What folders can be deleted on Xiaomi Redmi 7A: secure cleaning of phone memory

Xiaomi Redmi 7A is a budget smartphone with 16 or 32 GB of internal memory, which quickly ends due to the cache of applications, updates and junk files. Many users try to free up space by manually deleting folders through the file manager, but risk disrupting the system. In this article, we will analyze which folders on Redmi 7A can be deleted without consequences, and which ones can not be touched categorically – with explanations, screenshots and warnings.

It's important to understand that even "safe" folders sometimes contain critical data, like the messaging cache (com.whatsapp) that can be cleared, but unsent messages will be deleted, and the DCIM/Thumbnails folder takes up gigabytes, but cleaning it won't affect the original photos. We analyzed the structure of MIUI 12/13 (current versions for Redmi 7A) and identified risk areas.

Before you start, back up your important data — even experienced users sometimes make mistakes. Use Settings → System → Backup or third-party utilities like Swift Backup. If the phone is not rooted, just copy DCIM, Downloads and Documents folders to your PC.

1. folders that can be deleted without risk

These directories contain temporary files, cache or duplicates that the system will restore automatically, and cleaning them will not cause failures, but may slow down some applications until the next run.

• 📁 Android/data/*/cache — cache of games and programs. Once cleaned, the apps will re-download the data the next time they open. Except for the navigation map cache (com.google.android.apps.maps) - its deletion will force Google Maps to download maps again.
• 🖼️ DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo and video miniatures, and the deletion will free up 1–2 GB, but the gallery will regenerate the preview at the next opening.
• 🗑️ Download: Download from your browser. Check the content before you delete it, it may contain important documents or APK-file.
• 🎵 Music, Podcasts, Ringtones — hand-downloaded media files. System ringtones (in the form of a computer) /system/media/audio) You can't touch!

For convenience, use the built-in MIUI file manager (Files → Categories → Garbage) which automatically finds large temporary files and suggests deleting them. However, you can manually clean more: for example, the manager does not show the cache of system applications (com.miui.gallery, com.android.vending).

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To see hidden folders in the MIUI file manager, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Show hidden files."

2. folders that can be partially deleted

Some directories contain both unnecessary files and critical data, and it's important to understand the content before deleting, for example, in the application folder, there may be both cache and game saves.

Pay special attention to the folder Android/obb. This is where you store additional game data (graphics, levels) and if you've deleted the game long ago, it's a game. OBB-You can delete files, but if the game is installed, deleting the game will cause a download error. → Appendices before cleaning.

⚠️ Note: Messenger folders (com.whatsapp, com.tencent.mm) often contain unsent messages in a queue. If you delete them with the cache, the messages will disappear irrevocably.

3. folders that cannot be deleted under any circumstances

These directories are critical to MIUI and Android, and if you delete them, you'll crash, you'll have a cyclical reboot, or a brick, and even if the folder takes up a lot of space, you'll have to look elsewhere.

• 🚫 system — Android system files. Deleting any element will disrupt the OS.
• 🚫 vendors – drivers and firmware for iron (Redmi) 7A Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 is used).
• 🚫 efs - data IMEI And the loss of this folder will cause the network to be out of service.
• 🚫 data/app — Deleting the programs will cause them to disappear from the menu.
• 🚫 miui -- theme and shell settings. Without it, the phone will boot without an interface.

On Redmi 7A, the data/dalvik-cache folder can take up to 1-1.5 GB, but it is impossible and dangerous to clean it without root rights. This directory contains optimized code for fast application loading, and the system manages its contents.

If you see one of these folders taking up an abnormally large amount of space (e.g., the system has grown to 10 GB), the problem is not the garbage, but the virus or firmware failure, in which case only a factory reset (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset) will help.

4. How to delete folders correctly: step-by-step instructions

Even secure folders need to be deleted carefully so that important data is not lost.

1. Open the file manager (the folder icon on the desktop or in the application menu).
2. Go to the internal memory (not to be confused with the internal memory). SD-card!).
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and turn on Show hidden files.
4. Find the folder from our whitelist (see section 1) and open it.
5. Select files with a long tap, then click Delete (basket icon).
6. Confirm the action and restart the phone to clear the cache.

Backup of important files

Close all applications

Connect your phone to charge (if charge < 30%)

Check the contents of folders before deleting-->

For deep cleaning, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method requires a PC and enabled USB debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times to unlock the developer mode, then enable debugging in Settings → Additional → Developers).

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep cache | awk '{print $2}' | xargs adb shell pm clear

This command will consistently clear the cache of all applications, including system ones. Don't use it often, which can cause the phone to slow down due to re-downloading.

5. Alternative ways to free up memory

Removing folders isn't the only way to free up space. Other methods are also effective on Redmi 7A:

• 🔄 Cleaning the cache manually: go to Settings → Annexes → App management, select the program and click Clear Cache. for Google Play Services and Galaxy, this can free up to 500MB.
• ☁️ Transfer of files to SD-Map: in the file manager, highlight the media, click More → Move it → SD-map. Redmi. 7A Supports cards up to 256GB.
• 🗑️ Remove duplicates: Use applications like Files by Google (has built-in duplicate search).
• 📱 Disable Media Preload: Go to WhatsApp Settings → Warehouse → Autoload Media and Disable It for Mobile Data.

If the phone is slowing down, try turning off the animation interface. This won't free up memory, but will speed up the work. Enable the developer mode (as described above), then in Settings → Additional → For developers, set:

• The scale of window animation → Without animation
• The scale of transition animation → Without animation
• Duration of animation → 0x

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 7A s MIUI 12 and below, disabling animations can cause a black screen bug when you lock. If that happens, return the animation settings to the default values (1x).

6. Frequent errors in memory cleaning and how to avoid them

Many users make the same mistakes when trying to make room, and here are the most common ways to avoid them:

Another common mistake is ignoring updates. Newer versions of MIUI optimize memory, and some folders (e.g. DCIM/.thumbnails) take up less space. Check firmware relevance in Settings → About Phone → System Update.

If your phone is running slower after cleaning, you’ve probably deleted the cache of your system applications (com.miui.home, com.android.systemui).

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. Select Wipe Cache Partition (Change Volume Buttons).
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

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Never use the Clear All Data feature for system applications (such as Settings or Phone) and this will result in resetting all parameters and possible loss of functionality.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions