How to delete other files on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: the complete instructions for cleaning memory

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is a popular smartphone with 64 or 128 GB of internal memory, but even this volume becomes scarce over time. Users often encounter the mysterious category of “Other files” in the “Storage” section, which takes up gigabytes of space but has no explicit description. What is this data? Can it be deleted without harming the system? And how to properly clean up the memory without disrupting MIUI?

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to delete unnecessary files on the Redmi Note 7, from standard MIUI tools to hidden features and third-party utilities, which data can be safely erased and which should not be touched so as not to break the firmware, and we’ll look at the reasons why memory is clogged with junk, and give recommendations on how to prevent the reaccumulation of unnecessary files.

What are the “Other Files” in Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Storage?

In the Settings → Storage menu on the Redmi Note 7, you may have noticed the “Other Files” (or “Other”) category, which takes between 5 and 20+ GB. It’s not a separate data type, but a “dump” for everything the system couldn’t categorize as standard: photos, videos, apps, or cache.

• 📁 Application cache – temporary files that programs create to speed up work, but often do not delete.
• 🔄 Remnants of Remote Apps – folders and settings of programs that you have long uninstalled, but their traces remain.
• 📄 System Logs – Error Reports, Memory Dumps and Service Operations Files MIUI.
• 🔗 Symbolic links – virtual shortcuts to files that take up space but do not contain real data.
• 🗑️ Garbage after updates - old versions of firmware that remain in memory after the upgrade MIUI.

It is important to understand that not all “other files” can be deleted without consequences. For example, system logs (/data/log/) or Google service cache can be critical for stable operation. On the Redmi Note 7 with MIUI 10-12 firmware, it is safe to remove up to 60-70% of the volume from the “Other” category, but only through proven methods.

⚠️ Note: Do not use root file managers to manually delete folders in your file. /data/ or /system/. This can lead to a "brick" of the device, all manipulations are performed through official tools or proven utilities.

Method 1: Cleaning through built-in MIUI tools

MIUI on the Redmi Note 7 has built-in memory cleanup utilities, but they aren’t always effective against “other files,” but starting with them is the safest method.

Open Settings → Storage and follow the following steps:

1. Click on the “Other Files” (or “Other”) category. The system will show you a list of applications and data that can be cleaned.
2. Select items marked “Cash” or “Unnecessary Files” and click “Clean”.
3. Go to the Cleanup section and start the scan. MIUI will find debris, including remnants of deleted applications and temporary files.
4. Click “Clear” and confirm the action.

This method removes up to 1-3 GB of unnecessary data, but often leaves deep system files intact.

Make a backup copy of important data|Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)|Close all working applications|Connect to Wi-Fi (for downloading utilities)-->

Method 2: Removing the application cache manually

Cache is the main culprit in filling the category "Other files" on Redmi Note 7, it can be cleared in two ways: for individual applications or globally for all programs.

Cleaning the cache for a specific application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a program (such as Facebook or YouTube) and click Storage.
3. Tap “Clear Cache” (not to be confused with “Clear Data” – this will remove all app settings!).

Global Cache Cleanup:

1. Open Settings → Storage → Cache data.
2. Confirm the cleanup. This will delete the cache of all applications, but it won't affect any personal data.

After this procedure, some programs (such as Google Maps or Instagram) will take longer to load on the first run – this is normal, since they will have to recover the cache again.

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If the app is slower after cleaning the cache, restart the smartphone, which will reset the background processes and speed up the re-creation of temporary files.

Method 3: Using a file manager to find large files

Embedded Files from Xiaomi or third-party managers (such as Solid Explorer) will help you find and delete large, unnecessary files that the system has not classified.

1. Open Files and go to Categories → Large Files.
2. Sort files by size (by decrease) and check the list for availability:

Delete

Pay special attention to the folders:

• /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ – This is where application data (e.g. downloaded maps for Google Maps) is stored.
• /storage/emulated/0/Download/ is a standard download folder where unnecessary files are often accumulated.
• /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails/ – Photo and video thumbnails that can be safely removed.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files with extensions.odex,.apk (unless these are your downloads) or folders called com.android.*. These are system components, the removal of which will lead to failures.

Method 4: Removing Remnants of Remote Applications

When you uninstall a program through the Play Market or MIUI, its main files are deleted, but often remain:

• 📁 Folders with data in /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/.
• 🔧 Configuration files in /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/.
• 🗃️ Cache and temporary files in hidden directories.

To completely remove the program traces:

1. Open Files and go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/.
2. Find a folder with the name of the remote application (for example, com.facebook.katana for Facebook).
3. Delete it completely. If the folder is not deleted, then the application is still installed (check Settings → Applications).

For convenience, use the SD Maid utility (available in the Play Market), which automatically finds and removes the remnants of uninstalled programs. When you first start, give it permission to access the storage and follow the instructions in the "CorpseFinder" section.

Method 5: Cleaning system logs and memory dumps

System Logs (/data/log/) and dumps (/data/tombstones/) borrow 500 MB up to a few gigabytes, but they can't be removed without root rights. 7 roundabout:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (in file transfer mode).
2. Use ADB (Developer Tool) and execute commands: adb shell su rm -rf /data/log/* rm -rf /data/tombstones/*
3. If su doesn’t work (no root), try an alternative method via MIUI: adb shell pm clear com.miui.analytics This will clear up analytics logs that often take up a lot of space.

Without root, this method will only remove a portion of the logs, but even that will free up 300-800 MB. Full cleaning will require unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom recover (for example, TWRP), but this is risky for beginners.

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The most secure files to delete are the cache of applications and the remnants of uninstalled programs. Logs and dumps are better not to touch without root rights, so as not to disrupt the system.

Method 6: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of the methods worked, and the "other files" still take up 10+GB, the last option is hard reset, which will remove all data from the device, including system debris, but also delete:

• 📱 Contacts (if not synced with Google).
• 📸 Photos and videos (unless saved to PC or cloud).
• 🎮 Save games and customize applications.
• 🔑 Passwords from Wi-Fi and accounts.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, set up your smartphone as new.

This method is guaranteed to clean up all unnecessary files, but you should only use it if:

• 🔹 You're selling or giving away your phone.
• 🔹 The device is severely slowed due to a filled memory.
• 🔹 Other methods have failed to produce results.

⚠️ Note: On the Redmi Note 7 with the bootloader unlocked, a reset may result in the device being locked (re-authorized Mi Account required!

How to prevent the re-accumulation of garbage?

To prevent the category “Other Files” from growing again, follow these guidelines:

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly (once every 1-2 weeks) through Settings → Warehouse.
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary downloads from the Download folder immediately after use.
• 📱 Turn off the automatic download of media files in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
• 🔄 Update apps – new versions often optimize cache usage.
• 🛡️ Use cloud services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) to store photos and videos.
• 🚫 Avoid cleaners like Clean Master – they often delete useful data and show false warnings.

It is also useful to disable the collection of analytics in MIUI:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reviews and analytics.
2. Turn off the options “Send Error Reports” and “Participate in improving MIUI.”

This will reduce the number of logs created and save up to 500 MB per month.

FAQ: Frequent questions about deleting files on Redmi Note 7