How to Clean Other Files on Xiaomi Redmi 7 Without Harming Your System

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 7 sooner or later face the mysterious category of “Other files” in the “Storage” section, which takes up gigabytes of memory, but it is unclear what exactly hides under this name – temporary data, remnants of remote applications or critical system files?

Complicating the problem is that MIUI doesn’t always correctly classify files, for example, some applications can cache in Others, although it should be Apps. In this article, we’ll look at what can be safely removed and what is best left to keep the smartphone running smoothly, and we’ll also show hidden cleanups that aren’t obvious in the standard interface.

It's important to understand that "Other files" are not always garbage, and they might include:

• 📁 Cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui or com.miui.home)
• 🔄 Logs and dumps (debugging files created after failures)
• 📄 Update residues (folders with temporary firmware files)
• 🎵 Media files without tags (downloads from messengers, screenshots without extension)

What are “Other Files” and Why Do They Take So Much Space?

The MIUI Others category is a junk box for files that the system failed to classify as standard (Applications, Images, Videos, etc.) and is most commonly used for:

• 🗑️ Remnants of Remote Apps – folders with settings or cache that have not been completely erased.
• 📊 Databases –.db or.sqlite files that create applications to store information.
• 🔧 Temporary installer files – for example, a folder /sdcard/Download/rom, firmware.
• 🖼️ Media without extensions – files downloaded from the Internet or messengers that the system did not recognize as images / videos.

On the Redmi. 7 s 16/32 GB of memory this category can take from 1 before 5 GB — especially if you're actively using instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), downloading files from your browser or updating your firmware frequently, and not all files can be deleted without consequences, such as deleting a folder. /data/dalvik-cache This will cause applications to stop running until the next reboot.

⚠️ Note: If the Other Files have more than 8GB, it may indicate file system damage or viral activity, in which case it is better to back up and reset the smartphone to factory settings.

Method 1: Cleaning through built-in MIUI tools

The safest method is to use standard MIUI features, which will not allow you to delete critical files, but will help you get rid of unnecessary cache and temporary data.

1. Open "Settings» → «Warehouse».
2. Slip on "Other Files." The system will scan the memory and show you what can be cleaned.
3. Click “Clean” (usually it is suggested to delete the cache and temporary files).
4. For deep cleaning, go to “Clean” (the broom icon in the upper right corner) → “Deep cleaning.”

This method will remove:

• 🧹 Cache of system and user applications.
• 🗃️ Temporary download files (folder) /sdcard/Download/temp).
• 📋 Error logs (if not protected by the system).

However, the built-in cleaning does not affect:

• ❌ Update folders (/cache or /sdcard/MIUI/backup).
• ❌ Remains of Remote Applications in /data/data.
• ❌ Files without extensions in the root directory.

Method 2: Manual deletion through file manager

Power users can manually view and delete unnecessary files, using the built-in Explorer** or third-party applications like Solid Explorer or FX File Manager (with root rights, if any).

Where to look for garbage:

How to delete:

1. Open the Files» → «Internal memory».
2. Go to one of the folders from the table above.
3. Select unnecessary files (long-term press) → “Delete”.
4. For folders in /data/, root rights or ADB are required.

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders /data/app, /system file-extension.odex/.apk — This will cause the system to collapse and require reflashing.

Method 3: Cleaning through ADB (for advanced)

If standard methods didn't work and root rights didn't, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to remove system debris, which requires a connection to a computer, but doesn't violate the warranty.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB Redmi 7 (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Cleanup commands:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster # Cleaning the cache of the built-in cleaner


adb shell rm -rf /sdcard/Download/*.tmp # Delete temporary files in Download




adb shell rm -rf /sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails/* # Cleaning sketches




adb shell pm trim-caches 500M # Forced cache clearing of all applications

After completing the commands, restart the smartphone:

adb reboot

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If your memory is not free after cleaning through ADB, check the /sdcard/Android/obb folder – there may be heavy game files (such as PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile) that are not deleted by standard methods.

Method 4: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If Other Files take up more than 5GB and previous methods didn’t work, it’s a hard reset that will delete all data, including apps, photos and settings, but return the smartphone to a “clean” state.

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase all data”.
3. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, set up your smartphone as new.

What will be removed:

• ✅ All user files and applications.
• ✅ Cash and temporal data.
• ✅ System settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, accounts).

What's left:

• ❌ System applications (MIUI, Google Services).
• ❌ Files on SD-map (if it is installed).

⚠️ Note: Before resetting, please save your contacts to Google Account or to SIM-Copy photos and videos to your computer or cloud. Write down the usernames/passwords from the apps (they will be deleted). After a reset, Redmi 7 may require you to enter your Mi Account data if the device's binding was enabled.

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Resetting to factory settings is the only way to completely clear Other Files if they take up an abnormally large amount of space (more than 5–8 GB), however, this is an extreme measure that should only be resorted to after backing up.

How to Prevent the Accumulation of Other Files in the Future

To avoid the problem recurring, follow simple rules:

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning (sufficient 1 time in 2 weeks).
• 📥 Don’t download blind files, especially from messengers. They are often saved without extensions and are sent to Others».
• 🗑️ Use cloud services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) to automatically clean your local storage.
• 🛡️ Turn off automatic media storage in WhatsApp/Telegram (Settings → Data and storage).
• 🔄 Update the firmware - in new versions MIUI Better optimized work with garbage.

You can also install third-party memory monitoring applications, such as:

• Files by Google – Shows “junk” and suggests clearing it.
• SD Maid (requires root) – deep cleaning of application residues.
• CCleaner – Deletes cache and temporary files (caution: not all features are useful).

If you install/remove applications frequently, check /sdcard/Android/data once a month – there may be “tails” of uninstalled programs.

Frequent errors in cleaning “other files”

Many Redmi 7 users make critical mistakes when trying to make room.

• 🚫 Delete the folder /Android/obb manually – it can break the games or apps that use it.
• 🚫 Format a section /data without backup – this will lead to the loss of all data and the need to flash the flashing.
• 🚫 Use cleaners with aggressive settings (such as Clean Master) – they often delete the desired files.
• 🚫 Delete files from /system without root, this will cause a bootloop (cyclic reboot).

Also not worth it:

• 🔋 Clean memory when battery is low (less than 20%) – this can cause file system failure.
• 📲 Interrupt the cleaning process (e.g. pulling the cable out) USB during the work with ADB).
• 🔄 Reset settings through recovery, if you are not sure about your actions – it is better to use the menu in the recovery. MIUI.

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If your smartphone is slower after cleaning the “other files,” check RAM usage in Settings → About Phone → Memory. It may be that the system is recovering the app cache — which is normal and will take 10-15 minutes.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions