How to completely clean the memory of the Xiaomi Redmi 7A phone: from cache to system files

Xiaomi Redmi 7A

16 or 32 GB of internal memory

"Memory is full."

Android Go

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to clean memory on Redmi 7A, including hidden MIUI functions, working with system files and safe resetting, pay special attention to typical errors that lead to even more memory clogging, and give recommendations for prevention.

It is important to understand that simply removing unnecessary files is not enough. On the Xiaomi Redmi 7A, memory is clogged due to:

• 🗑️ App cache (especially Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) that can take up to 3-5 GB;
• 📁 System logs and dumps (/data/tombstones), which MIUI does not clean automatically;
• 📱 Duplicate photos and videos in folders DCIM/Thumbnails or Pictures/Screenshots;
• 🔄 Residual files after deleting applications (folder) /data/app-lib).

Before you start cleaning, check how much memory is occupied. Go to Settings → About Phone → Storage. If less than 1 GB is free, the system will slow down and some applications will refuse to update.

1. Cleaning the application cache and system

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications to speed up work. On Redmi 7A, it can take up to 40% of the total memory if not cleaned for months. Unlike user data, cache can be deleted without losing important information.

To clear the cache of individual applications:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Chrome or WhatsApp).
3. Click "Clear Cache" (not to be confused with "Clear Data"!).

To clean up all cached data:

• Go to Settings → Storage → Cleaning.
• Click "Clear Cache" (the system will show how much space will be freed).
• Confirm the action.

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If the applications are slowing down after cleaning the cache, that's OK, and after 1-2 days, the speed will be restored, as the system will regenerate the necessary temporary files.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of system applications like MIUI Security or Google Play Services manually through Settings → All applications. This can cause your smartphone to malfunction. Only use the built-in cleaning utility for them (Settings) → Warehouse).

2. Delete unnecessary applications and their residual files

Redmi 7A has a lot of Xiaomi and Google system apps that can’t be removed by standard means, but some can be disabled and some can be removed through ADB (for power users).

First, remove unnecessary user applications:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Sort the list by size (click on the filter icon in the upper right corner).
• 🗑️ Remove apps you don’t use (such as heavyweight games or messaging apps).

To remove pre-installed apps (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, Browser):

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Enable debugging over USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and use the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer (replace com.miui.videoplayer with the desired application package).

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⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications may disrupt the work MIUI. Before the procedure, create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup or Mi Cloud. If there are errors after deleting, restore the application with a command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.videoplayer

3. Hand-cleaning garbage folders

Even after the applications are removed, Redmi 7A still has its tails — folders with settings, logs, and temporary files — that can be found and manually removed through a file manager (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).

Where to look for garbage:

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from folders:

• /system – this can lead to a device bribing;
• /data/dalvik-cache – is responsible for optimizing applications.
• /data/system – contains critical MIUI settings.

4. Transfer data to a memory card or cloud

Xiaomi Redmi 7A supports microSD cards up to 256 GB, but not all data can be transferred to it. For example, most applications are installed by default in internal memory.

How to transfer data to a memory card:

• 📁 Open Mi File Manager (or any other file manager).
• 🔍 Select the files you want to transfer (for example, a folder) DCIM/Camera).
• 📤 Click "Move" and select a memory card (/storage/XXXX-XXXX).

To transfer applications to the memory card:

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

⚠️ Note: Not all applications support portability SD-If the "Change" option is inactive, it means the application is tied to the internal memory, and only forced transfer through the computer will help. ADB:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

(This will force the system to install new applications on the default memory card.)

The alternative is cloud storage:

• 📁 Google Photos – automatically uploads photos and videos to the cloud (you can turn on compression to save space).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud – 5GB free for backups (available in Settings) → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud).
• 🔗 Dropbox or Yandex Drive – convenient for storing documents.

Make sure the memory card is formatted as internal storage (if necessary) | Backup important files | Check free space on the memory card | Turn off automatic download of media in messengers-->

5.Use of built-in MIUI tools for cleaning

MIUI has several hidden deep memory cleaner tools that many users don’t use, such as the Deep Clean feature in the Security App that removes not only cache, but also unnecessary system files.

How to start a deep cleaning:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the "Cleanup" tab.
3. Press "Deep Clean" (bottom of the screen).
4. Select file categories to delete (e.g., "Residual Files" or "Large Files").
5. Confirm the cleanup.

Another useful tool is the "Storage Analysis":

• 📊 Go to Settings. → Warehouse → Analysis of the vault.
• 🔍 Wait until the scan is completed (may take a while). 1-2 minute).
• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files by category (e.g., "Duplicates of Photos" or "Unused Photos") APK").

On Xiaomi Redmi 7A, the Storage Analysis feature often skips the /data/log folder, where system logs up to 500 MB are stored. To clean it, use the root file manager or ADB command: adb shell rm -rf /data/log/*

There is also an automatic cleaning system in MIUI:

• 🤖 Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity → Cleanup.
• 🔄 Turn on the Auto Clean option and set up a schedule (e.g. once a week).

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The built-in MIUI tools are safer than manual cleaning because they don’t affect critical system files, but they don’t remove debris from /data/app-lib and /data/tombstones folders — you’ll have to do it manually.

6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of these methods worked, and the Redmi 7A has less than 500MB of space left, you'll have to do a full reset, which will delete all the data, including apps, photos and settings, but return the phone to its original state.

How to reset your settings:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select "Settings Reset."
4. Confirm the action (you will need to enter a pattern lock or PIN).
5. Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Attention:

• Once reset, the Redmi 7A will run faster, but all data will be lost.
• If the phone is not turning on or hanging on the MIUI logo, you can reset via Recovery: Turn off the phone. Press the power button + volume button before the logo appears. Select Wipe Data (control - volume buttons, confirmation - power button).

After discharge:

• 📱 Don’t restore all applications at once – install only the necessary ones.
• 🔄 Turn off automatic download of media in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
• ☁️ Set up automatic photo uploads in Google Photos or Mi Cloud.

7.Memory clogging prevention on Xiaomi Redmi 7A

To avoid having to clear your memory every month, follow these guidelines:

• 📵 Delete. APK-files after installing applications (they remain in the Download folder).
• 📸 Clear the file. DCIM/.thumbnails time 2-3 Weeks (miniatures take up to a week) 1 GB).
• 🎮 Do not store games with a lot of weight (for example, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty are taking over 2-4 GB).
• 🔄 Turn off auto-update apps in Google Play (or configure the Wi-Fi-only update).
• 📂 Use a memory card to store multimedia (photos, videos, music).