Cleaning up the internal memory of Xiaomi Redmi 7A: a complete guide with instructions and tips

Why Redmi 7A is Clogged and How to Fix It

Xiaomi Redmi 7A is a budget smartphone with 16 or 32 GB of internal memory, of which only 10–25 GB is available to the user. Even with careful use, free space quickly ends due to the features of MIUI and background processes.

First, the system automatically creates a cache of applications and temporary files that can take up to 3-5 GB. Second, messengers (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) save media files to the Download folder, and games like Free Fire or PUBG Mobile - a cache of updates. Finally, duplicate photos from Google Photos or Mi Cloud take place unnoticed.

If the phone starts to slow down, give a notification "Not enough memory" or refuse to install updates, it's time to clean. Below we will discuss all the working methods, from simple to radical.

Method 1: Clearing the application cache through settings

The safest method is to delete temporary files (cache) that do not affect the operation of programs, but take up to several gigabytes. 7A It's done this way:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Sort by size."
3. Select apps with large cache (e.g. YouTube, Facebook, Chrome).
4. Click on Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data!).

To speed up the process, use the built-in Optimization tool:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Click “Clean” next to “Junk Files”.
3. Confirm the removal (the system will show how much space will be freed).

✅ Temporary files of messengers (stickers, previews)

✅ Cache of browsers (Chrome, Mi Browser)

✅ Residual files of remote applications

❌ Do not clear the cache of system applications (Settings, Phone)

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⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache for applications where login data is important (such as banking programs or other applications). VK). This can lead to automatic logging out of the account.

Method 2: Manually Delete Unnecessary Files

Many users are unaware that folders Download, DCIM and Pictures accumulate gigabytes of unnecessary files. For example, Redmi 7A default saves:

• 📁 Screenshots in Pictures/Screenshots (can weigh up 1–2 GB).
• 🎵 Audio recordings from voice messages in Recordings.
• 📥 Files from Telegram/WhatsApp Download (even if you haven’t downloaded it!).
• 🗑️.thumbnails folder (miniature photo, weighs up to 500 MB).

To find and remove them:

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the tab "Category» → «Large files».
3. Sort by size and remove the unnecessary (long tap → “Delete”).

For deep cleaning, use third-party utilities like Files by Google or SD Maid (available in the Play Market) that find duplicate photos, empty folders, and residual files of remote programs.

Method 3: Transfer data to a memory card

Redmi 7A supports microSD up to 256GB, but by default, applications and files are saved to internal memory.

1. Insert the memory card (if not already inserted).
2. Go to Settings → Memory → SD card.
3. Tap "Format as internal" (Warning: all data from the card will be erased!).
4. After formatting, select “Transfer Data” (photo, video, music).

For the portability of applications:

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Select a program (e.g. Spotify) → Storage → Change.
3. Specify your memory card (not all apps support portability!).

⚠️ Attention: If you pull out a memory card formatted as internal, the phone may not see the transferred applications. SD through settings → Memory. → Extract.

Method 4: Cleaning through Safe Mode

If your phone is slowing down because of viruses or heavy apps, but you don't know what's to blame, run Safe Mode, which is a mode that only runs system programs, which helps identify the problem software.

How to turn on:

1. Press the power button before the off menu appears.
2. Hold your finger on “Switch off” for a long time (you will be asked to switch to Safe Mode).
3. Confirm and wait for the reboot (the screen will be labeled "Safe Mode").

In Safe Mode:

• 🔍 Check if the lags have disappeared – if so, the problem is in third-party software.
• 🗑️ Remove suspicious apps through Settings → Annexes.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone to exit the mode.

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If you have a fast phone in Safe Mode, but you come back after it comes out, one of the last apps you've installed is to blame.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of these things work, and there's less than 1 GB of free memory, you have a hard reset, and you've completely erased all your data, including your accounts, your photos, your settings, and the Redmi 7A, you can reset it in 5-10 minutes, but you have to prepare it for it.

Steps before discharge:

1. Make a backup copy: 📱 Contact: Settings → Google → Backup. 📷 Photo: Copy it on PC or in Google Photos. 🔑 Passwords: Export from Google Smart Lock.

Mi Account

Charge your phone at least 50%.

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase all data”.
3. Enter. PIN-code (if installed) and confirm.

⚠️ Attention: After the Redmi reset 7A You may need to enter data from your last Mi or Google account, even if you don't remember it. If you forget your password, restore it in advance at account.xiaomi.com.

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Resetting to factory settings is the only way to remove viruses that block access to settings and return a “clean” system without debris.

Method 6: Optimize memory with ADB (for advanced)

If you’re familiar with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can manually delete unnecessary system files or transfer the app cache to a memory card, a method that’s risky but effective at releasing 1–3GB.

Instructions:

1. Install Minimal ADB and Fastboot on PC (link).
2. Turn on the phone “Debugging by USB” (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → tap 7 times on version number → return to “Additional” → “For developers” → turn on debugging).
3. Connect Redmi 7A to your PC and type in the command line: adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "cache" This will show applications with a large cache.
4. To clear the cache of a particular packet (e.g. com.android.chrome): adb shell pm clear com.android.chrome

To transfer the cache to SD (requires root rights):

adb shell su


mv /data/dalvik-cache /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Android/obb/

(where XXXX-XXXX is your memory card ID).

How to Prevent Memory Filling in the Future

To avoid cleaning the Redmi 7A every week, set up automatic optimization.

• 🔄 Include “Autocleaning” in Settings → Memory.
• 📥 Turn off autoload media in messengers: WhatsApp: Settings → Warehouse → Autoboot media → Select "Only on Wi-Fi" or "Never." Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Autoboot media → disconnect for mobile network.
• 🗃️ Use cloud services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) to automatically upload photos.
• 🚫 Remove pre-installed Mi apps (e.g. Mi Music, Mi Video) via Settings → Annexes → Delete (if there is a button).

To control memory, install the "Cleanup" widget on the main screen:

1. Take a long time to tap on the free screen space → “Widgets”.
2. Find “Optimization” or “Cleanup” and drag it to the screen.
3. Now you can clean the garbage with one tap.

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Regularly cleaning the cache and transferring the photo to a memory card or to the cloud can save up to 50% of internal storage without loss of functionality.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Redmi memory 7A