The model Xiaomi Redmi 7, released in 2019, still remains a popular budget device, but over time, owners are faced with a critical lack of free space. Built-in storage devices with a capacity of 32 or 64 GB quickly fill up with system updates, instant messengers and media files, which leads to interface lag MIUI and the inability to install new applications.
Ignoring the problem of full storage can lead to the smartphone stopping loading or starting to reboot cyclically. In this material, we will analyze not only standard cleaning methods, but also delve into system settings to find hidden files that take up gigabytes of space.
You will learn which folders can be deleted painlessly, how to work correctly with the messenger cache, and why the standard Cleanup tool is not always effective. Preparing for the procedure requires attention, but the result will significantly extend the life of your device.
Analysis of the current state of the storage
Before you start deleting files, you need to determine exactly what is taking up space on your disk. The shell MIUI has a built-in analyzer that visualizes the distribution of data by category. Go to Settings → Memory and wait for the system scan to complete.
Users are often surprised to see the huge volume in the “Other” category. This includes cached browser data, temporary update files and remnants of deleted applications. System data can also grow if the phone has not been rebooted for a long time or if the extended memory function is enabled (although on Redmi 7 it is emulated in software).
Pay attention to the “Applications” section. Messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp can quietly take up tens of gigabytes, storing every photo and video you view. Without a detailed analysis, you risk deleting personal photos instead of useless garbage.
⚠️ Attention: If the amount of used memory suddenly increases by several gigabytes overnight, this may indicate a system failure or malware activity. In this case, simple cleaning will not help - an antivirus scan is required.
Using the built-in "Cleaning" application
The standard "Security" application (shield icon) contains the "Cleaning" module, which is the first tool in the user's arsenal. It scans your device for temporary files, residual garbage, and duplicates. Running this utility is safe and does not require special skills.
After clicking the “Clean” button, the system will delete files from the recycle bin, application cache and temporary data. However, it is worth understanding that this tool only removes surface debris. Deep system logs and caches of specific Google services are often left untouched for stability.
Inside the application there is a “Deep Cleaning” tab, where you can find large files, old installation packages .apk and unused applications. Recommended Check this section regularly, especially after installing major updates games.
Before running a deep clean, close all running applications through the multitasking menu so that files are not locked by the process and can be deleted correctly.
Do not rely solely on the automatic mode. Manually go through the "Large Files" list. Often there are forgotten video files or archives that you downloaded six months ago and which are no longer needed.
Manually clearing the cache of instant messengers and social networks
The most voracious applications on Android are instant messengers. They save copies of all media files to internal memory for easy access. On Redmi 7 with its limited storage capacity this becomes a critical issue. Cleaning should be done inside the applications themselves, and not through the phone settings.
In Telegram, go to Settings → Data and memory → Memory usage. Here you can click the “Clear cache” button. Don't be afraid: your correspondence and files will not be deleted from the server, you can download them again if necessary. Set the cache to be automatically deleted after 3 days or a week.
For WhatsApp, the procedure is similar: Settings → Data and storage → Storage management. Here you will see a list of chats sorted by the amount of space they occupy. You can selectively delete media files from the heaviest group chats without losing the text history of the correspondence.
- 🗑️ Delete the Instagram and TikTok cache manually through the phone settings, since these applications do not have a built-in clear button cache.
- 📸 Disable auto-saving of received photos to the gallery in the WhatsApp and Telegram settings to avoid duplicating files.
- 📂 Regularly check the folder
Download, where documents and pictures from browsers are often saved.
⚠️ Attention: When clearing the messenger cache, make sure that you have access to the Internet to re-download media if you need it in the near future.
☑️ Cleaning messengers
Manage photos and video recordings
Media files traditionally occupy the lion's share of memory on any smartphone. The Redmi 7 camera takes pictures in a resolution that quickly eats up free space with active use. Video recordings in 1080p format can weigh 100-200 MB per minute of recording.
The optimal solution is to transfer photos and videos to a memory card microSD. Insert the card into the slot, then in the Gallery or Explorer app, highlight the albums you want and select the Move option. Make sure you select move to SD card rather than copy to avoid taking up space twice.
If you don't have a memory card, use cloud services. Google Photos, Yandex.Disk or Xiaomi cloud allow you to upload originals to the Internet and delete them from the device. Google Photos has a “Free up space” feature that automatically finds and deletes files already saved in the cloud.
