Cleaning up system memory on Xiaomi Redmi 7: a complete guide for users

Why is Redmi 7 slowing down and what does it have to do with memory?

Your Xiaomi Redmi 7 is slowing down, apps are slow to open, and the system is notifying you of a memory shortage? The reason is often clogged storage. Even with free space, system memory (RAM and internal storage) can be overloaded with temporary files, application cache and background activity. Unlike flagships, low-end models like Redmi 7 have limited resources: only 2/3 GB of RAM and 32/64 GB of ROM, which quickly ends with active use.

The problem is compounded by the features of MIUI firmware: the system aggressively caches data to speed up work, but does not always clean it effectively. For example, after updating or installing heavy games like Genshin Impact, there may be junk files up to 1-1.5 GB that are not deleted automatically, and many users are unaware that the Dalvik cache accumulates over time and requires manual cleaning.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to free up memory on Redmi 7 – from basic (cleaning the cache manually) to radical (reset to factory settings). MIUI 12-14 and does not require root permissions. Important: before starting work, check how much memory is occupied right now. → The phone. → Warehouse.

Method 1: Cleaning the application cache manually

The easiest and most secure method is to delete temporary files (cache) for individual applications, which will not delete your data (photos, messages, save in games), but will free up to 500 MB-1 GB of memory, especially effective for instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), social networks (TikTok, Instagram) and games.

How to clear the cache:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter the name of the application (for example, Facebook).
• 🧹 Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Repeat for all heavy applications (see list below).

Top.-5 Apps that most often cache on Redmi 7:

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache for system applications such as Settings, Phone, or Messages – this can cause interface failures MIUI.

Close all background applications

Connect your phone to charge (the process can take 5-10 minutes)

Check the vacant storage space before and after cleaning

Do not clear the cache for banking applications (for example, SberBank Online)-->

Method 2: Automatic cleaning through "Safety"

MIUI has a built-in memory optimization tool called Security, which analyzes the system and suggests removing unnecessary files, including:

• 🗑️ Residual files after uninstallation of applications
• 📁 Empty folders and duplicate photos
• 🔄 Cache of system updates
• 📥 Downloads (APK-files, archives)

Instructions:

1. Open the Security app (if it isn’t on the home screen, search through search).
2. Press Cleaning → Deep Cleaning.
3. Wait for the analysis to be completed (it may take 1-3 minutes).
4. Select file categories to delete and confirm the action.

Tip: In the Cleanup section, there is a tab called Big Files – you can find and delete forgotten videos, archives or game installers (for example, files with the.apk or.obb extension).

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the phone starts to brake

Never clean.-->

Method 3: Removing System Garbage Through Recovery Mode

If standard methods didn't work, try clearing the Dalvik cache and cache partition through Recovery Mode. This won't delete your data, but it requires caution. The method is useful after MIUI updates, when the system creates temporary files to install a new firmware.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
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 and go to Wipe & Reset.
4. Click on Wipe Cache (not to be confused with Wipe All Data!).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 2-5 minutes).
6. Restart your phone via Reboot.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is loading for longer than 10 minutes after cleaning the cache, don't interrupt! This is normal - the system recovers the cache of applications. Also don't be afraid if some applications open longer than usual after rebooting.

Method 4: Disabling and removing unnecessary system applications

MIUI is known for its abundance of pre-installed applications (bloatware), many of which cannot be removed by standard means. However, they can be disabled or removed through ADB (no root rights!), which will free up to 1-1.5 GB of memory and reduce background activity.

List of safe apps to disable on Redmi 7:

• 🎵 Music (standard Xiaomi player)
• 📺 Mi Video (if you use YouTube or YouTube) VLC)
• 📖 Mi Browser (replace with Chrome or Firefox)
• 🎮 Game Center (Xiaomi Game Center)
• 📊 Analytics (collection of statistics)
• 💼 Mi Pay (if you don’t use Xiaomi payments)

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app from the list above.
3. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, the application is critical to the system).

For complete removal, you will need ADB. Instructions:

adb shell


pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer # Example for Mi Video




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.player # Example for Music

⚠️ Note: Do not remove apps called com.android., com.qualcomm. or com.xiaomi.findevice – this may cause your phone to fail!

💡

Before disabling system applications, back up through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will help restore them in case of problems.

Method 5: Transfer applications to a memory card

If you have a microSD card installed, you can transfer some applications to it, freeing up internal memory, but note that not all programs support this function, and the speed of the memory card (Class 10/UHS-I) is lower than from internal storage.

• 🎮 Games with large data files (for example, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty)
• 📚 Reading apps (such as Moon)+ Reader)
• 🎵 Music players with offline tracks

How to move:

1. Insert a memory card (formatted as internal storage).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select the application and click Storage → Change → Memory Map.
4. Confirm the transfer (may take a few minutes).

Important: Do not transfer to the memory card:

• 🔒 Banking applications (risk of failures during authorization)
• 📞 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram – may not receive notifications)
• 🛠️ System utilities (for example, Files or Settings)

💡

Moving apps to a memory card doesn’t always solve the problem of lag. If the phone is slowing down due to a lack of RAM (RAM) rather than internal memory, this method won’t help.

Method 6: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If all previous methods failed and the phone is still slowing down, a hard reset will be left, which will delete all data, including photos, contacts and installed apps, so back up first.

• 🐢 The phone became unbearably slow even after cleaning the cache.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI There were constant failures.
• 📱 Memory disappears for no apparent reason (virus or file system error).

How to reset your settings:

1. Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset or manually copy files to your PC.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
4. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.

Alternatively, the Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery.
3. Select Wipe All Data (or Factory Reset)
4. Confirm the reset and wait for the reset.

⚠️ Warning: Once reset, the phone will be like new, reconfiguring accounts, Wi-Fi and app permissions. If you forget the password from the Mi Account tied to the device, you may need to unlock through Xiaomi’s service (it will take up to 72 hours).

Method 7: Optimize memory with third-party utilities

If you don't want to go through the settings manually, you can use specialized applications to clean up your memory, but be careful: many of the "optimizers" from the Play Market consume resources themselves and show false virus notifications. We recommend only proven utilities:

How to use SD Maid:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Run and grant superuser rights (if there is root) or permissions to access files.
3. Go to CorpseFinder, where you can see the residual files of remote applications.
4. Press Run and select files to delete.
5. In the AppCleaner section, you can clear the cache for all applications at once.

Warning: Do not use the “RAM accelerator” or “CPU cooler” features – they close the background processes, which can lead to loss of notifications (for example, from WhatsApp or Telegram) and increased battery consumption when you re-start applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleanup on Redmi 7