How to Free Memory on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: A Complete 2026 Guide

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is still a popular smartphone due to the balance of price and performance, but its 32/64 GB of internal memory often becomes a headache. Even with a microSD card installed, users face a notification “Not enough memory” – the system and applications take up the lion’s share of space, and cache and junk files complete the job. In this article, we will discuss 10 working methods for effectively clearing memory without resetting to factory settings.

Feature Redmi Note 7 – hybrid slot for the SIM-map where the second SIM It competes with microSD. If you use two. SIM-So, if you're going to do this, you can't transfer it to an external storage device, and you have to optimize your internal memory. MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 14 (Android 9-11), so the instructions are relevant for most users.

Important: Before cleaning, check which files are taking up space. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone → Memory. Here you will see the distribution by categories: System, Applications, Multimedia and Other Files. If the System partition is over 15 GB, this is normal for MIUI, but the rest of the categories can be shortened.

1. Delete the application cache and system

Cache speeds up programs, but eventually turns into digital garbage. On the Redmi Note 7, the cache can take anywhere from 1 to 5 GB — especially if you’re actively using social networks, messengers or games. Cache cleaning is safe: apps will simply recreate it the next time you run.

To remove the cache of individual applications:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook or Telegram).
3. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – it will delete accounts and settings!).

For mass cleaning:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Memory. → Cleaning (or "Dumpster Cleaning" in the MIUI 14).
• 🧹 Click "Scan", then "Clean" (the system will delete the cache, temporary files and remnants of deleted applications).
• 🔄 Repeat the procedure once every 1-2 weeks - this will free up to 2-4 GB of space.

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If the app is slower after cleaning the cache, restart the smartphone. The system will restore the critical cache files automatically.

2. Transfer of applications and data to SD-map

The Redmi Note 7 supports microSD up to 256GB, but portability has limitations: not all programs work, and some (such as WhatsApp or Google Play Services) can not be moved at all.

Instructions for transfer:

1. Insert microSD (if you haven't already) and format it as "Inner Memory" (which will allow you to install applications on it).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select an app (such as Spotify or Spotify) VK) and press "Move to" SD-map".

To transfer photos, videos and music:

• 📁 Use the built-in "File Manager" (MIUI): highlight files → "Cut out" → choose SD-map → "Insert".
• 🎵 It is more convenient to use Google Files or ES Explorer – they automatically sort files by type.
• 📸 Photos and videos from the gallery are transferred through the Albums" → highlight files → "Exports" → choose SD-map.

3. Removal of unnecessary applications and duplicates

The average user installs 50 to 80 apps, but actively uses no more than 15. The rest take up space, update in the background and consume resources. On the Redmi Note 7, especially a lot of garbage is left by pre-installed Xiaomi services (Mi Browser, Mi Music, Mi Video), which can not be removed by standard means.

How to find and remove unnecessary applications:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → All applications.
• 📉 Sort by size (click on three dots in the upper right corner) → "By size").
• 🗑️ Remove apps that haven’t been used in more than a month. For system applications (such as Mi Browser), click “Disable” to stop them from working and updating.

List of safe removal of MIUI applications:

Pre-installed services Xiaomi|Games|Social networks|Messengers|Nothing removed-->

4. Cleanup of downloads, duplicates and temporary files

The Downloads folder is the main storage device for digital junk. APK-On the Redmi Note 7, it often takes 3-7 GB, with 80% of files not being used for longer than 3 months.

How to clean:

• 📂 Open the Files (Integrated Manager) → "Downloads".
• 🔍 Sort by date (from old to new) and delete anything older than 6 months.
• 🔄 Use Google Files (formerly Files Go): It automatically finds duplicates, large files and prompts you to delete them.

For deep cleaning:

1. Install SD Maid (from Google Play) – the application will find the remnants of deleted programs, empty folders and cache.thumbnails (miniature photos that can weigh up to 1 GB!).
2. Run the scan in the "CorpseFinder" section (search for "body" - remnants of applications).
3. Delete files with.apk,.tmp,.log extensions – they are rarely needed by the user.

Delete APK-files (application installation packages)

Check the DCIM folder for duplicate photos

Clear the cache of messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)

Delete files with the.tmp and.log extensions

Transfer important documents to SD-map-->

5. Optimization of photo and video storage

Photos at 48 MP (like Redmi Note 7) weigh 10-15 MB each, and 4K video up to 500 MB per minute. Even 100 pictures take 1-1.5 GB.

Method 1: Compression without loss of quality

• 📸 Use Google Photos with Quality with Space Save feature (photos are compressed to 3-5 MB without any visible loss of quality).
• 🖼️ Manually compress the photo through Photo & Picture Resizer (set the size). 1920×1080 social-network).

Method 2: Transfer to the cloud with removal of originals

• ☁️ Upload photos to Google Photos, Yandex.Disk or Mi Cloud.
• 🗑️ After sync, delete the originals from your phone (in Google Photos: "Free space").

Method 3: Change the camera settings

• 📷 In the camera settings (Redmi Note 7) disable "48 MP" and set "12 MP" - the quality will remain good, and the file size will decrease by 2-3 times.
• 🎥 For the video, select permission. 1080p instead 4K (If you are not taking off for professional processing).

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One photo in 48 MP weighs ~12 MB, and in 12 MP – only 3-4 MB. Switching to 12 MP will free up to 50% of space in the DCIM folder without noticeable loss of quality.

6.Use of the function "Lite Mode" (Lite Mode)

MIUI has a hidden function called "Lite Mode" that optimizes the system to save memory and battery power, which turns off animations, background processes and some visual effects, freeing up to 500-800 MB of RAM and internal memory.

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Lite Mode.
2. Activate the switch and restart the phone.

What's gonna change:

• ⚡ Reduced RAM consumption (useful if you have a version with 3 GB of RAM).
• 📉 The system will less often clean applications from the background.
• 🎨 Some visual effects will disappear MIUI (For example, smooth transitions between screens).

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The light mode is especially useful if you’re using the Redmi Note 7 with 3GB of RAM, which reduces the number of forced app closures and speeds up multitasking.

7. reset the partition cache (Wipe Cache Partition)

If after all the manipulations, the memory is still filled with “unknown files”, try resetting the recovery partition cache. This will not delete your data, but will clear temporary system files that can take up to 1-2 GB.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select "Wipe & Reset" → "Wipe Cache".
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse "Wipe Cache" with "Wipe Data"! The second option will delete all your files and applications.

8.Extreme measure: reset to factory settings

If you have less than 1GB of free space, and previous methods have failed, you have a complete reset, which will delete everything, including apps, photos and accounts, so first:

• ☁️ Synchronize your contacts with Google Account.
• 📤 Transfer the photo and video to SD-card.
• 📝 Save the list of installed applications (you can take a picture of the Settings screen) → Annexes).

Resetting instructions:

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

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 7 with MIUI 12.5 and later after reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account. If you forget your password, use the restore function on the Xiaomi site before resetting!

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory release