Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 7 series of smartphones have proven to be reliable and perform well. However, over time, even the most powerful device can start to run slower and the free space in internal memory can disappear rapidly. One of the main reasons for such problems is the accumulation of temporary files known as cache.
Many users mistakenly believe that clearing the cache will result in the loss of personal data, such as photos, contacts or correspondence in messengers. It is not. Cache is temporary information that helps applications and the system load faster, but over time it can take up gigabytes of usable space. Regular cleaning of this data is necessary to maintain the stability of the MIUI operating system.
In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to delete temporary files, we will look at both standard system tools and deeper cleaning methods through the engineering menu, you will learn to distinguish secure files from mission-critical files and understand when you need to interfere with the system.
What is cache and why it should be removed
Caching is a mechanism where applications store frequently used data in an easily accessible location, such as when you flip through a social media feed, images and text are stored in memory so that when you re-open a post, they load instantly, which speeds up the interface and saves Internet traffic.
But there's a downside to this, and over time, this kind of temporary data gets to an unimaginable size, and old logos, video previews, and web pages that you visited six months ago continue to take up space, and if you don't clean it, it can lead to a lack of space to install updates or new programs.
In addition, corrupted cache files often cause crashes, the application can fly out at launch or freeze at a certain stage of operation, in which case deleting temporary data is the first step in diagnosing malfunctions.
- 🚀 Freeing up internal memory to install new games and apps.
- ⚡ Accelerating Program Launch and Touch Screen Response.
- 🛠 Addressing errors in specific services such as YouTube or Instagram.
- 🔋 Reducing the load on the processor, which has a positive effect on battery life.
⚠️ Note: Cache removal does not affect your personal files, logins and passwords. However, after cleaning, some applications may load a little longer on the first run, as they will have to re-form temporary files.
Cleaning the cache through the standard Security app
The easiest and safest way to free up space on the Redmi Note 7 is to use a built-in system tool. The MIUI shell comes pre-installed with the Security app, which automatically scans the device for junk files, a method ideal for regular smartphone maintenance.
To get started, look for an icon on your desktop or in the Tools folder called "Security" (green shield). Launch the app and click on the big "Clean Up" button. The system will scan the memory and show the amount of files that can be deleted without risking stability, usually including remnants of remote programs, advertising files and, of course, cache.
Once you've finished scanning, you'll see a list of categories. Click on "Cash" to see the details. Here you can choose which data to delete. If you want to do a deep cleanup, you can also mark "Residual Files" and "Large Files," but be careful when you delete them.
☑️ Checklist for quick cleaning
Importantly, the system cleaner works in a gentle mode, it does not touch the authorization data and application settings, removing only obviously temporary files, this makes the method safe for daily use, and regular use of this feature will help keep the smartphone in good shape.
Removing the cache of individual applications in the settings
Sometimes the problem isn't with the system as a whole, but with a particular application that's swelled to a giant size, like messengers like Telegram or Viber, which can store gigabytes of media files in their cache, and in such cases, it's more effective to manually clean the data of a particular service through settings.
Go to the Settings menu of your Redmi Note 7. Find the Apps section and select All Apps. You will see the full list of installed programs. Find a problem app (like YouTube or Chrome) in the list and click on it.
In the menu that opens, select Memory or Storage. Here you will see two buttons: Clear and Clear Everything. We are interested in the Clear Cache button. Clicking on it will only delete temporary files. The Clear Data button will reset the application to its state immediately after installation, removing your logins and settings, so use it with caution.
| Type of cleaning | What's removed | Impact on the account | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear the cache | Temporary files, previews, logs | It doesn't. | To make room |
| Clear the data | Settings, logins, database | Total reset | When an application fails |
| Delete the appendix | The program and all its files | Deleting your account from your device | To remove unnecessary software |
| Forced stopping | Nothing's been deleted. | No. | If the app's hanging. |
This approach allows you to spot the memory problems without affecting the rest of the system, and it is especially useful to check the cache volume of browsers and social networks, since they are updated most often.
