Xiaomi’s Redmi Note series has been a huge hit for years, thanks to its excellent price-performance ratio. However, even the most reliable devices eventually start to run slower and RAM fills up with unnecessary digital debris. It’s a natural process of accumulating temporary files that create applications to quickly load content.
Many users notice that after a year or two of active use, the phone begins to slow down when switching between programs or open heavy pages in the browser for a long time. Often the problem lies not in the hardware, but in the sprawling cache, which occupies a precious place in internal memory, and understanding how to properly manage this data is a key skill for any Android device owner.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of cleaning the cache on the Redmi Note 7 model. We will look at both standard tools of the MIUI operating system and deeper cleaning methods that will help return the smartphone to its former sharpness. Proper maintenance of the gadget prolongs its life and makes use more comfortable.
Why you need to clean the cache on Android
Cache is a buffer memory that stores temporary application data. For example, the browser stores copies of visited pages and images so that when you re-enter the site, the download is instant. Social networks cache the photos and videos you have viewed so that you do not have to download them again when you scroll through the tape. This speeds up the program, but over time, these files can reach several gigabytes in size.
The problem arises when the cache becomes too large or corrupted due to errors in the application code. Instead of speeding up, it starts to slow down the system, causing freezes or even forced closure of programs. On devices with limited internal memory, like the Redmi Note 7, a crowded cache can lead to a lack of space for installing updates or new applications. Regular cleaning helps maintain the stability of the system.
It's important to understand the difference between cache and user data. Cache deletion doesn't affect your personal files, logins, passwords, or game progress. You just get rid of the temporary debris that the program can recreate if necessary. It's a safe procedure that can be done regularly for prevention.
💡
Clear the cache of heavy apps (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube) once a week if you have little free memory.
Cleaning the cache through the standard Security app
The MIUI shell installed on Xiaomi smartphones has a powerful system optimization tool built in. This app is called Security and usually has a green shield icon. It allows you to quickly delete unnecessary files without having to dig into the deep settings of each program separately, which is the easiest and fastest way to maintain your daily routine.
To start cleaning, run the Security app from your smartphone menu. On the home screen, you'll see a circular memory-percentage button. Click on it, and the system will automatically scan the device for temporary files, remnants of deleted apps, and other debris. The scanning process usually takes a few seconds.
Once the analysis is complete, the system will prompt you to press the Cleanup button, but for more detailed control, you should click on the Garbage item (or the broom icon) to see the list of files found, and here you can choose what to delete, although by default the system marks temporary files that are safe to delete.
- 📱 Click on the Security app icon on your desktop.
- 🧹 Wait for the automatic scanning of the system to be completed.
- 🗑️ Click the “Clean” button to remove all the debris found.
- ⚙️ Select “Junk” to view files in detail before deleting.
The use of the built-in tool is preferable for most users, since it eliminates the risk of deleting important system files. Xiaomi algorithms are configured to find exactly those files that are not necessary for the operating system to work correctly.
☑️ Checking before cleaning
Removing the cache of individual applications in the settings
Sometimes you need to clear the cache of a particular program that is not working correctly or takes up too much space. In Redmi Note 7, you can do this through the standard settings menu. This approach allows you to point to free up space without affecting the data of other programs, this is especially true for instant messengers and social networks.
Go to your smartphone’s Settings menu and find the Apps section. In some versions of MIUI, this item may be called “All Apps” or “App Management.” In the list that opens, find the desired program, such as YouTube or Telegram, and click on it to open the Control menu.
Inside the app menu, look for Memory or Storage, and you'll see two buttons: Clear and Delete. We're interested in the Clear (or Clear cache) button, and clicking on it will only delete temporary files, saving your authorizations and settings.
⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse the Clean button with the Delete or Delete button. If you choose to erase data, the program will return to the state immediately after installation, and you will have to re-enter your login and password.
