How to Clean Memory on Xiaomi Redmi 7A: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi Redmi 7A is one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, but its main drawback is only 16 or 32 GB of internal memory. Over time, even this modest amount is clogged with photos, app cache and system files, and the phone begins to slow down. In this article, we will analyze 7 proven ways to clean memory on the Redmi 7A, from simple to radical, and also tell you how to avoid repeated clogging.

The model is not a memory card slot in some versions (for example, in the 16 GB version), which means that users have to carefully monitor the free space. We tested all methods on MIUI 10-12 firmware and found out which ones give the maximum effect without risk to data. Importantly, some operations (for example, resetting to factory settings) irreversibly delete personal information, so make a backup before they are executed.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly eats memory?

Before you clean, you need to understand which files take up the most space. Redmi 7A has built-in tools for this:

1. Go to Settings → Storage. Here you will see a diagram of the memory distribution by category: applications, images, video, audio, etc.
2. Click on a category (e.g., "Applications") to see a detailed list. The system will show which programs take up the most space.
3. Note the “Other” section, where temporary files and remnants of deleted applications are often hidden.

A typical picture for the Redmi 7A after a year of use:

If you see programs in the Apps section that you don’t use but they take hundreds of megabytes, they should be removed. For example, Xiaomi preinstalled services (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) can be deactivated through settings.

2.Cleaning App Cache: A Quick Way to Free 1–3 GB

Cache is a temporary file that apps save to make things faster, and over time, it accumulates and can take up to several gigabytes. On Redmi 7A, you can clear the cache in two ways:

Method 1: Clearing the cache for individual applications

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as YouTube or Facebook).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

Method 2: Mass cleaning of the cache

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Cache data.
2. Confirm the cleanup (the system will show how much space will be vacated).

After a mass cache clearing, some apps (such as social media) can take longer to load on the first run — that’s OK. Don’t clear the cache too often: this can lead to increased mobile traffic consumption, as apps will have to download data again.

Close all working applications

Connect to Wi-Fi (if you plan to use the network after cleaning)

Check the free space in the "Storage" section

Backup of important data (in case of failure)

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⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse "Clear Cache" and "Clear Data"! The second option deletes not only temporary files, but also application settings (such as logins and passwords).

3. Removal of unnecessary applications and their residues

Redmi 7A has a lot of Xiaomi and Google apps pre-installed, many of which are rarely used, and when programs are removed, they often have their tails, which are the data folders, and here's how to get rid of all the unnecessary things:

Step 1: Remove User Applications

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Sort the list by size (click on the three dots in the upper right corner).
• 🗑️ Select an unnecessary application and click Delete.

Step 2: Disabling System Applications

Some pre-installed programs (such as Mi Pay or Mi Community) can’t be removed, but you can disable them so they don’t take up space or waste resources:

1. In the same application management menu, select the system application.
2. Click Disable (if the button is active).
3. Confirm the action. The app will disappear from the menu, but its files will remain in memory.

Step 3: Removing Remnants of Remote Programs

Even after uninstallation, applications often leave folders with data in /Android/data or /Android/obb to delete:

1. Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager).
2. Go to the Android → data or Android → obb folder.
3. Delete folders with the names of unnecessary apps (e.g. com.tencent.mm for WeChat).

After this cleaning, you can free up from 500 MB to 2 GB of memory, the main thing is not to delete the folders of working applications, otherwise they will cease to function.

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If you are not sure if you can delete the folder, rename it (for example, add " old" at the end). If after a day or two no failures appear, feel free to delete.

4.Photo and video optimization: how to save space

Media files are the main memory eater on Redmi 7A. Even if you don’t shoot 4K video,.jpg photos take 3-5 MB each, and a minute of video is up to 100 MB.

Method 1: Compress photos via Google Photos

• 📷 Install the Google Photos app (if not available).
• 🔄 Turn on Free Space in the app settings. It will automatically upload the photo to the cloud and prompt you to delete local copies.
• ☁️ Select the quality "High" (non-original) - this will reduce the size of the photos by 2-3 times without noticeable loss of quality.

Method 2: Manual compression through applications

If you don’t want to upload your photos to the cloud, use a tool like Photo Compress or Resize Me.

1. Select photos to compress.
2. Set the target resolution (e.g., 1280×720 instead of the original 4000×3000).
3. Save compressed copies and delete the originals.

Method 3: Removing duplicates and debris

The Redmi 7A Gallery often contains:

• 📸 Screenshots (Screenshots folder)
• 🎥 Mini-video from messengers (folder Movies or WhatsApp)
• 🔄 Duplicate photos (e.g. from the VK Instagram)
• 📎 Postal attachments (Download folder)

To find duplicates, use applications like Duplicate Files Fixer, which scan memory and find identical or similar files.

5. Transfer files to a memory card or cloud

If your Redmi 7A supports memory cards (modifications with 32GB of internal memory usually have a microSD slot), file transfers will help offload the main storage.

Step 1: Set up a memory card as an internal storage device

This method allows you to install applications on the map, but has nuances:

1. Insert a memory card (recommended class is UHS-I or Class 10).
2. Go to Settings → Storage → SD card.
3. Select Set up as internal storage and follow the instructions.

Important: After this operation, the card will not be retrieved without formatting, and it will be encrypted and not readable on other devices.

Step 2: Manually transfer files

If you do not want to mess with setting up the card as an internal storage, just transfer the files:

• 📁 Use Mi File Manager (pre-installed on Redmi) 7A).
• 🔄 Select files (for example, in the Download folder or DCIM).
• 📥 Click "Move" and select a memory card.

Step 3: Automatic upload to the cloud

If there is no memory card, set up automatic upload of photos and videos to the cloud services:

⚠️ Note: When using cloud services, consider mobile traffic consumption. Configure your Wi-Fi-only download in sync settings.

6.Reset to factory settings: a last resort

If all previous methods failed and the Redmi 7A has less than 1GB of free space, you’ll have to resort to a full reset, which will delete all data, including apps, photos and settings, so be sure to back up important files before you start.

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset all settings (not to be confused with Network Reset!).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

What to do after the discharge:

• 🔄 Restore data from a backup (if you did it through Mi Cloud or Google Account).
• 📥 Install only the necessary applications (avoid junk programs).
• 🔧 Turn off autoloading media files in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).

After resetting, Redmi 7A will work much faster, but remember: if you do not change your habits (clean your cache regularly, delete unnecessary files), memory will be clogged again after a few months.

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Factory reset is the only way to get the system back clean, but it doesn't solve the problem forever. To avoid clogging again, keep a monthly memory check.

7.Prevention: How to avoid future memory clogging

To avoid having to clean the Redmi 7A, follow these rules:

• 📵 Turn off autoload media in instant messengers. For example, on WhatsApp: Settings → Data and storage → Autoboot media.
• 🗑️ Regularly clean the Download folder - downloaded files from the browser and instant messengers accumulate there.
• 🔄 Use the “light” versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).
• 📊 Install a memory monitoring app, such as Files by Google or CCleaner.
• 🚫 Avoid memory cleaners like Clean Master, which often become a source of advertising and junk.

It is also useful to set up notifications about memory shortage:

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
2. Enable the option of Memory Lack Warning.
3. Set a threshold (e.g. 1 GB of free space).

Following these tips, you will be able to maintain free space at 2-3 GB, which is enough for the stable operation of the Redmi 7A.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleaning on Redmi 7A