How to Free Memory from the Other on Xiaomi Redmi 7A: The Complete Guide

Why the Other takes up gigabytes of memory on the Redmi 7A and how to fix it

The Other section** in Xiaomi Redmi 7A storage is one of the most puzzling problems for users, which can take anywhere from 5 to 20 GB, and the system does not show which files are included. Unlike photos, videos or apps, this garbage is not removed by standard methods. The reason for its appearance lies in the features of the MIUI firmware: it accumulates updates, cache system processes, error logs and even fragments of deleted applications that were not cleaned correctly.

On Redmi 7A, with its modest 16 or 32 GB of storage, every megabyte counts. When the Other grows to 10+ GB, the phone starts to slow down, apps crash, and the system issues notifications about space shortages. In this article, we'll look at 7 proven ways to reduce the volume of this partition, from safe (cleaning the cache) to radical (resetting to factory settings).

Before you start, check how much space the Other takes up: Settings → Memory → Storage Analysis. If the number is higher than 3-5 GB, it’s time to act. Note: on the Redmi 7A with a MIUI of 10-12, the memory algorithm can overstate the real amount of garbage by 10-15%, but this is not a reason to ignore the problem.

Method 1: Cleaning the cache of applications and systems

The safest and fastest method is to delete temporary files, and the cache is stored not only in user applications (like YouTube or Chrome), but also in system processes, which can give up to 1-3 GB of free space on Redmi 7A.

How to clear the cache:

• 📱 For individual applications: Settings → Annexes → Select an application → Warehouse → Clear the cache. Start with the hardest ones -- instant messengers, social media, browsers.
• 🗑️ System cache: Settings → Memory. → Clean (in the "Cash" section). MIUI This option may be called “Dumping».
• 🔄 Reboot: After cleaning, be sure to restart your phone - this will reset temporary system kernel files.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Clear cache and Clear data! The second option will delete all application settings (for example, chat history in WhatsApp or bookmarks in the browser.

Method 2: Remove unnecessary APKs and application residues

When removing programs through a standard manager MIUI Often leaves behind residual files: folders in /data/data, Dalvik's cache, and even yourself. APK-file /data/app. These “tails” can weigh hundreds of megabytes.

How to find and remove them:

1. Install a file manager with access to system folders, such as FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer (you need to enable Show Hidden Files).
2. Go to /data/app and /data/data – look for folders with names of remote applications (for example, com.facebook.katana for Facebook).
3. Delete them manually. If files are not deleted, you do not have root rights (see Method 5).

💡 Useful advice: Use the app SD Maid (requires root), which automatically finds residual files, and the free version has a CorpseFinder scanner that will show which apps have not been completely removed.

Method 3: Cleaning Download folder and garbage in messengers

The Download folder on Redmi 7A often becomes a dump of unnecessary files, with archives, documents, images from messengers and even duplicate photos piled up, and analysis shows that up to 30% of the volume of the Other may be in this section.

How to clean:

• 📁 Open Explorer (or Xiaomi Files) and go to Internal Memory → Download. Sort files by date or size.
• 🤖 For instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp): go to the chat settings → Warehouse and data → Telegram can also manually delete Telegram Images and Telegram Video.
• 🗃️ folder DCIM/.thumbnails Stores thumbnails of images - they can be safely deleted (they will be restored automatically).

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders Android/obb and Android/media — It stores game and media data, and avoid folders called com.xiaomi.* These are system files. MIUI.

Method 4: Dalvik cache reset and system optimization

Dalvik cache is a temporary file created by the Android virtual machine to speed up applications. On Redmi 7A with its weak Snapdragon 439 processor, this cache can grow to 500 MB-1 GB, especially if applications are installed/removed frequently.

How to clean Dalvik cache without root rights:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (use volume buttons for navigation, power for selection).
4. Confirm the action and restart.

🔧 For advanced users: If you have root, use the command in Terminal Emulator:

su


rm -r /data/dalvik-cache/*




reboot

This method is more effective, but requires caution – an incorrect command can damage the system.

Method 5: Radical cleansing with root rights

If previous methods have failed, and the Other still takes 5+GB, it’s time to use root access to remove system debris that is not available to ordinary users: log files, memory dumps, remnants of MIUI updates.

📌 What can be cleaned with root:

• 📜 Log files: /data/log, /cache/logs — It stores records of system failures and events.
• 🗑️ Remains of updates: /cache/ota and /data/ota_package — Firmware files that were not deleted after installation.
• 🧹 Temporal files: /data/local/tmp and /data/tombstones (crash-dump).

⚠️ Attention: Getting root on Redmi 7A requires unlocking the bootloader, which resets all data and can deprive you of warranties. Use the official method from Xiaomi via the Mi Unlock Tool. FX File Explorer with Root Access Module.

🛠️ Cleaning instructions:

1. Open a file manager with root access.
2. Go to the folders above and delete their contents (not the folders themselves!).
3. For deep cleaning, use the script in Terminal Emulator: su rm -rf /data/log/* rm -rf /cache/logs/* rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* rm -rf /data/tombstones/* rm -rf /cache/ota/* rm -rf /data/ota_package/* reboot

💡

Before you delete your system files, back up your files via TWRP Recovery, which will take 10-15 minutes, but save the data if you make an error.

Method 6: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If all previous methods fail, you'll have a hard reset, which will delete all the data from your phone, including the Other, but you'll also have your photos, contacts and apps erased, and Redmi 7A will have two ways of resetting:

Method 1. Through settings:

1. Settings → About the phone → Reset settings → Erase all data.
2. Enter your password (if installed) and confirm.

Method 2. Through Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.

⚠️ Attention: After the Redmi reset 7A It can be “hang” on the logo. MI before 10 It's okay. Don't interrupt the process. Also note that some firmware MIUI reset doesn't clean the folder /sdcard (internal memory, so check it manually before the procedure.

💡

Factory reset is the only way to guarantee the removal of "Other" but it should only be used as a last resort. Always back up the data before resetting!

Method 7: Prevention – How to Prevent Re-accumulation of Waste

To prevent the Other from growing again, follow these rules:

• 🔄 Regular cleaning: Check your settings once a month → Memory and clear cache.
• 🚫 Limit background activity: In Settings → Battery → Power saving mode disable autosynchronization for unnecessary applications.
• 📥 Download control: Set up instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) to automatically delete media files older than 30 days.
• 🔧 Updates with caution: Before installing a new firmware MIUI remove the old version from /cache/ota.

📊 Statistics: According to the data XDA Developers, on Redmi. 7A With the background activity of applications disabled, the volume of the “Other” grows 2-3 times slower than with standard settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the “Other” in Redmi’s memory 7A