Honor 8 is a legendary smartphone of 2016, which is still used by many users. However, over time, its 32 or 64 GB of internal memory begins to become clogged with unnecessary files, application cache and system junk. If your Honor 8 begins to work slowly, displays an "Out of Memory" notification or constantly freezes, the problem is in the full storage.

In this article we will look at 7 proven ways to clear memory on Honor 8 (models FRD-L02, FRD-L04, FRD-L14 and others) running on Android 6.0 Marshmallow or 7.0 Nougat with EMUI 4.1/5.0 shell. You'll learn how to clear cache, transfer files to an SD card, disable unnecessary apps, and even do a factory reset if other methods fail. All instructions are adapted to the specifics of this particular model - without universal tips that may not work.

Before you begin, check how much memory is occupied right now. To do this, go to Settings → Memory and storage. If less than 10% of the total volume is free, it’s time to act! And if the phone gives the error “The system is almost full,” skip the first steps and go straight to hard reset.

Why Honor 8 memory clogs: 5 main reasons

An Android smartphone, especially with the EMUI shell, is prone to accumulating garbage faster than an iPhone. On Honor 8 this is especially acute due to:

  • 📱 Small amount of RAM (3–4 GB) — the system actively uses the cache to speed up work, but does not always clear it correctly.
  • 🗑️ EMUI system logs — Huawei/Honor keeps detailed error logs that can occupy up to 1–2 GB.
  • 🎮 Games and social networks - applications like Facebook, Instagram or PUBG Mobile caching gigabytes of media files.
  • 🔄 EMUI updates —even if you do not install them, update files may remain in memory.
  • 📁 Duplicates photo/video —camera Honor 8 (12 MP + 12 MP) creates copies of pictures in different folders (DCIM/Camera, Pictures/Screenshots).

Feature Honor 8 — the system can “reserve” up to 5–7 GB for its needs, even if you have not installed anything.. This is normal for EMUI, but it complicates cleaning. For example, after deleting applications, the free space is not always returned in full.

⚠️ Attention: If your Honor 8 updated to EMUI 5.0, some menu items may differ from those described below. For example, the “Memory” section may have moved to Settings → Advanced → Storage.
📊 How often do you clean the memory on your smartphone?
Once a week
Once a month
Only when space runs out
Never cleaned

Method 1: Cleaning application and system cache

Cache is temporary files that applications create to speed up work. On Honor 8 it can take from 500 MB to 3-4 GB! It can be deleted without harming the data, but after cleaning, some apps will take longer to load when first launched.

How to clear the cache of individual apps. applications:

  1. Open Settings → Applications.
  2. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show system processes.
  3. Select an application (for example, Chrome or Facebook).
  4. Click Storage → Clear cache.

How to clear the cache of ALL applications at once:

  1. Go to Settings → Storage and storage → Internal memory.
  2. Tap on Cached data (or “Other applications” in EMUI 5.0).
  3. Confirm clearing in the pop-up window.

There is also a hidden system cache, which is not visible in the standard menu. To delete it: Honor 8 There is also a hidden system cache that is not visible in the standard menu. To remove it:

1. Turn off the phone.

2. Press the buttons simultaneously Volume up + Power until the EMUI logo appears.


3. In the recovery menu, select Wipe cache partition (control - volume buttons, selection - power button).


4. After cleaning, reboot (Reboot system now).

Close all applications in multitasking

Connect the phone to charge (if the charge is < 30%)

Make a backup copy of important data (in case of failure)

Do not interrupt the cleaning process-->

⚠️ Attention: If after clearing the cache Honor 8 began to work even slower - perhaps the problem is memory fragmentation. In this case, only full reset or transferring data to an SD card will help.

Method 2: Removing unnecessary and system ones applications

There are many applications preinstalled from Huawei and Google that cannot be removed using standard means. However, some of them can be Honor 8 There are many pre-installed applications from Huawei and Google that cannot be removed using standard means. However, some of them can disabled or delete using ADB (for advanced users).

How to remove common applications:

  • 📲 Go to Settings → Applications.
  • 🔍 Select an unnecessary application (for example, HiCare, Huawei AppGallery).
  • 🗑️ Click Delete (if the button is active) or Disable.