Deep cleaning through the Recovery Engineering Menu
If your smartphone is unstable, it's stuck on the logo, or standard methods don't work, you can use Recovery Mode, which is a system partition that boots independently of the main operating system, and Wipe Cache Partition, which cleans the entire system cache, is available here.
To enter this mode, you need to turn off the Redmi Note 7 completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, continue to keep the volume. The Recovery menu will appear on the screen, which is controlled by the volume buttons, and the choice by the power button.
1. Power Off (Switch off)2. Reboot (Reboot)3. Wipe Data (Erase data)4. Wipe Cache (Clear the cache)5. Connect with MIAssistant (Connect to Assistant)Using volume buttons, select Wipe Cache (or Wipe Cache Partition depending on the version of Recovery). Confirm the action. The process will take a few seconds. Once complete, select Reboot to reboot your smartphone. This action is safe for your personal files, photos and contacts.
What to do if the Recovery menu does not open?
⚠️ Note: In the Recovery menu, do not select Wipe All Data or Factory Reset if you want to save your files. These commands will completely delete all information from the phone, returning it to the factory settings.
Using third-party utilities for cleaning
In addition to system tools, Xiaomi users often turn to third-party solutions from the Google Play store. Popular applications like Clean Master, CCleaner or Files by Google offer advanced functionality for analyzing disk space, they can find duplicate files, remnants of deleted applications and hidden debris.
One of the advantages of these programs is that you can set up automatic cleaning on a schedule, so you can set a rule that the phone will delete temporary files every 3 days or when the amount of free space falls below a certain threshold, which eliminates the need to constantly monitor the state of memory.
But be careful with so-called “memory accelerators” (RAM Boosters) – modern versions of Android, including MIUI, manage RAM very efficiently on their own, and forcing the background to be closed by third-party utilities can lead to the opposite effect: the system will have to restart services, which will only increase battery consumption and load the processor.
- 📂 Possibility of visualization of occupied space in the form of diagrams.
- 🔍 Search for duplicate photos and identical documents.
- ⏰ Automation of maintenance processes on schedule.
- 🛡️ Additional functions of protection against viruses and malware.
When choosing third-party software, choose trusted developers. Avoid applications with questionable permissions that require access to your contacts or microphone under the guise of cleaners.
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Tip: Instead of installing heavy cleaner apps, use Xiaomi’s built-in Explorer app, which shows the largest files in the Storage Analysis section and allows you to quickly remove the unnecessary ones.
Common errors in memory cleaning
Optimizing your smartphone seems simple, but users often make mistakes that can lead to loss of important data or unstable system operation. Understanding these nuances will help avoid unpleasant consequences and maintain the integrity of information on the Redmi Note 7.
One of the most common mistakes is the confusion between cleaning the cache and resetting the data. As mentioned earlier, the Clean All button in the app settings removes not only the garbage, but also your settings. If you clean up the banking app data, you'll have to re-authenticate and customize the biometrics.
Another mistake is to manually delete system files through the file manager without understanding their purpose: folders with names like Android, System, or MIUI contain critical components, and deleting them can cause the phone to stop turning on or applications to stop functioning properly.
Also, don’t be fanatical about freeing up 100% of memory. Android requires free space (usually around 10-15% of the total) to run normally, create temporary files, and update applications. If the memory is crammed, the phone will run slowly regardless of the processor’s power.
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The main rule of cleaning is to remove only what you are sure of. The system cleaner is safe, manual mode requires knowledge.
Preventing and optimizing the Redmi Note 7
To keep your Redmi Note 7 fast for as long as possible, it’s important not only to clean the cache periodically, but also to follow certain rules of operation.
Regularly update applications and the MIUI operating system itself. Developers are constantly optimizing code, fixing bugs and improving memory mechanisms. Outdated versions of programs may contain bugs that accumulate junk files.
Turn off automatic saving of media files in instant messengers, if this is not urgently necessary, in the settings of WhatsApp or Telegram, you can prevent the storage of received photos and videos in the gallery, this will significantly slow down the filling of internal memory.
Use cloud storage for photos and documents. Services like Google Photos or Yandex.Disk allow you to store media files online, freeing up space on your device. Google Photos' "Free space" feature automatically removes photos from your phone that have already been uploaded to the cloud.