Smartphones of the series Redmi 8 deservedly received the status of folk classics, but over time, even the most reliable devices begin to experience a lack of free space. Owners often notice that the system is slower, applications open with a delay, and storage full notifications appear at the most inopportune moments. This is a natural process of accumulation of digital waste, which requires competent intervention.
The operating system Android with shell MIUI has powerful built-in tools, but not all users know how to use them correctly for maximum effect. In this article we will analyze all the stages of cleaning: from simply removing unnecessary applications to working with system partitions. You will learn how to safely free up gigabytes without deleting important personal data.
Before taking drastic measures, it is worth understanding the structure of memory filling. It often turns out that space is taken up not by photos, but by messenger caches or long-forgotten app updates. A competent approach to Storage management will extend the life of your device without the need to buy a new smartphone.
Analysis of occupied space using built-in tools
The first step should always be diagnostics. The system Xiaomi provides a convenient tool for visualizing what exactly is taking up space. First, you need to go to the settings menu and find the section responsible for storage. This will allow you to see the overall picture of the distribution of files.
Click on the icon Settings on the desktop or in the notification shade. In the list that opens, find the item About phone, and then select Memory. Here the system will show the filling percentage and offer a clean button. However, automatic cleaning often removes only a small part of the garbage.
More detailed analysis is available through the standard application Security, which is pre-installed on all devices Redmi. Launch it and select the tool Cleaning. The system will scan the device and offer to delete temporary files, remnants of deleted applications and advertising junk. This stage is safe and recommended for regular use.
⚠️ Attention: Before using the deep cleaning functions, carefully read which files will be deleted. Sometimes the system may prompt you to clear the cache of applications that you actively use, which will lead to them taking longer to launch next time.
It is important to distinguish between the concepts cache and application data. Cache is temporary files that speed up the operation of apps; deleting them is safe. Application data is your correspondence, settings and saved logins; deleting them will return the app to the state immediately after installation.
Manual clearing of cache and application data
The largest amount of memory on smartphones Xiaomi Redmi 8 usually taken up by social media networks and messengers. Applications like Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber tend to grow to gigantic sizes, storing all viewed images and videos in the device's memory.
For manual cleaning, follow the path Settings → Applications → All applications. In the list that opens, find the heaviest application. Click on it to open the control menu. Here you will see two important buttons: Clear and Delete.
Use the button Clear to selecting the type of data to be deleted. If you select Clear cache, you will only delete temporary files. If you select Clear everything (or "Clear data"), the application will be reset to factory settings. Be extremely careful with this action in banking applications and instant messengers.
☑️ Manual cleaning checklist
The application deserves special attention Gallery. Often, deleted photos do not disappear without a trace, but are moved to the trash, continuing to take up space. In the application Gallery go to the tab Albums, scroll down to the item Recently deleted and clear this folder.
It’s also worth checking the offline settings of applications. Some apps may prevent the system from clearing their cache in the background. Make sure that the system application Cleaning (Cleaner) has permission to autorun and run in the background.
Working with the file system and the Downloads folder
Many users forget about the folder Download (Downloads), where all files from the browser, documents received in instant messengers, and APK installation files are automatically saved. Over time, this directory can grow to several gigabytes.
Use the built-in explorer to access files. On the desktop, find the application Explorer (yellow folder). Click on the folder icon at the top of the screen to navigate to the root file structure. Find the folder Download and carefully examine its contents.
The following are often stored here:
- 📁 Old application installers (APKs) that are no longer needed after installation.
- 📄 Saved documents from work chats that are no longer relevant.
- 🎵 Music files and audio messages downloaded automatically.
- 🖼️ Memes and pictures saved from browsers.
Select unnecessary files for a long time press and press the button Delete at the bottom of the screen. After this, do not forget to check the folder Bucket (Trash) in Explorer itself, since deleted files often end up there for recovery.
Hidden system folders
At the root of the internal memory there are also folders with the names of installed applications (for example, Tencent, Alibaba). Log files and temporary data can be stored inside them. Delete their contents only if you are sure that these are not important app settings.
Particular attention should be paid to the folders DCIM and Pictures. They store your photos and screenshots. Often screenshots (Screenshots) take up a lot of space. Go through them and delete those that are no longer relevant.
Using cloud storage and external cards
If the internal memory Redmi 8 is full of media files, the best solution would be to transfer them to an external drive or to the cloud. The model supports memory cards of microSDformat, which is an excellent way to expand storage.
To transfer files, insert the memory card into the SIM card tray. After the system detects the drive, go to Explorer. Select photos and videos, click More → Move and select the path on the memory card (usually /storage/emulated/0/SD Card or).
An alternative to a physical map is cloud services. On devices Xiaomi is integrated by default Mi Cloud, also popular are Google Photos i Yandex.Disk. Set up automatic uploading of photos to the cloud and subsequent deletion of local copies.
| Extension method | Pros | Cons | Recommended volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| microSD card | One-time payment, large volume | May reduce speed with active use | 32-128 GB |
| Google Photos | Smart search, access from any device | Internet required, free tariff limits | 15 GB free |
| Mi Cloud | Deep integration with MIUI | Paid subscription for large volumes | 5 GB free |
| USB flash drive (OTG) | Fast transfer of large files | Not suitable for permanent storage of applications | Any |
When using a memory card, it is recommended to format it as Portable Storage (Portable storage) in order to be able to easily transfer files to a computer without formatting. Formatting as internal storage (Adoptable Storage) is often hidden or inaccessible in newer versions. MIUI often hidden or inaccessible.
