How to completely clear your memory on Xiaomi 7A: cache-to-system trash

Xiaomi Redmi Smartphone 7A (or Mi 7A, if we are talking about regional variations) - one of the most popular budget devices of the brand, but its main drawback is everything. 16/32 GB of internal memory. Over time, even this modest amount is clogged with photos, apps and system debris, which leads to brakes, errors in installing updates and the inability to download new files. 10 Proven methods of memory cleanup, including hidden functions MIUI, which work even on older versions of the firmware.

It's important to understand that just removing unnecessary files is not enough. 7A Application cache, duplicate media files and residual data after uninstallation of programs can take up to 30-40% We'll show you how to find and remove this invisible garbage, and we'll also show you how to migrate applications to the next file manager. SD-The card (yes, it is possible even without root rights!).

If your smartphone already gives you a "Memory is full" notification or slows down when you open the camera, don't rush to reset it to factory settings. In 90% of cases, the methods in this article that do not require deleting personal data solve the problem. Let's start with the simplest ones and move on to advanced techniques.

Standard cleaning through “Safety" (MIUI)

In the firmware MIUI There's a built-in memory cleaner that removes cache, temporary files, and residual application data, which is the safest method, but often not enough for deep cleaning:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleanup section (or Acceleration in older versions) MIUI).
3. Click "Check" and wait for the scan to be completed.
4. Select file categories to delete (we recommend that you note all items except Download - there may be important documents).
5. Click "Clear" and confirm the action.

This method removes:

• 🗑️ App cache (including Google Play Services, Facebook, YouTube)
• 📁 Temporary files APK (leftovers after application installation)
• 📋 System logs and error dumps
• 🖼️ Image sketches (miniatures in the gallery)

⚠️ Note: Do not manually clear the cache for apps like WhatsApp or Telegram using Settings → Applications. This may result in the loss of unsaved media files (photo/video from chat rooms).

Once cleaned, restart your smartphone to help the system recalculate the available space, and if less than 500MB is free, move on to the next method.

2. Removal of duplicate photos and videos

One of the main memory eaters on Xiaomi 7A — duplicate media files. They appear when:

• 📸 Automatic backup in Google Photos (files are saved in the gallery and in the cloud)
• 🔄 Transfer files between folders (for example, from DCIM download)
• 📱 Use of messengers (photos from chats are saved in Pictures and WhatsApp/Media)

To find and remove duplicates:

1. Install Files by Google from the Play Market (it is lighter than its peers and does not load the system).
2. Open the application and go to the "Cleaning" tab.
3. Select "Duplicates of Files" and wait for the scan.
4. View the duplicate groups and mark the files for deletion (leave the best versions).
5. Click "Delete" and confirm the action.

The alternative way is to use MIUI Gallery:

1. Open the Gallery and click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
2. Select "Management" → "Duplicate".
3. The system will show all the repetitive photos/videos. Delete the unnecessary copies.

⚠️ Before mass deletion of duplicates, check if they are different versions of the same file (for example, the original). + Use comparison mode in Files by Google to avoid losing important data.

This method can free up 1 to 5 GB of storage, depending on the camera’s usage activity.

Backup important photos to the cloud|Charge your phone at least 30 times%|Close all background applications|Check files before deleting them-->

3. Transfer of applications to SD-map (without root)

Officially Xiaomi 7A does not support the transfer of applications to SD-The map is like a flagship model, but there's a workaround through the developer's settings and third-party utilities. MIUI 10-12 It allows you to save up to 2-3 GB of internal memory.

First, activate the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Press 7 times in a row on "Version" MIUI" Before the notice “You became a developer!".
3. Return to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.

Now install the App Mgr app. III (or Link2SD For advanced users, follow the instructions:

• 📱 Put it in. SD-map (preferably class) UHS-I or U3 speed).
• 🔧 Format it as internal memory through Settings → Memory (Warning: This Will Delete All Data From Your Card!).
• 🛠️ In App Mgr III Select the application, click "Move to" SD" and confirm.
• ⚙️ Some apps (like Facebook) will need to move cache and data.

Important nuances:

• ✅ You can only port applications that support this feature (the list will appear in App Mgr). III).
• ❌ System applications (MIUI Launcher, Security cannot be moved.
• ⚡ After the transfer, the application speed may decrease (depending on the class). SD-map).

⚠️ Note: If the applications start to give an "Application not installed" error after the transfer, return them back to internal memory. SD-The card is too slow or damaged.

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Before the purchase SD-Check the card for authenticity using the application H2testw (Windows or SD Insight (Android) - Fake cards often have an underrated speed and can damage data.

4.Clean up the cache of Google Play Services and other system applications

Google Play Services and Google Play Services MIUI System: Two of Xiaomi’s top “invisible” memory consumers 7A. Their cache can take up to 1-2 GB, but standard cleaning methods don't affect it:

For Google Play Services:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Show all apps."
3. Find Google Play Services and open it.
4. Press "Memory" → "Clear the cache".
5. Repeat the same for Clear Data (this will reset your Google account settings, but will not delete important data).

For system applications MIUI:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → System applications


Choose:




- MIUI System




- Security (Security)




- Download Provider




- Media Storage




For each, click "Clear Cache" and "Clear Data" (if available).

After cleaning:

• 🔄 Restart your phone (required!).
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi and wait for your Google account to sync (may take time) 5-10 minute).
• 🛡️ Don't clear the cache for MIUI Launcher – this will lead to the reset of wallpaper and widgets.

