The Xiaomi Redmi 7, released in 2019, is still a popular budget smartphone due to its balanced specs. However, its main drawback is only 32 or 64 GB of internal memory, from which the user can access 5-10 GB less due to the preinstalled MIUI firmware. If your phone constantly gives a notification โNot enough memory to updateโ or applications begin to โfly outโ, itโs time to act.
In this article, 10 proven ways to free up space on Redmi 7, from the standard (cache deletion, file transfer) to the little-known (clean dalvik-cache, disable bloatware via ADB). We also compare the effectiveness of each method in the table and tell you what actions can harm your device. Let's start with the simplest!
1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly "eats" memory?
Before you clean, you need to know which files are taking up the most space. On Redmi 7, you can do this in two ways:
- ๐ Built-in utility "Storage" in Settings โ Memory. Shows categorization (applications, media, systems) Minus doesn't detail specific folders.
- ๐ Third-party analyzers, such as Files by Google or SD Maid. They visualize "heavy" files (for example, uploaded videos to Telegram or TikTok cache).
Typical memory eaters on Redmi 7:
- ๐ฎ Games: PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact can weigh in 2-4 GB each (plus cache!).
- ๐ธ Photo/video in DCIM/Camera: Even if you deleted them, they could still be in the.thumbnails folder.
- ๐๏ธ App cache: Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accumulate to 1-3 GB of garbage.
- ๐ฅ Downloads: APK-files, documents and archives from Telegram/WhatsApp.
โ ๏ธ Note: If the System section is more than 15 GB occupied, this may be due to updates MIUI, The solution is in section 5.
2.Cleaning the app cache: Quick and secure
Cache is a temporary file that speeds up programs but eventually turns into digital junk, and on Redmi 7, you can delete it in three ways:
- Through the App Settings: Open Settings โ Annexes โ App management. Select an app (like Chrome), click Storage โ Clear the cache. ๐ Frees up 500MB-2GB, but the cache will start to accumulate again.
- Mass cleaning: Go to Settings โ Memory โ Clean (basket icon). The system will prompt you to delete the cache of all applications at once.
- Through Recovery: If the phone is slowing down, press Power + Volume up, select Wipe Cache Partition.This won't delete personal data, but will clear the system cache.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Don't confuse Clear cache and Clear data! The second action will reset the app settings (e.g., log out of your WhatsApp account).
โ๏ธ Cleaning the cache without risk
3. Removing unnecessary files: where to look for garbage?
Even if you clean the gallery regularly, Redmi 7 still has hidden folders of trash.
| Folder/segment | What it keeps. | How to clean up | Potential savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| /DCIM/.thumbnails | Photo/video miniatures | Remove manually through the file manager | 100-500 MB |
| /Download | APK, PDF, archives | Sort by date, remove the old ones | 500 MB-3 GB |
| /Android/data | Cash and game/application data | Delete folders of remote applications | 1-5 GB |
| /MIUI/backup | Backup copies of MIUI | Remove old backups (if not needed) | 200 MB-1 GB |
For convenience, use a root file manager (like Solid Explorer) to see hidden folders. Alternatively, connect your phone to your PC and view content through Windows Explorer.
Preventive tip: Set up automatic cleaning in Google Files (Clean up section) and the app will delete unnecessary files (such as duplicate photos) once a week.
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If you can't find the /Android/data folder, connect your phone to your PC and turn on File Transfer (MTP) mode. In Windows, it will be visible as Internal Storage/Android/data.
4. Data transfer to SD-Map: How to do it right?
Redmi 7 supports microSD up to 256 GB, but the data port has nuances:
- ๐ฑ Appendices: Only a part of the programs can be transferred to the map (option Move to the map) SD Many games (such as Call of Duty Mobile) do not support this.
- ๐ Photo/Video: In camera settings (Camera settings) โ Storage) select Memory Map. Note that the write speed is cheap. SD-The cards may be lower!