You should also pay attention to the folder .thumbnails. This is a hidden system folder where thumbnails of all your photos are stored. Over time, it can grow to several gigabytes. You can delete it through any file manager with access to hidden files, but the system will create it again the next time you open the gallery.
| File type | Approximate size | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Photo (JPEG) | 2–5 MB | Transfer to the cloud or SD |
| Video (1080p) | 150 MB / min | Remove excess, compress the rest |
| Thumbnail cache | up to 2 GB | Periodic cleaning |
| RAW photo | 25 MB | Convert or delete |
Transferring media files to a memory card or to the cloud is the most effective way to free up space without losing important data.
Removing system garbage and hidden folders
In addition to obvious files, hidden garbage accumulates in the Redmi 7 system. These are debug logs, error reports, and temporary update files. To access them, you will need a file manager that supports displaying hidden directories (for example, MiXplorer or standard Explorer with the option enabled).
Pay attention to the folder MIUI/debug_log. Debug logs are stored here, which can take up a significant amount of space if the system has crashed. The contents of this directory can be safely deleted entirely. Also check the folder Android/obb —game caches are stored there. If you deleted the game, but the folder remained, you need to delete it manually.
In some cases, cleaning the folder Data/Local/Temphelps. However, proceed with caution: do not delete files whose modification date coincides with the current moment, as they can be used by running applications.
Path to check: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/debug_logAnother source of garbage is the folder Tombstonescontaining application crash reports. If your phone is stable, these files are useless and should be deleted. Cleaning them can instantly free up from 500 MB to 1 GB of space.
Resetting settings as a radical method
If none of the above methods helped free up enough space, and the phone continues to slow down, consider the option of a full reset to factory settings. This is guaranteed to remove all accumulated software junk, viruses and file conflicts.
Before the procedure, it is critical to create a complete backup of your data. Use the built-in MIUI backup feature or synchronize with your Google account. Save contacts, SMS, call history and application settings to an external storage device or to the cloud.
To perform a reset, go to Settings → About phone → Reset settings → Delete all data. The process will take about 10-15 minutes, after which the phone will turn on in the “shop-made” state. All you have to do is restore the data from the backup.
⚠️ Attention: Before resetting, make sure that the battery charge is at least 50%, and remember the password for your Mi account, otherwise after turning on the phone will be blocked by the anti-virus protection function. theft.
What to do if the phone does not turn on after a reset?
If after resetting the settings the phone is stuck on the MIUI logo, try entering Recovery mode (by holding down the power button and volume up). Select Wipe Data -> Wipe All Data. If this does not help, you will need to flash the device via a computer.
Prevention of memory overflow
To prevent the situation of running out of space from happening again in the near future, introduce several habits of using your smartphone. Regular maintenance takes less time than emergency cleaning of a jammed drive.
Set up automatic cleaning in the Security application. In the “Cleaning” section there is an “Auto Cleaning” item, where you can set the frequency (for example, once every 3 days) and types of files to be deleted. This will keep the system in good shape without your participation.
Keep an eye on application updates. Older versions of apps may contain bugs that cause memory leaks (the cache is not cleared correctly). Updated software is usually better optimized for working with storage.
- 📅 Once a month, audit the “Downloads” folder and delete unnecessary documents.
- 🚫 Turn off automatic application updates via the mobile network so as not to download unnecessary data.
- 🔄 Reboot your phone at least once a week to reset temporary system processes.
Remember that for stable operation of Android you must always have at least 10-15% of free space from the total memory. If you have a 32 GB version, try to keep at least 3-4 GB free.
Install the Cleaning widget on your home screen. This will simplify access to the junk removal function and will be a visual reminder of the need to keep your phone tidy.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to delete the Android folder on Redmi 7?
Delete the folder completely Android It is impossible, since it stores the data of all installed applications. However, you can safely clear its subfolders cache and obb (for remote games). Deleting the directory itself will lead to malfunctions in the apps.
Why, after cleaning, does the space quickly run out again?
Most likely, you have auto-saving of media files enabled in instant messengers or some applications are running in the background and generating logs. Check your Telegram/WhatsApp settings and disable saving to gallery, as well as limit the background activity of heavy applications.
How to transfer applications to a memory card on Redmi 7?
In modern versions of MIUI, the function of transferring applications to an SD card is often hidden or not available for system applications. Try going to Settings → Applications → Select an application → Memory. If there is a “Change” or “Move to SD” button, the function is available. If not, the transfer is impossible without root access.
Is it safe to use third-party apps like Clean Master?
Using aggressive third-party cleaners is not recommended. They often contain advertising, run in the background, using up your battery, and can delete needed files. The built-in MIUI tools are quite sufficient for high-quality cleaning of the system.
What is "Other" in the storage and how to clear it?
The "Other" category includes application cache, system files, messenger data and files of unknown format. You can clear it through deep cleaning, deleting the cache of specific applications manually, or resetting to factory settings.