Cleaning memory on Xiaomi Redmi 8: a complete guide with proven methods

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is a popular budget smartphone with 32/64 GB of internal memory, but even this volume becomes small over time. Photos, videos, app updates and system junk take up precious space, and the phone starts to slow down. In this article we will look at all methods of clearing memory from basic to radical, taking into account the features of the firmware MIUI.

It is important to understand: simply deleting files is not enough. It is necessary to find and eliminate main memory "eaters"that are hidden from the user's eyes. We will analyze which data can be safely deleted and which should not be touched so as not to disrupt the operation of the system. You will also learn how prevent rapid memory filling in the future this will save you hours of repeated cleanings.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly is taking up memory?

Before you start cleaning, you need to identify the main “culprits”. There are built-in tools for this: Redmi 8 There are built-in tools for this:

1. Open Settings → About phone → Memory. A diagram of memory distribution by category is displayed here: applications, multimedia, cache, system files.
2. Click to a category (for example, "Applications") to see a list of the heaviest apps.
3. Check the "Files" section - duplicate photos, downloaded documents and temporary files are often hidden here.

Typical problems in Redmi 8:

• 📸 Photos and videos in high resolution (especially if the camera is set to shoot at 48 MP).
• 🎮 Games with a cache of 1-3 GB (for example, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty).
• 🗑️ System cache and residual files after updates MIUI.
• 📥 Downloads from messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and browsers.

If more than 10-15 GB are occupied in the "System" section, this is a cause for concern. Most likely, they have accumulated residual firmware files or. log files that can be deleted manually.

2. Clearing the application and system cache

The cache speeds up the operation of apps, but over time it turns into ballast. On Redmi 8 it can be cleared in several ways:

Method 1: Through application settings

1. Go in Settings → Applications → Manage applications.
2. Select an application (for example, YouTube or Facebook) and click "Clear cache".
3. For mass clearing, use the filter by size: Sort → By size.

Method 2: Through the "Cleanup" tool

In MIUI there is a built-in optimizer:

1. Open the application Security (icon with shield).
2. Select "Cleaning" → "Deep cleaning".
3. Tick the unnecessary files (cache, temporary data, empty folders) and click "Clear".

⚠️ Attention! Do not clear the cache of system applications like com.android.systemui or com.miui.home —this may lead to interface failures.

Close all active applications

Make a backup copy of important data

Check free space (there should be ≥500 MB)

Do not clear the cache of banking applications (you will have to log in again)-->

3. Removing unnecessary applications and their remains

Many apps leave behind "tails" even after uninstallation. This is especially true. due to pre-installed services Redmi 8 this is especially true due to pre-installed services Xiaomi.

How to remove applications completely:

• 📱 Standard method: Settings → Applications → Select app → Delete.
• 🧹 With the remainder: Use Files by Google (section "Cleaning") or SD Maid to search for remaining folders in /Android/data/.
• 🔧 For system applications: Permissions required root or ADB-commands (for example, pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.weather2).

List of system applications safe to remove on Redmi 8:

Application	Package	Can I delete?
Mi Video	com.miui.videoplayer	Yes
Mi Music	com.miui.player	Yes
Mi Browser	com.android.browser	Yes (if you use Chrome)
GetApps	com.xiaomi.mipicks	Yes
Mi Pay	com.mipay.wallet	No (if you use contactless payments)

⚠️ Attention! Deleting system applications via ADB may disrupt operation MIUI. Before doing this, create a backup via Settings → Advanced → Backup and reset.

How to recover deleted system application?

If you need the application back after deleting it via ADB, you can restore it only by completely resetting the settings or flashing the phone. An alternative is to download the APK file from a trusted source (for example, APKMirror) and install it manually, but this may not work for deeply integrated services.

4. multimedia: photos, video and music

Media files are the main "eater" of memory. On Redmi 8 with a 12+48 MP camera, one photo in format .jpg can weigh 5-10 MB, and a minute of video in Full HD - up to 100 MB.

Ways to reduce the volume:

• 📷 Change the resolution. cameras: In the camera settings (Settings → Photo resolution), select 12 MP instead of 48 MP. The difference in quality is minimal, and space is saved by 2-3 times.
• 🎥 Compress video: Use Google Photos (automatic compression when loading) or Video Compress.
• 🔍 Find duplicates: Applications like Files by Google or CCleaner can search for identical photos.
• ☁️ Transfer to cloud: Google Photos, Yandex Disk or Mi Cloud (the latter gives 5 GB for free).

