What does the “Other” in the memory of Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 – full parsing + cleaning instructions

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is still one of the most popular budget smartphones, but owners often encounter the mysterious “Other” item in the Memory section, which can take anywhere from a few hundred megabytes to 10+ GB — and it can’t be deleted by standard means. What are these files? Why is the system hiding them? And most importantly, can they be safely cleaned without breaking the phone?

In this article, we will analyze in detail what the Other consists of in the memory of Redmi Note 8, which files get there (including the application cache, temporary MIUI data and the remnants of remote programs), and also give step-by-step instructions for cleaning - from simple methods to advanced methods using ADB.

If your phone shows that the Other is taking up too much space and less than 10% of your free memory, this article will help you get back the precious gigabytes, but first let’s figure out why this partition even exists and why Xiaomi is hiding it from users.

What is the Other in your phone’s memory and why does it take up so much space?

The Memory Memory Menu item “Other” (Settings → About Phone → Memory) is a container for files that the system cannot uniquely categorize (photos, videos, apps, etc.) that includes:

• 🗑️ Application cache and systems are temporary files that are created to speed up programs but are often not deleted after they are closed.
• 📁 Remnants of remote applications are folders with settings and data of programs that you have long uninstalled, but their traces remain.
• 🔄 Logs and dumps of the system - debugging files that create MIUI Diagnosing errors (especially after a failure).
• 📱 Update files – Uploaded but not installed firmware or security patches.
• 🔒 Encrypted data – some applications (e.g. banking) store information in a secure form, and the system cannot classify it.

On the Redmi Note 8, this section is often expanded due to the peculiarities of MIUI 11/12: the shell actively caches data to speed up the interface, but does not always clean up garbage correctly. For example, after updating the firmware, old files can remain in memory for months, taking up to 3-5 GB.

Another reason is memory fragmentation, where files break down into smaller pieces over time, and the system spends more space on storing them, especially if you install and delete applications or download large files (such as games).

How do you check what is in the “Other” section?

Before you clean the Other, you need to understand what files are stored there. Standard MIUI tools don't show that, but there are workarounds:

Method 1: Use a built-in memory analyzer

Go to Settings → Phone → Memory → Memory. Here, the system will show the file categorization, but the data will be generalized. For example, you will see that the Other takes 4 GB, but you will not know what it is.

Method 2: Install a third-party analyzer (e.g. Files by Google or SD Maid)

These apps scan the memory deeper and can show:

• 📂 Large folders with garbage (for example, /data/log or /cache).
• 🗃️ Remnants of Remote Applications (Folders in the /data/data).
• 🔍 Duplicate files and temporary data.

Example: SD Maid finds an average of 1-2 GB of unnecessary files even on a clean phone, but be careful, some folders (e.g. /system) are not allowed to be touched!

💡

Before using third-party analyzers, turn off battery optimization for them in the MIUI settings (Settings → Applications → Permissions → Auto Run), otherwise the scan will be interrupted.

Method 3: View hidden files through Explorer (for power users)

If you have root access, you can manually go to the folders:

/data/app/ – Remnants of Remote Applications


/data/log/ – system logs (can weigh up to 500MB)




/cache/ – update cache and temporary files




/data/dalvik-cache – cache of the Android virtual machine

Without root, these folders will not be available, but they can be viewed through ADB (more on this below).

⚠️ Attention: Delete files from folders /system or /vendor It can cause your phone to malfunction. Don't touch them without knowing exactly what you're doing!

How to clean the “Other” in memory Redmi Note 8 without root?

If you don't have superuser rights, you can try the following methods: they're less effective than root cleaning, but they're safe and they don't require technical skills.

Method 1: Cleaning the application cache and system

The easiest way is to reset the cache for all applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner and select "Sort by size."
3. Open each major app (e.g. Facebook, YouTube, MIUI Launcher) and click Clear Cache.
4. To clean the system cache, go to Settings → About Phone → Memory → Clean (may be called “Optimize”).

This will free up 500MB to 2GB, but will not delete deep temporary files.

Method 2: Delete Unnecessary Files via Google Files

Files by Google has a built-in garbage cleaner tool:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open the "Cleaning" section.
3. Select the categories “Temporary Files” and “App Cache”.
4. Click "Delete" and confirm the action.

The app will find up to 1-1.5 GB of unnecessary data, including update residues and duplicates.

Method 3: Resetting cache through Recovery mode

This method removes all temporary system files, including update cache and dalvik cache:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Select “Wipe & Reset” → “Wipe Cache” (not to be confused with “Wipe Data” – it’s a factory reset!).
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

This will free up to 3GB, but will not affect user data.

Advanced Cleaning of the Other with ADB (no root)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool to control your phone through your computer, which will allow you to delete files that are not available through the normal interface.

Step 1: Preparation

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 📱 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (You can download from the official Android website).

Install ADB and turn on the phone:

1. Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
2. Debugging by USB: Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging by USB.

Step 2: Connection and Cleaning

Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and do:

1. Connect the phone and type: Adb devices should appear with a serial number.
2. Delete the update cache (can take up to 1GB): adb shell pm clear com.android.updater adb shell rm -rf /cache/*
3. Clear system logs (files older than 7 days are deleted securely): adb shell rm -rf /data/log/*
4. Remove the remnants of the deleted applications (takes care!): adb shell pm list packages -u | grep 'uninstalled' adb shell rm -rf /data/data/com.example.deletedapp* (replace com.example.deletedapp with the real name of the package).

Once you've done the commands, restart your phone. This method can free up to 4 to 5 GB, but it requires care.

⚠️ Attention: Command rm -rf It deletes files irrevocably. If you go wrong (e.g., type in rm). -rf /data/ instead /data/log/), This will result in the loss of all data and the need to reflash!

What if the other one is growing again?

Even after cleaning, the "Other" section can grow over time.

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly (every 1-2 months).
• 🚫 Do not install apps from unknown sources – they often leave debris behind.
• 📱 Update the firmware - in new versions MIUI Optimized work with memory.
• 🗃️ Use cloud storage for photos and videos to avoid clogging internal memory.
• 🔍 Check your memory periodically through Files by Google or SD Maid.

If the Other is growing too fast (for example, 1 GB per week), it may indicate:

• 🐛 Virus or malware – scan the Malwarebytes phone.
• 🔄 Failure to work MIUI — Try resetting to factory settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge).
• 📱 Problems with the file system - in this case, only flashing will help.

Comparison of cleaning methods: which is more effective?

To choose the best method, compare the methods for effectiveness and risks:

For most users of Redmi Note 8, the best combination is:

1. Cache Cleaning by hand + Files by Google (1–2 GB)
2. Cache reset via Recovery (another 2-3 GB).
3. If necessary, ADB for deleting logs (1 GB).

💡

Do not try to clean the “Other” to zero – some of the files in this section are necessary for the stable operation of MIUI. Optimally leave 1-2 GB free for system needs.

Frequent Mistakes in Cleaning the Other and How to Avoid Them

Many users, in an attempt to free up memory, make mistakes that lead to data loss or phone failure.

• 🔍 Using “cleaners” with aggressive settings – programs like Clean Master can delete the desired files.

To avoid problems:

• ✅ Always back up before mass deletion of files.
• ✅ Check the paths before executing commands in ADB.
• ✅ Do not delete files with extensions.odex,.apk,.so – they are critical for the operation of applications.

⚠️ Warning: If your phone starts to slow down or restart after cleaning, you have deleted important system files, and only flashing through Fastboot or Recovery will help.

FAQ: Answers to the frequent questions about the “Other” in the memory of the Redmi Note 8