How to completely clean the memory on Xiaomi Redmi 7: from cache to deep cleaning

Your Xiaomi Redmi 7 is slowing down, apps are crashing, and the system is constantly warning about memory shortages? This problem is familiar to many owners of budget smartphones with 16/32 GB of internal memory. Even after removing unnecessary files, free space is melting away in front of your eyes - the fault of system debris, app cache and fragmented data.

Unlike the flagship models, the Redmi 7 does not support microSD expansion in all versions (the 2/16 GB version does not have a card slot at all). Therefore, cleaning internal storage becomes a critical task. In this article, we will discuss 7 proven methods - from basic to radical - that will help to free up 1 to 10 GB of memory without compromising the functionality of the phone.

Important: The methods are suitable for all versions of MIUI (including MIUI 12/13/14), but some menu items may differ slightly. If your Redmi 7 runs on custom firmware (like LineageOS), some of the instructions will require adaptation.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what eats up memory?

Before you start cleaning, you need to understand which files take up the lion's share of memory. MIUI has a built-in analyzer, but it often shows data with a delay. We recommend using a combination of system tools and third-party utilities.

Open Settings → About Phone → Memory. Here you will see a diagram of the memory distribution by category:

• 📁 System data – OS files, updates, firmware (usually 5–8 GB).
• 🎵 Multimedia – photo, video, music (can take up to 70% of memory of active users).
• 📦 Applications – installed programs and their data.
• 🗑️ Other files – cache, downloads, temporary data.

Redmi 7

Android 9/10

com.android.systemui

com.miui.home

1-2 GB

For a detailed analysis, install Files by Google, the official Google app, which will show:

• 🔍 Duplication of files (especially relevant for photos from WhatsApp or Telegram).
• 🗃️ Large files (>100 MB) that has not been opened for a long time.
• 📂 Folders with garbage (for example, DCIM/.thumbnails or Download/temp).

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete Android folders, MIUI or system – this can lead to the collapse of the system and the need to flash the!

2. Cleaning the application cache and system

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up work. Over time, they accumulate and take anywhere from 500 MB to 3 GB. On Redmi 7, the cache can be cleared in three ways:

Method 1: Through the MIUI settings

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Open each major app (e.g. Facebook, YouTube, Chrome) and click Clear Cache.

Method 2: Mass cleaning

MIUI has a hidden function to clear the cache of all applications at once:

1. Open Settings → Memory → Cleaning.
2. Press Deep Clean (confirmation may be required).
3. Select the app cache and confirm the action.

This method removes up to 1-1.5 GB of garbage at a time, but does not touch the application data (logins, saves).

Method 3: Through Recovery Mode (for experienced)

If the phone is slowing down, you can clear the cache through recovery mode:

1. Turn off Redmi 7.
2. Press Power + Volume up until the MI logo appears.
3. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (control – volume buttons, confirmation – power button).

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! second option will completely reset the phone to factory settings!

3. Removal of unnecessary applications and their data

Redmi 7 often comes with pre-installed apps (bloatvear) that cannot be removed by standard methods.

• 🎵 Mi Music and Mi Video (Duplicate Google Play Music and YouTube).
• 📰 Mi Browser (less secure than Chrome or Firefox).
• 🛒 GetApps, Mi Pay, Mi Credit (not relevant outside China/India).

These programs take up to 500-800 MB and constantly work in the background, consuming memory and battery power.

To remove them, root or ADB rights will be required. Instructions for ADB (without root):

1. Turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times on version, then go back to Additional settings → For developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer Replace com.miui.videoplayer with the desired application package (a list of packages can be obtained by the command adb shell pm list packages | grep miui).

Example of disposal packages:

• com.miui.player — Mi Music
• com.android.browser — Mi Browser
• com.xiaomi.mipicks — GetApps

To delete user application data (e.g., game cache):

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like PUBG Mobile or Facebook).
3. Click Storage → Clear Data (this will remove all saves and settings of the app!).

💡

Before deleting these games, check if your account is linked to Google Play Games or Facebook, which will allow you to restore progress after re-installing.

4. Optimization of multimedia: photos, videos and music

High-resolution photos and videos are the main memory eaters. On Redmi 7, the camera captures Full HD (1080p) video, and photos weigh 3 to 5 MB each. If you're not a professional photographer, you can save space:

Method 1: Compression of photo and video

• 📸 Use Google Photos with High Quality (compresses photos to the top) ~1 MB without loss of visible quality).
• 🎥 Video Compress is suitable for video (compresses) 1080p up to 30-50% of the original size).
• 🎵 Convert the music into MP3 192 kbps via Audacity or online services.

