Owning a smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 7 is a great way to stay connected, but over time the device inevitably begins to slow down. The main reason for the decrease in performance lies in the overflow of internal memory, which on this model is often limited to 16 or 32 gigabytes. System garbage, accumulated application caches and forgotten downloads take up precious space, leading to interface lags and sudden app crashes.
To To restore the gadget to its former agility, it is necessary to carry out a comprehensive cleaning. Unlike newer models, it Redmi 7 is based on the MIUI shell, which has its own specific data storage features. You don't have to be a techie to free up a few gigabytes of space, but it's important to understand which files can be deleted without risking your system.
In this article, we'll look at proven methods to help you effectively manage your storage. We will look at both built-in tools system cleaningand manual methods for removing unnecessary data. A competent approach to organizing files will allow you to use your smartphone comfortably for a long time.
Using the built-in Security application
The easiest and safest way to start freeing up space is to use a standard system tool. The MIUI shell comes with a pre-installed application Securitythat automatically scans the device for temporary files and advertising junk. Launch it, click on the big green scan button, and the system itself will offer to delete the found objects.
However, automatic cleaning is often superficial. For a more in-depth analysis, go to the Cleaning tab inside the application. Here you will see details by category: cache, large files, unused applications and installer packages. Memory analysis will show you what exactly is taking up the most space, allowing you to make an informed decision about deletion.
⚠️ Attention: Before deleting files from the "Large Files" category, be sure to check their contents. Often there are saved videos from instant messengers or important documents that you do not want to lose.
It is important to understand the difference between cache and application data. Cache is temporary information that speeds up the operation of apps and can be safely deleted. Data is your logins, settings and progress in games. When using the built-in utility Xiaomi usually suggests deleting only the secure cache, which minimizes risks.
The built-in scanner removes only superficial junk, so complete cleaning requires manual checking of folders with media files.
Storage analysis and file management
If automatic tools did not cope with the task, you need to switch to manual file management. Explorer Files (or Mi File Manager) allows you to visualize the folder structure. Go to section Memoryto see the filling chart. Usually the lion's share of space is occupied by multimedia and social network data.
Particular attention should be paid to messenger folders. Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber have a habit of saving all received images and videos to a common gallery. Find folders Android/media or root directories with application names. Inside you can often find gigabytes of automatically saved stickers and postcards.
- 🗑️ Delete the folder
.thumbnailsin the DCIM directory where thumbnails of your photos are stored, which often weigh more than the originals themselves. - 📂 Check the folder
Download(Downloads), where installation APK files and PDF documents that you no longer need accumulate. - 🎵 Browse music and videos by moving the archives to your computer or cloud storage to free up local space.
After deleting files, do not forget to empty the Recycle Bin in Explorer, if such a function is active. Files in the Recycle Bin continue to take up disk space until they are permanently deleted. Regularly checking these sections will help maintain free space at 15-20% of the total volume, which is critical for stable operation of flash memory.
Clearing cache and application data
The most voracious consumers of memory are often social networks and browsers. Even if you deleted media files from the gallery, gigabytes of cached images may be stored inside applications (for example, VKontakte or Instagram). To get to them, go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
Select a heavy application from the list and press Memory. Here you will see two buttons: Clear cache and Clear all (or Delete data). The first option is safe and will simply reset temporary files, the second will return the application to the state immediately after installation, deleting your logins and settings. Reset data useful if the application is not working correctly or has bloated to incredible sizes.
It is recommended to carry out this procedure for browsers, as they accumulate a huge number of web pages for offline access. Clearing your browser cache can instantly free up several hundred megabytes. For messengers, it is better to use the built-in cleaning settings inside the application itself so as not to lose correspondence.
Why is the cache growing again?
The cache is a temporary storage that is filled again immediately after the application is launched. Its periodic cleaning is a normal practice for maintaining a smartphone.
