Lack of memory on Xiaomi Redmi 7A: a complete guide to vacating space

Xiaomi Redmi 7A is a budget smartphone with 16 or 32 GB of internal memory, and even with moderate use, owners often face the message “Not enough memory.” The problem is compounded by the fact that the MIUI system reserves up to 6-8 GB for their needs, and the user remains even less. In this article, we will analyze all the ways to free up space from basic to hidden firmware functions.

The main reasons for the memory shortage on Redmi 7A are: the accumulation of app cache, duplicate photos, system updates that are not automatically deleted, and background processes that consume resources. But even if you delete all unnecessary files, memory can disappear due to the peculiarities of MIUI 10/11/12 on the weak hardware.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly eats memory?

Before you clean, you need to know where the memory went. Redmi 7A has built-in tools and third-party utilities for that.

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Click on the “Inner Memory” graph – the system will show the distribution by category (applications, multimedia, cache, etc.).
3. Tap on any category (such as Apps) to see a list of the most voracious programs.

Pay attention to the points:

• 📱 System data – this may be hidden before 3-5 GB of garbage (cache of updates, error logs).
• 📷 Media files - photos in messengers, screenshots, uploaded memes.
• 🔄 Others are temporary files that MIUI nonclassify.

If the built-in analyzer isn't enough, install Files by Google (free in Play Market).

• 🗑️ Duplicate files (especially relevant for photos).
• 📂 Large files (video, archives, undeleted files) APK).
• 📅 Unused apps (those that haven’t been opened for more than a month).

2. Clearing cache and temporary files

Application cache and system temporary files can take up 1 to 4GB on the Redmi 7A. They can be deleted without risking data, but it is important to do it correctly.

Clearing the cache of individual applications

Some programs (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) accumulate cache exponentially to clean up:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Chrome).
3. Press "Storage» → «Clear the cache».

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache for Google Play Services, MIUI System and Telegram – this can lead to malfunctions.

Mass cleaning of the cache

To quickly clean all applications:

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Cache data.
2. Confirm the removal (the system will show the total amount of vacated space).

This method removes the cache of all programs, including system ones, and after cleaning up some applications can take longer to load on the first run.

Disposal of garbage through Safe Mode

If the phone brakes and does not allow you to clear the cache, try safe mode:

1. Press the power button, then hold your finger on “Switch off” until the “Reboot in Safe Mode” window appears.
2. In Safe Mode, delete the cache and unnecessary files.
3. Reboot your phone in the usual way.

3. Transfer files to a memory card or cloud

Redmi 7A supports microSD cards up to 256 GB, but there are nuances: not all files can be transferred, and some applications do not work with external storage.

3.1 Photo and video transfer

Media files are the main memory eaters, and to put them on the map:

1. Open the Gallery or the Files.
2. Select files → click “More” (three dots) → “Move”.
3. Select a memory card (SD card) and a destination folder.

⚠️ Note: If you use the card as internal memory (an option when formatting), file transfer may not work.

3.2. setting up the photo saving to the card by default

To save new photos and videos on SD:

1. Open the camera → press the gear (settings).
2. Find the item "Storage" or "Save folder".
3. Select a memory card (SD card/DCIM/Camera).

3.3 Cloud Storage: Google Photos vs Mi Cloud

If you don't have a memory card, upload your files to the cloud.

For Google Photos:

• 📱 Install an application from the Play Market.
• 🔧 In the settings, enable “Backup and Synchronization».
• ☁️ Choose the quality of "High" (unlimited space) or "Original" (counted from 15 GB).

💡

If you are using Mi Cloud, enable Auto Boot over Wi-Fi in your Xiaomi account settings, which will save mobile internet traffic.

4. Removal of unnecessary applications and their data

Redmi 7A has a lot of system applications (Mi Browser, Mi Music, Mi Video) that can't be removed by standard methods, but there are workarounds.

4.1 Removal of user applications

First, get rid of unnecessary programs:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort the list by size (click on three dots → “Sort by size”).
3. Select the application → «Delete».

Pay attention to:

• 🎮 Games (especially casual ones – they take up little space, but there are many of them).
• 📱 Duplicate applications (for example, two browsers or two messengers).
• 🔄 Programs that have not been updated for a long time (risk of vulnerabilities).

Disabling system applications

System applications (Mi Pay, Mi Community, Cleaner) cannot be removed, but you can disable:

1. In the same application management menu, select system software.
2. Click “Disable” (the button will become active if the application is not critical to the system).
3. Confirm the action.

⚠️ Attention: Don't turn it off:

• Google Play Services (will cause a Google account to crash).
• MIUI System or Security (will disrupt the interface)
• Telecom (responsible for calls and SMS)

Deletion of annex data

Even after you delete the program, your files can remain in your memory to delete them completely.

1. In the application management menu, select the desired one.
2. Click on “Storage” → “Delete data”.
3. Confirm (this will reset all program settings).

5. MIUI Optimization: Hidden Functions for Freeing Memory

MIUI firmware has built-in cleaning tools, but they often don't work well. Here's how to make them work to the fullest.

5.1 Deep cleaning through Security

The Security app (shield icon) can find garbage that is not visible in standard settings:

1. Open Security. → «Cleanup».
2. Click on “Deep Clean” (confirmation may be required).
3. Select all items (cache, residual files, duplicates) and click “Clean”.

5.2. Disabling animations and visual effects

MIUI on the weak Redmi 7A wastes resources on unnecessary animations, and turning them off will free up to 500 MB of RAM and speed up work:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the items: “Scale of window animation” → select “No animations.” “Scale of transition animations” → “No animations.” “Scale of animation duration” → “No animations.”

Limitation of background processes

MIUI, by default, stores up to 20 processes in memory, which eats up both RAM and permanent memory.

1. In the developer menu, find “process limitation”.
2. Select “Purpose 2” (this won’t kill important services, but will reduce memory usage).

6.2. Performance of discharge

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
2. Select "Settings Reset."
3. Mark “Clean the internal storage” (if you want to erase everything).
4. Confirm the action (you will need to enter a pattern lock or PIN).

After the reset, the phone will restart and prompt you to set it up as new.Don't restore the backup right away - check how much free storage has come up first.

Alternative: Recovery Discharge

If your phone is getting stuck and does not respond to commands, use Recovery mode:

1. Turn off Redmi 7A.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the MI logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select “Wipe Data” (manage volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
4. After cleaning, select "Reboot".

⚠️ Warning: Recovery resets everything, including files on internal memory. SD unaffected.

7. Preventing memory deficits in the future

To avoid the problem recurring, follow simple rules:

• 📲 Delete. APK-files after installing applications (they remain in the Download folder).
• 🔄 Clean the cache once in a while. 1-2 Weeks (use Security or Files by Google).
• 📷 Set up an automatic upload to the cloud (Google Photo or Mi Cloud).
• 🚫 Avoid cleaners like Clean Master – they often create more trash than they remove.
• 🔍 Check “Other Files” in the storage settings – logs and temporary data accumulate here.

It is also useful to disable automatic updates of applications:

1. Open Play Market → click on the avatar → “Settings”.
2. Select “Auto-App Update” → “Never.”

💡

If you install and delete games frequently, use the Archivation feature in Google Play.It saves game data in the cloud, allowing you to continue from the same place without downloading all files again.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory at Redmi 7A