List of system applications safe to remove (via ADB):

Application Package Can I delete it?
Huawei HiCare com.huawei.hicare Yes (without consequences)
Huawei Video com.huawei.videoplayer Yes
Huawei Music com.android.music Yes (if you use another player)
Google Play Books com.google.android.apps.books Yes
Google Play Movies com.google.android.videos Yes

To delete via ADB:

  1. Enable USB debugging v Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times) → For developers.
  2. Connect your phone to the PC and run the command: 
    adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 package_name
💡

Before deleting system applications, make a backup via Settings → Backup and resetSome apps may be associated with key EMUI features!

Method 3: Transferring files and applications to an SD card

Honor 8 supports microSD up to 256 GB (in a hybrid slot, instead of a second SIM card) Transferring data to a memory card will help free up internal storage, but there are nuances:

  • 📁 Photo/video/music easily transferred through any file manager.
  • 📱 Applications can only be partially transferred (not all support this function).
  • ⚠️ After transfer, some apps may work slower (especially games).

How to transfer files to an SD card:

  1. Open Explorer (or install ES File Explorer).
  2. Go to folder Internal memory → DCIM (for photos) or Download (for downloads).
  3. Select files → Cut → go to SD card → Paste.

How to transfer applications (if supported):

  1. Open Settings → Applications.
  2. Select an application (for example, WhatsApp).
  3. Click Storage → Edit → SD card.
Why are not all applications transferred to SD?

Many apps (especially system and games) require fast access to internal memory for correct operation. Android limits the transfer of such applications to avoid lags. In addition, Honor 8 uses the FAT32 file system on SD cards, which does not support the access rights required by some applications.

Method 4: Search and delete large and duplicate files

The following often accumulate on Honor 8 (1 minute Full HD = ~100 MB).

  • 🎥 Video in high resolution (1 minute Full HD = ~100 MB).
  • 📸 Duplicate photos (created when editing in Gallery).
  • 🎵 Offline music (cache Spotify, Yandex Music).
  • 📄 APK files (remains after installing applications from the Internet).

How to find large files:

  1. Install Files by Google or SD Maid from the Play Market.
  2. Open the section Cleaning → Large files.
  3. Sort by size and delete unnecessary ones.

How to delete duplicate photos:

  1. Use the application Duplicate Files Fixer.
  2. Select folder scanning DCIM, Pictures, Downloads.
  3. Delete duplicates manually (auto-delete may make mistakes!).

Pay special attention to folders:

  • /sdcard/Android/data —here cache and application data are stored.
  • /sdcard/Download —downloaded files that are often forgotten to be deleted.
  • /sdcard/Bluetooth —files received via Bluetooth.
💡

Check the folder regularly Android/obb —games here (for example, Genshin Impact) store files up to 2-3 GB! They can be deleted if the game has not been used for a long time.

Method 5: Optimizing memory through EMUI tools

There are built-in tools for cleaning memory, but they are often hidden in non-obvious sections. Here's how. use them: Honor 8 Memory cleaning tools are built-in, but they are often hidden in non-obvious sections. Here's how to use them:

1. Built-in optimizer:

  1. Open Settings → Advanced → Optimization (or Device care in EMUI 5.0).
  2. Click Clean → select Deep cleaning.
  3. Confirm deleting unnecessary files and cache.

2. Clearing downloads:

  1. Go to Settings → Memory and storage → Files.
  2. Select category Downloads or Others.
  3. Mark unnecessary files and click Delete.

3. Limiting background files. processes:

  1. Open Settings → Battery → Launching applications.
  2. Select Manual control for unnecessary applications.
  3. Disable Autostart and Secondary launch.

These tools are not as effective as third-party utilities, but they safe do not require rights root. The main disadvantage is that they do not remove EMUI system junk, which can take up to 1–2 GB.

Method 6: Reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

If the previous methods did not help, and Honor 8 still gives errors about low memory - it's time for full reset. This will delete ALL data, including photos, messages and installed applications, so be sure to make a backup copy!

