Cache Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 7A: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Xiaomi Redmi 7A is one of the brand’s most popular budget smartphones, but even it eventually starts to slow down, with cache-filled temporary application files, update remnants and system debris. If your Redmi 7A is slowing down, spontaneously restarting or issuing “Not enough memory” errors, it’s time to clean up the cache.

In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to clean up cache, from standard MIUI tools to hidden features for power users, which cache can be removed without risk, and which should not be touched, so as not to break the system, and you will learn how to automate the process and avoid re-accumulation of garbage.

What is cache and why should it be cleaned on Redmi 7A

Cache is a temporary file that creates apps and a system to make things faster, for example, when you open Instagram, it stores thumbnails of photos in cache so that it can show them faster the next time it runs, and it's happening with games, browsers, and even system processes.

On the Redmi 7A, with its modest 2/16GB or 3/32GB of storage, the cache quickly fills up internal storage.The consequences of ignoring the issue are:

• 🐢 Slowing down the interface: lags when scrolling the menu, hanging when opening applications.
• 🔄 Spontaneous reboots due to lack of RAM.
• 🚫 Errors like “Insufficient Memory” when installing updates or new apps.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption (the system spends resources on garbage handling).

On Redmi 7A, cache takes up 30 percent of total memory when you use instant messengers and social media, while the system cache and application cache are cleared differently, for example, deleting Dalvik can cause programs to fail if you do this incorrectly.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse cache with user data! Cache clearing won't delete your photos, messages, or account settings. But if you choose Clear Data instead of Clear Cache, all information in the app (logins, game saves) will be erased.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of individual applications through settings

The safest method is to delete the cache for specific programs, which does not affect system files and does not require superuser rights.

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all apps.
3. Find the app you want (like Facebook or Chrome) and open your card.
4. Go to the Warehouse section.
5. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data!).

For convenience, sort the applications by cache size:

• 📊 In the list of applications, tap on the icon ⚙️ (gear) → Sort by size.
• 🔍 Pay attention to cache programs > 100 MB – it is worth cleaning first.

What apps are most likely to clog up Redmi 7A cache:

Close all background programs

Connect the charger (in case of freeze)

Check the vacant space in the vault.

Make a backup copy of important data-->

Method 2: Automatic cleaning through “Safety” (MIUI Optimizer)

MIUI has a built-in tool for optimizing the system, the Security app (or Global firmware Security), which not only cleans the cache, but also deletes residual files, duplicate photos and unnecessary APKs.

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Put it on the cleaner (or cleaner).
3. Wait for the scan to be completed (usually 10–30 seconds).
4. Select the category Garbage files and click Clear.
5. For deep cleaning, go to the Deep Clean tab and follow the hints.

Advantages of this method:

• 🤖 Automatic analysis: the system itself finds unnecessary files.
• 🛡️ Security: Critical system data not affected.
• 📊 Visualization: Shows how much space will be freed up.

Cons: The tool doesn’t always remove Dalvik cache and system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui) and other methods are needed.

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If the smartphone still brakes after cleaning through Security, try restarting it. Many processes continue to work in the background even after removing the cache, and rebooting them will kill them.

Method 3: Cleaning Dalvik cache and system debris (for experienced ones)

Dalvik cache is an optimized file on the Android virtual machine that speeds up the launch of applications. On Redmi 7A, it is located in the /data/dalvik-cache folder and can take up to 1-2 GB.

• 🐌 The smartphone is slowing down after the update MIUI.
• 🔄 Applications are constantly crashing with the error “App is stopped».
• 📱 Memory is filled with "unknown" files.

To clean the Dalvik cache, you need access to Recovery.

1. Turn off Redmi 7A.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time and hold for 10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (if you have a choice) and tap on Wipe & Reset.
4. Select Wipe Dalvik Cache (or Advanced wipe → Dalvik / ART Cache in TWRP).
5. Confirm the action with the swipe or the Yes button.
6. Reboot your smartphone (Reboot).

⚠️ Note: If you use custom Recovery (for example, TWRP), Don't choose Wipe Data or Wipe System, it will result in a complete reset.

After cleaning the Dalvik cache, the first launch of the smartphone can take up to 5-10 minutes – this is normal, the system restores optimized files.

Method 4: Using ADB for deep cleaning (without root)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that allows you to control your smartphone from a computer, which does not require superuser rights, but requires you to install drivers and enable debugging over USB.

Step-by-step:

1. Download ADB Tools on PC and unpack the archive.
2. On Redmi 7A, turn on Developer Mode: go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
4. Connect your smartphone to your PC and in the folder with ADB, launch the command line (Shift + PCM → Open the PowerShell window here).
5. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
6. To clear the cache of all applications, perform: adb shell pm trim-caches 1000G (where 1000G is a conventional value meaning “clean everything”).

Additional useful ADB commands for Redmi 7A:

• 📂 Find out the cache size of all applications: adb shell dumpsys meminfo | grep "Cache"
• 🗑️ Clear the cache of a specific package (e.g. Facebook): adb shell pm clear com.facebook.katana

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB Do not use the adb shell rm. -rf /data/* Or similar, it will completely erase your data!

Method 5: Manually remove cache through file manager (with root)

If you have root rights, you can manually delete the cache from your system folders. This is the most radical method that requires caution. Use a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).

What folders can be cleaned:

How to clean:

1. Open the file manager and provide root access.
2. Go to /data/dalvik-cache and delete all files with the.dex extension.
3. Clean the /cache folder (remove all its contents).
4. Reboot your smartphone.

What NOT to delete:

• 🚫 Folders. /system, /vendor, /boot — This will lead to a brick (breakdown) of the device.
• 🚫 Files in /data/data/ with the extension.db is an application database (remove - lose settings).

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Cleaning the cache through root is the best thing, but it requires knowledge. If you're not sure, use Methods 1-3.

How to prevent re-accumulation of cache on Redmi 7A

Cleaning the cache is a temporary solution, so that the Redmi 7A does not brake again in a week, follow these tips:

• 📵 Limit the background activity of applications: Settings → Battery → Choice of applications → Limit background activity.
• 🔄 Turn off auto-update apps in Play Market: Settings → Auto-update of applications → Never.
• 🎥 In camera settings, turn off thumbnail saving and video caching.
• 🌐 In the browser (Chrome, Mi Browser) disable page preloading: Settings → Confidentiality → Preloading pages.

Useful applications for automation:

• 🧹 SD Maid – deletes residual files and empty folders.
• 📊 Files by Google – Finds duplicates and large, unnecessary files.
• 🔋 Greenify – Freezes background processes.

It is also worth checking the installed list regularly. Many programs (especially Chinese ones) install hidden services that are constantly written to cache. For example, com.xiaomi.mipicks or com.miui.analytics can be turned off without consequences.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up cache on Redmi 7A