Xiaomi Redmi 7A is still a popular budget smartphone, but its modest 2 or 3 GB of RAM and 16/32 GB of internal storage quickly clog up — especially if you are actively using SMS, messengers or get a lot of MMS with media files. When memory runs out, the phone starts to slow down, applications fly out, and new messages stop coming. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to clean messages on Redmi 7A, from basic to radical — with screenshots, warnings and life hacks.
It’s important to understand that simply deleting SMS through a standard Messages app doesn’t always solve the problem. Often there are hidden caches, temporary MMS files, and data from third-party messengers (like WhatsApp or Viber) that continue to take up space. We’ll look at not only obvious methods, but also little-known tricks – like how to clear memory through ADB or why factory resets don’t always help.
Why do messages take up so much space on the Redmi 7A?
At first glance, textual SMSes weigh crumbs, a few kilobytes, but in practice, memory is clogged for three key reasons:
- 📸 MMS One of these messages can weigh. 2–5 MB, and if there are hundreds of them, it's gigabytes. 7A By default, it saves all attachments to the folder /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Messenger.
- 🗑️ The Messages app cache stores thumbnails, previews and service data that are not cleared when deleted. SMS.
- 🔄 Duplicates and undeleted messages in case of failure or interrupted deletion SMS They can be stored as “ghost” files.
- 🤖 Service SMS Fees, balances or promotional mailings often accumulate over the years.
Another feature of the Redmi 7A is that there is no separate memory for messages. Unlike flagships, where SMS is stored in a dedicated partition, here they take up space in internal storage, competing with applications and photos, so even 1,000 SMS can eat up to 50-100 MB - critical for a model with 16 GB of memory.
Method 1: Manual removal through the standard Messages app
The most obvious method is to use the built-in Messages app (an envelope icon), but even here, there are nuances that will help free up more space.
Step-by-step:
- Open the Messages app.
- Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → select Settings.
- Go to Message Management → Clear Messages.
- Check the boxes: 📤 All right. SMS (or select individual dialogues). 🖼️ MMS And the investment is the hardest thing". 🗑️ Spam and promotional messages.
Delete
⚠️ Note: If you have Mi Cloud sync enabled, remote messages can stay in the cloud and reboot when you next connect to the Internet. SMS in the settings of the Xiaomi account.
☑️ What to Check Before Manual Removal
On Redmi 7A, manual removal through a standard application does not clear the MMS cache – it must be erased separately through the storage settings.
Method 2: Clearing the cache and data of the Messages application
Even after deleting all SMS, temporary files, logs and thumbnails can remain in memory, and can be erased through Android settings.
How to do this:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find Messages (or Messaging) in the list and tap on it.
- Choose Warehouse.
- Click Clear cache (it is safe – only temporary files will be deleted).
- If you need to completely reset the application, click Clear Data (⚠️ This will delete all messages, including unread ones!).
| Action. | What's removed | Restored after rebooting |
|---|---|---|
| Clear the cache | Temporary files, MMS thumbnails, logs | No. |
| Clear the data | All SMS/MMS settings, application settings | No (but can be recovered from the Mi Cloud) |
| Manual removal through the application | Only selected messages | Yes (if synchronization is enabled) |
💡 Useful advice: If after cleaning the cache memory is slightly freed, check the folder /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.mms/files It can be used through any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager) that may contain old attachments that are not automatically deleted.
Method 3: Using a file manager to search for junk files
Standard methods do not always remove hidden MMS files or duplicate SMS files, and manual search through the file manager will help.
Where to look:
- 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Messenger — All media files from here are stored. MMS.
- 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.mms — cache and service data.
- 📁 /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony — database SMS (available only with root rights).
How to clean:
- Install Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer (from Google Play).
- Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
- Follow the above steps and delete unnecessary files.
- The com.android.mms folder may require proof of superuser rights (if you have root).
⚠️ Note: Do not delete files with the.db or.db-journal extension in the com.android.providers.telephony folder – this may cause a malfunction. SMS. If you are not sure, it is better to use specialized utilities like SMS Backup & Restore.
How to Access System Folders Without Root
Method 4: Reset to factory settings (last chance)
If messages take up a critical amount of space and standard methods don’t work, hard reset remains, which will remove all data from your phone, including SMS, apps and settings, so use it only as a last resort.
How to reset:
- Back up important data (contacts, photos, messages) through Mi Cloud or manually.
- Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
- Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
- Enter a pattern lock or PIN-proof-code.
- Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).
⚠️ Important: On Redmi 7A After the discharge, the garbage may remain in the section. /data, If you've used custom firmware or root before, then only flashing through Fastboot will help.
💡
Factory resets don’t always clear up 100% of SMS memory. If you’ve used third-party messengers (like GO SMS) before, their cache may remain in memory.
Method 5: Alternative methods (for advanced users)
If you’re ready to go beyond standard solutions, here are a few advanced ways:
- 🔧 Use of the ADB. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands: adb shell pm clear com.android.mms adb shell rm -rf /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Messenger/* This will completely clear the cache and media files. MMS.
- 📱 Installation of custom core. Some firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) optimizes the work with the user. SMS and don't accumulate garbage.
- 🔄 Transfer SMS on SD-It's a map, and it's an application like this. SMS Backup & Restore can archive messages to an external drive.
💡 Advice: If you often get MMS, Install the Textra application SMS — It allows you to automatically clean old messages and compress attachments.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When clearing messages on Redmi 7A, users often make the following mistakes:
- 🚫 Only remove. SMS, but forget about MMS. Enclosures take up 10 to 100 times more space than text.
- 🔄 Do not disable sync with Mi Cloud. Deleted messages can be restored the next time you log in to your account.
- 📱 They use Google Play's "Memory Optimizers," and most of these apps are useless or even harmful -- they don't clean system files. SMS.
- 🔧 Reset settings without backup. Restore after hard reset SMS It's impossible without a backup.
⚠️ Warning: If the memory is still clogged after cleaning the messages, check the folder /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb — Sometimes temporary files from messengers masquerading as system data get there.