How to Clean Memory of Xiaomi 7 Phone: A Complete Guide with Photos and Tips

Xiaomi 7 (including the Redmi 7 and Mi 7) will eventually start to slow down due to clogged memory? This is a typical problem for devices with 16-64 GB of internal storage, especially if you actively install applications, shoot 1080p videos or do not follow the cache. But do not rush to buy a new phone – 90% of the time, it is enough to clean the memory correctly to return the previous speed.

In this article, we will analyze all ways of freeing up space - from basic (hand-held garbage removal) to radical (reset to factory settings). You will learn which files can be safely deleted and which should not be touched, how to transfer data to a memory card and why standard “cleaners” from the Play Market often harm more than help. MIUI, Up to 3 to 5 GB but not displayed in the standard file manager.

Check how much space is left on your Xiaomi 7.

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Storage.
2. If less than 10% of the total volume is free (for example, <1.6 GB for a 16GB model), the phone is already running at its limit.

1. Delete cache and junk files without programs

The fastest way to free up 1-3 GB is to clear the cache of applications and system debris, which, unlike cleaners, does not delete the data or require root rights.

How to clear the cache of individual applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like YouTube or Facebook) → Storage → Clear cache.
3. To clean up completely, click Clear Data, but note: this will reset the application settings (you will log out of your account, lose downloads, etc.).

To delete the system cache (including residual files after MIUI updates):

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleanup section. → Deep cleaning.
3. Check all the points and click Clear.

💡

If, after cleaning the cache, the applications clog up memory again, limit their background activity. To do this, in the application settings (Settings → Applications → [application name] → Battery), select Limit background activity mode.

What can be removed safely (list of folders and files):

• 📁 folder DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo and video miniatures (you can delete them, they will be restored automatically).
• 🗑️ Download folder – old downloads from the browser.
• 🎵 folder MIUI/ringtone — Standard ringtones (if you don’t use them).
• 📦 folder Android/obb — game cache (e.g, PUBG Genshin Impact can be used to 2 GB).

💡

Do not delete Android/data and MIUI/backup folders – this can cause app crashes and loss of backups.

2. transfer data to a memory card (if supported)

Xiaomi 7 (except for some modifications of the Redmi 7A) supports microSD cards up to 256 GB. Data transfer to it will help free up internal memory, but there are nuances:

• 📱 Not all applications can be transferred to SD-map (especially system and game protection).
• 🔄 After the transfer, applications can work slower.
• 🚫 The card must be formatted as internal storage (in this case, it will not be used on other devices).

How to transfer data to a memory card:

1. Insert the microSD card into the slot (on Redmi 7 it is under the cover next to the slot). SIM-card).
2. When a notification appears, select Use as internal storage (if you need to port applications) or Portable storage (file only).
3. To port applications: Settings → Applications → [select application] → Storage → Change → SD card.
4. To transfer photos/video: open the Gallery, select files → More → Move → SD card.

If the phone doesn’t see the memory card:

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi 7s MIUI 12+ It can be triggered by a bug when a card is defined as "damaged." Solution: format it on a PC in a format. FAT32 (volume ≤32 GB or exFAT (if) >32GB, then insert back into the phone.

3. Removal of duplicate photos, videos and documents

One of the biggest memory eaters is duplicate photos and videos, which are produced by:

• 📸 Automatic backup in Google Photos.
• 🔄 Synchronization with clouds (Mi Cloud, Yandex.Disk).
• 📱 Transfer files between devices via ShareMe or Bluetooth.

How to find and remove duplicates:

1. Use the built-in Gallery app: Open Album → Click More → Control → Duplicates. The app will automatically find the recurring photos/videos.
2. For documents and music, install Files by Google (the official Google app): Open the app → Cleanup → Duplicate files. Check the list and delete unnecessary copies.

If there are too many duplicates (hundreds of files), use specialized programs:

4. Clean up hidden MIUI folders (up to 5 GB of free space)

MIUI creates many hidden folders that don't show up in standard Explorer.

• 📦 Logs of the system (MIUI/debug_log).
• 🎮 Cash of games and apps (Android/obb, Android/data).
• 📱 Backup copies of settings (MIUI/backup).
• 🔄 Temporary update files (Downloaded_rom).

To see the hidden folders:

1. Install a file manager that supports root or hidden files (such as FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. In the manager settings, enable the option to Show hidden files.
3. Go to the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/) and find the folders from the list above.

What folders can be deleted without consequences:

• 🗃️ MIUI/debug_log — Error logs (can be deleted completely).
• 📁 Downloaded_rom — Older Firmware (unless you plan to roll back).
• 🎵 MIUI/music — Standard ringtones (if you don’t use them).
• 📷 DCIM/.thumbnails — Miniatures (restore automatically).

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders MIUI/backup (backup), Android/data (a) annex data; and Android/obb (cache of games if you're not sure what they're about, and that can cause software to crash!

Delete the folder MIUI/debug_log|Clean up DCIM/.thumbnails|Remove old firmware from Downloaded_rom|Remove or remove unnecessary ringtones from the MIUI/music-->

5. Application optimization: what can be removed without harm

Many pre-installed MIUI applications take up space but are never used, some of which can be removed without root permissions, others can only be disabled.

List of safe applications to remove (checked at MIUI 10–14):

• 🎵 Mi Music - standard player (can be replaced by Spotify or VK Music).
• 📺 Mi Video - Video Player (alternative — VLC).
• 📰 Mi Browser – Browser (better to use Chrome or Firefox).
• 📡 Mi Remote - Remote (if you do not use it).
• 💼 Mi Pay – payment application (not working in Russia).

How to remove system applications without root:

1. Use ADB (Instructions for Windows): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer # Mi Video pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser #Mi Browser
2. Or install App Inspector from the Play Market to find the names of the app packages and then uninstall them through ADB.

If deletion is not possible, disable the application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the unnecessary application → Disable.

💡

Removing system applications can cause MIUI to malfunction. Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset before deleting.

6. Reset to factory settings: when necessary

If you have less than 1 GB of free space left after all the manipulations, and the phone continues to brake, the last option is a full reset, which will delete all data, including:

• 📱 Applications and their settings.
• 📷 Photos, videos, music (if not on a memory card).
• 📞 Contacts, SMS, Call logs (unless synced with Google or Mi Account).

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Backup: Photo/video – copy to PC or memory card. Contacts – export to VCF via Google Contacts. Apps – use Titanium Backup (requires root) or a list of installed programs from the Play Market (Menu → My apps and games → Library).
2. Reset: Go to Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset → Erase all data. Enter a password (if set) and confirm the action.

Do not restore data from the MIUI backup

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi 7 with the unlocked bootloader, a reset can result in the device being locked (anti-rollback). → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Click 7 times on the line with the version, then check the status of the bootloader).

7.How to prevent future memory clogging

To avoid clearing your memory every few months, follow these simple rules:

• 📴 Delete the app cache once every 1-2 weeks (via Settings) → Warehouse → Cache data).
• 📸 Set up an automatic upload to the cloud (Google Photos or Mi Cloud) and delete the originals from your phone.
• 🎮 Limit the cache of games: in the game settings (for example, PUBG Mobile) reduce graphics quality to Balanced or Low.
• 📥 Turn off automatic downloading of files in messengers: WhatsApp: Settings → Warehouse → Autoboot media → Choose Never. In Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Autoboot media → disconnect for mobile network.

Useful applications for automatic memory control:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)