Memory cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: from cache to deep reset

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7

memory

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to clean up memory on the Redmi Note 7, from basic (removal of garbage and cache) to radical (reset to factory settings), focus on hidden MIUI functions, which are rarely mentioned in standard instructions, and learn how to transfer files to a memory card correctly, which applications “eat” the place unnoticed and why even after cleaning the memory can be filled again.

Important: The methods are suitable for all versions of MIUI 12, 13 and 14 (including global and Chinese).If your Redmi Note 7 runs on an earlier version (MIUI 11 or lower), some menu items may differ - we will warn you about this separately.

1. Memory Occupation Analysis: What Takes Place?

Before you start cleaning, you need to understand what exactly clogs up the memory of your Redmi Note 7. MIUI has a built-in analysis tool that shows the distribution of files into categories: applications, media, documents and other (most often cache and temporary files).

To open the analysis:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Click on the chart at the top of the screen.
3. Wait for the scan to be completed (it may take 10 to 30 seconds).

Pay attention to the System Data section – if it takes more than 10-15 GB, it is a sign of accumulated garbage from updates. MIUI Also check the "Other" category: there are often unnecessary hidden applications. APK-files, log files and messenger cache (such as Telegram or WhatsApp).

Critical indicators for the Redmi Note 7 (64 GB):

• 📱 Apps: More than 20GB – Time to remove unnecessary software.
• 📷 Photo/video: more than 15 GB – transfer to a memory card or cloud.
• 🗑️ System data: more than 10 GB – cache and debris cleaning required.
• 📄 Documents: More than 5GB – check downloads and archives.

2. Cleaning cache and garbage without third-party programs

The fastest way to free up 1-3 GB of memory is to remove the app cache and system debris, and MIUI has a built-in Cleanup tool that works more efficiently than many third-party cleaners.

How to start cleaning:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Select the "Cleaning" tab.
3. Click Scan and wait until it is completed (usually 1-2 minutes).
4. Tick all categories (cache, unnecessary files, application residues) and click “Clean”.

After cleaning, restart the phone – this will help the system to correctly update the data about the free space.

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If some categories are not displayed in the Cleanup section (e.g., Application Remains), update the Security app via Play Market. In older versions of MIUI, this tool does not work properly.

What else can be manually removed:

• 🧹 Cache of individual applications: go to Settings → Annexes → App management, select a program (like YouTube or Facebook) and click Clear Cache. Especially "gluttonous" social networks and instant messengers.
• 🗑️ Download folder: This is where you can get your browser downloads, your email attachments, your instant messengers, and check it out through any file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager).
• 📁 folder DCIM/.thumbnails: So you can have these miniatures of photos and videos that the system automatically creates, and you can safely delete them, and they will recover the next time you see the gallery.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of Google Play Services and Services Framework apps – this may cause Google account failures and syncs.

3. Removal of unnecessary apps and "bloatware"

The Redmi Note 7, like many Xiaomi smartphones, comes with pre-installed apps ("bloatware") that can't be removed by standard means, including Mi Music, Mi Video, GetApps and other Xiaomi services that most users don't use.

Ways to get rid of unnecessary programs:

Method 1: Disconnect (without root rights)

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Pay).
3. Click “Disable” (if the button is inactive, first click “Delete Updates”).

Method 2: Remove via ADB (for advanced) This method allows you to completely remove system applications, but requires a connection to a computer and enable debugging over USB.

1. Turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Activate "Debugging by" USB» In Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Connect the phone to your PC, open the command line and type: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks (replace com.xiaomi.mipicks with the desired application package).

List of safe packets to remove (for Redmi Note 7):

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications through ADB This can cause unstable phone operation.Before the procedure, back up your data in Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

4. Transfer files to a memory card or cloud

If your Redmi Note 7 has a microSD, you can transfer some of the data to it: photos, videos, music, and even some apps, but there are nuances: not all files can be moved, and some applications can run slower after transfer.