This method frees up an average of 800MB to 1.5GB of storage, but has a side effect: after cleaning up Google Play Services, some applications (such as Gmail or Maps) may temporarily run unstable.

5. Remove unnecessary system applications (without root)

MIUI By default, it installs dozens of pre-loaded applications (bloatware) that cannot be removed by standard means:

• 🎵 Mi Music (if you use Spotify or YouTube Music)
• 📺 Mi Video (Duplicates the Functionality) MX Player or VLC)
• 📖 Mi Browser (less secure than Chrome or Firefox)
• 🎮 Game Center (unhelpful for most users)
• 📊 Mi Pay (not available in Russia and many other countries)

You can remove them with the help of ADB-commands (no superuser rights) Here's a step-by-step instruction:

1. Download and install Minimal ADB and Fastboot on PC (link to XDA).
2. On the phone, activate debugging by USB: Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB (insert)
3. Connect Xiaomi 7A to the PC by cable and select the mode "File transfer".
4. Launch Minimal. ADB and enter commands in turn: adb devices adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.video pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.player pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.gamecenter.sdk.service pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.payment
5. After each command, a message "Success" should appear.
6. Reboot the phone.

List of packages to remove other applications:

⚠️ Note: Do not remove system applications with com.miui. or com.android. packages unless you are sure of their purpose.This can lead to bootloop ( looped boot) or failure of basic functions (calls, SMS, Wi-Fi).

This method frees up from 300MB to 1GB of storage, depending on the number of applications removed, and the main advantage is that they will not be updated through the Play Market and take up additional space.

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Removing System Applications Through ADB does not require root rights and does not violate the warranty, but may lead to unstable operation of some functions MIUI (For example, the themes of design or cloud services Xiaomi).

6.Storage optimization with hidden features MIUI

MIUI It has some hidden tools for deep memory cleaning that you can't see in the standard interface, and one of them is Memory Compression, which archives rarely used files. Here's how to activate it:

1. Open the Security app.
2. Go to the Cleanup" → "Deep cleaning".
3. Activate the option "Memory Compression" (if not, update Security through the Play Market).
4. Select files for archiving (we recommend that you tick only on "Documents" and "APK-file").
5. Press "Squeeze" and wait for the process to be completed.

Other hidden functions:

• 🗃️ "Cleaning Large Files" (same section) - finds files sized >100MB.
• 📂 "File management" → "Recently deleted – Restores or permanently deletes files from the Recycle Bin.
• 🔍 "Search for duplicates in MIUI Gallery (works better than Files by Google for media files).

Also in MIUI There is a function "Light mode", which turns off animations and background processes, reducing the load on memory:

Settings → Special features → Light mode (enable)

This regime:

• ✅ Reduces the consumption of RAM by 20-30%.
• ✅ Disables unnecessary system services.
• ❌ Deteriorates the smoothness of the interface (animations become sharp).

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If after turning on "Lite mode" the wallpaper on the desktop is missing, return them through Settings → It's a famous bug. MIUI 11-12.

7. reset of the partition cache (wipe cache partition)

If previous methods didn’t work and the phone still slows down and gives out errors about memory shortages, try resetting the partition cache (wipe cache partition).

Instructions:

1. Turn off Xiaomi. 7A.
2. Press the Power and Volume buttons up at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery menu (in English or Chinese).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
5. Select "Wipe & Reset" → "Wipe Cache".
6. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 1-2 minutes).
7. Select "Reboot" to reboot.

After discharge:

• 🔄 The first download can take up to 5 minutes – this is normal.
• 📱 All applications and data will remain in place, but some settings (such as wallpaper or brightness) will reset.
• 🛠️ If after the reboot there is a notification "Application Optimization", wait for the process to be completed.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse "Wipe Cache" with "Wipe Data"! The second option will delete all your data, including photos, contacts and messages.

This method helps in cases where:

• 🐢 The phone is very slow when opening applications.
• 🔴 Errors are “App Stopped” (e.g. for Google Play Services).
• 📱 Memory disappears for no apparent reason (the system shows that 0 bytes is free, even though you have not installed anything).

8.Alternative methods: cloud storage and external drives

If you have internal memory Xiaomi 7A constantly filled despite all cleanings, consider options for expanding the storage:

Cloud services:

• 📁 Google Photos – Automatically uploads photos/videos to the cloud and allows you to delete them from your phone (Settings) → Make room).
• ☁️ Yandex Disk or Mail.ru Cloud - give 10-100 GB free (depending on the stock).
• 📎 Mega - 20GB free when registering (good for backups).

External drives:

• 📁 OTG-Fluids – allows you to connect the usual USB-storage devices via adapter (should be ~200 ₽).
• 💾 Portable SSD — It is expensive but reliable for storing large amounts of data (e.g. Samsung). T7).
• 📡 FTP-server on PC – you can configure automatic download of photos / videos over Wi-Fi (FolderSync or Solid Explorer applications).

To automatically upload photos to the cloud:

Google Photos → Settings → Backup and Synchronization (enable)


Select the quality "High" (unoriginal, but free and unlimited)

After setting up cloud reservations:

1. Open Google Photos.
2. Click on the avatar. → "Make room".
3. Confirm the deletion of files already downloaded from the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Before mass-deleting photos from your phone, make sure they are successfully uploaded to the cloud. Check this out via Google Web Photos on PC: photos.google.com.

If you frequently work with large files (e.g. video in the video) 4K), Consider buying a portable one. SSD supportive OTG. Modern models (e.g. Samsung) T7 Shield's worth 5000 ₽ post 500 GB and working in 5-10 time-faster SD-map.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi memory cleaning 7A