Why Redmi 7 is slowing down and how it relates to memory
Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 7 often face memory problems, which manifests itself in the form of slow-downs, slow-opening applications and sudden reboots. The reason lies in the architecture of the smartphone: the model of 2019 release is equipped with only 2/3 GB of RAM and 16/32/64 GB of internal storage, of which the MIUI system takes up to 10-12 GB out of the box. Even after installing several applications, free space remains critically small.
Compounding the situation is aggressive data caching in MIUI. The operating system stores temporary files, application logs and backups that take up gigabytes of memory over time. For example, the cache of Google Play Services on Redmi 7 can grow to 1.5-2 GB if not cleaned manually, and standard cleaning tools in settings often remove only part of the garbage, leaving hidden files.
Another feature of Redmi 7 is the lack of a memory card slot in some versions (the 64GB version), which forces users to look for alternative ways to free up space. In this article, we will discuss 10 proven methods, including hidden MIUI features, that will help return the smartphone to performance without buying a new device.
1. Cleaning the app cache manually
The safest way to free up 1-3 GB of memory is to remove temporary files (cache) from installed applications. Unlike deleting data, this procedure does not affect settings and authorization in accounts. On Redmi 7, cache takes up especially much space due to the optimization of MIUI for weak processors (Snapdragon 632).
To clear the cache:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management
- 🔍 Select the app (start with the most “heavy” – Facebook, Instagram, Google Play Store)
- 🧹 Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache
- 🔄 Repeat for all applications where the cache exceeds 100MB
To speed up the process, use cache size sorting: in the "Application Management" section, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort → By size, which will quickly find the most "gluttonous" programs.
💡
Do not clear the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui or com.miui.home) – this can cause MIUI to malfunction.
2. Delete unnecessary files through "Cleaning"
MIUI has a built-in Cleanup tool (formerly called Security) that analyzes the system for junk files. On Redmi 7, this tool is especially effective because it takes into account the specifics of the Snapdragon 632 processor with eMMC 5.1 memory. The cleaning algorithm is optimized for slow drives, so it works faster than third-party applications.
How to use:
- Launch the Cleanup app (brush-shaped icon)
- Press Deep Cleanup and wait for the scan to be completed.
- Select all categories of garbage (especially Residual Files and Large Files)
- Click Clean and confirm the action.
Note the Duplicate Files section – there are often repetitive photos from WhatsApp or Telegram that take up to 500 MB-1 GB. It is also useful to look at APK Files, where remote app installers are stored.
3. Transfer applications to a memory card (if supported)
Redmi models 7 s 16/32 GB memory supports microSD card installation 256 GB (in the version with 64 No GB card slot storage. No application transfer SD-The card is released to 5-10 GB of internal memory, but has limitations: not all programs support this feature, and the speed of work can be reduced due to a slower memory card (especially classes). 4-6).
Instructions for transfer:
- 📱 Insert a memory card (class 10 is recommended or UHS-I)
- 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management
- 📤 Select the app and click Storage → Change. → Map. SD
- ⚠️ Confirm the transfer (the process may take place) 1-5 minute)
Important: Once ported, some applications (such as instant messengers) may run slower or give out errors, which is because Redmi 7 uses the exFAT protocol for memory cards, which is not optimized for frequent reading/writing of small files.
What applications cannot be transferred to SD-map?
4. Disabling and removing MIUI system applications
MIUI on Redmi 7 contains up to 40 pre-installed applications, many of which cannot be removed by standard means, which take up to 2-3 GB of memory and run in the background, consuming resources. The most “heavy” include Mi Video, Mi Music, Mi Browser, GetApps and Mi Pay.
Ways to get rid of them:
| Method | Action. | Risks. |
|---|---|---|
| Shutdown | Go to Settings → Applications, select unnecessary, click Disable | Minimum (the application is not updated, but files remain) |
| Removal via ADB | Connect your phone to your PC, use the command adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.packet | Medium (Important MIUI components can be removed) |
| Use of Magisk patches | Install Universal Debloater with Magisk Manager | High (requires root, can disrupt the system) |
To uninstall via ADB, first enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times), then go back to Additional → For Developers. A list of system application packages can be found on specialized forums (e.g. com.miui.videoplayer for Mi Video).
💡
Disabling system applications is safer than deleting, but does not free up memory – files remain on the device, just stop running.
