Memory Cleanup on Xiaomi Mi 7: from cache to deep cleaning

The Xiaomi Mi 7 (or Mi 8, for the global version of 2018) is still a hot device years later, but its 64/128GB of internal memory and 6GB of RAM can fill up quickly. Garbage files, app cache, duplicate photos and remnants of deleted programs all eat up precious space, slowing down the phone. Unlike the new MIUI 14+ models, there is no automatic optimization, so you have to clean the memory manually.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to free up space on the Xiaomi Mi 7 – from basic (cache removal) to advanced (manual cleaning of system folders via ADB). Separately, we will focus on which files can be deleted without risk, and which should not be touched, so as not to break the system. If your smartphone slows down, gives a notification “Memory is full” or does not update due to lack of space – these methods will help return it to speed.

1. Memory Occupation Analysis: What Takes Place?

Before you clean, you need to understand which files eat up the memory. On the Xiaomi Mi 7 with MIUI 9/10/11, there is a built-in tool for this:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Wait for the scan to be completed (it can take up to 1 minute).
3. Click on the category (such as “Apps” or “Media”) to see the details.

Typical memory eaters on the Mi 7:

• 📸 Photos and videos – especially in the format HEIF/HEVC (borrow 30–50% Less space, but not all programs support it).
• 🎮 Games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile can weigh 5 to 10 GB each.
• 🗑️ Cache of applications – Telegram, Vkontakte or TikTok it easily grows to 1-2 GB.
• 📁 System dumps - files *.dmp in the folder /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log, clutter-producing.

If the Other section is more than 5GB occupied, this is an occasion to check the /sdcard/Android/obb (game files) and /sdcard/MIUI/backup (backups) folders, which can be manually deleted through any file manager, such as Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer.

2.Cleaning the app cache: Quick and secure

Cache speeds up software, but eventually turns into ballast. On the Xiaomi Mi 7, it can be cleaned in two ways:

Method 1: Through phone settings

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like YouTube or Chrome).
3. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – this will delete accounts and settings!).

Method 2: Mass cleaning

To remove the cache of all applications at once:

1. Open the settings → Memory → Clean.
2. Select “App Cache” and confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: After mass cache clearing, some programs (such as Google Maps or Instagram) will load longer on the first run - this is normal).

Remember logins from important applications

Close all programs in multitasking

Connect your phone to charge (if the memory is almost full)

Check the vacant space after cleaning-->

3. Removal of unnecessary applications and their residues

Even after uninstallation, programs often leave behind folders with data in /sdcard/Android/data and /sdcard/Android/obb. On Xiaomi Mi 7, this is especially true for games and social networks.

Step 1: Remove through Settings

1. Go to Settings → Apps.
2. Sort the list by size (click on the three dots in the upper right corner).
3. Select the unnecessary app and click “Delete”.

Step 2: Finding and removing residues

Use a file manager (such as FX File Explorer with root rights, if any) to search for:

• 🔍 A folder with the name of the remote application in /sdcard/Android/data.
• 🔍.apk and.obb files in the Download folder.
• 🔍 Folders. /sdcard/MIUI/backup/AllBackup — Here may be backup copies of long-deleted programs.

Critical: Do not delete folders of system applications (e.g. com.miui.gallery or com.android.settings) – this can cause malfunctions in the phone.

4. Optimization of photos and videos

Media files are the main memory eater on the Xiaomi Mi 7. Even if you don't shoot 4K video, RAW or HEIF photos can weigh 10 to 20 MB each.

Method 1: Compression via Google Photos

Google Photos allows you to store photos in “high quality” (with unlimited volume) instead of the original resolution:

1. Install Google Photos from the Play Market.
2. Go to Settings → Backup and Synchronization.
3. Select “High Quality” instead of “Original”.
4. Click “Free space” – this will delete local copies of already uploaded photos.

Method 2: Manually changing camera resolution

By default, the Xiaomi Mi 7 takes a photo in 12 MP (4032×3024) resolution.

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Touch the gear badge (⚙️) top-right.
3. Select “Photo Resolution” and set 9 MP or 5 MP.

⚠️ Note: If you lower the resolution of the video 4K (3840×2160) full HD (1920×1080), Check if stabilization is included on the Mi 7 It can cut the edges of the frame, reducing the field of view.

5. Cleaning of RAM (RAM)

If the Xiaomi Mi 7 starts to “poop”, the reason may be a lack of RAM. Unlike internal storage, RAM is cleared automatically when you reboot, but sometimes manual optimization is required:

Method 1: Through the recent app menu

Quick way to close the background processes:

1. Press the square button (multi-tasking).
2. Swipe up the app screen to close it.
3. Or click on the basket icon (🗑️) at the bottom of the screen to close everything at once.

Method 2: Developer settings

For advanced users:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on Version) MIUI» In Settings → The phone).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option to “Limit background processes” and set “No background processes” (temporarily).

💡

If the phone is still braking after cleaning the RAM, check the CPU temperature using the CPU Monitor app. Overheating (above 60°C) may be causing lags, not memory shortages.

6.Deep Cleanup: System Folders and ADB

If standard methods have failed, it is time for heavy artillery, which requires caution but allows you to free up to 3-5 GB of additional space.

Method 1: Delete.thumbdata files

These files are created by viewing images in the gallery and can take up hundreds of megabytes:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Open the DCIM/.thumbnails or Pictures/.thumbnails folder.
3. Delete all files with the.thumbdata3 or.thumbdata4 extension.

Method 2: Cleaning through ADB (for advanced)

If you have experience with ADB, you can delete unnecessary system files:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.analytics # Clears Xiaomi Analytics Data


adb shell rm -rf /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log/* # Removes error logs




adb shell rm -rf /sdcard/Download/*.apk # Cleans up the Downloads folder from APK

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB You can damage the system if you enter incorrectly. Before using, make a backup through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup.

💡

Deep cleaning of system folders is the best thing, but it requires caution. Always check file extensions before deleting — for example,.nomedia hides folders from the gallery, but deleting it won’t free up space.

7.Alternative methods: cloud, memory card and reset

If none of these methods worked, consider radical measures:

Option 1: Transfer data to a MicroSD

Xiaomi Mi 7 supports memory cards up to 256 GB (FAT32 or exFAT format).

1. Insert the card and format it as internal memory in Settings → Memory.
2. Install App Mgr III from the Play Market and transfer supported apps to SD.

Restriction: Not all programs can be ported (e.g. WhatsApp or Banking apps block this feature).

Option 2: Reset to factory settings

The last measure if the phone is clogged with "invisible" debris:

1. Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select “Resetting” and confirm.

💡

After reset, do not restore the backup through MIUI Backup, it can return junk files, it is better to manually copy only the necessary photos, contacts and messages.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning the memory Xiaomi Mi 7