How to increase memory on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: from memory card to hidden MIUI settings

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, released in 2019, is still a popular budget smartphone with a balance of performance and price. However, even 64 GB of internal memory (in the basic version) can quickly end: high-resolution photos, app cache, system updates and games take dozens of gigabytes. If your Redmi Note 7 constantly shows a notification “Not enough memory”, do not rush to buy a new phone – there are at least 5 ways to solve the problem.

In this article, we will discuss all available methods for increasing memory, from the banal addition of a microSD card to fine-tuning MIUI and porting applications. Particular attention will be paid to hidden features that Xiaomi does not advertise, but can free up up to 10-15 GB of space, and we will also explain which solutions do not work on this model (for example, why adoptable storage in Android 9 is useless) and how to avoid typical errors when expanding memory.

Installation of a microSD card: which format and class to choose

The most obvious way is to add a microSD card. The Redmi Note 7 supports cards up to 256 GB (officially) and up to 512 GB (unofficially, with firmware from third-party developers). However, not all cards are equally useful: cheap Class 4 or Class 6 models will slow down when recording videos or running games from an external drive.

The best options for Redmi Note 7:

• 📌 Format: FAT32 (up to 32 GB or exFAT (64 GB). NTFS unsupported!
• ⚡ Class speed: UHS-I U1 (minimum U3 (record 4K-video).
• 🔍 Brands: Samsung EVO Plus, SanDisk Ultra, Kingston Canvas Go! - Proven options without counterfeiting.
• 🚫 What to avoid: cards without logo, with suspiciously low price (risk of fake containers).

How to insert a map:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Use a paper clip to remove the SIM/microSD tray (hole on the right).
3. Install the microSD in the top slot (under the nano-SIM tray).
4. Turn on the phone and wait for the card to be identified.

⚠️ Warning: If the card is not identified, check it on the PC through the card reader, possible reasons: incorrect format (format in exFAT), damaged contact in the phone slot or the card itself.

2. Set up a memory card as internal storage (and why it doesn't always work)

Android 9 Pie (which runs on the Redmi Note 7 by default) has Adoptable Storage, which allows you to “tether” microSD as part of internal memory.

• 🔄 The card will be encrypted and will not be read on other devices.
• 🐢 The speed of applications from an external drive is lower than from internal memory (even on the computer). UHS-I U3).
• ❌ Not all applications support microSD portability (especially games and system utilities).

If you still want to try it,

1. Put the card in and wait for her identification.
2. Go to Settings → Storage → [Map Name] → Three Points (menu) → Storage settings.
3. Select Internal Memory and follow the instructions (the phone will prompt you to format the card).

⚠️ Note: Once formatted as internal storage, the card cannot be retrieved without losing data, and this method does not increase the actual memory capacity for system files, only allows you to transfer some applications.

3.Inline memory optimization: what can be safely removed

Before buying a memory card, try to make room in the built-in storage. MIUI has hidden cleaning tools that many users don't notice.

Top.-5 «Memory Eaters on Redmi Note 7:

Hidden MIUI: Enable Deep Clean in Settings → Battery & Performance → Cleanup. This option removes not only the cache, but also temporary files of system processes that are not normally visible to the user.

Remove the cache of all applications|Check the download folder|Find and delete duplicate photos|Clear the system logs|Transfer media files to a memory card-->

4. Transfer applications to memory card: which programs are supported

Not all applications can be migrated to a microSD, even if the card is formatted as internal memory. Here are the rules for the Redmi Note 7:

• ✅ You can transfer: most user applications (for example, Telegram, VK, Spotify).
• ❌ Cannot be transferred: system utilities (Settings, Phone, Google Play Services), games with high requirements (PUBG, Genshin Impact).
• ⚠️ Partially: Some apps (like WhatsApp) allow you to transfer only media files, but not the program itself.

How to move the application:

1. Open Settings → Applications → [Select App].
2. Click Warehouse → Change → Memory Map.
3. Confirm the transfer (may take a few minutes).

⚠️ Note: After the transfer, the application may run slower, especially if the Class 10 memory card is unsupported UHS. Test performance after the transfer!

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If the "Change" option is inactive, try to clear the app's cache first, and check if the app is system-based (in which case the transfer is blocked).

5.Using cloud storage: Mi Cloud vs Google Drive

If physical memory expansion is not possible (for example, the microSD slot takes second place). SIM-Xiaomi offers its own solution, Mi Cloud, but it has limitations:

• 🔗 Mi Cloud: 5GB free, automatic synchronization of photos and contacts. minus servers in China, possible problems with access.
• ☁️ Google Drive: 15 GB free, integration with Google Photos (automatic compression of photos without loss of quality).
• 📁 Yandex.Disk: 10 GB free, convenient for Russian users (no locks).

How to set up autosynchronization photos in Google Photos:

1. Install Google Photos from the Play Market.
2. Open the app and log in to your Google account.
3. Go to Settings → Backup and Synchronization → Enable.
4. Choose High (unlimited storage) or Original (counted for 15 GB).

Important nuance: When using Mi Cloud, turn off synchronization of unnecessary data (for example, call records or SMS) so as not to spend the limit. To do this, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization and uncheck the unnecessary points.

6.Alternative methods: from root rights to memory chip replacement

If all of these things don't work, there are radical solutions that require technical skills and can cause a warranty loss or a phone to fail.

Ways for Advanced Users:

• 🔧 Ruth-Right. + Link2SD: It allows you to transfer applications to a memory card even without formatting as internal storage. Requires unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk.
• 🔄 Replacement of memory chip: In service centers, you can replace the built-in memory (for example, from 64 GB to 128 GB), but it is expensive (from 5 000 GB). ₽) riskyly.
• 📱 Supported firmware OTG: Some custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) allow you to connect external firmware SSD-storage USB OTG.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader on the Redmi Note 7 resets all data and requires binding to your Mi Account. Without a backup, you will lose access to your phone!

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root rights and custom firmware give you maximum freedom, but they are not warranty and can lead to a device bribing, and only use these methods if you are confident in your skills or contact a trusted professional.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many users of the Redmi Note 7 They're going to have a problem trying to increase memory.-3 mistakes and their decisions:

• 🚫 Error: The memory card is not defined as internal after formatting. Solution: Reboot your phone and check the card on your PC. If it doesn't work, format it again in exFAT.
• 🐢 Error: Memory card applications are slowing down.Solution: Move back to internal memory or buy a class card UHS-I U3.
• 📱 Error: After cleaning the cache, the applications stopped working.Solution: Reinstall the problem applications - the cache may have contained critical data.

Hidden MIUI problem: The system creates duplicate photos in the MIUI/Camera folder, even if you have already deleted them from the gallery. To find them, connect your phone to your PC and manually check the DCIM and MIUI folders.

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Before any memory manipulation, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup. This will save your data even if something goes wrong.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions