Not enough memory on Xiaomi Redmi 7A: a complete guide to vacating a seat in 2026

Xiaomi Redmi 7A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its main drawback is only 16 GB or 32 GB of internal memory. Even after buying, users are faced with the message “Not enough memory on the device”, especially if you are actively installing applications, shooting videos or downloading media. In this article, we will analyze all the working ways to free up space on the Redmi 7A, including hidden MIUI settings, optimization of system processes and alternative solutions for those who do not want to buy a new phone.

The memory problem on the Redmi 7A is compounded by the fact that MIUI itself takes up 8-10 GB of space, and updates and app cache eat up a few more gigabytes. We tested all the methods on current firmware (2026) and selected only those that really help — without unnecessary “advice” like “delete unnecessary files” (which ones?). Here you will find step-by-step instructions with screenshots, comparison tables of each method’s effectiveness and answers to frequent questions.

Diagnosis: Why does memory end so quickly?

Before you clean up your memory, you need to know what's taking up it. The Redmi 7A has a built-in storage analyzer, but it doesn't show the whole picture.

Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory. Here you will see a diagram of the allocation of memory by category: System, Applications, Media Files, Cash and Other.

• 📱 System files – if they are borrowed >10GB, maybe old updates or junk from the MIUI.
• 🎵 Media files – even if you haven’t downloaded music, temporary files from instant messengers (such as voice messages on WhatsApp) can be stored here).
• 🗑️ «Others, the most insidious category, include remnants of remote applications, system logs and hidden cache files.

For more in-depth analysis, use third-party tools like Files by Google or SD Maid (available on the Play Market) to show:

• 📁 Duplicate photos and videos (often up to 1-2 GB).
• 📄 Large files (>100 MB) that has not been opened for a long time.
• 🔄 Remains from remote applications (folders lib, cache in) /data/data/).

2. Clear cache and temporary files (releases 1-3 GB)

The app and system cache is the main memory eater on Redmi 7A. It can be cleaned manually or automatically. Important: Clearing the cache does not delete important data (photos, messages, accounts), but it can slow down some applications when they first start after cleaning.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of all applications

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Open each major app (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) and click Clear Cache.

Method 2: Clean the system cache (requires a reboot)

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo (Recovery Mode) appears.
3. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (control – volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
4. Reset the device.

Clear the messenger cache (WhatsApp, Telegram)|Delete the social media cache (Facebook, Instagram)|Clear the system cache via Recovery|Reboot the phone after cleaning-->

Method 3: Automatic cleaning with MIUI Optimizer

Redmi 7A has a hidden deep cleaning feature:

1. Open the settings → Further → Optimization.
2. Select Deep Clean and wait for the scan to be completed.
3. Click Clean – this will remove unnecessary logs, temporary files and update residues.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of apps like Google Play Services or MIUI System, this can cause a malfunction of the phone.

3. Remove unnecessary applications and “bloat” (releases 500 MB-1.5 GB)

Xiaomi is known for preinstalling a lot of unwanted apps on phones (bloatware). On Redmi 7A, these can be:

• 🎵 Mi Music and Mi Video (if you use YouTube Music or other video) VLC).
• 📰 Mi Browser (can be replaced with Chrome or Firefox).
• 🛒 GetApps, Mi Pay, Mi Credit (not relevant for Russia and CIS countries).
• 🎮 Mi Game Center and other gaming services.

How to remove pre-installed apps without root:

1. Download App Inspector or Package Name Viewer from Play Market.
2. Find the name of the package of the unwanted application (for example, com.miui.videoplayer for Mi Video).
3. Open Settings → Applications, find the application by packet name, and select Delete (or Disable if deletion is blocked).

To completely remove system applications, you will need to unlock the bootloader and root rights, but this is risky for beginners. The alternative is to disable them through Settings → Apps → Show everything → [select application] → Disable.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete system applications called com.android., com.miui. (e.g. com.miui.home is a launcher) and their removal will cause the phone to fail.

4. transfer files to a memory card (up to +16 GB of free space)

Redmi 7A supports microSD cards up to 256 GB, but there are nuances:

• 📱 Not all applications can be transferred to SD-map (especially system maps).
• 🔄 The card should be formatted as internal memory (then the applications will work with it), but this will make it unusable for use on other devices.
• ⚡ Speed of application with SD-Cards are lower than those with internal memory (especially if a Class 10 or lower card is available).

How to transfer files to SD-map:

1. Insert the memory card into the slot (on Redmi 7A it is combined, so you have to choose: either 2 SIM or 1 SIM + SD).
2. Go to Settings → Memory → SD card.
3. Select Format as internal memory (Warning: All data on the map will be deleted!).
4. After formatting, go to Settings → Apps, select the desired application and click Transfer to SD-map.

To transfer photos, videos and music, use a file manager (e.g. Files by Google):

1. Open the manager and select a category (e.g. Images).
2. Select files, click Move and point the path to SD-map, /storage/1234-5678/DCIM/).

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If you often shoot videos, set up the camera to save immediately on SD-Map: Open the Camera app, tap on ⚙️ → Preservation site → select the Memory Card.

5. Optimization of photo and video storage

High-resolution photos and videos take up the lion's share of memory. On the Redmi 7A, the camera shoots Full HD (1080p) video, and the photos weigh 3 to 5 MB each. Here's how to reduce their volume:

Method 1: Change the camera resolution

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Tap on. ⚙️ (setting) → Photo permission.
3. Choose 8 MP instead of 12 MP (savings of ~30% space).
4. For video, choose 720p instead of 1080p (savings of ~50%).

Method 2: Enable compression in Google Photos

• 📷 Install Google Photos from Play Market.
• Open settings → Backup and Synchronization → Download quality.
• Choose High Quality (unlimited storage) over Original.
• After uploading photos to the cloud, they can be deleted from your phone (they will remain in Google Photos).

Method 3: Convert video to a lighter format

Use apps like Video Compress or InShot to compress video without losing quality:

• 🎞️ Video in the video 1080p (30s) weighs ~100MB → compressed ~30-40 MB.
• 🎬 Format MP4 (H.265) It takes up 30% less space than H.264.

6. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of these methods worked, and the Redmi 7A has less than 500MB of space left, you'll have to do a full reset, which will delete all data, including photos, messages and apps, so first:

• 🔄 Make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup.
• ☁️ Upload the photo to Google Photos or Yandex.Disk.
• 📝 Save the list of installed applications (you can take a picture of the Settings screen) → Annexes).

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset all settings.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• ✅ Do not restore the backup completely – select only contacts and messages.
• ✅ Install applications one by one, checking the free space.
• ✅ Turn off automatic app updates in the Play Market (Settings) → Auto-update → Never).

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 7A If you forget your password, your phone will require you to enter your account information to unlock it! Check in advance if you remember your username/password from Xiaomi.

7. Alternative solutions: if nothing helps

If you’ve tried all of these methods but still lack memory, consider these options:

• 📱 Use cloud services: Move photos to Google Photos, music to YouTube Music, documents to Yandex.Disk or Mega. Leave only what you need on your phone "here and now».
• 🔄 Buy it. OTG-flash drive: Connect USB-storage OTG-adapter (stands) ~The flash drive will work as an external disk where you can download files.
• 🔧 Install custom firmware: Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience takes up less space than MIUI, But require unlocking the bootloader and skills to work with fastboot.
• 💰 Update your phone: If Redmi 7A It is used as a main smartphone, consider models with a large amount of memory, for example, Redmi. 9A (32/64 GB or Poco M3 (64/128 GB).

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OTG-The flash drive is the easiest solution for people who don't want to delete files. It plugs in in 10 seconds and gives them a simple answer. +32-128 GB of memory without loss of warranty.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory at Redmi 7A