This method is also useful if an application has started to behave strangely: it crashes when it starts or does not load content.Cache reset often resolves such software conflicts without having to reinstall the program.For Google system applications, cache cleaning is also safe and sometimes necessary after updates.
What to do if the “Clean” button is inactive?
Using a cleaning mode in storage
Newer versions of MIUI firmware for the Redmi Note 7 have a handy storage analysis tool that allows you to visually assess what your phone's memory is occupied, which helps you understand which categories of files occupy the most space, whether it's photos, videos or app cache.
To get to this section, go to Settings → About Phone → Memory (or Storage). The system will plot the memory allocation. By clicking on the category “Other” or “Applications”, you can see the details. Often, the “Other” section hides cache remnants that are not automatically determined by the system.
In this mode, you can sort applications by size, and it can quickly identify heavyweights, programs that have inflated to gigabytes, and cache cleaning applications that maximize space, and it's an effective way to address memory shortages on models with 32 or 64 GB of internal storage.
- 📊 Go to the memory settings via the About Phone menu».
- 🔍 Click on the chart or list of applications for detailed analysis.
- 📉 Sort the list by the size of the occupied space.
- 🧹 Select the application and clean its cache.
Regular storage monitoring helps keep memory occupancy under control, and if you see the space running out quickly, this tool will help you find the cause, and data visualization makes file management more understandable to the user.
Deep cleaning through the Recovery Engineering Menu
There is a more radical cleaning method that affects the Dalvik/ART partition system cache. This method is useful if the smartphone is extremely unstable, there are frequent reboots or crashes after the system update. Cleaning the cache in Recovery mode does not delete personal files, but requires careful execution.
To enter recovery mode, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the Volume Up and Power buttons. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, while continuing to hold the volume button. Recovery menu will open with touch-sensitive control (in most versions).
From the menu, select a language (if available) and find Wipe Data. From the submenu that opens, select Wipe Cache. Confirm action. The phone will clear the system cache and prompt you to restart. This process can take several minutes, during which the screen can go out and turn on.
| Parameter | Description | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|
| Wipe Cache | Cleaning the system cache | No (data retained) |
| Wipe All Data | Full reset to factory settings | Yeah (all removed) |
| Connect with MIAssistant | Connection mode to PC | No. |
| Reboot | A normal reboot. | No. |
⚠️ Warning: Be very careful on the Recovery menu. Choose only Wipe Cache. If you randomly select Wipe All Data, your phone will completely reset to factory status, and all your photos, contacts and apps will be deleted without recovery.
Using Recovery mode is a "heavy artillery" to solve software problems. If your Redmi Note 7 is working fine but just doesn't have enough space, use the techniques described in the previous sections.
💡
Recovery mode is used for deep diagnosis and cleaning up system errors, not for daily freeing up of space.
Automation and third-party utilities
For those who want to automate the process, there are third-party software-cliner apps like CCleaner or Files by Google. However, Xiaomi owners should be careful with their installation. The built-in MIUI system itself aggressively manages memory, and third-party utilities can conflict with it, causing a lot of stress on the battery and processor.
Files by Google is an exception, as it is certified and integrates well with Android. It can offer smart cleaning by finding duplicate photos, old screenshots and unused apps. Installing such an assistant makes sense if the built-in functionality is not enough for fine-tuning.
Also worth mentioning is the memory extension feature, which is sometimes found in settings or offered by third-party programs. There is no physical memory extension on the Redmi Note 7, but you can use the OTG function to connect the flash drive, which allows you to transfer photos and videos, freeing up the internal cache for the system to work.
- 🚫 Avoid installing “accelerators” from Play Market with questionable ratings.
- ✅ Use Files by Google to find duplicates and large files.
- 💾 Transfer media files to a memory card or to the cloud to unload the system.
- 🔄 Regularly update apps through Google Play to optimize their performance.
The main principle of optimization is not to overload the system with unnecessary processes. The fewer background services are running, the faster the smartphone works, and Xiaomi’s built-in tools usually cope with this task better than any third-party counterparts.