Series smartphones Redmi 8, despite their popularity and budget, often face a lack of internal storage. The standard capacity of 32 or 64 GB is quickly filled with modern applications, high-resolution photos and the accumulated messenger cache. When free space runs out, the device begins to work slower, and the system MIUI may block the installation of updates or new apps.
Users often notice that even after deleting unnecessary photos, the amount of occupied memory remains virtually unchanged. This is due to the peculiarities of the Android file system and the specifics of the shell from Xiaomi. To really free up gigabytes, you need to approach the issue comprehensively, using both built-in tools and manual cleaning methods.
In this article we will analyze all the effective methods that will help restore the performance of your gadget. You'll learn where hidden files are hidden, how to safely delete application data, and why the Other (Other) section can take up the lion's share of space. Proper optimization will extend the life of the device and make its use comfortable.
Analysis of storage capacity
Before taking radical measures, you need to understand what exactly is taking up space. In the Android operating system, the built-in analyzer is responsible for this. Go to menu Settings → Memoryto see a visualization of the data distribution. The system automatically kategoriziruet files, showing the volume occupied by applications, images, videos and system files.
Particular attention should be paid to the section Applications. It often happens that several social networks or instant messengers take up more space than the entire gallery. This occurs due to the accumulation of temporary files, autoplay of videos in feeds, and saving of forwarded documents. By clicking on a specific application, you will see details: the size of the APK file itself, the amount of user data and the cache size.
It is important to distinguish between the concepts of “Application Data” and “Cache”. Data is your correspondence, saved passwords and settings within the app. Removing them will reset the app to “just from the store” state. Cache is temporary files that can be deleted without losing important information. It is with clearing the cache that optimization should begin.
⚠️ Attention: Before clearing messenger data, be sure to create a backup copy of your conversations in a cloud service (Google Drive or iCloud), otherwise you will permanently lose your message history.
Using the built-in Security application
The shell MIUI is equipped with a powerful built-in tool called “Security”. This is not just an antivirus, but also an effective cleaning manager. Launch the application and select Cleaning. The system will automatically scan the device for temporary files, residual files of uninstalled apps and advertising junk.
The “Deep Cleaning” function allows you to approach the issue in more detail. Here you can find large files that you might have forgotten, such as downloaded movies or archives. Also a useful option is cleaning installer packages APK. After successful installation of the application, these files are no longer needed, but they continue to lie in memory, taking up space.
☑️ Daily cleaning routine
It is worth noting that the algorithms Xiaomi can sometimes be aggressive and offer to delete files that you may need, for example, WhatsApp thumbnail images. Be careful when choosing checkboxes. Regular use of this tool, at least once a week, will prevent critical memory filling and maintain the performance of the interface.
Set up automatic cleaning in the Security application so that the phone itself removes garbage when the free space drops below 10%.
Working with cache and application data
The most Social networks and instant messengers are traditionally voracious consumers of memory. Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber and TikTok save a huge number of media files. Unlike iOS, where memory management is more strictly regulated, in Android each application creates its own folder structure. To manually clean, go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
Select a heavy application, for example Instagram. Inside the control menu, you will see a Clear button. When you click on it, the system will offer two options: “Clear cache” and “Clear all”. The first option is safe and recommended for regular use. The second option will completely remove your account from the application and reset all settings.
| Type of cleaning | What is being deleted | Impact on account | Recommended frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearing cache | Temporary files, thumbnails, logs | Absent | Once a week |
| Clear data | All information, logins, settings | Full reset | In case of failures or before sale |
| Deleting the application | APK file and all data | Removing from the device | As needed |
Browsers deserve special attention. Google Chrome or built-in MI Browser can accumulate gigabytes of cache if you often watch videos or visit “heavy” sites. Each browser's settings have its own "History and Data" section, where you can clear cached images and files in just one click.
Cleaning the Other section
One of the most mysterious and annoying problems of users Redmi 8 is partition bloat Other (or "Other") in storage. This partition can take up 10, 15, or even 20 GB, although the user has not downloaded files of that size. In reality, it is a hodgepodge of system logs, update cache, residual files and application data that the system cannot classify.
The safest way to reduce this partition is to use the cleanup function in the Security application, which was mentioned earlier. However, if this does not help, you can try a more in-depth method through the developer menu or file manager. Often the folder Android/data stores caches of games and applications that can be deleted manually if you are sure of their origin.
The secret of the .thumbnails folder
In some versions of MIUI, the hidden folder DCIM/.thumbnails stores thumbnails of all photos ever viewed. Deleting this folder can instantly free up several gigabytes, but it will be created again.
