How to Clean the “Other” on Xiaomi Redmi 7A without harming the system

Xiaomi Redmi 7A owners often face a mysterious problem: the phone’s memory is filled with no one knows what. In the Storage section, the system shows a huge amount of space under the label “Other” — sometimes up to 10-15 GB, even though you have long since deleted unnecessary files. Where does this garbage come from? Why does standard cleaning through Settings → Storage not help? And most importantly, how to safely free up space without breaking the phone?

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to clean the Other on Redmi 7A, including hidden MIUI features, application cache, and even manually delete system logs. You’ll learn which files can be safely deleted and which ones can be touched dangerously, and how to prevent re-filling. All methods tested on Redmi 7A with MIUI 10-12 firmware and do not require root rights.

⚠️ Note: Some system folders (for example, /data/log) You can only delete the data specified in the instructions, otherwise you risk getting a brick or malfunction of the phone.

What is the “Other” in the memory of Xiaomi Redmi 7A?

The "Other" tag on the storage menu is a generalized category for files that the system cannot classify as standard partitions (photos, videos, apps, etc.) that fall into:

• 📁 Application cache — temporary data that programs save for quick operation, such as thumbnails of images in a gallery or uploaded maps in Google Maps.
• 🗑️ Logs and dumps are error reporting files (.log,.dmp) that Android creates when crashes.
• 🔄 Residual files – “tails” from remote applications (settings, databases, cache).
• 📱 System Updates – Downloaded but not installed packages MIUI (weigh up to 1-2 GB!).
• 🔒 Encrypted data – files that MIUI cannot recognize (for example, from encrypted messengers).

On the Redmi 7A, with its modest 16-32GB of storage, the Other can take up to 30-40% of the total — especially if the phone has been in use for a long time without reset. The reason is because the MIUI architecture is actively caching data to speed up work, but it does not clean it automatically.

🔍 How do you check what exactly takes up space? Go to Settings → Warehouse → Another is if there's no detail, and there's usually no detail, use third-party analyzers like Files by Google or SD Maid – They will show the folder structure.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of all applications

The safest and fastest method is to delete temporary application data. On Redmi 7A, the cache can weigh between 500MB and 3-4GB, especially if you are actively using social networks, instant messengers or games.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Open each app from the top of the list (those that occupy >100 MB).
4. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

⚡ Accelerated option: In the same menu of the Application there is a button Clear cache of all applications (in some versions) MIUI It's hidden behind a triple dot. It's going to save time, but it won't tell you which programs are eating up memory.

Check vacant storage |Close all applications (cache clears more efficiently) |Close messengers (e.g. WhatsApp – media files are stored there) |Reboot your phone after the procedure-->

⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse Clear cache and Clear data! The second option will delete all settings and files of the application (for example, correspondence in Telegram or save in games.

Method 2: Removal of system logs and dumps

Android and MIUI are constantly creating debugging files — error logs, memory dumps, crash reports. On Redmi 7A, they accumulate in /data/log, /data/anr, and /data/tombstones folders. Normally, there should be few of them, but if the phone is often “glutting” or overheating, the logs can reach 1-2 GB.

How to remove logs manually:

1. Install a file manager with access to system folders (such as FX Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
3. Go to /data/log (root rights may be required, but Redmi 7A often lacks standard permissions).
4. Delete all files with extensions.log,.txt,.dmp.
5. Repeat the same for /data/anr and /data/tombstones.

📌 Alternative without manual removal: Use the app SD Maid (a partition of CorpseFinder) automatically finds and deletes unnecessary logs, including residual files from remote programs.

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If the phone is more stable after deleting the logs, it means that the failures were caused by overflowing system logs. Clean them regularly (every 1-2 months), especially if you notice slowdowns.

Method 3: Clean up downloaded MIUI updates

Xiaomi likes to download firmware updates in the background — even if you don't plan to install them. On the Redmi 7A, the service pack weighs 1.5-2 GB, and it can lie in memory for years under the label "Other." The system doesn't show these files in the standard manager, but they can be found and deleted.

Instructions:

1. Open a file manager (e.g., standard Files or Total Commander).
2. Go to the folder. /sdcard/MIUI/ota or /sdcard/Downloaded_rom.
3. Delete all files with the.zip extension (these are firmware archives).
4. If the ota folder is empty, check /cache – sometimes updates are downloaded there.

🔄 How to disable automatic download of updates:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Turn off the option of Automatic download via Wi-Fi.

Method 4: Reset the partition cache (Wipe Cache Partition)

If previous methods didn’t work, try clearing the recovery partition cache.This doesn’t affect user data, but deletes temporary files that might interfere with the system. On Redmi 7A, this procedure often frees up 300-800 MB of “Other.”

How to make Wipe Cache:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the MI logo appears.
3. Release the buttons – you will be taken to the Recovery menu (management is carried out by the volume and power buttons).
4. Select the Wipe & Reset option → Wipe Cache.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
6. Reboot your phone (Reboot → System)

⚠️ Important: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option will erase all your data (photos, apps, settings) and return the phone to factory status.

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Wipe Cache Partition is the only official way to clean the system cache without root rights.It is safe and recommended by Xiaomi itself when slowing down the device.

Method 5: Manually clean Android/obb and Android/data folders

The /sdcard/Android/obb and /sdcard/Android/data folders store game and application data: additional layers, card cache, uploaded media. Many programs (e.g. Facebook, TikTok, games like PUBG Mobile) download gigabytes of data there, but do not always delete them after uninstallation.

How to clean:

1. Open the file manager and go to /sdcard/Android/obb.
2. Delete folders with the names of games/applications that you have deleted or do not use for a long time.
3. Repeat the same for /sdcard/Android/data (the settings and cache are stored here).
4. 🔍 Tip: Before deleting, check the date of the folder change. If it hasn't been updated for more than a month, clean it.

⚠️ Exceptions: Do not delete folders of current applications (for example, WhatsApp stores in the app). /data Also, do not touch files with the.obb extension for installed games - this can break their work.

How to prevent the “Other” from being refilled?

Cleaning up your memory is half the battle, so that the Other doesn't grow back, follow these rules.

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly (once every 1-2 weeks) through Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
• 🚫 Turn off automatic update downloads (see Method 3).
• 📱 Use the “Lite” versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite) – they take up less space.
• ☁️ Move your media files to the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) and delete local copies.
• 🛠️ Install a memory analyzer (such as Files by Google) to monitor junk files.

💡 Hidden function MIUI: At Redmi. 7A There's a built-in deep cleaning tool. Go to Security. → Cleanup → Deep clean and select Unnecessary Files, the system will find up to 500-800 MB of garbage that is not visible in the standard manager.

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If you install/remove apps frequently, turn on the option “Wi-Fi Only Auto Update” in the Play Market and mark “Do Not Update” for rarely used programs, which will reduce memory load.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up 'Other' on Redmi 7A