How to completely clean Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite: 5 proven ways

Why Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite is starting to slow down and how to fix it

Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite, released in 2018 It is still a popular budget smartphone due to its balanced characteristics: Snapdragon processor. 660, 4/6 GB of RAM and AMOLED-But over time, even this reliable machine starts to hang, slowly open applications, or suddenly overheat, and the reason is almost always that the system clogs up. Accumulated cache, residual files of remote programs, fragmented memory and background processes that never close.

Cleaning the Mi 8 Lite is not just a recommendation, it's a necessity if you want to get your smartphone back to speed, but it's important to understand that "cleaning" can mean different things. For some, it's deleting unnecessary files, for some, it's a full factory reset, and for some, it's autoboot optimization. We'll take all the methods, from the simplest to the most radical, taking into account the features of MIUI firmware (including current versions 12-14).

Before you start, answer yourself the question: what exactly do you want to clean? If the goal is to make space, just delete garbage files. If the smartphone is unbearably slow, you will need a reset. And if a problem in a particular application (for example, the camera or gallery is slowing down), you may have enough cache cleaning just for it.

Method 1: Cleaning up cache and debris through built-in MIUI tools

MIUI has a built-in cleaning tool called Security (formerly Optimization) that is the first thing to try if the smartphone is slowing down. It doesn't require superuser rights and is data-safe.

How to clean up cache and garbage:

• 📱 Open the Security app** (Shield icon).
• 🧹 Select the Cleanup tab (or Accelerate in older versions) MIUI).
• 🔍 Click Scan and wait for the verification to be completed.
• ✅ Tick all categories (Cash, Residual Files, Advertising) and click Clear.

This method removes temporary files that take up space but does not affect personal data (photos, messages, contacts), but it has a limitation: built-in cleanup does not delete deep system files that can accumulate for years, such as remnants from old versions of applications or log files of the system.

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If the smartphone is still slowing down after cleaning, try restarting it. Many MIUI background processes continue to work even after cleaning the cache, and only a reboot completely resets them.

Method 2: Manually clean memory through “Settings”

If the built-in cleaning didn't help, it's worth manually checking what exactly takes up space on the device.The Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite has only 64 or 128GB of memory (depending on the modification), and over time it gets clogged not only with garbage, but also with unnecessary files.

Instructions for manual cleaning:

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Wait until the system analyzes the occupied space.
3. Click on the category (e.g. Apps, Images, Videos) and delete unnecessary files.
4. Pay special attention to the Other section – gigabytes of unnecessary data are often hidden here.

You can also see which apps are taking up the most space on this menu, such as messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and social networks (TikTok, Instagram) often cache gigabytes of content.

• 📱 Settings → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Select the desired application (for example, YouTube).
• 🗑️ Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

Method 3: Reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

If the Mi 8 Lite is unbearably slow, overheating or making errors, the most radical solution is a complete reset, which will delete all data, including apps, settings and files, returning the smartphone to the “out of the box” state. Importantly, on the Mi 8 Lite, a reset via Recovery can lead to a bootloader lock if you previously unlocked it for custom firmware installation.

How to make a Hard Reset:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
4. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.

Alternative method (if the smartphone is not turned on):

• 🔄 Turn off the device.
• 🔘 Press the power buttons. + Loudness up before the appearance of the Mi logo.
• 📱 In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (Management – volume buttons, confirmation – power button).

Save photos and videos to PC or cloud|Export contacts to VCF-file|Record passwords from Wi-Fi and accounts|Make sure the battery is charged >50%|Unplug your Mi Account (if you sell your device)-->

⚠️ Note: After resetting the Mi 8 Lite may require you to enter the data of the Mi Account that was tied before the reset.If you forgot the username / password, it will be difficult to unlock the device - you will need to contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership.

Method 4: Cleaning through ADB (for advanced users)

If you're familiar with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can clean up system debris more deeply than you can with standard tools, a method that is useful if your smartphone is infected with adware or junk services that aren't being removed in the usual way.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Enable USB Debugging on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode), then Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging over USB.
3. Connect the Mi 8 Lite to your PC and execute commands in the terminal:

adb shell


pm clear com.miui.securitycenter #Cleaning up the "Security" cache




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.analytics # Removal of MIUI Analytics




pm clear com.android.vending #Cleaning up Google Play cache

These commands will remove the cache of key system applications, which can speed up the interface, but do not delete system packages (for example, com.android.systemui) if you are not sure about their purpose - this can lead to the failure of the smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: Some teams ADB Mi Account or Google Play may be disrupted. Create a backup using adb backup before experimenting.

Method 5: Optimizing Autoboot and Background Processes

One of the reasons Mi 8 Lite brakes is the autoload of unnecessary applications, and many programs (especially Chinese ones) are added to auto-run and consume resources in the background, and you can turn them off without root rights.

How to turn off autoboot:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Select an app (such as Mi Video or Cleaner).
• 🚫 Press Autostart and turn off the slider.
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone to apply changes.

It is also necessary to limit background activity:

• 📱 Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery management.
• 🔋 Select Background Limitation for Unnecessary Apps.

These actions will reduce the load on the processor and battery, but some applications (such as messengers) may stop sending notifications. Solution: leave only critical programs in the autoboot.

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Turning off autoboot for 10-15 unnecessary apps can increase the battery life of the Mi 8 Lite by 15-20% and speed up its launch.

What to do if cleaning didn’t help: hardware problems

If after all the manipulations Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite continues to slow down, the problem may be in the hardware:

Applications such as CPU Throttling Test (Trottling Test) or AIDA64 (If the smartphone is older than 3-4 years, the most likely problem is battery degradation, and you can replace it with the Mi 8 Lite yourself (the cost of the original battery is about 1,500). ₽), But care is required when disconnecting the plume.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite