How to Clean Up the Other in Xiaomi Redmi 7 Memory (and Why It Takes Gigabytes)

The “Other” section in Xiaomi Redmi 7 memory is a real headache for users. It can take from 5 to 20 GB, and the system does not show what is stored there. You delete photos, videos, clear the app cache, and no free space is added? The fault is hidden files, update residues, system logs and a MIUI cache that is not cleaned by standard methods.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to make room in the “Other” section on Xiaomi Redmi 7 (also relevant for the Redmi Note 7/7 Pro and other devices on MIUI 10–14). All methods are tested on real devices and do not require root rights - only attentiveness and a few minutes of time.

⚠️ Warning: Some actions (e.g. cleaning through the ADB or cache resetting to Recovery) can cause app failures. Back up important data before you start!

1.What is the “Other” in Xiaomi’s memory and why is it growing?

The Other section of MIUI is the garbage bin of the operating system.

• 🗑️ Application cache and systems – temporary files that are not deleted during standard cleaning.
• 📁 Remains of updates MIUI — Firmware packages that have been downloaded but not installed.
• 📜 Logs and error dumps are files that the system creates when crashes (can weigh up to 1-2 GB!).
• 🔄 Dalvik-cache files – optimized data for fast application performance.
• 📱 Hidden folders of applications – for example,.thumbnails (miniature photos) or.data from games.

On Xiaomi Redmi 7 with 32 GB of memory, the Other section can take up to 30% of the total volume, which is critical!

• 🔄 Frequent updates MIUI (Especially if you are downloading but not installing).
• 🎮 Big cash games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact, Call of Duty).
• 📸 Automatic creation of miniatures for the gallery.
• 🛠️ Application failures (e.g. Google Play Services or Mi Cloud).

⚠️ Warning: If the Other section fills up quickly after cleaning, check the device for viruses (for example, through Malwarebytes) - some malware masquerades as system files.

2. Method 1: Clearing the cache through MIUI settings

The safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It won’t remove all of the Other, but it will free up 1-3 GB.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Click on “Clean” in the “Junk” section.
3. Go to Deep Cleanup and select all items (except Journals – you don’t need to touch them!).
4. Confirm the cleanup.

🔹 What's removed:

• 🧹 Temporary application files.
• 📂 Cash galleries and downloads.
• 🗃️ Residues APK-files after installing applications.

⚠️ Note: Do not manually clean the logs through the file manager (folder) /data/log) — This can lead to disruptions in work. MIUI!

💡 Tip: After cleaning, restart the phone - this will help the system recalculate the occupied space.

Method 2: Remove the residues of MIUI updates

Xiaomi likes to download updates in the background, but doesn’t always install them. These files can weigh up to 2-3 GB and stay in memory for years.

How to delete:

1. Open a file manager (such as Mi File Manager).
2. Go to the Download folder → downloaded_rom.
3. Delete all files with the.zip extension (these are firmware archives).
4. Also check the /cache folder – there may be temporary update files.

📌 Alternative method (through ADB):

If the folder downloaded_rom empty, but the place is still occupied, ADB:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.updater

This command will disable the system update application (it can be enabled back through Settings → Apps → Show everything → Software update).

4. Method 3: Clean Dalvik-cache and system cache via Recovery

If the first two methods didn’t work, it’s time to move to “heavy artillery” – cleaning through Recovery, which removes Dalvik-cache and other temporary files that are not visible to the user.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
3. Choose your language (if required).
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
5. Confirm the cleanup (on some versions of Recovery, you need to select Reboot after completion).

🔹 What does it mean:

• 🚀 Frees 1-4 GB (depends on the number of installed applications).
• 🔄 Speeds up the system (especially if the phone is slowing down).
• 🛠️ Corrects errors in the operation of some applications.

⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option will completely reset the phone to factory settings - all data will be deleted!

💡

If the phone is loading for a long time (5-10 minutes) after cleaning the cache, it's normal.

5. Method 4: Manually remove hidden folders (without root)

Some folders in Xiaomi Redmi 7 are not visible in the standard file manager, but they can be deleted via Total Commander or FX File Explorer with Root mode enabled (not to be confused with root rights!).

Which folders can be deleted:

• 🖼️.thumbnails – photo and video miniatures (can weigh up to 1-2 GB).
• 📦.data in game folders - cache PUBG, Free Fire and others.
• 📥 Download/.temp — download-file.
• 🔄 Android/obb — cache of games (remove only if the game is deleted!).

How to find hidden folders:

1. Install Total Commander from Google Play.
2. In the settings, turn on “Show hidden files”.
3. Go to /storage/emulated/0/ (internal memory).
4. Remove unnecessary folders (see list above).

💡 Tip: Before deleting, check the date of change of the folder. If it has not been used for more than a month, feel free to delete it.

💡

Do not delete folders with a dot at the beginning (for example,.android_secure.miui – this can disrupt the system!

6. Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If nothing works, and the Other partition is still 10+GB, it's just a complete reset, which will delete all the data, but it will return the phone to its "clean" state.

How to Reset Xiaomi Redmi 7:

1. Make a backup (via Settings → Additional → Backup).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Delete all data”.
4. Confirm the action (you will need to enter a pattern lock or password).

🔹 What happens after the dump:

• 📱 The phone will be like “out of the box” (the firmware that was when you bought it will return).
• 🗃️ The “Other” section will be compressed to 100-300 MB (the minimum size for the system to work).
• 🔄 Applications and data will disappear – they will need to be restored from backup.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI After the reset, the bootloader may lock if you previously unlocked it to install custom firmware. In this case, you will need to re-unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.

7.How to prevent the “Other” from being refilled?

To prevent the “Other” section from growing again, follow these tips:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto-update (off).
• 📸 Clean the gallery: Delete unnecessary photos and videos, and clean the folder DCIM/.thumbnails monthly.
• 🎮 Control the games: After removing the game, clean its folder in the Android/obb.
• 🗑️ Use the optimizers: SD Maid or Files by Google can help you find unnecessary files.
• 📱 Reboot your phone regularly: This clears temporary files in memory.

💡 Useful Lifehack: If you install/remove apps frequently, turn on Cache Clearing When Deleted in Settings → Annexes → ⚙️ → Special permits.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's "Other" section