Memory cleanup Xiaomi Redmi 7: from cache to deep reset

Why Redmi 7 is fast filling memory and how to fix it

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 7 often face the problem of lack of internal memory, despite the declared 32/64 GB. The fact that the MIUI system reserves up to 8-12 GB for their needs, and user files, app cache and updates quickly eat up the remaining space.

The main memory eaters on Redmi 7: app cache (can take up to 5-7 GB), junk files after updates, duplicate photos / videos (automatically created by some applications), as well as unoptimized MIUI settings that save temporary data longer than necessary. If your phone gives a notification “Memory is full” with free 2-3 GB – this is a signal that it is time to conduct a deep clean.

In this article, we will discuss the unique memory release methods for Redmi 7, including hidden MIUI functions that are not dokumented in the official instructions. You will learn how to safely delete unnecessary data to 15-20 GB without losing photos or contacts, as well as how to transfer applications to the SD- card (yes, this is possible even on stock firmware!).

1. Quick cleaning: cache and junk files

Start with the simplest thing: deleting cache and temporary files. On Redmi 7, you can do this in two ways: through the built-in Security app or manually for each application. The first method clears up to 1-3 GB at a time, but doesn't affect deep system files.

How to clear the cache through “Security”:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the "Cleaning" tab» → «Garbage».
3. Click on “Deep Clean” and wait for analysis.
4. Tag all items and click Clear (don’t be afraid to delete Residual Files – it’s safe).

Note

For manual cleaning:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort the apps by size (click on the three dots in the top right corner → “By size”).
3. Open each of the TOP-10 apps and click on Clear Cache and Clear Data (Warning: Cleaning up the data will remove the app settings!).

📁 Cache Google Play Services (up to 1GB)

📁 Temporary Telegram files (/storage/emulated/0/Telegram/Telegram Images)

📁 Download folder (downloads from the browser)

📁 Cash MIUI Gallery (folder.thumbnails)

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Warning: Do not clear the cache of system applications with the names com.android. or com.miui. – this can cause MIUI to malfunction. Also do not delete the MIUI folder in the root directory – it contains important firmware files.

2 Transfer applications to the SD- card (even if the system says "can't")

Officially, Redmi 7 does not support transferring applications to the SD- card in the "Adoptable Storage" mode (as internal memory), but there is a workaround through ADB. This method works on the stock MIUI and allows you to transfer up to 60-70% of user applications.

What you'll need:

• 📱 Redmi 7 with unlocked Developer Options (activated by 7-fold tap on Settings → About Phone → MIUI version).
• 💻 Computer with ADB- Drivers installed (you can download from Xiaomi website).
• 📁 SD- Class 10 card with a volume of at least 32 GB (preferably 64 GB), formatted in FAT32.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB, select File Transfer mode.
2. Open the Windows command line or the Mac/Linux terminal and type in: adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true pm set-install-location 2
3. Restart your phone. Now, when you install new apps, the system will suggest you move them to the SD- card.
4. For already installed applications: Settings → Applications → [select application] → Storage → Change → SD- card.

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If the apps stop working after the transfer, try turning off the option “Battery Saving” for them in the MIUI settings. This is due to the memory management features on Redmi 7 with a Snapdragon 632 processor.

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3. Removal of duplicates and optimization of photo/video

Photos and videos take up the lion’s share of memory on Redmi 7, especially if you’re a camera user, and the problem is compounded by the fact that many apps (like WhatsApp or VK) automatically save copies of uploaded media files to the DCIM/.thumbnails or Pictures folder.

How to find and remove duplicates:

• 🔍 Use the Files by Google app (free in Play Market) and it automatically finds duplicates, blurred images and screenshots.
• 📂 Manually check folders: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera — main photos /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/Screenshots — screenshots /storage/emulated/0/Telegram/Telegram Images — Telegram media /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/Media — WhatsApp media
• 🗑️ Delete the.thumbnails folder, which contains thumbnails of photos that the system automatically generates (they are restored the next time you view the gallery).

Optimization of photo storage:

• 📱 Enable Storage Optimization in Google Photos: Settings → Free up space. This will delete local copies of the photos, leaving them in the cloud.
• 🔄 Transfer all photos/videos over 1 year old to a SD- map or cloud (Yandex Drive gives 10GB for free).
• 🎥 Reduce the resolution of video in the camera: Open the camera → Settings → Video resolution → 720p (saves up to 50% of the space).

