How to completely remove the “Other” on Xiaomi Redmi 7A: 7 proven ways

The “Other” section in Xiaomi Redmi 7A memory is a real headache for budget smartphone owners: 16 or 32 GB of internal storage each megabyte is in the account, but the system stubbornly “eats” gigabytes under a mysterious category that can not be removed by standard means. Why does this happen? The fact is that under “Other” MIUI hides the cache of applications, updates, temporary system files and even fragments of deleted data that were not cleaned correctly.

In this article, we'll look at 7 working methods to reduce the volume of the Other on the Redmi 7A, from secure embedded tools to radical measures like factory resets. It's important to understand that some of these files are critical to the stable operation of MIUI, so you need to delete them carefully, and we'll also analyze what data is taking up space in your case, and give recommendations on how to prevent re-clogging of memory.

If you have never cleaned the system manually, the volume of the Other can decrease by 1.5-4 GB after the first actions - this is how much garbage accumulates during a year of active use of the Redmi 7A on MIUI 10-12.

1.What's hidden under the "Other" in Xiaomi Redmi 7A?

Before you start cleaning, you need to understand what exactly occupies space in the "Other" section. On Redmi 7A, this is usually a combination of:

• 🗑️ Application cache and systems are temporary files that should be deleted automatically, but often remain “hang” due to crashes.
• 📁 Remains of updates MIUI — firmware packages that have downloaded but not installed (especially relevant when manually updated via Updater).
• 👻 Deleted files: photos, videos, or documents that you erase but are left in the shopping cart or not overwritten by new data.
• 🔄 Logs and dumps are error reports files (.log,.dmp) that are created when applications crash.
• 🎭 Hidden application folders – some programs (such as instant messengers or games) store data in secure directories.

On the Redmi 7A with MIUI 10/11, the problem is compounded by the default system backing up to 3 to 5 GB for its needs, even if memory is critically short. In newer versions (such as MIUI 12), the algorithm is optimized, but the garbage still accumulates. To know exactly what takes up space, you can use third-party memory analyzers, which we will discuss in the next section.

2. Memory analysis: how do you know what exactly is taking place?

Before you delete files at random, diagnose the memory of your smartphone. MIUI has a built-in tool, but it shows the data in a very general way. For detailed analysis, you'd better use third-party tools.

Method 1: Integrated MIUI analyzer

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Slip on the “Other” chart – the system will show the distribution by category (cache, downloads, multimedia, etc.).
3. Pay attention to the “System Data” and “Other Files” items, which are usually the source of the problem.

Method 2: Third-party applications

For a deep scan, install one of these apps (available on Google Play):

• 🔍 Files by Google – Shows Hidden Files and Offers Cleanup.
• 📊 SD Maid – analyzes cache, application residues and duplicates.
• 🛠️ CCleaner – Deletes temporary files and optimizes the system.

💡

If you see that the Other section is more than 5GB after analysis, the problem is likely to be the remnants of MIUI updates. These can be manually removed - read more about this in Section 4.

Method 3: Manual inspection through file manager

Use Explorer (or Total Commander) to check the following folders:

/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ – cache and application data


/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/ - Temporary system files




/storage/emulated/0/Download/ – downloads (often old APKs are located here)




/data/local/tmp/ – Temporary update files (root rights required)

3. Clearing cache and temporary files without root rights

The safest way to free up space is to remove the cache. On Redmi 7A, this can be done for individual applications or for the entire system at once.

Clearing the cache of individual applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Facebook or YouTube) and tap “Clear Cache.”
3. To clean up completely, click “Clean Data” (remove all application settings!).

Cleaning the cache of the whole system:

1. Open Settings → Memory → Cleaning.
2. Click Clean – the system will delete unnecessary files (usually 500 MB-1.5 GB free).
3. If the option is inactive, try restarting your phone.

Removal of loads and debris:

• 📁 Check the Download folder – delete the old ones APK, photographs and documents.
• 🗑️ Clean the Recycle Bin in Gallery and Explorer (files are stored there for up to 30 days).
• 🔄 Remove unused themes and wallpapers in Settings → Topics.

Backup of important data

Close all background applications

Connect your phone to charge (if the memory is cleared for a long time)

Check the vacant space after cleaning-->

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui or com.miui.home) – this may cause interface failures MIUI. If you are not sure what you are removing, skip this step.

4.Removal of residual MIUI updates

One of the main memory eaters on the Redmi 7A is undeleted service packs, which downloads firmware in the background, but doesn't always remove it after installation, which can weigh 1-2 GB and last for years.

How to find and delete:

1. Open Explorer and go to /storage/emulated/0/Download/rom.
2. Delete all files with the.zip extension and names like miui_HM7AGlobal....
3. Check the /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/backup/all folder – there may be backups of updates.

If you MIUI 12 Update packs can be stored in a hidden folder. /data/ota_package. To see it, you will need root rights or access through ADB:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/ota_package/*

How to prevent re-clogging:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic update downloads in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto-downloading updates.
• 📥 Download firmware only manually and remove immediately ZIP-file.

5. Resetting to factory settings: a radical method

If neither of these methods worked, and the Other still takes 5+GB, the last option is a hard reset, which will delete all data, including system debris, but return the phone to a clean state.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup copy of important data (contacts, photos, messages).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset → Resetting.
3. Select “Erase all data” and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, the phone will be like new — without the extra files in the “Other” section.

What to do after the discharge:

• 🔧 Do not restore data from backup MIUI — It may contain the same garbage. You'd better move the files manually.
• 🚫 Do not install applications that have previously clogged memory (such as heavy games or large-cache instant messengers).
• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly (once every 1-2 weeks).

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 7A s MIUI 10 after reset, the partition for installing applications on the SD-To get this back, you'll have to reconfigure the memory card as internal storage in Settings. → Memory.

6.Use of ADB for deep cleaning (for advanced)

If you're familiar with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can manually remove system debris without resorting to a reset. This method is suitable for users who are not afraid of the command line.

Preparation:

1. Install. ADB-PC drivers.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode), then Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging over USB.
3. Connect Redmi 7A to your computer and confirm your trust.

Cleanup commands:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster -- cleaning of built-in cleaner


adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* -- Delete temporary files




adb shell rm -rf /cache/* -- cleaning the system cache (requires root)

Cleaning Dalvik cache (accelerates the system):

adb shell su


adb shell rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*

Once you have completed the commands, restart the phone. This method can free up to 1-2 GB, but it requires caution - the wrong commands can disrupt MIUI.

💡

Use ADB only if you are confident in your actions. A command error (such as deleting system folders) can lead to a phone "brick."

7. How to prevent re-clogging of memory?

To prevent the “Other” section from growing again, follow these recommendations:

Additional advice:

• 📱 Use Lite versions of apps (like Facebook Lite or Messenger Lite) – they take up less space.
• 🔄 Check your Download folder regularly for old files.
• 🛡️ Install antivirus (such as Dr.Web Light) – some viruses create hidden files that fall into the “Other».

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up "The Other" on Redmi 7A