The smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 8, released in 2019, still remains a popular device due to its reliability and affordability. However, over time, owners inevitably face the problem of lack of free space. The built-in 32 or 64 gigabytes fill up much faster than it seems, turning a once-nimble device into a slow-running device with constant notifications about storage full.
Full memory affects not only the ability to install new applications or save photos. This directly affects system performance MIUI, causes delays when opening the menu and can lead to critical errors in the operation of instant messengers. Understanding exactly how space is used and which files are safe to delete becomes a key skill for extending the life of your gadget.
In this article, we will analyze in detail all the available methods for freeing up disk space. We will not limit ourselves to standard advice, but will delve deeper into system settings, working with shadow copies and specific features of the Android file system, specific to brand devices Xiaomi.
Analysis of the fullness of the built-in storage
Before deleting anything blindly, it is necessary to conduct a thorough diagnosis. The system Android provides built-in tools for data visualization, but the interface MIUI sometimes hides some details. The first step should always be to go to the settings menu, where the overall picture of disk usage is displayed.
Click on the gear icon and select the item About phone, then go to the section Storage. Here you will see a color chart divided into categories: applications, images, videos, audio and more. Pay attention to the sector "Other" or "System". If this partition takes up a disproportionate amount of space (for example, more than 10 GB on a device with 32 GB of memory), this may indicate accumulation of system cache or erroneous logs.
Detailed analysis allows us to identify the “culprits” of the occasion. It often turns out that the lion's share of space is occupied not by installed apps, but by their data. Messengers like Telegram or Viber have a habit of saving all viewed media files to the device’s memory, even if you have already seen them once. Without manual cleaning, these applications can grow to tens of gigabytes.
⚠️ Attention: Do not delete files from folders namedAndroidordatamanually through the file manager if you are not sure of their purpose. This can lead to the loss of saves in games or resetting the settings of installed apps.
Accurate diagnosis of the type of occupied files saves time and prevents accidental deletion of important information.
Using the built-in Cleanup application
In the shell MIUI a powerful tool called “Cleaner”, which is often ignored by users who prefer third-party software. However, for Xiaomi Redmi 8 this is the safest and most effective way to quickly clean. The application has access to system partitions that are closed to third-party utilities.
Launch the application through the icon in the “Tools” folder or find it in the settings. After scanning, the system will offer to remove “Trash”. It is important to understand the difference between garbage and cache. Garbage is the remnants of uninstalled applications, empty folders and temporary installation files. Cache is data that speeds up the work of apps that are safe to delete, but the application will download it again the next time you launch it.
The Deep Clean function allows you to analyze large files, duplicate photos and unused applications. The algorithm sorts files by size, allowing you to quickly find forgotten videos or installation packages APKthat are no longer needed. Regular use of this tool at least once a week prevents critical memory filling.
- 🗑️ Delete remnants of deleted applications that the system marks as “Remains.”
- 📸 Check the “Similar Photos” section to delete unsuccessful duplicate pictures.
- 📦 Clear your downloads folder of old installation files
.apk. - 📹 Delete short videos from the gallery that were saved from messenger statuses.
Clearing the cache and data of specific applications
When automatic means do not help free up enough space, you have to switch to manual cleaning This method requires more caution, but gives maximum results. This is especially true for social networks and browsers that accumulate gigantic amounts of temporary data.
Go to menu Settings → Applications → All applications. Select the heaviest application from the list, for example YouTube, Instagram or Chrome. Inside the application card you will see two important buttons: "Clear cache" and "Clear" (or “Data Management”). The first deletes temporary files, the second resets the application to the state immediately after installation, deleting logins and settings.
For browsers, clearing the cache often frees up hundreds of megabytes. In Google Chrome this can also be done through the internal menu: Settings → Privacy → Clear history. Here you can select the “All time” period and check only the “Images and other files saved in the cache” checkbox so as not to lose your browsing history and passwords.
Settings → Applications → All applications → [Select application] → Storage → Clear cacheParticular attention should be paid to the messenger Telegram. Unlike other applications, it has its own powerful memory management system. Go to the settings of the messenger itself, section Data and memory → Memory usage. Here you can set a limit on the cache size (for example, 200 MB) and clear the current cache with one button. This will delete downloaded photos and videos from the device, but will leave them available in the chat cloud.
In Telegram settings, set it to automatically clear the cache every 3 days. This will prevent gigabytes of garbage from accumulating in the future.