5. Cleaning up downloads and media files
Download and the media library are often the primary memory eaters on Redmi 7.
- 📄 PDF-Files and documents (up to 500 MB)
- 🎵 Audio files from messengers (voice messages, music)
- 📷 Photos and videos in original resolution (especially from WhatsApp)
- 🎮 Cash games, for example, PUBG Mobile or Free Fire)
To clear these files:
- Open the File Manager application
- Go to the Categories section → Downloads
- Sort files by size (click on three dots → Sort → By size)
- Delete unnecessary files (especially those older than 3 months)
To automate the process, use the Auto Clean function in the Cleanup application:
- Open Cleaning → Settings (cogs) → Auto Cleaning
- Enable the option and select categories (Downloads, Recycle Bin)
- Set the frequency (recommended once a week)
Remove duplicate photos in Google Photos|Clear the file. DCIM/Thumbnails|Transfer the video to a memory card|Delete old screenshots (Daddy) Pictures/Screenshots)|Check the folder. WhatsApp/Media-->
6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)
If all previous methods failed and there is less than 1 GB of free memory left, the only radical way is to reset to factory settings. On Redmi 7, this procedure takes 5-10 minutes and returns the smartphone to the “out of the box” state, removing all user data, applications and settings. Important: before reset, back up through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
Step-by-step:
- Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings
- Select to erase all data (restore factory data)
- Enter the password (if set)
- Confirm the action and wait for the reboot
After discharge:
- 🔄 Do not restore data from backup immediately – check the phone first
- 📥 Install applications gradually (by 2-3 per day) to avoid refilling the memory
- ⚙️ Turn off automatic app updates in Google Play Store
💡
After resetting the first 2-3 days, the phone will work faster due to the absence of background debris. To maintain performance, clear the cache once a week.
7. MIUI optimization to save memory
MIUI on Redmi 7 has hidden settings that reduce memory consumption by turning off visuals and background processes, which do not delete files, but reduce the load on the storage, preventing it from filling up quickly.
What can be turned off:
- 🎨 Interface animation: Settings → Additionally. → Special opportunities → Remove animation (select animation disabled)
- 🔄 Auto-update MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Settings → Auto-update (disable)
- 📊 Statistics collection: Settings → Additionally. → Confidentiality → Send an error report (disable)
- 🔍 Application search: Settings → Home screen → Search for applications (disable)
It is also useful to limit the background activity of applications:
- Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management
- Select Application Selection and set Restricted Mode for most programs
- For instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) leave No restrictions, but disable AutoRun
These settings will reduce the number of logs in the system and reduce the load on eMMC memory, which is especially important for the Redmi 7 with its not the fastest drive.
8.Use of cloud services and alternative storage
If physical memory is sorely lacking, consider moving some of the data to the cloud. Redmi 7 preinstalled the Mi Cloud app, which offers 5GB of free space.
- 🌥️ Google Photos (unlimited storage of compressed photos)
- 📁 Google Drive (15 GB free)
- 🔗 Yandex Disk (10 GB free, convenient for Russian users)
- 🎵 Spotify or Yandex Music (streaming music instead of local files)
How to set up automatic uploading of photos in Google Photos:
- Install the Google Photos app from the Play Store
- Open it and log in to your Google account.
- Click on the avatar → Photo settings → Backup and synchronization
- Enable the option and select High Quality (unlimited space)
- In the Device Storage Management section, enable Free up space
To save traffic, set up Wi-Fi-only downloads in the same settings, and it’s also helpful to disable backup of screenshots and memes that don’t normally need long-term storage.
💡
Cloud services do not solve the problem of memory shortage completely, but allow you to free up 2-5 GB for frequently used applications.
Frequent questions about cleaning up Redmi 7 memory
Can I increase the memory on Redmi 7 from 16 GB to 32 GB?
Why does the phone stop after cleaning the memory?
What apps are the most memory-scoring on Redmi 7?
How to clear your memory if your phone is not switched on?
Should you use memory cleaner applications (such as Clean Master)?
If none of the methods worked, consider upgrading to a newer model (such as the Redmi 9 or POCO M3), where memory starts at 64 GB and performance is higher due to the Snapdragon 662/665 processor. For Redmi 7, there are custom firmware (such as LineageOS), which are optimized for working on weaker hardware, but their installation requires unlocking the bootloader and working with ADB skills.