How to do a Hard Reset through the menu:

  1. Open Settings → Advanced → Backup and reset.
  2. Select Reset settings → Reset all settings.
  3. Enter the PIN code (if required) and confirm.

How to reset via Recovery (if the phone does not turn on):

  1. Turn off Honor 8.
  2. Press Volume up + Power until the logo appears EMUI.
  3. In the recovery menu, select Wipe data/factory reset (volume button control).
  4. Confirm the reset and reboot (Reboot system now).
⚠️ Attention: After reset Honor 8 may take a long time to turn on (up to 10-15 minutes) - this is normal. Do not interrupt the process and do not remove the battery! data-i="268">After the reset: recovery section.

After reset:

  • 📱 Do not restore all the data at once - first check how the “clean” phone works.
  • 🔄 Do not install old versions of applications - they may contain garbage.
  • 📁 Transfer photos and music to the SD card before recovery.

Method 7: Restoring the phone after a failure (if it does not turn on)

If after cleaning or resetting Honor 8 stops turning on (“bricked”), try the following steps:

1. reboot:

  • Hold Power + Volume up for 15-20 seconds.
  • If the phone vibrates, release the buttons and wait for it to load.

2. Recovery via eRecovery:

  1. Turn off the phone.
  2. Hold Volume up + Volume down + Power until the menu appears.
  3. Select Download latest version and recovery (requires Wi-Fi!).
  4. Wait for the firmware to download and install (may take up to 30 minutes).

3. Firmware via Fastboot (for advanced):

  • Download the official firmware for Honor 8 (model FRD-xxx) from the site Huawei.
  • Connect the phone to the PC in Fastboot mode (Volume down + Power).
  • Run the commands: 
    fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

    fastboot flash system system.img
    

    fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: Do not flash Honor 8 firmware from other models (for example, from Honor 8 Pro or Huawei P9) - this will lead to complete inoperability of the phone!
💡

If Honor 8 does not turn on even after flashing the firmware, the problem may be a hardware malfunction (for example, the eMMC memory is damaged. In this case, contact the service center.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about clearing memory on Honor 8

Is it possible to clear memory on Honor 8 without losing it? data?

Yes, but not completely. You can delete the cache, unnecessary files and transfer data to an SD card without resetting. However, it is difficult to remove EMUI system junk (1-2 GB) and the remains of deleted applications without Hard Reset. If less than 500 MB is free, it is better to make a backup and reset the phone.

Why after clearing the cache, the memory again is filling up?

This is normal Android behavior. The cache is needed to speed up applications, and the system automatically restores it. If the memory fills up too quickly (in a few days), check:

  • If there are any viruses installed (scan through Malwarebytes).
  • If a particular application is caching too much data (for example, Telegram or TikTok).
  • Is the function Adaptive memory enabled in the developer settings (it can reserve space for system needs).
How transfer WhatsApp to SD card on Honor 8?

WhatsApp does not support full transfer to SD card, but you can:

  1. Transfer media files (photo/video) manually via Whatsapp Settings → Data and Storage → Storage Management.
  2. Change the path for saving new media to SD: in Explorer create a folder WhatsApp on the memory card, then in the chat settings select it as the save location.

The application itself and the message database cannot be transferred - it will lag.

How much memory should be free on Honor 8 for normal operation?

Minimum recommended reserve:

  • 1–2 GB — for basic operation (calls, messages, light applications).
  • 3–4 GB — for comfortable use (social networks, photos, games like Clash Royale).
  • 5+ GB — if you play heavy games (PUBG, Call of Duty Mobile) or editing a video.

If less than 500 MB is free, the phone will start to slow down, and EMUI will constantly clear background processes.

Is it possible to increase the memory on Honor 8 using a flash drive like internal?

Technically yes, but not recommendedThe function Adoptable Storage (using an SD card as internal memory) is available in Android 6.0+, but on Honor 8 it is unstable:

  • The memory card will be formatted and will not be readable on other devices.
  • The speed of applications from SD (even class 10) is 2-3 times lower than from internal memory.
  • When you remove the card, applications installed on it will stop working.

It is better to use an SD card to store media files, and keep applications in the internal memory.