4. Hidden MIUI functions for memory release

Xiaomi has built into MIUI a few hidden tools that are not visible in the main menu, but can free up to 2-4 GB of memory, which are available through Developer Mode or special commands.

Ways to activate hidden functions:

⚠️ Warning: Disabling MIUI Optimization may cause some features (such as gestures or design themes) to function unstable. If lags appear after cleaning, return the setting to its original state.

Another hidden trick is to force the cache of system applications to be cleared through ADB, so connect your phone to your PC and execute the command:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.home

This command will clear the MIUI launcher cache, which often inflates to 500-700 MB. Similarly, you can clear the cache of other system applications by replacing com.miui.home with:

• com.android.providers.media – media storage
• com.miui.gallery - gallery
• com.android.dialer - phone

5.Deep cleaning: reset to factory settings

If all previous methods failed and the Redmi 7 has less than 1 GB of free memory, you’ll have to resort to a hard reset, which removes ALL data from your phone, including photos, apps and settings, so back up first.

How to Reset Redmi 7:

1. Save important data: 📱 Contacts: export to Settings → System and Device → Backup → Local Backup. 📷 Photo/video: copy to a PC or SD- card. 🔑 Passwords: check if they are synced with Google Account.

Perform the reset.

• Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Erase all data.
• Select “Erase internal memory” (this will delete everything, including files on the internal drive).
• Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: After resetting, Redmi 7 can "hang" on the MI logo for 10-15 minutes - that's OK. Don't turn off the phone and remove the battery! If the boot lasts more than 30 minutes, repeat the reset via Recovery (press Power + Volume up when the phone is off).

What to do after the discharge:

• 📱 Don't restore data from the backup of MIUI -- it may contain junk files. It's better to transfer only contacts and photos manually.
• 🔄 Don't install all the apps at once. Start with the most essentials (messaging apps, banking apps) and keep an eye on the available space.
• 📁 Set up automatic photo/video saving on the SD-map: Camera → Settings → Save Place → SD-map.

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After reset, Redmi 7 automatically reserves 3-5 GB for system needs. To avoid this, immediately after the first setup, turn off automatic application updates in the Play Market and limit the background activity of applications in the battery settings.

6.Alternative methods: cloud storage and external drives

If internal memory is catastrophically lacking, and you do not want to reset, consider options with external drives. Redmi 7 supports SD- cards up to 256 GB, as well as OTG- drives (flash drives via adapter).

How to connect the OTG-drive:

• 🔌 Buy a OTG- adapter (costs 100-200 RUB) with a USB-C connector (for Redmi 7).
• 📁 Connect the flash drive to the adapter and the adapter to the phone, and the notifications will show the message "USB- drive connected."
• 📂 Open the MIUI File Manager and move the files to the flash drive manually.

Cloud storage for Redmi 7:

How to set up automatic uploading of photos to the cloud:

1. Install Google Photos or Yandex Drive.
2. In the application settings, turn on “Autoboot”.
3. Select “Download only over Wi-Fi” to avoid wasting mobile traffic.
4. In Google Photos, activate “Free space” after downloading.

7 Prevention: How to Prevent Memory Filling in the Future

To prevent the memory problem from recurring on Redmi 7, follow these rules:

Monthly maintenance:

• 📅 Once a month, clean the cache through “Security” → “Cleanup.”
• 📂 Check the Download folder and delete unnecessary downloads.
• 🔄 Update your apps only over Wi-Fi (in Play Market, turn off auto-update over mobile).

MIUI settings to save memory:

• 🚫 Turn off "Download MMS" in Messages.
• 📵 Limit the background activity of applications: Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery management → Choice of applications.
• 🎵 Turn off music caching in Spotify/Yandex Music or reduce its size.

Applications that will help you control memory:

• Files by Google – analyzes and cleanses garbage.
• SD Maid – Finds residual files after deleting applications.
• CCleaner optimizes cache and temporary files.

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If you shoot videos frequently, set up Redmi 7’s automatic file separation into 2GB pieces. This will make it easier to move and edit: Camera → Settings → Video file size → 2GB.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Redmi memory 7