Smartphones series Redmi from the company Xiaomi are famous for their excellent price-performance ratio, but over time, even such reliable devices as Redmi 8Amay start to work slower. One of the main reasons for slow performance is the accumulation of temporary files that take up precious space in the internal memory. Understanding how to properly manage this data is the key to maintaining stable operation of your gadget over many years of operation without the need to replace the device.
In the process of using the operating system Android and the shell MIUI each installed application creates its own temporary data to speed up the loading of content and reduce the load on the processor. Over time, these files can grow to gigabyte volumes, especially if you actively use social networks, instant messengers or browsers. Properly clearing the cache does not delete your personal photos, contacts or correspondence, but effectively frees up space for new apps and system updates.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods for freeing up memory on your device. We will look at both built-in tools MIUIand more advanced methods through the engineering menu, so that you can choose the most suitable option for your situation. You will learn to distinguish useful data from garbage and prevent critical filling of the storage, which often leads to interface freezes.
The concept of a cache and its impact on the operation of a smartphone
A cache is a memory area designed to store temporary files that the system or application reuses. When you open the application for the first time, it loads all the necessary resources from disk, which takes time. On subsequent launches, this data is read from the cache, which makes the app work instantly. However, if the cache is not updated correctly or takes up too much space, this can lead to the opposite effect - slowdowns and errors.
On a device Redmi 8Athat has a limited amount of internal memory by modern standards, cache control becomes critical. The operating system itself tries to manage this process by deleting old files when there is not enough space, but often this is not enough. The user needs to periodically intervene in this process to maintain optimal performance Android She herself tries to manage this process by deleting old files when there is not enough space, but often this is not enough. The user needs to intervene in this process periodically to maintain optimal performance RAM and the drive.
There are two main types of cache that you will encounter: individual application cache and system cache. The first stores data from specific apps, such as photo thumbnails in a gallery or temporary videos from YouTube. The second contains system logs and temporary update files MIUI. Clearing the first type is safe and does not affect the app settings, while working with the second requires more caution and understanding of the processes.
⚠️ Attention: Clearing the cache does not delete your logins, passwords and game saves. However, clearing data (not to be confused with the cache) will completely reset the application to its state after installation.
Regularly clearing the cache of instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) can free up up to 2-3 GB of space, since they save all viewed media files to temporary storage.
Using the built-in Security application
The easiest and safest way to start fighting for free space is to use the pre-installed utility from Xiaomi. The application Security (Security) is integrated into the shell MIUI and has deep access to system files, which allows it to find garbage more efficiently than third-party solutions. To start the process, you do not need to install additional software, which reduces the risk of infecting your device with viruses.
Launch the application by finding it on the main screen or in the tools folder. On the main screen of the utility you will see a button Cleaning indicating the volume of garbage found. Clicking this button starts a file system scan. The algorithm analyzes the application cache, residual files of uninstalled apps and advertising files, offering to remove them with one click.
In addition to simple cleaning, the menu Security has a section Deep cleaning. Here the system will offer to delete large files, duplicate photos and unnecessary installation packages APK. This is a great way to audit your storage Redmi 8A and find files that you might have forgotten existed. Regular use of this function once a week will keep your smartphone in good shape.
- 🧹 Press the "Cleaning" button to quickly remove system junk.
- 📂 Use "Deep cleaning" to search for large files and duplicates.
- 🔄 Set up automatic cleaning in the "Security" application settings.
- 🛡️ Check the "Viruses" section before cleaning so as not to delete infected files manually.
Manually clearing the cache of individual applications
Sometimes automatic tools cannot cope with specific an application that has grown to enormous proportions. In such cases, manual cleaning through the system settings is necessary. This method allows you to specifically delete the cache of only the problematic app, without affecting other data. This is especially true for browsers, social networks and video players.
To perform this operation, go to Settings your Redmi 8Amenu. Find the section Applications and select item All applications. In the list that opens, find the desired app, for example, Chrome or Instagram. Tap on the name to open the application information page, where you will see buttons Clear cache and Clear all.
It is important to distinguish between these two functions. The Clear cache button deletes only temporary files without resetting your login or save progress settings. The button Clear all (or "Reset") deletes the application completely, returning it to the state immediately after installation. Use the second option only in extreme cases, when the application does not work correctly or you want to start using it from scratch.
| Application type | Recommended action | Risk of loss data |
|---|---|---|
| Social networks | Clear cache | No (you will need to reload the feed) |
| Games | Clear cache | Low (graphics settings may be lost) |
| Browsers | Clear cache and cookies | Medium (will log out of site accounts) |
| Messengers | Clearing the media cache inside the application | No (if you do not clear the database) |
Manually clearing the cache of a specific application solves the problem of brakes in this particular app, without affecting the operation of the entire system.