Manage gallery and media files
Media files traditionally take up the most space on a smartphone. The camera Xiaomi Redmi 8 takes good pictures, but files in JPG and video format MP4 quickly eat up free space. Simply deleting photos is often not enough unless you set up a backup system.
Use the service Google Photos or cloud storage MIUI Cloud to automatically upload pictures. Once the photos are synced to the cloud (the cloud icon with a check mark), you can use the "Free up space" function in the app Google Photos. It will delete from the device only those copies that are already securely stored on the Internet.
Don't forget about the folder DCIM → .thumbnails. This is a hidden directory where the system stores thumbnails of your photos for quick display in the gallery. Over time, this file can grow to several gigabytes. It can be safely deleted through any file manager with the display of hidden files enabled; the system will create it again, but in a smaller size.
| File type | Average size | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Photo (12 MP) | 3-5 MB | Transfer to the cloud, delete blurry frames |
| Video (1080p, 1 min) | 60-100 MB | Delete immediately after viewing or installation |
| Screenshot | 0.5-1 MB | Regularly clean the Screenshots folder |
| Dictaphone audio recording | 1 MB/min | Transfer to PC or cloud |
Hidden functions of MIUI and removal of system garbage
Shell MIUI contains a number of specific functions that many users are not aware of. One of these is the mechanism for creating shadow copies when files are deleted. When you delete a photo or video through the standard gallery, it is not physically erased immediately, but is moved to the trash, where it is stored for 30 days.
To actually free up space, you need to go to the application Gallery, go to the tab Albums and scroll down to the item Recently deleted. This is where gigabytes of “deleted” content are hidden. Emptying this folder gives the space back instantly. A similar basket exists in the application Explorer.
Another hidden problem - folder MIUI/debug_log. In some firmware versions, the system may record debug logs incorrectly, creating huge files. Check the presence of this folder in the root of the internal memory. If the log file takes up more than 500 MB, it can be deleted without affecting the operation of the phone.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and folder location may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (Global, Russia, China). If you do not find the folder described, check the current file structure in the official documentation for your firmware version.
What to do if the .thumbnails folder is growing quickly again?
If the thumbnail file grows too quickly after cleaning, this may indicate a damaged video file in the gallery. Try to find the last added video and delete it.
Transferring data to a memory card and resetting settings
If software methods do not give the desired result, you should consider hardware expansion or radical measures. Xiaomi Redmi 8 supports installation of memory cards microSD up to 256 GB. This is an ideal solution for storing photos, music and videos.
After installing the card, go to the storage settings and select the card as the default save location for new photos and videos. Existing files can be transferred through the menu Explorer: select the files in the internal memory, click "Move" and select the path to SD card. Please note that transferring the applications themselves to the card in modern versions of Android is limited and works unstable.
In extreme cases, when the phone slows down even after all cleanings, a full reset to factory settings helps. This deletes absolutely all user data, returning the phone to its out-of-the-box state. Before doing this, be sure to back up your contacts and important files to your Google account or computer.
☑️ Preparing to reset your settings
The reset procedure is performed through the menu Settings → About the phone → Reset settings → Delete all data. The process will take about 10-15 minutes. After turning on, the phone will work as quickly as possible, since the file system will be completely cleared of fragmentation and accumulated software garbage.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to delete the Android folder without consequences?
No, you cannot delete the entire folder Android . It stores critical data for running applications. However, it is safe to clear the contents of a subfolder Android/data/[application_name]/cacheif you are sure which application corresponds to the folder.
Why is the space not freed up after deleting the files?
Most likely, the files were moved to the trash gallery or explorer, and not permanently deleted. It's also possible that the app you cleaned immediately created new temporary files. Check the “Recently Deleted” folder.
How to clear memory if the phone freezes and does not enter the menu?
Try to boot into Recovery mode. Turn off the phone, then hold down the Volume Up and Powerbuttons. In the recovery menu, you can reset the settings (Wipe Data), but this will delete all data from the phone.
Does full memory affect the charging speed?
There is no direct effect on the charging speed, but full memory forces the processor to work more actively with the file system, which increases the overall heat dissipation of the device during use and charging.
Is it worth installing third-party apps like Clean Master?
On Xiaomi Redmi 8 there is no need for this. The built-in Cleanup application from Xiaomi works deeper and more securely, as it has system privileges. Third-party apps often only show ads and duplicate system functions.