Memory Cleanup on Xiaomi Redmi 7: The Complete 2026 Guide

Xiaomi Redmi 7 It is still a popular budget smartphone, but eventually it will be 16/32 GBs of memory are getting clogged with unnecessary files. If your device is slowing down, issuing errors "Insufficient memory" or spontaneously shutting down applications, it's time to do a general cleaning. In this article, we will analyze all the working methods of cleaning memory, from basic to radical, taking into account the peculiarities of the features of the system. MIUI for Redmi 7.

It's important to understand that memory cleaning is not just about deleting photos, but it's about accumulating app cache, residual files after uninstalling programs, duplicate media files, and update debris, and showing you how to find and delete all of these without risking damage to the system. And we will also tell you why the standard cleansing through "Safety" removes only 10-15% Disposal and how to get to hidden folders.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly is the memory?

Before you clean it, you need to figure out which files take up the most space. Redmi 7 has built-in tools for this, but they don't show the whole picture. Here's how to get the details:

Open the Settings. → The phone. → Memory. Here you'll see a diagram of the memory distribution by category: System, Applications, Media Files, etc. But this data is often inaccurate, for example, the application cache can be displayed as "Other:

• 📊 Use the Files by Google app (free in Play Market) that shows hidden folders, duplicates, and large files that are not visible in a standard Explorer.
• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes → App management and sort programs by size. Pay attention to games and instant messengers, which often take up a lot of space. 1-3 GB.
• 📁 Check the folder. DCIM/.thumbnails — Here are the thumbnails of all your photos and videos that can be safely deleted.

And you'll pay special attention to the Other category, which is usually up to 30 percent of the garbage, which is the remnants of deleted applications, log files, and temporary data, and can only be deleted through recovery mode or special utilities.

2. Cleaning up the cache of applications and system debris

Cache is a temporary file that creates applications that work quickly, and over time it grows to a giant size. In Redmi 7, the cache can be cleaned in three ways:

Method 1. Through MIUI settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like YouTube or Facebook) and click Clear Cache.
3. For mass cleaning, use Settings → Memory → Clean the cache.

Method 2. Through the "Security" application:

• 🧹 Open the Security app (Icon with shield).
• 📱 Select "Cleaning up" → "Deep cleaning".
• ⚡ Press "Clean" (deletes until) 1-2 GB of garbage).

Method 3: Manual cleaning of hidden folders:

Standard methods don't remove the cache of system applications.

1. Install a file manager with root permissions (such as Root Explorer).
2. Move to the /data/data/ Delete the folders of applications that you have not used in a long time.
3. Clear the folder. /cache/ — This is where temporary system files are stored.

💡

If the app gets slower after cleaning the cache, that's OK, and the cache will recover as you use the cache.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui) – this can cause malfunctions MIUI. Also, do not delete files from the folder. /system/, unless they are sure of their appointment.

3. Removal of unnecessary applications and their residues

Even after the apps are removed, Redmi 7 still has folders with settings and data to get rid of them completely:

Step 1. Remove via settings:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🗑️ Select the unnecessary application and click "Delete".
• 🔄 If the Remove button is inactive, it is a system application. It can only be disabled ("Stop" or "Stop").

Step 2: Delete the residual files:

After the installation, the folders remain in /Android/data/ and /Android/obb/. To remove them:

1. Open Files by Google or another file manager.
2. Go to internal memory → Android → data.
3. Delete folders with names of remote applications (for example, com.facebook.katana for Facebook).

Step 3: Disabling pre-installed applications:

Many system applications MIUI You can’t remove it, but you can disable it:

• 🛑 In the list of applications, select the unnecessary (for example, Mi Video or Mi Music).
• 🔕 Press "Disable" → "Disable the application".
• 🔄 After disconnecting it will disappear from the menu and will stop updating.

Remove unused games|Clear the file. /Android/obb/|Disable system applications|Check the autoboot in Settings-->

4. Optimization of media files: photos, videos and music

Photos and videos usually take up the lion's share of memory. On the Redmi 7 with 16GB of memory, this is especially critical. Here's how to make space:

Method 1. Transfer to SD-map:

• 📁 Insert microSD (up to 256 GB) into the slot.
• 🔄 Go to Settings. → Memory. → Move the data to SD-map.
• 📷 Select "Photo", "Video" or "Music" to transfer.