Cleaning through the Recovery menu (Advanced method)
For users who want to clean the system as deeply as possible, there is a mode Recovery. This method allows you to delete the system cache, which is not accessible through normal settings Android. This is useful if the smartphone is unstable after updating the firmware or if the built-in memory is critically full and the phone does not even turn on normally.
Entering recovery mode on Redmi 8A is carried out by a combination of hardware buttons. Turn off the device completely. Then hold down the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time. Keep them pressed until the logo Miappears, then release the power button, but continue to hold the volume down until the menu Recoveryappears. Control in this menu is carried out using the volume buttons (up and down) and the power button (confirmation).
In the menu, select item Wipe Data. Be extremely careful: there are two sub-clauses here. You need to select Wipe Cacheif such an item is available in your version of recovery, or Wipe All Dataif you are ready for a complete reset. In new versions MIUI the cache-only option is often hidden or combined with a full reset for security. If you only see a hard reset option, remember that this will delete all your files.
⚠️ Warning: In modern versions of MIUI, Recovery mode often only offers a full factory reset (Factory Reset). Make sure you have backed up your important data before entering this menu.
What to do if the phone is not included in Recovery?
If the button combination does not work, try connecting the phone to the computer via a USB cable before turning it on. Also make sure that the battery is charged at least 30%, since if the charge is low, the device may not respond to buttons.
Features of clearing memory in MIUI 11 and later
The shell MIUIinstalled on Redmi 8Ahas its own management features memory, which differ from pure Android. The system aggressively closes background processes to save power, which sometimes results in app caches being reloaded every time you open them. Understanding these features will help you configure your smartphone more efficiently.
In the battery and memory settings there is a function Memory expansion (on some firmware) that uses part of the internal storage as virtual RAM. If this feature is enabled, clearing the cache becomes even more important, since a slow flash cache can slow down the entire system. It is recommended to ensure that the free space is at least 15-20% of the total volume.
It is also worth paying attention to the startup of applications. Many apps register themselves in startup and constantly keep their cache active in RAM. Limiting autorun in settings Applications → Permissions → Autorun will help reduce the load on the processor and reduce the amount of generated garbage. This is an indirect, but very effective method of fighting for the cleanliness of the system.
- 🚀 Disable autorun for rarely used applications.
- 📉 Keep an eye on the memory indicator in the notification shade.
- ⚙️ Check the "Memory expansion" settings in the "About phone" section.
- 🔋 Use power saving mode to clean up processes in the background.
☑️ Redmi 8A optimization checklist
Prevention and maintenance of system cleanliness
One-time cleaning gives a temporary effect, so it is important to develop habits that will prevent rapid clogging Redmi 8A. The basic rule is not to store unnecessary files in the phone memory. Use cloud storage, such as Google Photos or Yandex.Diskto automatically upload photos and videos and then delete them from the device.
Regularly check the folder Download (Downloads). This is where application installation files, documents and pictures from the Internet accumulate that are no longer needed. The built-in file manager MIUI allows you to conveniently sort files by type and date, which makes it easier to find unnecessary ones. Delete installation files APK immediately after installing apps.
Another piece of advice - do not overuse widgets and live wallpapers. They not only consume battery power, but also constantly keep graphic resources in the cache, taking up RAM. Using static wallpapers and a minimalistic desktop will help the system work faster, especially on a device with 2 or 3 GB of RAM, as is the case with the basic versions Redmi 8A.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and menu item names may vary slightly depending on the MIUI firmware version and the regional version of the device. If you do not find the described item, use the search in the settings.
Set a rule: once a month, look through the "Downloads" folder and delete everything that is older than 30 days. This will save gigabytes of free space.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to delete the .thumbnails folder in the gallery?
Yes, the folder .thumbnails contains thumbnails of your photos for quick display in the gallery. You can safely delete it through the file manager. The system will automatically create it again the next time you open the gallery, but this will free up space if the thumbnails have accumulated over the years of use.
Why is little space freed up after clearing the cache?
This can happen if the main storage space is your personal files (photos, videos, music), and not the temporary application cache. In this case, clearing the cache will only provide a few hundred megabytes. You will need to transfer the media files to a memory card or to the cloud.
Can clearing the cache delete my WhatsApp conversations?
No, if you click the “Clear cache” button in the application settings. Conversations are stored in the database, not in a cache. However, if you click “Clear all” (Reset), then all messages will be deleted without the possibility of recovery if there is no backup.
How often should you clear the cache on Redmi 8A?
It is enough to do this once every 1-2 months or when you notice that the smartphone has started to work slower. Clearing too often (every day) can even be harmful, since applications will have to re-download data, using up traffic and battery.
What to do if the "Clear cache" button is inactive (gray)?
This means that for this application there are currently no accumulated temporary files, or they have already been deleted by the system automatically. This can also happen with system applications whose cache is protected from manual clearing by the user.