There is also a method of resetting application settings, which sometimes “collapses” the bloated Other section. Go to Settings → Advanced settings → Backup and reset → Factory reset. Don't be afraid, this will not delete your personal photos and contacts, but will return system settings to factory defaults, which often solves the problem with erroneous display of memory capacity.
⚠️ Attention: MIUI interface may vary depending on the firmware version (Global, China, EU). The location of menu items may change, so check the current view of your screen.
Deleting duplicates and large files
Over the years of using a smartphone, many duplicates accumulate in the memory. You might accidentally save a photo twice, download the same document from different sources, or take a series of identical screenshots. Searching for them manually is long and tedious, so it is better to use specialized tools.
The Files application from Xiaomi or Google Files has a duplicate search function. It analyzes the hash sums of the files and suggests deleting the copies, leaving the original. It is also worth checking the Download (Downloads) folder. Often there are forgotten installation files, PDF documents and presentations that have already fulfilled their function.
Video files are another space eater. One minute 4K video can weigh more than a thousand text documents. Go through your gallery and delete the long videos you made “just in case.” If you feel sorry for deleting them, move them to a memory card microSD or to cloud storage if the model supports memory expansion (Redmi 8 has a separate slot).
Regularly sorting the “Downloads” folder and deleting video files gives the fastest visible result of freeing up space.
Optimization of work messengers
Messengers require a separate approach, as they work in the background and constantly update content. In WhatsApp go to Settings → Data and storage → Storage management. Here you will see a list of chats sorted by the amount of space they occupy. It often turns out that one workgroup or channel in Telegram occupies more space than the entire system.
In the settings of each chat, you can enable auto-deletion of messages or limit auto-saving of media files. For example, in Telegram you can set the cache limit: Settings → Data and memory → Memory usage → Limit cache size. Set the value to, for example, 1 GB. Once the cache reaches this limit, old files will be automatically deleted, making room for new ones.
Also check the settings for saving to the gallery. If the "Media Visibility" option is enabled in WhatsApp, all received pictures and videos are automatically saved to the main gallery of the phone, creating duplicates. Disabling this feature in the chat privacy settings will significantly reduce clutter in your gallery.
Factory reset as a last resort
If none of the above methods helped, and the phone still says “Memory Full,” there is a radical but effective method - a hard reset. This will return the device to its out-of-the-box state. All your data, applications, photos and settings will be permanently deleted, so this step requires careful preparation.
Before the procedure, be sure to make a full backup. Use your account Google to save contacts and calendar, and for photos and videos use Google Photos or transfer the files to your computer. Make sure that the battery charge is at least 50% so that the phone does not turn off during the process.
To perform a reset, go to Settings → About phone → Reset settings → Erase all data (factory reset). The system will ask you to confirm and enter your screen unlock password. After the reboot, you will have a clean system that will work as quickly as possible. Subsequently, install only the necessary applications so that the problem does not recur quickly.
Reset via Recovery
If the phone does not turn on due to full memory, you can try entering Recovery mode (press Volume Up + Power) and select Wipe Data.
Why does the memory fill up immediately after cleaning?
This may be due to the operation of background processes. System services and applications immediately after launch begin to update and create new temporary files. There may also be hidden malware that generates garbage. Check the list of installed applications for suspicious apps with strange names.
Is it possible to use cleaner applications from the Play Market?
Third-party cleaners often work aggressively and can delete necessary system files, disrupting the operation of MIUI. The built-in tools of Redmi 8 are usually sufficient. If you do decide to use third-party software, choose trusted names, such as Files by Google, and avoid dubious “accelerators” with advertising.
How to transfer applications to a memory card on Redmi 8?
In modern versions of Android and MIUI, the ability to transfer applications to an SD card is limited by the developers of the applications themselves. The system allows you to transfer only part of the data, and not for all apps. A full transfer is rarely possible, so it is better to use a memory card to store photos, videos and documents, and keep applications in the internal memory.
What to do if the Other section takes up 20 GB?
The Other section is bloated due to the cache of applications (especially streaming services and social networks) and system logs. Try clearing the cache of all heavy applications manually. If this does not help, only a full reset to factory settings with a preliminary data backup will help.
Does full memory affect the speed of operation?
Yes, it does critically. When free space runs out, the system has no place to create temporary files for data exchange. This leads to severe interface lag, long application launch times, and even sudden device reboots. It is recommended to always keep at least 10-15% of the total memory free.