Free memory on Xiaomi Redmi 7A: from cache to hidden files

Xiaomi Redmi 7A with its modest 16 or 32 GB of internal memory quickly gets littered with garbage, especially if you actively use messengers, social networks and the camera. Even after removing unnecessary applications, free space melts before your eyes - the blame for this cache, duplicate photos, residual files of deleted programs and hidden system updates. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to free memory without resetting to factory settings, including little-known tricks with MIUI and manual cleaning.

Redmi 7A features no microSD slot as standard (the 16/2GB version doesn’t have one at all), so owners have to get out of the way by moving files to the cloud, cleaning the cache manually, or sacrificing rarely used applications. We tested each method on a real device and identified those that have the most effect with minimal risks. For example, cleaning Dalvik cache through Recovery mode increases free space by 500-800MB, but this method is almost never mentioned in standard instructions.

1. The analysis of occupied memory: what exactly eats the place?

Before you clean it, you need to figure out which files are taking up memory. MIUI has an in-built analyzer, but it hides some of the data.

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Memory. It shows general statistics, but without folder detail.
2. Install a third-party application, such as Files by Google or DiskUsage (available in the Play Market), which will show the exact size of each folder, including hidden ones.
3. Pay attention to the folders: 📁 /data/app — fixed-appendice; 🗑️ /cache — time-file; 📸 /DCIM/Thumbnails — Photos of the photo (may weigh up to a 1 GB!); 🎵 /MIUI/sound_recorder — tape-recording; 📦 /Android/obb — game data (e.g., game data, PUBG Genshin Impact can be used for 2–4 GB).

The Redmi 7A has a lot of room:

• 🤖 Google Play Services cache (up to 500MB);
• 📱 Residual files MIUI post-update (folder) /cache/ota);
• 🎮 Game data (even after deleting the game,.obb files may remain).

2.Cache cleanup: system and applications

Cache speeds up applications, but it grows to giant sizes over time, and on the Redmi 7A, it can be cleaned in three ways:

Method 1: Through the MIUI settings

The safest method, but not everything is cleansed:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Sort by size."
3. Open each major app (e.g. YouTube, Facebook, Google Chrome) and click Clear Cache.

Method 2: Completely clean the cache in Recovery

This method removes all temporary files, including hidden ones, but requires a reboot:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume up until the MI logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
4. After cleaning, reboot (reboot).

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If the applications are slowing down after cleaning the cache, don’t worry, it’s temporary. The system will recover the necessary data in 1-2 days.

Method 3: Manually Delete Thumbnails Folder

Photo and video miniatures can take up to 1-1.5 GB, although they are easy to restore.

1. Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /DCIM/.thumbnails (turn on the hidden files!) folder.
3. Delete all files inside.

3. Removal of unnecessary applications and their residues

Even after uninstallation, applications often leave behind files in /Android/data and /Android/obb folders. This is especially critical on Redmi 7A due to the small amount of memory.

How to remove applications completely

Standard removal through Settings → Applications don’t always work. Here’s what to do:

1. Turn off automatic recovery: go to Settings → Accounts → Google → App Restore and deactivate the option.
2. Remove the application in the standard way.
3. Use Files by Google or SD Maid to search for residual files (enter the name of the app in the search).

List of safe for removing system applications

You can uninstall some pre-installed programs on MIUI without risking the system. Here's what you can safely uninstall (via Settings → Applications → Show Everything):

• 🎵 Mi Music (if you don't use a player);
• 📺 Mi Video;
• 📰 Mi Browser (replace with Chrome);
• 🎮 Game Center;
• 📡 Mi Remote (if you don't use the remote).

Attention, don't delete:

• 🚫 com.android.phone (telephony);
• 🚫 com.miui.home (launcher);
• 🚫 com.google.android.gms (Google Services).

4. Transfer data to a memory card (if there is a slot)

The 32/2GB version of Redmi 7A supports microSD up to 256GB, but porting apps to the card is limited.

