Where to find memory settings in Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: a complete guide with instructions

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is still a popular choice due to its balanced specs and affordable price, but over time, owners face a typical problem: internal memory fills up, applications start to slow down, and the system issues warnings about space shortages, and if you're looking for where to find the memory settings in this device and how to use them correctly, you've come to the right place.

In this article, we will not only show you the way to the storage menu, but also analyze all the hidden functions. MIUI, You can use these tools to free up space without losing important files. SD-The card, the cache, the system, and why standard tips like "delete unnecessary files" often don't work.

Where to look for the main memory settings in Redmi Note 7

The most obvious way is through the standard settings menu, open the Settings app (the gear icon) and follow the following steps:

  1. Scroll down and select About Phone.
  2. Stick on the Memory line (or Storage in some versions of MIUI).
  3. The system will display a schedule of internal and external memory usage, broken down by categories: Applications, Images, Videos, etc.

Here you can:

  • ๐Ÿ“Š View detailed statistics for each file type (click on category).
  • ๐Ÿงน Clear the app cache with the Clean button in the upper right corner.
  • ๐Ÿ” Use built-in Memory Analysis to find large or rarely used files.

Note that in Redmi Note 7 with MIUI 10-12, the path may be slightly different. If you donโ€™t have Memory in About, try the alternative route: Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management โ†’ Memory.

๐Ÿ“Š What version? MIUI You are using the Redmi Note 7?
MIUI 10
MIUI 11
MIUI 12
MIUI 12.5
The other one/don't know

Hidden Memory Analysis Features: Engineering Menu and ADB

Few people know, but Redmi Note 7 has advanced memory diagnostic tools that are not available through the standard interface, one of which is an engineering menu that allows you to see detailed information about /data partitions and identify junk files that are not displayed in normal analysis.

To get there:

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Enter the combination: ##4636###.
  3. In the menu that appears, select Storage Information.

Here you'll see:

  • ๐Ÿ“ Full section size /data free-place.
  • ๐Ÿ“Š Statistics on system files that are usually hidden.
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Possibility of Dalvik cache reset (useful for lags).
What is Dalvik Cache and Why Does Cleaning It Speed Up Your Smartphone?
Dalvik cache is an optimized version of the apps that the Android virtual machine creates to speed up their launch. Over time, this cache fragments and can take up to 1-2 GB of space, slowing down the system, and cleaning it causes Android to reassemble the cache, which often solves brake problems after updates.

For advanced users, there's another way to use ADB, which is to get a list of all the files that are sorted by size and delete the ones that are not needed directly.

adb shell du -ah /sdcard | sort -rh | head -n 20

show-off-20 Largest files on the internal storage.

๐Ÿ’ก

Before use ADB-A mistake in the command can lead to the deletion of system files and the phone inoperability.

How to transfer applications to SD-The map (and why it doesnโ€™t always work)

One of the most popular functions is the transfer of applications to SD-Redmi Note 7 has this option, but it works with reservations:

First, check if your device supports this feature:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management.
  2. Select the appropriate application.
  3. If there is a button, move to SD-map, so transfer is possible.

But there are nuances:

  • โš ๏ธ Not all apps support portability (especially system and heavy graphics games).
  • โš ๏ธ After porting, the application may run slower due to read speed. SD-map.
  • โš ๏ธ Some features (widgets, notifications) may stop working.

The alternative way is to use SD-Card as internal memory (Adoptable Storage function in Android:

  1. Put it in. SD-map (preferably class) UHS-I U3 speed).
  2. When a notification appears, select Use as internal memory.
  3. Follow the instructions of the system (the map will be formatted!).

โš ๏ธ Note: After formatting SD-The card as internal memory cannot be used in other devices without being completely cleaned, and it can also shorten the life of the card due to frequent recording operations.

Storage methodPlusesCons
Transfer of applications to SDFrees up internal memoryNot all applications are supported, lags are possible
SD as internal memoryFull integration, you can install any applicationCard is tied to the device, rapid wear
Storage of media files on SDSafe, does not affect the operation of applicationsDoes not solve the problem of lack of memory for applications

Cache Cleaning: What Can Be Deleted and What Cannot Be Deleted

Application cache is a temporary file that is created to speed up its work, and over time, it can take up gigabytes of memory, but not all of it can be safely deleted.

Hereโ€™s what you can clean without risk:

  • ๐ŸŽฎ Cash games (especially if you havenโ€™t run them in a long time).
  • ๐Ÿ“ท Cash galleries and photo processing applications.
  • ๐ŸŒ Cache of browsers (Chrome, Mi Browser).
  • ๐Ÿ“บ Cache of streaming services (YouTube, Netflix).

Here is what is not recommended to be removed:

  • ๐Ÿšซ Cache of system applications (com.android.systemui, com.miui.home).
  • ๐Ÿšซ Google Cache (com.google.android.gms).
  • ๐Ÿšซ Cache of applications for working with bank cards or payments.

To clean the cache safely:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management.
  2. Select the app and tap Clear the cache.
  3. For mass cleaning, use Settings โ†’ Memory โ†’ Clear the cache.

