Why Redmi Note 7 is slowing down and how cache affects performance
Your Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is slowing down, apps are loading for a long time, and memory is filled with obscure files? 90% of the time, the cache — temporary data that the system and programs save to speed up repeat operations — is to blame. Over time, these files grow to gigabytes, taking up precious space and slowing down the device.
There are three types of cache: system (created by Android to speed up MIUI), application cache (save messengers, games and social networks) and Dalvik cache (optimized versions of installed programs). On the Redmi Note 7 with its 64 GB of memory (of which ~53 GB is available), the cache cache can eat up to 10-15 GB - it's like if you constantly carry a flash drive with garbage in your pocket!
But cleaning the cache isn't a panacea. If the phone is lagging because of a weak Snapdragon processor 660 or lack of RAM (3/4 GB in the basic version, even after cleaning the effect will be temporary, but the regular deletion of unnecessary files will prolong the life of the device on the Internet. 1-2 year-end.
Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications through settings
The safest method is to delete the cache only for the programs that take up the most space, which will not delete your data (photos, correspondence, save in games), but will free up to 1-3 GB of memory.
How to do this:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Sort by size.
- Tap on the app (such as Telegram or Facebook) and select Warehouse.
- Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – it will delete all program settings!).
Top.-5 "Cache eaters on Redmi Note 7:
- 📷 Google Photos – up to 500 MB (caching thumbnails)
- 🎮 PUBG Mobile / Genshin Impact – up to 2 GB (textures and shaders)
- 💬 WhatsApp – up to 1 GB (media from chats)
- 🌐 Google Chrome – up to 300MB (web pages)
- 📺 YouTube – up to 800MB (preloaded videos)
⚠️ Warning: After clearing the Google Play cache, the Store or Mi App Store may not temporarily update the apps.Reboot the phone if there is a problem.
Close all background programs
Connect to Wi-Fi (if you plan to update your apps after cleaning)
Check the free space in the "Storage" section
Backup important data (e.g. game saves)-->
Method 2: Mass cleaning the cache of all applications
If you're lazy to clean each application individually, MIUI has a cache removal feature that saves time, but can lead to small lags immediately after the procedure - the system will take time to recover frequently used data.
Instructions:
- Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
- Tap on Cache Data (or Clear Cache in older versions of MIUI).
- Confirm the action in the window that appears.
How much memory will you have? Depends on how long you've been cleaning the cache.
| Period without cleaning | Place vacated |
|---|---|
| 1 month | 500MB - 1.5GB |
| 3 months | 1.5 GB - 3 GB |
| 6+ months | 3 GB – 6 GB (record – 8.2 GB on the test Redmi Note 7) |
After a mass cleanup, some apps (like Instagram or TikTok) will load longer on the first run, which is normal. After 1-2 use, the speed will return to its previous level.
Method 3: Cleaning Dalvik cache (for power users)
Dalvik cache is an optimized version of the installed applications that the Android virtual machine creates, and cleaning it helps if the phone becomes severely slowed or produces errors such as “App has stopped” after the MIUI update.
Warning: This method requires an unlocked bootloader and root rights (or access to recovery). On non-rooted devices, cleaning Dalvik cache is only possible via Fastboot, but it is risky for beginners.
Instructions for users with TWRP Recovery:
- Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery.
- Choose Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache.
- Confirm the swipe and restart the device.
⚠️ After cleaning the Dalvik cache, the first download of the Redmi Note 7 borrow 5-10 If you're on the screen, don't interrupt. MI longer 15 So, something went wrong (maybe the firmware was damaged).
What happens if you delete Dalvik cache on a rooted phone?
Method 4: Using the built-in MIUI Optimizer
Xiaomi has added a firmware security utility (formerly Optimizer), which not only cleans the cache, but also deletes residual files after uninstalling programs, a method suitable for beginners, as it does not require manual actions.
How to start a deep cleaning:
- Open the Security app (the shield icon).
- Go to the Cleanup tab (or Deep Cleanup in newer versions).
- Press the Check and wait for the analysis (it will take 10-30 seconds).
- Choose Clean and confirm the action.
What removes the security utility:
- 🗑️ Application cache and systems
- 📁 Residual files after deleting programs
- 📥 Downloads (if not marked as important)
- 🔍 Log files (log files)
- 📊 Data analytics MIUI (If the statistics are included)
The downside of this method is that the utility sometimes removes too aggressively, such as clearing the DCIM/.thumbnails folder, which makes the gallery take longer to load thumbnails. To avoid this, open Settings → Storage → Files before cleaning and manually check that important folders are not marked.
💡
If the phone is slower to run after cleaning through Safety, restart it to Safe Mode (press the power button → Reboot Safe Mode) and this will help you understand whether some background application is to blame for the brakes.
Method 5: Manually cleansing through file manager
For those who like to control the process, there is a way to manually remove the cache through any file manager (such as Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer), which allows you to choose which files to delete, but requires caution - accidental deletion of system data can lead to crashes.
Where to find the cash:
- 📂 /data/data/ — Application cache (root rights required)
- 📂 /sdcard/Android/data/ — cache of games and heavy programs
- 📂 /sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails — photo and video miniatures
- 📂 /sdcard/Android/obb/ — Additional game files (e.g. Genshin Impact)
How to safely clean by hand:
- Open the file manager and go to /sdcard/Android/data/.
- Find folders with app names (e.g. com.whatsapp or com.facebook.katana).
- Inside each folder will be a cache subfolder – its contents can be deleted.
- Don’t touch the lib and files folders – they store important data.
⚠️ Note: If you delete the folder com.miui.gallery, the Xiaomi gallery will reset to the factory settings and lose all albums!
What if cleaning the cache doesn’t help?
If the Redmi Note 7 is still slowing down after all the manipulations, the problem may be deeper:
| Symptoms. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The phone is warming and discharged quickly | Processes or viruses running in the background | Check in Settings → Battery, which applications consume the most energy |
| Apps fly out with an error | Damaged system files | Reset settings through Settings → About Phone → Reset settings |
| Slow work even after resetting | Flash wear (typical for Redmi Note 7 after 3-4 years of use) | Replace the memory module at the service center (cost) ~2000-3000 ₽) |
If you suspect a virus, install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light and scan the system. Use AIDA64 to diagnose hardware, which will show the state of the battery, memory and processor.
💡
Regular cache cleaning (once every 1-2 months) extends the life of the Redmi Note 7 by 30-40%. but if the phone is older than 3 years, consider upgrading - even after all the optimizations, the Snapdragon 660 will not cope with modern games and applications.