Memory cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 7A: from cache to factory settings

Xiaomi Redmi 7A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its main problem is known to every owner: 16 or 32 GB of internal memory quickly run out, even if you do not install games. MIUI system takes up to 8-10 GB, and the rest of the space is eaten by app cache, temporary files and duplicate photos. In this article, we will analyze 7 proven ways to clean memory — from simple to radical, including hidden MIUI features that few people know about.

It’s important to understand that Redmi 7A doesn’t support microSD installation as a primary drive (unlike the newer models), so you’ll have to manually clear space. We won’t advise “just delete unnecessary files” — instead, we’ll show you which data is safe to clean and which ones to avoid breaking the system.

1. The analysis of occupied space: what exactly "eats" memory?

Before you clean, you need to figure out which files take up the most space. MIUI has a built-in analyzer, but it's hidden in the back of the settings.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Slip on the schedule of occupied space (not by the inscription "Clean").
3. Wait for the scan (can take up to 1-2 minutes).

The system will show the allocation of memory into categories: Applications, Images, Videos, Audio, Documents and System Data.

• 📱 Applications: Even remote programs can leave files in a folder /Android/obb/ (before 1-2 GB).
• 🖼️ Images: MIUI automatically creates thumbnails and backups of photos (folder) DCIM/.thumbnails).
• 🗃️ System data: This includes Google Play Services cache, which can weigh up to 500MB.

⚠️ Note: If more than 3 GB is occupied in the System Data category, this is a sign of a malfunction MIUI. Try clearing the cache through Recovery Mode (Section 5).

Tip: If the analyzer shows a strangely large number of Other Files (2-4 GB), it is likely that it is debris from old updates. It can only be removed through ADB (section 6).

2. Cleaning the application cache and system

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up work. On Redmi 7A, the cache can take up to 1.5-2 GB, especially if you are actively using YouTube, Telegram or social networks.

Method 1: Through the MIUI settings

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Select an app (like Chrome or Facebook) and click Clear Cache.

Do not clear the cache for system applications like Google Play Services or MIUI Security, which can cause crashes.

Method 2: Mass cleaning through “Safety”

• 🛡️ Open the Security app (Icon with shield).
• 🧹 Go to the Cleanup tab and click Deep Cleanup.
• ✅ Check the Cash Apps and Garbage Files, then tap Clear.

⚠️ Attention: If after cleaning the cache, the applications start to "hang" - this is normal. 1-2 The day work stabilizes as the cache recovers.

3. Removal of unnecessary applications and their residues

Redmi 7A has many Xiaomi and Google system applications that cannot be removed by standard means, but some can be disabled and the rest can be manually cleaned.

What apps can be safely removed?

To remove pre-installed applications without root rights, use the ADB command:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 title.packet

To find out the name of the package, install the App Inspector app from Google Play.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC| Enable debugging over USB in the developer settings | Download ADB platform from Google| Connect phone to PC and allow debugging

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4. Optimization of photos and videos

Photos and video are the main memory eaters. On the Redmi 7A, the camera captures video at 1920×1080 resolution, and one minute of video weighs ~120MB. If you're not a professional photographer, you can save space:

• 📸 Reduce the resolution of the photo in the camera settings to 8 MP (instead of 12 MP by default).
• 🎥 Take the video in resolution 720p (economy ~40).
• 🗑️ Remove duplicate photos using the Files by Google app (Cleanup tab).
• ☁️ Move old photos to Google Photos (with the “Free Place” feature enabled»).

The hidden DCIM/.thumbnails folder can weigh up to 500MB. It can be manually deleted through any file manager (like Solid Explorer), but it will recover once the phone is restarted. To avoid this, disable thumbnail creation:

1. Open the gallery.
2. Slip on three points → Settings → Additional.
3. Turn off the option “Create sketches”.

💡

Before mass deletion, back up your photos to your PC or the cloud. Google Photos allows you to store compressed copies of your photos for free (High quality).

5. Cleaning through Recovery Mode

If standard methods don’t work and the system shows that the memory is 90%+ full, try clearing the cache through Recovery Mode. This won’t delete your data, but will reset temporary system files.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time and hold for 10 seconds.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (English / Chinese), then Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and wait until the completion (1-2 minutes).
5. Reboot the phone (Reboot) → Reboot to System).

⚠️ Warning: Don't choose Wipe All Data - it's a full factory reset! If you accidentally click this option, immediately remove the battery (if possible) or wait until the process is complete.

After cleaning the cache in Recovery:

• 🔄 The first load of the phone can take up to 5 minutes.
• 📱 Some apps (such as WhatsApp) will require re-authorization.
• 🗑️ Released before 1-1.5 GB memory.

6.Removing debris from MIUI updates via ADB

Each MIUI update leaves behind backups and temporary files that are not automatically deleted.On the Redmi 7A, they can take up to 2-3GB. To clean them, you'll need ADB to clean them up.

Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*




rm -rf /cache/*




rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*




exit




exit

If you do not have root rights, use an alternative method:

adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.downloads

This command clears the MIUI bootloader cache where old update files are stored.

7.Reset to factory settings: a last resort

If all previous methods failed, a complete reset remains, which will delete all data, including photos, contacts and apps, so back up first:

• ☁️ Upload your photo to Google Photos or PC.
• 📱 Export contacts to.vcf file via Contacts app.
• 🔐 Save passwords from Google Smart Lock (if you use them).

To reset the phone:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset All Settings (not Network Reset!).
3. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.

After discharge:

• 🔄 The phone will reboot and return to the “out of the box” state».
• 📱 First setup will take 10-15 minutes (don't interrupt the process!).
• 🗑️ Released before 80-90% Memory (depending on version) MIUI).

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 7A After the reset, you may have a "Device failed to activate" error, which is related to Xiaomi servers, solution: connect to another Wi-Fi network or use mobile Internet.

💡

Factory reset is the only way to get the system back clean if the phone brakes badly or the memory "disappears" for no reason. However, after reset, don't install all the old apps at once - it will fill up the memory again.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Redmi 7A