How to transfer files to a memory card:

1. Open the file manager (or any other file manager).
2. Select the files you want to transfer (for example, the DCIM/Camera folder with a photo).
3. Click “More” (three dots) → “Move” → select a memory card (SD-card).

Transfer applications to the map (does not work for all programs):

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Spotify or Netflix).
3. Click on “Storage” → “Change” → select a memory card.

If the "Change" option is inactive, the app does not support the transfer.

• 📱 Memory card applications may be slower (especially games).
• 🔄 After the map is removed, the programs will stop working.
• 🚫 Some system applications (e.g. Google Play Services) cannot be migrated.

Alternative: Cloud Storage

If there is no memory card, you can upload files to the cloud:

• ☁️ Google Photos: Automatically uploads high quality photos and videos (up to 15GB free).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: 5GB free, integrated with MIUI (But servers can be slow).
• ☁️ Yandex Disk or Mail.ru Cloud: 10–100 GB free of charge when registering.

5. Factory reset: when is it needed?

If all previous methods failed, and the memory is still filled with invisible files, the radical way to reset to factory settings (hard reset) is to delete all data from the phone, including:

• 📱 Applications and their settings.
• 📷 Photos, videos and music (if not on a memory card).
• 📝 Contacts, SMS Call log (if not synced to your Google account).
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords and account data.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup (required!): Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” and confirm the action.
4. Wait until it is completed (it will take 5-10 minutes) and reset the phone.

When the reset is really needed:

• 🔄 After years of use, when the system was littered with updates.
• 🐌 The phone is slowing down despite having free memory.
• 📉 In memory analysis, the System Data section takes up more than 15 GB.
• 🚨 There were errors such as “Not enough memory”, although the analysis is the place.

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 7 with MIUI 12+ After reset, you may need to re-assign your Xiaomi account (if Find Device was enabled.

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Factory reset is a last resort, and 80 percent of the time, memory loss is solved by cleaning the cache + removing unnecessary applications.

6 Hidden MIUI features to optimize memory

MIUI contains a few hidden tools that help control memory usage, which are not obvious, but can save gigabytes.

Function 1: Cleanup of “duplicates” and “large files”

1. Open the Security app» → «Cleanup».
2. Scroll down and select “Deep Cleanup”.
3. Click on “Duplicate Files” or “Big Files” and the system will find unnecessary copies of photos, videos and heavy documents.

Function 2: Automatic garbage cleaning

1. In the same section "Cleaning" enable the option "Autocleaning".
2. Set up a schedule (e.g. once a week) and select categories to delete (cache, temporary files).

Function 3: Background Limitation for Applications

Some programs (like Facebook or TikTok) consume memory even in the background to limit them to:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Select “App Selection” and set “Limit Background Activity” mode for “glutty” programs.

Function 4: Memory compression (RAM)

If the phone is slowing down due to a lack of RAM, turn on compression:

1. Activate Developer Mode (as described above).
2. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option “Squeeze memory” and turn it on.

7 Why does memory fill up again: how can we prevent it?

Often, users find that within a week of cleaning, the memory is full again. What is the reason and how to avoid it?

The main perpetrators:

• 📸 Messengers: Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber automatically download media files. Turn off autoload in the settings of each chat.
• 🎮 Games: Even after removing some games (e.g., games, PUBG or Genshin Impact, leave cache in the folder Android/obb. Remove it manually.
• 📥 Updates MIUI: update files weigh 1–2 GB and stay in the folder. Downloaded_rom Even after installation, they can be safely removed.
• 🌐 Browsers: Chrome and Mi Browser save cache sites that can weigh several gigabytes.Clear history once a month.

How to prevent memory filling:

• 🔄 Regularly (once every 1-2 weeks) run the “Cleanup” in the “Security” application».
• 📁 Set up an automatic photo upload to Google Photos and delete the originals from your phone.
• 🚫 Remove or disable unnecessary widgets – they consume memory in the background.
• 🔍 Check the Download folder once a month – unnecessary files accumulate here.

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The most common reason for refilling memory is to autoload media files in messengers, disable it for all but the most important chats.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Redmi Note 7