Method 2: Move to the cloud or PC

If you have a Google Account, enable automatic uploading to Google Photos:

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Go to Settings → Backup and Synchronization.
3. Choose High Quality (Free Unlimited Storage) or Original Quality (considered in Google Drive quota).
4. After downloading, delete local copies through Settings → Free up space.

⚠️ Warning: Before deleting, check that files are fully uploaded to the cloud! Use mobile Internet only with unlimited tariff - downloading 10 GB photo will "eat" up to 30 GB of traffic.

Method 3: Removing duplicates and debris

Files by Google or CCleaner apps will find:

• 🖼️ Duplicate photos (e.g. screenshots with the same content).
• 📹 Unsuccessful videos (blurred or interrupted recordings).
• 🗑️ folder DCIM/.thumbnails (Photos can be used to weigh up to 500 MB).

5. Cleanup of downloads and temporary files

Download folder and temporary files of system applications can take up to 2-3 GB. Most often there accumulate:

• 📄 Old ones. APK-Files (remain after installing apps from outside of Google Play).
• 📊 Excel files and PDF, messenger-driven.
• 🎮 Mods for games (for example, for Minecraft or for the game) GTA).
• 🗑️ Files with extension.tmp,.log,.bak.

You can clean them manually or automatically.

Manual cleaning:

1. Open Explorer (or Files by Google)
2. Go to the Inner Memory → Download.
3. Sort files by date or size and delete unnecessary ones.

Automatic cleaning:

• 🤖 V MIUI: Settings → Memory. → Cleanup → Garbage files.
• 📱 Files by Google: Cleanup tab → Downloads.

💡

Download is a black hole for memory, check it regularly (every 1-2 months) and delete files older than 6 months if they are not in use.

To delete temporary system application files (e.g. com.android.providers.downloads):

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Show all applications.
2. Find Download Manager (or Download Manager).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear cache and data.

Download

6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If all the previous methods failed and there was less than 1 GB of free memory, you'd have to do a hard reset, which would delete all the data, including:

• 📱 Applications and their settings.
• 📁 Photos, videos, music (unless synced to the cloud).
• 📋 Contacts, SMS, call log (if no backup is made).
• 🎮 Game saving (if not linked to an account).

Before discharge, it is mandatory:

Resetting instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Erase all data (reset to factory settings).
3. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.
4. Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After the reset, the phone will be like new, with free 10-12 GB of memory (depending on the version of MIUI).

If the phone does not turn on or hovers on the logo after resetting:

1. Press Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery Mode.
2. Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

⚠️ If after resetting the phone requires you to enter the account Mi Account, which was previously tied, and you do not remember it – you will need to unlock through the official service Xiaomi (can take up to 72 hours).

7. Alternative methods: root, custom firmware and SD-map

If you are willing to take drastic measures, consider:

1. Obtaining root rights

With root, you can:

• 🧹 Remove any system applications (including com.miui.analytics that collect data).
• 🗃️ Transfer applications to SD-card (even if the manufacturer has blocked this function).
• 🔧 Use Titanium Backup to remove unnecessary system application data.

Cons:

MIUI OTA

How to get root on Redmi 7:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Install. TWRP Recovery (Redmi version) 7 — twrp-3.7.0_9-0-onclite).
3. Use Magisk to manage root rights.

2.Use of SD-maps as internal memory

If your Redmi 7 supports microSD (models 3/32GB and 4/64GB), you can expand the memory:

1. Insert a memory card (Class 10 or UHS-I is recommended).
2. When you first connect, select Use as internal memory.
3. Confirm the formatting (the card will be encrypted and tied to the phone).

Limitations:

• 🚫 The map cannot be read on other devices without formatting.
• ⚠️ Speed of application with SD-cards are lower than internal memory.
• 🔄 After resetting to factory settings, the map will have to be formatted again.

Installation of custom firmware

Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience lacks the MIUI Bloatvear and takes 1-2 GB less.

• 🔧 Requires an unlocked bootloader and experience with Fastboot.
• 📱 Certain functions (IR-blaster, NFC) may not work.
• 🔄 Updates will have to be installed manually.

For Redmi 7.

XDA Developers

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Redmi memory 7