What is hidden in the “Other” section of Xiaomi Redmi memory and how to work with it

Have you ever looked into your Xiaomi Redmi memory settings and found that the Other partition takes up gigabytes of space? This mysterious item appears in the storage analysis on all the brands smartphones, from the budget Redmi 9A to the flagship Redmi K60 Pro. But what exactly is behind this inscription? Why does the system not show the content explicitly, as in the case of photos or apps? And most importantly, can you safely vacate this space?

In this article, we will take a closer look at what types of files fall into the “Other” category, why MIUI (Xiaomi firmware) classifies them this way, and which ones can be deleted without risking device stability. You will also learn about hidden system caches that are not cleaned by standard methods, and you will get step-by-step instructions on how to work with this data. Importantly, some files in this section are critical to the operation of a smartphone, and their removal can cause malfunctions – we will explain in detail how to distinguish “junk” from the necessary data.

Why does Xiaomi Redmi have a “Other” section?

The Other section is a generic category where MIUI resets all files that don't fit standard tags like Apps, Photos or Video, and it's basically a data basket without clear classification, and here are the key reasons why it's coming along:

• 📁 System caches and logs: Files that are created by the OS and applications to speed up work, but do not fall into visible folders (for example, Google Play Services cache or log files). MIUI).
• 🔄 Residual data: Remote application fragments, temporary update files, or incorrectly deleted media files.
• 🛠️ Service files MIUI: Theme configurations, widget data, security settings (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter files).
• 📱 User profile data: If there are multiple accounts on the device, their caches and settings may be duplicated here.

Interesting fact: on pure Android smartphones (like the Pixel or Samsung One UI), similar files are categorized or not displayed in memory analysis at all. MIUI separates them into a separate section so that the user can manually control the amount of space occupied. However, this “transparency” often leads to confusion: many people mistakenly believe that all the content of the “Other” can be erased without consequences.

⚠️ Note: If the "Other" section is more 10 GB on a device with 64/128 GB of memory, this may indicate a failure in the work MIUI Storage Analyzer: In this case, it is recommended to check the integrity of the file system through the Settings. → The phone. → Diagnostics → Memory check.

What files can be removed from the “Other”?

Not all files in this section are equally useful, some of them are real digital junk that is safe to clean, and here's a list of things that can be deleted without risk to the system:

• 🗑️ Application cache: Temporary files that are created to speed up programs (such as Facebook, Instagram or YouTube cache) that will not delete account data, but may slow down the first download of applications after restarting.
• 📂 Downloads: Old Downloads APK-files, archives or documents you haven't opened in a long time. /storage/emulated/0/Download.
• 🎵 Labelless media: Audio and video that are not recognized by the system as music or movies (e.g. voice notes or screencasts without extension).
• 📊 Logs and dumps: Files with the.log or.dmp extension that are created when applications crash.

To find these files, use the built-in Explorer MIUI (Menus. → Files) or third-party applications like Files by Google:

• /data/data/ – Application caches (root rights required to access)
• /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ – Application data that can be cleaned through Settings → Apps → [Select App] → Storage → Clear cache
• /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/ – Theme and widget service files.

If you're not sure if you need a folder or a file, check the date it changed. com.xiaomi.miui.gallery_20230515.log It hasn't been updated for six months, so you can delete it, but you can have folders with the current date, com.android.vending-1) It is better not to touch them – they may belong to actively used services.

Hidden System Files: What Cannot Be Deleted?

The Other section hides critical files that MIUI can't work properly without, and deleting them can lead to freezes, errors, or even a device blink (completely inoperable).

It is especially dangerous to delete files from /data/ without root permissions. Even if you use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) for cleaning, the wrong command can erase Mi Account data or security certificates, for example, deleting files from /data/misc/keystore/ will result in loss of access to secure applications (banking, encrypted messengers).

⚠️ Note: If you see a com.xiaomi.finddevice or com.miui.cloudservice folder in the Other section, do not delete its contents. These files are responsible for the Find My Device (phone search) and Mi Cloud (cloud backup) services. Loss of data may make it impossible to recover data when resetting.

How to reduce the size of the Other without manual cleaning?

If you don't want to manually dig through the file system, there are a few automated ways to reduce the size of the "Other" partition, which are safe and recommended by Xiaomi itself:

1. Clear the cache of all applications: Go to Settings → Storage → Cache data and click “Clean”. This will delete the temporary files of all installed programs, but will not affect personal data (photos, messages, etc.).
2. Use of built-in cleaner: Open the Security app, go to Cleanup and run a deep scan, and the system will find unnecessary files, including hidden caches.
3. Disable unnecessary system applications: Some preinstalled services (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music) create cache even if you are not using them. Disable them through Settings → Applications → [Select App] → Disable them.
4. Update MIUI: Newer versions of firmware optimized cache. Check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.

Another effective method is to transfer data to SD-card (if your Redmi model supports memory extension:

1. Insert the memory card and format it as Internal Storage in Settings → Storage.
2. Move the apps that allow it through Settings → Annexes → [Select an application] → Warehouse → Change. → SD-map.

Advanced methods: ADB and root access

If the standard methods didn't work, and the Other section is still gigabytes long, you can use advanced tools that require technical skills, but allow you to clean even hidden system caches.

Method 1: Cleaning through ADB (no root)

Connect your phone to your PC, turn on USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then return to Additional → For Developers) and execute the commands:

adb shell


pm clear com.miui.gallery #Cache cleaning Gallery




pm clear com.android.vending #Cache cleanup Google Play




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files

Method 2: Manual removal through root conductor

If you have root rights, use Root Explorer or FX File Explorer to access folders:

• /data/log/ - system logs
• /data/tombstones/ - error dumps
• /data/dalvik-cache/ – Dalvik cache (cleansed only after rebooting).

⚠️ Note: Delete files through ADB Or root may disrupt the work. MIUI, If you're wrong about the path, always back up before you do that. -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

💡

Before using ADB, check if the developer settings enable USB Debugging (Safe Mode) to prevent dangerous commands from being executed accidentally.

What if the other one is growing again?

If the “Other” section is quickly refilled after cleaning, the problem may lie in:

• 🔄 Automatic Log Creation: Some applications (especially beta versions) generate gigabytes of log files. /sdcard/Logs/ or /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log/.
• 📱 Failures in work MIUI: If the system incorrectly removes the cache, try resetting the settings through Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings → Reset all settings (without deleting data).
• 🛠️ Viruses or malware: Some Trojans masquerade as system files and fill up memory with garbage.Scan the device via Malwarebytes or Dr.Web.

If the problem persists, check if USB debugging is enabled in the background (Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB (Safe Mode)).Some applications (such as Tasker or Automation Apps) can create redundant logs when active debugging.

💡

Regularly clean the cache through Settings → Storage → Cache data is the safest way to control the “Other” partition. Automate the process with applications like SD Maid (requires root for full functionality).

Comparison of cleaning methods: which is more effective?

To choose the best method, compare the basic methods by safety, efficiency and complexity criteria:

For most Xiaomi Redmi users, the best solution is a combination of the first two methods: regular cache cleaning through Settings and deep scanning in the Security app. If the Other partition takes up more than 15-20% of the total memory, consider resetting or contact the service center (hardware memory problems are possible).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the “Other” section of Xiaomi Redmi