Memory cleanup Xiaomi Redmi 7A: from cache to complete reset

Xiaomi Redmi 7A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its 16 or 32 GB of internal memory is quickly clogged with garbage. If your phone starts to slow down, issue notifications about space shortages or spontaneously close applications, it’s time to clean up. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to free up memory, from simple to radical, taking into account the features of MIUI and the hardware limitations of the Redmi 7A.

It’s important to understand: Redmi 7A runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 processor with 2GB of RAM, so even 500MB of free space may not be enough to run smoothly.We won’t advise “just delete unnecessary files” – instead, show how to find and remove hidden debris that takes up gigabytes but isn’t visible in a standard conductor.

All methods in this article are tested on Redmi 7A with MIUI 12.5 and Android 9 Pie, but they are also suitable for other versions of the firmware. If you have custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), some points may differ, we will warn you about this separately.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly eats memory?

Before you clean it, you need to figure out which files are taking up space. MIUI has a built-in memory analyzer, but it doesn't always show the full picture. Here's how to get accurate data:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Click on the “Occupied” chart – the detailing by category (Applications, Images, Videos, etc.) will open.
3. Tap any category (e.g. System Data) to see specific files.

Pay attention to the following memory eaters:

• 📁 Cash applications - can take up to 3-5 GB (especially messengers and social networks).
• 🎬 Video in the video Telegram/WhatsApp — automatically downloaded to the Download folder.
• 📱 Residual files after deleting applications (folder) Android/obb).
• 🔄 Backup copies MIUI — Created when the system is updated (folder) MIUI/backup).
• 📊 Logs and dumps of the system - take up to 1 GB (folder logs).

If the built-in analyzer shows that System Data is over 4 GB, that’s a reason to go deep (see section 4). Also check the DCIM/.thumbnails folder, which stores thumbnails of photos that can weigh up to 500 MB.

2.Cache cleanup: A quick way to free up 1-3GB

Cache is a temporary file that apps create to speed up work, and over time, it accumulates and can take up to 20% of the total memory of the phone. On Redmi 7A, the cache is cleaned in two ways:

Method 1: Clearing the cache for individual applications

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook or YouTube).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

Pay special attention to the following applications (they usually accumulate the most cache):

• 📺 YouTube (cash video)
• 💬 Telegram/WhatsApp (mediafiles)
• 🎮 Games (PUBG Mobile, Free Fire)
• 🌐 Browsers (Chrome, MIUI Browser)

Method 2: Mass cleaning of the cache

If you clean each application separately for a long time, use the built-in MIUI function:

1. Open Security → Cleaning (icon with broomstick).
2. Click Deep Cleanse → select Cash.
3. Confirm the action – the system will remove the cache of all applications at once.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Clear cache and Clear data! The second option will delete all application settings (such as logins and passwords) and you'll have to reconfigure it.

3. Deletion of unnecessary files and “digital garbage”

Even if you delete photos and videos regularly, Redmi 7A still has files you don't know you're in.

Folders that can be safely cleaned

To access these folders, use any file manager (e.g., built-in MI File Manager or Total Commander) to see hidden folders (starting from a dot, such as.thumbnails), enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.

How to remove duplicate photos and videos

MIUI has a built-in tool for finding duplicates:

1. Open the gallery → Albums → Duplicates.
2. Select files to delete and click Delete.

If the built-in tool doesn’t find duplicates, install a third-party app like Files by Google or CCleaner.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from the folder Android/data manually, this can cause app malfunctions. To clean this folder, use only the built-in features or the application settings themselves.

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Before you delete files, plug your phone into your computer and back up your DCIM and Download folders to your hard drive, which will take 5-10 minutes, but save you from accidental data loss.

4.Deep cleaning: removal of system debris and residual files

If there is still little space left after cleaning up the cache and unnecessary files, it is time to take drastic measures, which take longer, but allow you to free up to 5-7 GB on the Redmi 7A.

Method 1: Removing Residual Files from Remote Applications

When you delete an app through Play Market or Settings, its main files disappear, but the residual data often stays in folders:

• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/[packet]
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/[packet]

To remove them:

1. Install SD Maid (requires root rights) or Files by Google (works without root).
2. Run the scan on "Residual Files" (CorpseFinder in SD Maid).
3. Remove all files from long-deleted applications.

Method 2: Cleaning Dalvik cache (requires recovery)

Dalvik cache is a temporary file of the Android virtual machine, which sometimes “swell” up to 1-2 GB.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (not to be confused with Wipe Data!).
4. Reboot the phone.

This method doesn't delete user data, but it can speed up the system, and once cleaned, the first application run will be longer than usual -- that's fine.

Method 3: Remove Unnecessary Language Packages

MIUI defaults to language packs for all supported languages that take up to 500MB. If you only need Russian and English, the rest can be removed:

1. Install MoreLocale 2 from the Play Market.
2. Open the app and select only the languages you want.
3. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete language packets through the file manager - this can cause system failure.

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Deep cleaning can free up to 30% of memory, but it requires caution. Always back up before deleting system files.

5. Transfer data to a memory card or cloud

If internal memory is severely lacking, some of the data can be transferred to a microSD (up to 256 GB) or to the cloud. Redmi 7A supports adoptable storage, a feature that allows you to use the memory card as part of internal memory.

How to make a memory card internal storage

This method allows you to "expand" internal memory due to microSD, but has nuances:

• ✅ The card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
• ❌ Not all cards support this function (a class of 10 or more is required). UHS-I).
• ⚠️ When you remove the map, the application will stop working on it.

Instructions:

1. Put the memory card in the phone.
2. Go to Settings → Storage → SD card.
3. Press Three Dots → Settings → Format as an internal storage.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (the process will take 5-10 minutes).

Transfer applications to memory card

Not all apps support SD portability, but those that do can be moved as follows:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Spotify).
3. Click Warehouse → Change → SD Card.

Automatic uploading of photos to the cloud

If you’re actively taking photos, enable automatic uploading to Google Photos or Mi Cloud:

• 📷 Google Photos: Settings → Backup and synchronization.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery.

After downloading the originals can be removed from the phone, leaving only thumbnails.

6. Radical methods: reset to factory settings

If all previous methods failed and the Redmi 7A has less than 1 GB of free space, it leaves a complete reset.

• 📱 Applications and their settings
• 📂 Photos, videos, music
• 📋 Contacts, SMS, call-book
• 🔐 Wi-Fi passwords and accounts

Before resetting, make a backup copy:

1. Connect your phone to your computer and copy the DCIM, Download, Documents folders.
2. Save your contacts to your Google Account or export them to your VCF file.
3. Write down Wi-Fi passwords (you can take a picture of the network list in Settings → Wi-Fi).

How to Reset Through Settings

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.

How to Reset Yourself Through Recovery Mode

If your phone is slowing down and does not respond to commands, use this method:

1. Turn off Redmi 7A.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (control – volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
4. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

Once reset, the phone will look like new.

• 🔄 Recover data from backup.
• 🔒 Set up a Google Account and Mi Account.
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (such as Avast or Dr.Web).

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 7A The reset to the factory settings may take up to 15-20 Do not interrupt the process, even if the phone seems to be "hanging." If the battery is dead during the reset, plug in the charger and wait for the automatic restart.

7.Prevention: How to prevent memory filling

To avoid having to clean your memory regularly, follow these rules:

• 📵 Turn off auto download media in messengers: Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Autoboot media → Choose Never. WhatsApp: Settings → Warehouse → Autoboot media → disconnect for mobile data.
• 🗑️ Set up automatic cleaning: In Settings → Warehouse → Clean up enable Auto Cleanup. Install Files by Google and enable notifications for unnecessary files.
• 📱 Remove Unused Apps: Check the App List once a month in Settings → Annexes → Recently used. Remove preinstalled applications MIUI, which you do not use (e.g. Mi Music, Mi Video).
• 🔄 Update the firmware: In new versions MIUI Optimized memory. Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

It is also useful to disable the system animation to reduce the memory load:

1. Turn on Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find the items Animation Scale, Transition Animation and Animator Duration – set the value to Disable.

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Regular prevention saves time: 10 minutes a month to clean up will save you hours of battling with clogged memory.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Redmi memory 7A