Deleting unused applications and APK files
With its modest amount of memory, each application is worth its weight in gold. Users often forget about games they stopped playing or apps they used once. Go to the application management menu and sort the list by size or date of last use. Redmi 7 With its modest storage capacity, every app is worth its weight in gold. Users often forget about games they stopped playing or apps they used once. Go to the application management menu and sort the list by size or date of last use.
MIUI shell has a useful uninstall recommendation feature. In the Applications section, the system can highlight apps that you have not opened for a long time. Feel free to remove pre-installed software (bloatware) if you do not use it, although some system components will require root access or use of ADB.
- 🚫 Delete installation files
.apkthat were left after installing apps, they are no longer needed by the system. - 📉 Replace heavy applications with their light counterparts (Lite versions), for example, Facebook Lite or Google Go.
- 🔄 Uninstall games that you have not played for more than a month to make room for system updates.
It is also worth checking the list of all applications, including system ones, for duplicates. Sometimes users accidentally install multiple file managers or antiviruses without realizing that one of them is already built into the system. Having several antivirus apps not only takes up space, but also conflicts with each other, slowing down work.
Working with multimedia and cloud services
Photos and videos are the main enemy of free memory. The camera Redmi 7 takes good pictures, but they take up space. The best solution is to set up automatic synchronization with the cloud. Services like Google Photos, Yandex.Disk or Mi Cloud allow you to store originals on the Internet, leaving only compressed copies on the device or even deleting them locally.
Use the "Free up space" function in Google Photos. After the photos are uploaded to the cloud, the application will offer to delete them from the phone's memory. This is a secure process as copies will remain available online. For video files, this approach is even more relevant, since they weigh much more.
⚠️ Attention: Before deleting the original photos, make sure that synchronization was successful and the files are displayed in the cloud from another device or through a browser.
If cloud technologies are not suitable for you, consider using an OTG flash drive. Xiaomi Redmi 7 supports connecting external drives via micro-USB. You can periodically dump archives of photos and videos onto a flash drive, freeing up internal memory for system operation.
Enable the "Data Saving" mode in social networking applications so that they do not automatically download high-quality videos that quickly fill the cache.
Summary table of cleaning methods
For ease of perception information, we systematize the considered methods. Each of them has its own effectiveness and degree of risk. Combining these approaches will give the best result.
| Cleaning method | Efficiency | Security | Frequency of use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in cleaning (Security) | Low | High | Daily |
| Delete application cache | Medium | High | Once a week |
| Cleaning the Downloads and APK folder | Medium | High | Once a month |
| Transfer photos to the cloud | High | Average* | As full |
| Reset to factory settings | Maximum | Requires backup | Extreme case |
As can be seen from the table, regular maintenance in small portions is more effective than rare radical measures. Reset to factory settings (Factory Reset) is the most powerful tool that returns the phone to the “as from the store” state, but requires a full backup of all data.
☑️ Quick cleaning checklist
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the memory fill up again immediately after cleaning?
This happens due to the work of background processes and system logs. Applications re-create the cache to load content quickly. Also, hidden update files or erroneous system error reports may fill the memory.
Is it possible to delete MIUI system applications on Redmi 7?
Without obtaining superuser rights (Root), you cannot delete system applications, you can only disable some of them. An attempt to delete system files through third-party apps without proper preparation can lead to cyclic reboot (bootloop) the phone.
Does full memory affect the speed of operation?
Yes, it does critically. The Android operating system uses part of the internal memory as virtual RAM. If the free space is less than 10%, the phone starts to work very slowly, and applications may stop launching.
Is it safe to use third-party cleaning apps?
You should only use proven applications from well-known developers. Many "accelerators" themselves are a source of advertising and garbage. Built-in MIUI tools are usually sufficient for comfortable work.
What to do if you cannot delete a file?
If the file is not deleted, it may be in use by some process. Try restarting your phone and deleting the file immediately after turning it on. Also, the file may have a “Read-Only” attribute, which needs to be cleared in the properties.