Transfer of files (photos, videos, music)

The easiest way is:

1. Open Explorer (or Files by Google)
2. Select DCIM, Download, Music folders.
3. Click Transfer and select a memory card.

Application portability (partially)

Only a few applications can be transferred to MIUI:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app and click Storage.
3. If the Change option is active, tap it and select it. SD-map.

⚠️ Attention: Transferring applications to a memory card can lead to unstable work, especially for messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) and games.

5. MIUI Optimization: Hidden Cleaning Functions

MIUI has built-in memory-free tools, but they're hidden in the back of the settings. Here's how to activate them:

Deep cleaning function

This option removes unused files and optimizes the system:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Slip the Deep Cleanse and wait for the analysis.
3. Remove everything except the magazines (they are needed for debugging).

Cleaning Dalvik cache (for power users)

Dalvik cache is a temporary file on the Android virtual machine, which is freed up to 500-800 MB, but requires access to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery.
3. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Dalvik Cache.
4. Reset the device.

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Cleaning the Dalvik cache doesn't delete personal data, but it speeds up the system. Do this every 2-3 months.

Disabling Automatic Update Downloading

MIUI updates can weigh up to 1.5–2 GB and download in the background.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Slip on three points in the corner and select Settings.
3. Turn off Automatic Booting over Wi-Fi.

6 Manual removal of hidden files and folders

Some files are not visible through standard Explorer, but take up a lot of space.

Folder /cache/ota

This is where the MIUI update files are stored, and when you install the update, they become unnecessary:

1. Use Solid Explorer or Root Explorer (superuser rights required).
2. Go to /cache/ota.
3. Delete all files with the.zip extension.

Folder /data/log

Log files can weigh up to 300-500 MB. Delete them as follows:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate Developer Mode (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times).
2. In Settings → Additional → For developers, enable debugging over USB.
3. Use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to remove: adb shell su rm -rf /data/log/* exit exit exit

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /data/log This can make it harder to diagnose problems when you call a service center, and only do this if you're sure your phone is stable.

Cleaning the folder. /Android/data garbage-free

It stores data from applications, including remote ones, to clean up:

1. Open a file manager with root access support.
2. Go to /Android/data.
3. Delete folders with the names of the remote applications (for example, com.whatsapp, if WhatsApp is already uninstalled).

7. Alternative methods: cloud and data compression

If physical memory is catastrophically short and a microSD card is not, try these methods:

Automatic uploading of photos to Google Photos

Google Photos offers unlimited storage for compressed photos (up to 16 MP) and video (up to 1080p):

1. Install Google Photos from the Play Market.
2. In the settings, enable Backup and Synchronization.
3. Choose High Quality (Free Compression)
4. After downloading, delete local copies.

Compression of video through applications

Videos with Redmi 7A (resolution 720p) can be compressed 2-3 times without loss of quality:

• 🎥 Video Compress – compresses up to 80% of the original size;
• 📽️ Resizer Video – Reduces the resolution;
• 🔍 Files by Google – has a built-in compressor.

Use of Lite versions of applications

Replace the "heavy" applications with lighter versions:

• 📱 Facebook Lite (instead of Facebook, it saves money) ~200 MB);
• 💬 Messenger Lite;
• 🎵 Spotify Lite;
• 📺 YouTube Go (allows you to download low quality videos).

8.Extreme measures: reset to factory settings

If nothing works and there's less than 500MB of free memory, you'll have to do a Hard Reset, which will delete all the data, including photos, contacts and apps, so first:

• 🔄 Make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset;
• ☁️ Upload important files to the cloud;
• 📱 Keep your contacts on SIM-map or Google account.

Resetting instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Settings Reset.
3. Confirm the action (you will need to enter a pattern lock or password).
4. Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 7A post-discharge IMEI, If you have previously run root or unofficial firmware, you will need to restore using the Mi Flash Tool.

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Resetting to factory settings is the last chance to free up memory, after which the device will work faster, but all data will be lost without the possibility of recovery (if there was no backup).

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory release on Redmi 7A