How to completely clean the “Other” section on Xiaomi Redmi 7: a step-by-step guide

The "Other" section in Xiaomi Redmi 7's memory is a real black hole for users, which takes up gigabytes of space, but does not show which files are stored inside, most often there are remnants of deleted applications, cache of system processes, temporary MIUI files and debris from updates. If your smartphone slows down and the free space melts away, the problem is in this section.

Unlike the new Redmi models with MIUI 14+, where the system itself offers cleaning tools, owners of Redmi 7 (2019) have to act manually. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods, including hidden MIUI features, that will help return up to 3-7 GB of free space without resetting to factory settings.

Why the Others section is growing on Redmi 7

On Redmi 7 with MIUI 10-12 (Android 9 Pie) factory firmware, the Other section is clogged for three key reasons:

• 📱 Remnants of Remote Applications: MIUI It doesn't always completely erase data after it's uninstalled. /data/data/ and /sdcard/Android/obb/ They are still "tails" of the size of 1–2 GB.
• 🗑️ System Process Cache:.thumbnails,.log and.tmp files from Google Services, Mi Account and Background Synchronization.
• 🔄 File system errors: After updates MIUI through OTA or resets there are “broken” links to files that take up space but do not appear in the Explorer.

Another feature of Redmi 7 is the separation of memory into "Inner" and "Inner" memory «SD-The system often transfers temporary files to the Others section on the internal drive, even if a microSD is installed.This is due to the limitations of Android 9 and the Snapdragon 632 processor architecture.

⚠️ Attention: If the "Other" section is filled again in 1-2 days after cleaning, the problem is in the background activity of the applications. → Battery → Battery use and disable auto-start for suspicious services.

Method 1: Cleaning up cache and debris through built-in MIUI tools

Start with the basic techniques that don’t require root or third-party utilities. MIUI for Redmi 7 has hidden cleaning features that many users miss:

1. Cleaning the app cache: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management, select the "All" tab and sort by size. Click on any app → Warehouse → Clear the cache. Repeat for top.-10 «heavy-duty.
2. Delete temporary files: Open the standard Security (shield icon) → Cleanup → Deep Cleanup. Here MIUI will show hidden files that are not visible in the Explorer. Pay special attention to the items "Residual files" and "Large files".
3. Downloads: Many files in the Others section are failed downloads or interrupted updates. Go to Settings → Apps → Downloads → Storage → Delete Data.

After this, restart your smartphone. If the "Other" partition is reduced by less than 1 GB, move to the next method.

Backup important files | Check free space in Settings → Storage | Disable auto-update apps in Play Market | Charge your phone at least 50%-->

Method 2: Manually remove hidden folders (without root)

Some files in the Others section are stored in hidden folders that are not displayed in the standard MIUI Explorer. To see them, you will need a third-party file manager, such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer (turn on the display of hidden files in the settings).

Follow the following paths and delete the contents of the folders (but not the folders themselves!):

• 📁 /sdcard/.thumbnails — Images and videos (can weigh up to a maximum of two) 500 MB).
• 📁 /sdcard/Android/data/ — Remnants of deleted applications. Delete folders with uninstalled program names.
• 📁 /sdcard/MIUI/backup/ — backup MIUI, which are automatically created when updating.
• 📁 /sdcard/Download/.temp — download-file.

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders /sdcard/Android/obb/ It's full, it stores game data. Only delete files with the.tmp extension or from old games you haven't run in a long time.

If you try to delete the error "File is busy", restart the phone in Safe Mode (press the power button → long tap on "Stop" → "Reboot in safe mode") and try again.

Method 3: Using ADB for deep cleaning (advanced)

If previous methods didn’t work, connect Redmi 7 to your computer and use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to remove system debris.This method doesn’t require root, but requires minimal command-line skills.

Download Google’s Platform Tools, unpack the archive and execute the commands:

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "data/app/" | cut -d= -f2 | xargs -I {} adb shell pm clear {}


adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*




adb shell rm -rf /data/log/*

These teams:

• Clear the cache of all user applications (similar to manual cleaning, but faster).
• Delete temporary files from /data/local/tmp.
• Delete the system logs in /data/log (they take up to 100-300 MB).

⚠️ Note: Do not use the command adb shell rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/ — It's going to crash the system and require a flashing. 7 Dalvik cache clears automatically when restarted.

After completing the commands, restart the phone. Check the “Other” section in Settings → Storage – it should decrease by 1-3 GB.

Built-in tools MIUI|Hand-cleaning folders|ADB-team|Reset to factory settings|I've tried nothing.-->

Method 4: Recovery Mode cache reset (without data loss)

Redmi 7 has a hidden cache reset feature via Recovery Mode that doesn’t affect user data but removes system debris.This method is useful if the Others section is clogged due to MIUI update errors.

Follow the following steps:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (volume buttons) and tap on Wipe & Reset.
4. Select Wipe Cache (not Wipe All Data!)
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 2-5 minutes).
6. Restart your phone through Reboot → System.

This method removes:

• 🗃️ Cash updates. MIUI (folder /cache).
• 📜 Logs of the kernel and system processes.
• 🔄 Temporary files of the application installer.

After resetting the cache, check the “Other” section – it should be reduced by 500 MB-1.5 GB. If the changes are minor, the problem lies in user data (see Method 5).

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If you cache it, it takes longer to load, it's OK. MIUI restores the optimized application data (dex2oat), wait 10 to 15 minutes after the first download, and the speed will return to normal.

Method 5: Complete reset to factory settings (last resort)

If all the previous methods didn't work, and the "Other" partition takes more than 5 GB, there's only a complete reset. On Redmi 7, there are two ways to do this:

For reset via Settings:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
3. Enter your password (if installed) and confirm.

For reset via Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power + the volume up.
3. Select Wipe All Data (not Wipe Cache!).
4. Confirm and wait for completion.

⚠️ Note: After resetting, Redmi 7 may require you to enter a Mi Account if you previously activated the Find Device function. Make sure you remember your login and password, or disable the binding in advance in Settings → Xiaomi account → Find Device.

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Before resetting, be sure to remove SD-map SIM-map. MIUI Sometimes formats removable drives along with internal memory if they have been encrypted.

How to prevent the “Other” section from being refilled

To prevent the “Other” section from growing again, follow these rules:

• 🔄 Turn off auto-update MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙️) → Auto-update and select "Off." Manually update every 2-3 months.
• 📱 Limit background activity: In Settings → Battery → Battery use disable auto-run for underutilized applications (especially instant messengers and social networks).
• 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly: Launch Security once a week → Cleanup → Deep cleaning.
• 🔍 Use lighter alternatives: Replace “heavy” apps (such as Facebook or Instagram) with web versions or lighter versions (Facebook Lite, Instagram Lite).

If you install/remove games frequently, use the SD-The card is an internal memory (format it through Settings). → Warehouse → SD-map → Set it up as internal. This will transfer some of the garbage from the internal drive to the removable one.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning "Other" on Redmi 7