery settings for important applications, preventing the system from closing them.
- 🚀 Optimization: Use a built-in cleaner to close unused processes.
- 🔋 Energy saving: Limiting background activity helps to extend running time.
- ⚙️ Developer settings: Allows you to manually manage background process limits.
It should be understood that RAM cannot be increased by software or physical replacement of the chip, but the correct setup of autoboot and removal of heavy software can significantly improve the responsiveness of the interface.
How to Free Space on the Internal Disk
When the built-in storage is full, the phone starts to run slower.The first step to free up space is to clear the app cache. Social media sites like Telegram, WhatsApp and Instagram accumulate gigabytes of temporary files that can be safely deleted.
Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, select the “heavy” app and click “Clear Cache.” Don’t confuse it with the “Clean All” button, as this will delete your logins and data. You can also use the standard Security app, which will automatically find garbage in the system.
⚠️ Note: When cleaning messenger data (not cache, but data), you may lose your correspondence history if you did not back up in advance.
Another effective method is to transfer media files to a memory card or cloud storage, set up automatic sync of photos with Google Photos or Mi Cloud, then delete the originals from the device, which will free up a significant amount of space without losing important points.
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Use the Cleanup feature in the Security app once a week to delete temporary files, remnants of deleted applications and empty folders, speeding up the system.
Launching applications from a memory card
Budget smartphone owners often wonder if they can transfer the apps themselves to a memory card to unload the internal drive. In modern versions of Android and MIUI, this feature is limited, the system allows you to transfer only part of the application data to an external drive, but not its entire executable file.
Some applications support portability, others categorically do not. You can check this in the application management menu: if the Move button is active, then transfer is possible. However, it is worth remembering that the read speed from a microSD card is usually lower than the internal memory speed, which can lead to longer downloads.
There are third-party utilities that require root rights that allow you to bypass these restrictions, but using them on Redmi 8 is not recommended for beginners. This can lead to unstable system operation, loss of warranty and data security problems.