Choose apps that have not been used in a long time|Check the cache size (if less than 100MB, you can skip it)|Do not clean the cache of system services|Restart your phone after cleaning.-->

โš ๏ธ Attention: Clearing the cache of Google Play Services or Mi Account can lead to authorization errors and push notification issues.If there are failures after cleaning, restart the device.

How to find and remove duplicate files

One of the main reasons for memory loss is duplicate photos, videos and documents, and MIUI has a built-in tool to find them, but it's hidden in a non-obvious place.

To find duplicates:

  1. Open the Files app (folder icon).
  2. Go to the Analysis tab (or Cleanup in new versions).
  3. Select Duplicate File Duplicates.
  4. The system scans the memory and shows groups of identical files.

For deeper cleaning, you can use third-party applications like Files by Google or CCleaner, but note:

  • ๐Ÿ” These apps require storage access, which can be a privacy risk.
  • ๐Ÿ“ They often find โ€œfalse duplicatesโ€ (like similar photos with different resolutions).
  • ๐Ÿ—‘๏ธ Delete files selectively, not in bundles, so you will avoid losing important data.

Pay special attention to the folders:

  • DCIM/.thumbnails โ€“ there are thumbnails of photos that can be safely deleted.
  • Download โ€“ often contains outdated APK-file.
  • Android/obb is a game cache that can be cleared if the games are removed.

Optimizing Memory with Developer Mode

Redmi Note 7 has hidden settings for developers to allow more flexibility in memory management.

  1. Go to Settings. โ†’ The phone.
  2. Tap 7 times on the line version of MIUI.
  3. You will see a message that you have become a developer.

Now go back to the main settings menu and open a new section. โ†’ For developers, here we're interested in the following options:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Do not save actions โ€“ restricts the background activity of applications, saving memory.
  • ๐Ÿšซ Limit background processes โ€“ reduces the number of people working in the background of tasks.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Inactive Apps โ€“ Shows a list of apps that can be disabled.

You can also enable USB Debugging, which will allow you to use ADB for deep cleaning, for example, the command:

adb shell pm trim-caches 1000M

Will forcefully clear the cache of all applications that occupy more than 1 GB.

โš ๏ธ Warning: Turning on Do Not Save Action will cause all applications to close when they leave, which can be inconvenient if you switch between tasks frequently.

What to do if your memory is full and cleaning doesnโ€™t help

If you delete all the files you don't need, if you clear the cache, but the memory is still full, it could be system processes or corrupted files.

1. Check hidden files and folders

Some applications (especially pirated or modified ones) create hidden folders that don't appear in standard Explorer to see them:

  • Use a file manager with root access support (such as Root Explorer).
  • Or connect your phone to your PC and enable the display of hidden files in Windows Explorer settings.

2. Reset the settings to factory

If the system files are the problem, a full reset will help.

Make a backup of contacts and photos|Write down logins/passwords from accounts|Make sure you know the details from the Mi Account (linked to the phone)|Out. SD-map, if used-->

For discharge:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ Recovery and Reset.
  2. Select Settings Reset.
  3. Confirm the action.

3. Check the /data/log section

Sometimes the logs of system errors grow to gigabytes.

  1. Connect your phone to a PC with USB debugging enabled.
  2. Enter in the command line:
adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/log/*




exit




exit

4. Update firmware

Some versions of MIUI for the Redmi Note 7 had bugs that filled the memory with โ€œjunk.โ€ Check for updates in Settings โ†’ About Phone โ†’ System Update.

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If the memory continues to disappear after all the manipulations, the problem may be the hardware wear of the flash memory, in which case only replacing the chip in the service center will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory in Redmi Note 7

Can I increase the internal memory of the Redmi Note 7?
No, you can't physically increase the amount of internal memory -- it's soldered to the motherboard. SD-Transferring media files and some applications to an external drive. Beware of suggestions about "routine for memory enhancement" is a scam.
Why is the memory released for a short time after cleaning the cache?
This is normal Android behavior. Cache clears, but apps immediately start to restore it when in use. To make space for a long time: Remove unused apps (they take up more space than their cache). Move media files to SD-map or cloud. Limit the background activity of applications in the battery settings.
What a class. SD-Cards are needed for Redmi Note 7?
For normal file storage, a Class 10 card is fine. If you plan to use it as internal memory or install applications on it, take: UHS-I U1 (the minimum acceptable option); UHS-I U3 (the optimal for speed); Volume is from 64 GB (there is no point in using it as part of the space will be taken by the system).
Can I transfer WhatsApp to WhatsApp? SD-map?
WhatsApp does not support porting to external drives due to security requirements, but there are workarounds: Back up chats in Settings โ†’ chat โ†’ Backup. Delete the application. Reinstall it by selecting SD-The card is a storage location (if the system offers it), restore the chats from the backup. Please note that media files (photos, videos) will still be stored in internal memory by default.
Why did the MIUI update fill up faster?
This is a well-known problem with some versions. MIUI 11-12. Reasons: System files (e.g., new animations and themes) have increased in size; additional services (e.g., Mi Share, Game Turbo); caching logic has changed (the system is now actively reserving space); Solutions: Disable unnecessary system applications through settings. Reset the cache in the engineering menu (##4636##). Reverse to the previous version MIUI, if the problem is critical.