To automatically clean up garbage in the gallery:

1. Open Gallery → Albums → Trash and clean it.
2. In Gallery settings → Memory management turn on the "Auto-empty Trash" option.

5. Clearing downloads and temporary files

Folder Download and messenger cache - another hidden source garbage. On Redmi 8 these files can take up to 5-10 GB.

Where to look:

• 📁 Folder Download: APK, PDF, archives accumulate here. Delete everything unnecessary via Files or Files by Google.
• 💬 Messengers:
  • Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Clear cache.
  • WhatsApp: Settings → Storage → Management memory.
• 🌐 Browsers: In Chrome clear history and cache via Settings → Privacy → Clear data.

For deep cleaning use ADB-commands (PC connection required):

adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.downloads
adb shell pm clear com.android.browser

⚠️ Attention! Clearing browser data will delete all saved passwords and bookmarks. Export them in advance via Settings → Passwords → Export.

6. Radical methods: resetting to factory settings

If there is less than 1 GB free and the phone is very slow, this will only help. full resetThis will delete everything, including accounts and settings, so:

Save contacts to Google Account

Copy photos/videos to PC or cloud

Write down Wi-Fi and application passwords

Make sure you know the login/password for your Mi Account (required for unlocking)-->

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → Advanced → Backup and reset → Reset settings.
2. Select "Erase all data" and confirm.
3. After rebooting, the phone will be like new. Restore the data from the backup (if you did).

⚠️ Attention! On Redmi 8 s MIUI 12+ after the reset, you may need to link to Mi Accountthat was on the phone before the reset. If you don't remember it, the phone will become a "brick"! Before resetting, unlink your account in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Log Out.

7. How to prevent memory from quickly filling up in the future

To avoid cleaning your phone every week, set up automatic optimization:

• 🔄 Auto clear cache: T Settings → Battery and performance → Cleaning turn on "Auto clear when locked."
• 📤 Limit background data: For greedy applications (for example, Facebook), disable background activity in Settings → Applications → Permissions → Autorun.
• 📊 Download control: In Google Play disable auto-update of applications or limit it to Wi-Fi only.
• 🗃️ Move to SD card: If you have a model Redmi 8 with support microSD, transfer applications via Settings → Applications → Move to SD.

For advanced users:

• 🛠️ Disable logging: Via ADB execute the command adb shell setprop log.tag.GCam DEBUG (will reduce the volume of system logs).
• 📦 Use easy alternatives: Replace MIUI Launcher with Nova Launcher, and Mi Browser - on Bromite.

Check your memory regularly via Settings → Memory. If less than 10% is free, it’s time to clean it!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about clearing memory on Redmi 8

Is it possible to clear memory without losing data?

Yes, if you use the built-in tools (Cleaning v Security) or third-party applications like Files by Google. They only delete cache and temporary files. However, for deep cleaning (for example, removing duplicate photos), it is better to make a backup copy.

Why does the memory quickly fill up again after cleaning?

Reasons:

• Applications restore the cache (especially social networks and messengers).
• The system creates logs and dumps (this is a common problem). MIUI this is a common problem).
• Auto-updating applications in the background.

Solution: disable auto-updating, limit background activity of applications and regularly clean cache.

Is it possible to increase the memory on Redmi 8?

Physically, no, since the memory eMMC is soldered into the board. But you can:

• Use microSD (up to 512 GB) to store files.
• Move some applications to the card (not all support this).
• Connect an external drive via OTG.

Is it safe to use cleaning apps like CCleaner?

Yes, but with caveats:

• 🔹 CCleaner, Files by Google, SD Maid are proven tools.
• 🚫 Avoid little-known "optimizers" - they may contain advertising or malicious code.
• ⚠️ Do not clean "deep" system files, if you are not sure of their purpose.

What to do if after cleaning the phone still slows down?

Possible reasons:

• Memory fragmentation (a reboot or reset will help).
• Overheating (check via CPU Monitor).
• Viruses (scan Malwarebytes).
• Wear eMMCstorage (typical for budget phones after 2-3 years of use).

If the brakes are critical, consider flashing to custom firmware (for example LineageOS) or replacing the phone.