Cache Cleanup on Xiaomi 7: 5 Ways to Free Memory Without Resetting

Xiaomi Mi 7 (released in 2018) is still popular with users due to its balanced performance and support for MIUI. However, over time, even this device begins to “brake”: applications open longer, the system hangs, and free space on the internal drive melts before our eyes, the culprit of most of these problems is a filled cache that accumulates over the years.

Cache is a temporary file created by the system and applications to speed up work. But when they exceed 3-5 GB, they turn from assistants to enemies: take up space, fragment memory and even can cause errors in the operation of MIUI. In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to clean the cache on the Xiaomi Mi 7, including hidden functions and tips for automating the process.

Why Xiaomi 7 Cache Should Be Cleaned Regularly

On the Xiaomi Mi 7 with factory-made MIUI firmware, the cache is divided into three types: system (OS files), application cache (user program data) and Dalvik cache (optimized files for the Android virtual machine), each of which behaves differently:

• 📱 App cache: up to 70% of junk files, such as Facebook or Instagram can accumulate 500-800 MB of cache per month of active use.
• ⚙️ System cache: less likely to be filled, but overflow leads to interface lags MIUI (For example, slow animation when swiping between screens).
• 🔄 Dalvik cache: created after system updates, and cleaning it can speed up application launches by 15-20%.

On the Xiaomi Mi 7 with 64GB of storage, the cache can eat up to 8-12GB, which is almost a fifth of the total storage capacity, and the problem is compounded by the fact that MIUI by default hides some temporary files from the user, masking them as “other data” in the storage settings. Without manual cleaning, the system begins to slow down after 6-8 months of active use.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse cache with app data! cache removal is safe and data cleanup (Settings) → Annexes → Warehouse → Clear the data) will result in resetting the program settings (for example, log out of accounts or lose saves in games).

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications

The most targeted method is to remove cache for specific programs, which is useful if you only slow down one application (like YouTube or Google Chrome).

Through MIUI settings

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Telegram).
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data!).

Through the "Storage" menu.

An alternative path for those who want to see which apps take up the most space:

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Select the Other Apps section.
3. Sort the list by cache size (slip on the filter icon in the upper right corner).
4. Select the app and click Clear Cache.

On the Xiaomi Mi 7, this method allows you to free up 1 to 3 GB of space if you haven’t cleaned it for a long time. For example, users who actively use TikTok or Google Maps, the cache of these applications can reach 1-1.5 GB.

Close the application through the multitasking menu

Check the vacant storage space (should be ≥500 MB)

Do not clear the cache of system applications (e.g. MIUI Security)

Backup important data (in case of error)

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Method 2: Completely clean the cache through Recovery

If the smartphone is slowing down or lacking space even after removing the app cache, cleaning the system cache and Dalvik through Recovery mode will help.This method is more radical, but also effective: it deletes all temporary files, including those that are not available through standard MIUI settings.

On the Xiaomi Mi 7 for this:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (if required), then go to Wipe & Reset.
4. Choose Wipe Cache (not to be confused with Wipe Data – it’s a complete reset!).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 1-2 minutes).
6. Reboot the device (Reboot).

After this procedure, the first start of the system can take up to 5 minutes — this is normal, since MIUI restores optimized files.

• 📉 Release of 1-2 GB of space (depending on the degree of contamination of the cache).
• ⚡ Accelerate application launches by 10–30%.
• 🛠️ Fixing minor interface errors (e.g., animation hanging).

⚠️ Note: If after cleaning the cache through Recovery, the smartphone began to overheat or discharge quickly, check the settings MIUI Optimization in Settings → Special facilities → Optimization MIUI. Sometimes after resetting the cache, these parameters are lost.

Method 3: Automatic cleaning with MIUI Security

The Xiaomi Mi 7 comes pre-installed with MIUI Security (or Security) app, which has a built-in garbage cleaner tool.This is the easiest way for beginners, as it doesn't require manual file search.

To take advantage of it:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleaner tab (or Cleaner in English).
3. Press Check and wait for the scan (it will take 20–40 seconds).
4. Select categories for cleaning: 🗑️ Application cache – temporary program files. 📁 Unnecessary files – residues after deleting applications. 🔍 Residual files – data that has not been deleted correctly.

Clean up

The advantage of this method is security: MIUI Security does not delete critical system files, but it is less effective than manual cleaning, as it leaves part of the cache intact (for example, Google Play Services files or MIUI Launcher files).

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the place ends.

Never cleaned.

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Method 4: Cleaning the cache through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a debugging tool that allows you to control your smartphone through a computer, which is suitable for cleaning hidden cache that is not visible in the MIUI settings.

For this:

1. Install. ADB-PC drivers.
2. Turn on Xiaomi Mi 7 Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (shap 7 times)
3. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
4. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (or Terminal on Mac/Linux).
5. Enter the commands in turn: adb devices (should display your device) adb shell pm trim-caches 1000G (Clears the cache of all applications) adb shell su -c "rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*" (Delete Dalvik cache, requires root rights)

If you still decide to use third-party software, choose proven options:

1. Files by Google is an official Google app that securely removes duplicates and cache.
2. SD Maid (SystemCleanup plugin) – allows you to clean up system debris, but requires root rights.

On the Xiaomi Mi 7, we recommend avoiding cleaners from lesser-known developers, instead manually checking the cache through Settings → Storage or using MIUI Security.

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Before installing any cleaner, check reviews from the past 3 months. Many apps after updates start showing aggressive ads or asking for unnecessary permissions (such as accessing SMS).

What to do if after cleaning the cache problems remain

If even after cleaning the cache completely, the Xiaomi Mi 7 continues to slow down, check the following points:

• 🔋 Battery status: If the capacity has dropped below 70%, the system automatically limits performance. → Battery → Battery status.
• 🔄 Background processes: Some apps (like Facebook or Mi Fit) consume resources even when they are folded. → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start.
• 📥 Updates MIUI: outdated firmware may conflict with newer versions of applications. → The phone. → Updating the system.

If nothing works, the last option is to reset to the factory settings, but before that, you must:

1. Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Write down your Mi Account details (they will be needed to unlock after resetting).
3. Remove the memory card (if any) as it can also be formatted.

⚠️ Note: On the Xiaomi Mi 7, resetting to factory settings via Recovery (Wipe Data) will delete all data, including files on the internal drive. If you used encryption, it will be impossible to restore data after the reset!

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Regular cache cleaning (once every 1-2 months) extends the life of the Xiaomi Mi 7 by 20-30%, but if the brakes are associated with iron wear (for example, slow flash memory), software methods will only help temporarily.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning the cache on Xiaomi 7