Method 2: Compression of photo and video:

Google Photos can automatically compress media files:

1. Install Google Photos from the Play Market.
2. Go to the settings. → "Make room".
3. Select the quality "High" (compression without loss of visible quality).

Method 3: Removing duplicates and screenshots:

Use apps like Files by Google or CCleaner to search for:

• 🔍 Duplicate photos (often created during editing).
• 📸 Screenshots (stored in the Pictures/Screenshots).
• 🎵 Unused audio files (downloads from messengers).

Method 4: Cleaning the folder DCIM:

In a file. DCIM Not only are your photos stored, but also:

• 🗑️.thumbnails folder – thumbnails (can be deleted).
• 📂 Camera folder - there may be old photos.
• 🔄.face folder – Facial Recognition Data (Delete if you do not use this feature).

⚠️ Warning: Do not use "memory optimizers" from unknown sources, many of which (such as Clean Master) themselves become a source of garbage and show false warnings about overflowing memory.

5. Cleaning through Recovery Mode (Recovery)

If standard methods didn't work, it's time for a deep cleaning through Recovery.This method removes system debris that is not available through normal settings. Instructions for Redmi 7:

Step 1. Transition to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery menu.

Step 2. Clear the cache:

• 🔧 Select Wipe & Reset (Management – Volume buttons, Select – Power button).
• 🧹 Choose the Wipe Cache → confirm.
• ✅ After cleaning, go back to the main menu and select Reboot.

Step 3: Reset Dalvik-cache (for advanced):

This cache is responsible for speeding up the launch of applications, and cleaning it will help if the phone is slowing down too much:

1. In Recovery, select Advanced.
2. Find the Wipe Dalvik Cache and confirm it.
3. Restart your phone, the first load will take 3-5 minute.

💡

Cleaning through Recovery does not delete your personal files (photos, videos, documents), but resets the settings of some applications.

If the phone still brakes after these actions, it may be time to make a full reset (see the next section).

6. Full reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

This is an extreme measure that removes everything from your phone, including apps, settings and media files, and only use it if:

• 🐢 The phone has become unbearably slow.
• 📱 Errors are constantly appearing: not enough memory".
• 🔄 You are going to sell or transfer your phone.

Step 1: Preserving important data

Before resetting, make a backup copy:

• 📁 Copy photos and videos to your computer or cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
• 📱 Export contacts to Settings → Contacts → Imports/Exports.
• 🔑 Save passwords from your browser (for example, through Google Password Manager).

Step 2: Performing the discharge:

There are two ways:

Method A. Through settings MIUI:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select "Reset all settings."
3. Enter your password (if installed) and confirm.

Method B. Recovery (if the phone is not turned on):

1. Go to Recovery (see previous section).
2. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

Step 3: First setup after resetting:

When you reset it, it'll look like new.

• 🔄 Skip the recovery from the backup (to avoid returning the garbage).
• 📱 Install only the necessary applications.
• 🛡️ Turn off the autoload of unnecessary programs in Settings → Permits → Auto-start.

⚠️ Note: Redmi 7 reset to factory settings does not delete files from SD-It formats the internal memory. SD As an internal memory (Adoptable Storage function), it will also be formatted!

7.Memory optimization after cleaning

To prevent memory from clogging again, set your phone correctly:

Advice 1. Turn off the autoload of applications:

• 🚫 Go to Settings. → Permits → Auto-start.
• 🔄 Turn off auto-run for all apps except instant messengers.

Advice 2. Set up the cleaning of the cache on a schedule:

In Annex Security:

1. Open the Cleanup.
2. Click on the three dots in the top corner → "Settings".
3. Turn on "Car Clean" and set a schedule (for example, once a week).

Advice 3: Move the applications to SD-map:

Not all apps support portability, but it’s worth trying:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application → “Storage” → “Change”.
3. Choose. SD-Card (if the option is active).

Advice 4: Use cloud services:

For photo and video:

• 📷 Google Photos (free up to 15GB).
• 📁 Mi Cloud (5GB) is free for Xiaomi owners).
• 🔗 Yandex Disk (10GB free).

Advice 5: Install a light firmware:

If you're ready to experiment, try custom firmware like Pixel Experience or LineageOS. They take up less space than you would. MIUI, But it's going to require unlocking the bootloader and getting root rights.

💡

Regular cache cleaning and disabling autoload applications can release before 3-5 GB of memory on Redmi 7 without deleting personal files.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning Redmi memory 7