Xiaomi’s Redmi series has been a leader in budget and mid-budget devices for many years, offering users excellent value for money. The Redmi Note 7, released in early 2019, was a hit thanks to its performance and quality camera, but over time, even powerful hardware can begin to experience data processing difficulties. One of the most common reasons for the slowdown of the MIUI operating system is the accumulation of large number of temporary files that occupy precious space in internal memory.
Cache cleaning is not just a way to free up a few gigabytes, but a necessary preventive measure to keep the gadget running. Cache data is created by apps to speed up its launch and operation, but when there are too many of them, they can conflict with each other or cause system failures. In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the available ways to clean temporary files, from standard system tools to more advanced methods available to Android owners.
Many users mistakenly believe that deleting the cache leads to the loss of personal data, such as photos, contacts or correspondence in messengers, but this is completely wrong. The correct cleaning procedure only affects temporary files that can be recreated, and in no way affects your personal information.
What is cache and why should it be cleaned on Redmi Note 7
Cache is a region in the memory of the device where applications store temporary files to quickly access frequently used data. For example, the browser saves thumbnails of visited web pages, and maps - fragments of the terrain so as not to download them each time from the Internet. On the Redmi Note 7 with its high-resolution screen, such files can take up a significant amount of space, especially if you are actively using social networks and navigators.
Over time, the structure of these temporary files can become disrupted, leading to malfunctioning programs or even startup errors. Overflowing cache often causes the phone to slow down, open apps longer, or suddenly close them. Regular cleaning helps keep the system on track and prevents the accumulation of “digital garbage”.
It’s worth noting that the MIUI operating system installed on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 has built-in memory management mechanisms, but they don’t always work as aggressively as the user would like. Sometimes the system forgets to delete old temporary files after updating applications, leaving them lying dead weight, which is why manual verification and cleaning remain relevant.
⚠️ Caution: Cache clearing does not delete your logins, passwords or saves in games unless the application has been completely removed.
Use of the built-in "Security" application
The easiest and safest way to clean the cache on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is to use the standard system application, which is pre-installed on all devices of the brand. It is called Security (or Security in the English version) and has a green shield icon. This tool is designed specifically for the MIUI shell and is able to find unnecessary files without affecting important system components.
To get started, open the app menu and find the Safety shortcut. Once launched, the app will automatically quickly scan the system for viruses and junk files. You need to click on the Cleanup button (usually displayed as a large green button with a percentage of memory filling) to start the process of analyzing the space occupied.
Once the scan is complete, the system will suggest removing the debris found, but it is important to be careful: do not blindly agree with all the suggestions. Click on the Clean button only after you make sure that there is no important data among the deleted files, and the system will show how much space will be freed up after the procedure.
☑️ Checking before cleaning
The Security app also has a deep cleaning feature that allows you to analyze large files and rarely used applications.This is especially useful for owners of Redmi Note 7, which can have limited internal memory (32 or 64 GB).
Cleaning the cache through the settings of the Android system
If you prefer to control each step of the process or the built-in app doesn’t find problems, you can use the standard settings of the Android operating system. This method is more transparent and allows you to see which application takes up the most space. To get to the desired menu, go to Settings → About Phone → Storage (the path may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, sometimes it’s just Settings → Memory).
In the storage section, you'll see a memory allocation diagram and a list of categories that occupy space. Find Other or Cash if it's displayed separately. Newer versions of MIUI based on Android 9 (which is relevant for the Note 7) often require you to go to the settings of each application separately for detailed cleaning. Click on Apps → All apps, select the desired program (such as YouTube or Instagram), and find the Clean or Clear data button.
It is important to distinguish between the two buttons that the system offers: Clear cache and Clear storage. The first deletes only temporary files, the second resets the application to the “just out of the store” state, removing your logins and settings inside it.
| Type of data | What's removed | Impact on the account | Recommended frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash app. | Temporary files, thumbnails | No (logins retained) | Every 1-2 weeks |
| Application data | Settings, saves, history | Full reset (entry required) | Only when it fails. |
| Downloads. | Downloaded files from the Internet | No. | As you fill up |
| Systemic debris | Remnants of remote programs | No. | Once a month |
Why does the cache take up so much space?
Delete temporary files of specific applications
The biggest garbage on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is typically generated by social networks and instant messengers. Apps like Telegram, WhatsApp and VK have built-in memory management tools that are often more efficient than the system ones. For example, Telegram can set up automatic cache cleaning so that it never exceeds a certain limit.
To set up Telegram, open the app, go to Settings → Data and Memory → Memory Use. Here you will see the Clear Cache button and the Maximum Cache Size slider. Set a limit, for example, 256 MB or 512 MB, and enable autodelete. This will save your Redmi’s internal memory from overflowing in the future.
On WhatsApp, the situation is similar: go to Settings → Data and Storage → Storage Management. Here you can see which chats take up the most space and remove media from them selectively, which is especially convenient because it allows you to save important documents but remove heavy videos that you no longer need.
For browsers like Chrome or standard MIUI Browser, the cleanup is done through the browser's settings menu, usually the History or Privacy section, where you select Clear History and tick the Images and other files stored in the cache. Remember to tick the Passwords if you want to save them.
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Tip: Turn on the option to save only favorites in the settings of the messengers, which will prevent duplication of all received images in the system gallery and save space.
Developer Mode and ADB (for Advanced)
For users who are not afraid of technical terms and want to achieve maximum effect, there is a way to clean the system cache through the developer menu or the ADB command line. This method allows you to delete files that are hidden from the average user, but requires caution. To activate the developer mode on the Redmi Note 7, you need to quickly click on the build number in the About Phone menu seven times.
After activation, a new option will appear in the settings menu Additional → For developers. Here you can find the option to clear the background cache, but a more effective method is to use a computer and the ADB utility. By connecting the phone over USB with debugging enabled, you can execute a command to clean the Dalvik cache, which sometimes helps solve complex performance problems.
adb shell pm trim-caches 999999999This command causes Android to cut the cache of all applications to the smallest possible size. Be careful: using ADB requires an installed driver and a configured environment on the PC. Errorous commands can lead to unstable system operation, so use this method only if you understand what you are doing.
⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB This can void the warranty in case of damage to the software part, make sure you have a restore point or are ready to reflash the device in case of a critical failure.
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Developer mode and ADB are powerful tools, but for a normal daily cleaning, MIUI tools are built-in. Use them only to solve specific problems.