Use the Free Up Space feature in the Google Photos app. It will automatically find and offer to delete photos that are already saved in the cloud, but still take up space in the phone’s memory.
Specifics of cleaning Telegram and WhatsApp messengers
Messengers are the main memory hogs on modern smartphones. Unlike a regular cache, they store media files in separate folders, which standard system cleaning can ignore.
In Telegram cleaning is best done through the settings of the application itself. Go to Settings → Data and memory → Memory usage. Here you will see the cache size. Click the button Clear Telegram cache. This is safe and will not delete your correspondence, the media files will be downloaded again when viewed.
In WhatsApp the situation is more complicated. Go to Settings → Data and storage → Storage management. The application will show the files that take up the most space, sorted by chat. You can select a specific conversation and delete only heavy videos or documents, leaving the text of the correspondence.
It is also useful to disable autosaving of media to the gallery. In the settings of both messengers, find the item Save to Gallery and disable it. This will prevent the creation of duplicate photos and videos that are already in the chat.
⚠️ Attention: The messenger interface is updated regularly. If you do not find the specified menu items, use the search inside the application settings using the keywords “Memory”, “Cache” or “Storage”.
Do not forget about the “Favorites” tab in Telegram. Many users use it as cloud storage, forgetting that these files also take up space in the application cache on the phone.
Removing system garbage and hidden files
In addition to user files, the system accumulates garbage from deleted applications, residual update files and error logs. Standard tools may not be enough to work with them.
It is recommended to use proven utilities, such as Files by Google or SD Maid. These applications have deeper access to the file system and can find "orphaned" files left behind after uninstalling apps.
Install the application from Google Play, grant the necessary permissions and run a scan. Pay attention to the "Junk files" or "Residual files" section. The system will offer a list of files that can be safely deleted.
Regularly clearing the cache does not magically speed up the phone, but it frees up space for the system to work, preventing critical memory filling that causes severe lag.
It is also worth checking the folder Android/data. Game and application data is stored here. If you deleted the game, but the folder remains, you can delete it manually through Explorer. However, be careful: deleting the current active game data will result in the loss of progress.
Radical measures: Factory reset
If none of the above methods helped free up enough space, or if the system is unstable due to file system errors, the last resort remains - a full reset (Hard Reset).
This procedure will return phone Xiaomi Redmi 8 to the state in which it was immediately after purchase. All personal data, contacts, photos and applications will be permanently deleted. Therefore, before starting, be sure to create a backup copy.
To reset, go to Settings → About phone → Reset settingsSelect item Erase all data. unlock password. After the reboot, the cleaning process will begin, which may take from 5 to 15 minutes.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure the battery charge is at least 50-60% before the beginning of the reset. Interrupting the process by turning off the phone can damage the system partitions and make it impossible to turn on the device.
After the reset is completed, do not restore all applications at once from the Google backup. It is better to install only the necessary minimum to check how quickly the memory fills in a “clean” state.
Reset via Recovery
If the phone does not turn on or does not respond to the sensor, you can reset it using the buttons. Turn off the phone, hold Volume Up + Power. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
Prevention of memory overflow
In order not to encounter the problem of lack of space in the future, it is worth developing useful habits. Regular maintenance of the device takes less time than dealing with the consequences of full memory.
Set up automatic cleaning in the application SecurityIn the cleaner settings, you can enable the "Clean automatically" function when the memory is full to a certain percentage (for example, 90%).
Keep an eye on updates. systems MIUI. Engineers Xiaomi constantly optimize the operation of the file system and data compression algorithms. New firmware versions often contain bug fixes that lead to log growth.
Basic rules of prevention:
- 📅 Check once a week folder "Downloads".
- 🗑️ Delete unused applications as soon as you notice them.
- ☁️ Set up photo synchronization with the cloud.
- 🚫 Disable autosaving of statuses and media in instant messengers.
Following these simple rules will allow your Redmi 8 to remain fast and responsive even after years of use Memory is a resource that requires management, but with the right approach it will always be enough for comfortable work.
Is it safe to delete the Android folder?
No, delete it. The folder itself Android is not possible, since it stores the data of all installed applications. However, you can clear its contents, specifically folders cache inside subfolders of specific applications, if you are sure of their purpose.
Why does the memory fill up on its own?
Most often this happens due to the operation of instant messengers that automatically download media files, or due to the accumulation of system logs and update caches. Also, the cause may be incorrectly working applications that create cyclical temporary files.
Is it possible to transfer applications to a memory card on Redmi 8?
In modern times. versions MIUI i Android the ability to transfer applications to a memory card is officially limited by developers to ensure system stability. Some applications allow you to change the path for saving data in their internal settings, but system transfer is often not available.
How to find out what exactly takes up the most space?
Use built-in analyzer in the menu Settings → Memory or application Files by Google. They visualize data and show the top categories occupying space, which allows you to specifically remove unnecessary ones.