- ๐ต Music: In Google Play Music or MIUI Music Specify the path to the memory card in the settings.
Important point: If you use the card as your internal memory (a formatting option), it will become part of the system and it cannot be retrieved without losing data, and this mode also speeds up the wear and tear of the card.
โ ๏ธ Note: Not all applications work with SD-For example, WhatsApp may not save media files to the memory card in the background.
What to do if your phone canโt see SD-map?
5. System garbage cleanup: updates, logs and dalvik-cache
MIUI accumulates invisible debris that doesn't show up in a standard storage facility, and here's how to find it and remove it:
- ๐๏ธ folder /cache: Contains temporary update files. Cleared through Recovery (wipe cache partition).
- ๐ Logs of the system (/data/log): Files with the.log or.txt extension can be manually deleted (root rights required).
- ๐ Dalvik-cache (/data/dalvik-cache): The cache of the Android virtual machine is only cleared through custom recovery (for example, the cache of the Android virtual machine, TWRP) or command: adb shell su -c "rm -r /data/dalvik-cache/*"
- ๐ฆ Remains of updates MIUI: folder /data/ota_package It stores firmware files. Delete them if you're not planning to roll back.
Warning: Deleting files from /data or /system without root permissions can cause system failure. If you are not sure, use secure methods (sections 1-4).
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Cleaning dalvik-cache will speed up the phone, but requires a reboot. After the procedure, the first launches of the application will be slower (the cache will be rebuilt).
6. Disabling and removing pre-installed applications (bloatware)
Xiaomi is known for a large number of pre-installed applications, many of which cannot be removed by standard means.
- Disable: Go to Settings โ Applications โ App management, select the unnecessary (such as Mi Video or Mi Pay) and click Disable. This will stop it working and free up some of the memory.
- Remove through ADB: Connect your phone to your PC, turn on Debugging. USB (Settings โ The phone. โ Version. MIUI, slip 7 time; then settings โ Additionally. โ For developers) and execute: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.videoplayer (replace com.xiaomi.videoplayer with the desired application package). ๐น List of safe packets to remove: com.miui.videoplayer, com.xiaomi.payment, com.miui.analytics.
Risks: Removing system applications (e.g. com.android.phone) can make your phone down. Always check packets before you delete them!
โ ๏ธ Attention: After update MIUI Disabled applications can be activated again. Check their status after each update.
7.Reset to factory settings: a last resort
If none of these methods worked, and there's less than 1 GB of free memory left, you'll have to do a hard reset, which will delete all the data, including photos, messages and installed apps.
Step-by-step:
- Back up important files (for example, via Mi Cloud or Google Drive).
- Go to Settings โ About the phone โ Reset settings.
- Select Reset all settings and confirm the action.
- Once rebooted, the phone will be like new. Restore data from the backup selectively (don't copy old cache and unnecessary files!).
Alternative: If the phone is slowing down but there is enough memory, try Wipe Cache Partition in Recovery (does not delete personal data).
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Resetting to factory settings is the only way to remove fragmented system files that accumulate after multiple MIUI updates.
8.Prevention: How to avoid memory filling in the future?
To avoid going back to cleaning every week, follow these rules:
- ๐ฒ Set up automatic cleanup: In Google Files, enable the Auto Clean option to delete unnecessary files.
- ๐ซ Limit cache for individual apps: For example, on YouTube, set video quality โ Saving traffic.
- โ๏ธ Use cloud storage: Set up an automatic photo upload in Google Photos (Section "Backupsยป).
- ๐ Update regularly MIUI: New versions optimize memory management (but release at least 3GB before upgrade!).
Hidden feature: MIUI 12+ has a feature called Easy Mode (Settings โ Special Features) that reduces memory consumption by making it easier to use.
If you install/remove games frequently, consider buying a Redmi 7 with 64GB of storage or use it. SD-class A2 (It works faster with applications).