Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face a situation where storage is crowded, but the standard analyzer does not show large files.The system reports that the lion’s share is occupied by the “Other” section, which in some versions of the MIUI or HyperOS shell may be called “System Data.” This mysterious section can take up tens of gigabytes, causing interface brakes and inability to install updates.
The sprawl phenomenon is due to the peculiarities of caching media and system logs. Android actively saves temporary data to speed up applications, but in the Xiaomi ecosystem this process sometimes gets out of control. Understanding the nature of these files is the first step to freeing up valuable space without losing personal photos or contacts.
There are several proven methods to combat digital garbage, from simple cache cleanups to more radical measures. It is important not just to blindly delete files, but to understand which ones are safe to delete. In this article, we will analyze the structure of the storage and propose an algorithm of actions that will help to return gigabytes of free space.
The Nature of the Other Section in MIUI
The Other section is not a single file, but a collection of different types of data, including Internet browser cache, temporary messenger files, remnants of remote applications and system error logs, which the operating system classifies as “unknown” if it cannot accurately determine their belonging to a particular category of media files.
This section is growing especially when streaming services and social networks are used, and apps like TikTok, Instagram or Telegram cache videos and images that are viewed so that they can be downloaded instantly when reopened, and over time, this cache can reach tens of gigabytes, formally remaining in the “Other” section.
And it also includes data about how system services work, debugging logs, error reports, and temporary update files can accumulate for months, and if you haven't cleaned your smartphone in a long time, these are the files that make up the bulk of your hidden memory consumption.
- 📂 Cache of Google System Applications and Services
- 🎬 Temporary files of video players and streaming services
- 📱 Residual files of remote games and programs
- 📝 System Logs and Error Reports
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to delete files from system folders through root-righted file managers without understanding their purpose.This can result in a cyclical device reboot or data loss.
Understanding what exactly takes up space allows you to choose the right cleaning strategy. Often users mistakenly believe that the "Other" section is a virus, but in most cases it is simply the result of active use of the smartphone.
The standard memory analyzer in MIUI doesn't always correctly display folder structure, so deep cleaning often requires specialized tools or manual computer verification.
Xiaomi’s Standard Cleaning Tools
The first and safest step is to use the built-in Security app, which is designed specifically for the MIUI shell and knows which files can be deleted without risking system stability. Launch the app and select Clean up.
The system will analyze the storage and suggest removing the garbage. However, standard cleaning is often superficial. For a deeper analysis, click on the Deep Clean button or go to Application Management, where you can find heavy programs and clear their cache individually.
☑️ Verification by built-in means
Special attention should be paid to the Files section, which is also in the Security app or in the Explorer app, where you can find duplicate photos, large video files and unused APK installation packages.
Don't forget to check the gallery basket. Deleted photos often stay there for 30 days, continuing to take up space. Cleaning the basket is an easy way to free up a few gigabytes instantly.
If the embedded tools have not helped radically reduce the size of the Other partition, it is worth moving to more detailed methods, sometimes the system marks as “other” files that are not formally garbage, but take up a critically large amount of space.
Analysis of storage through computer
For a deep understanding of the structure of memory, it is best to connect a smartphone to a computer. USB-And you can use the cable to see the real file system, and you can use analyzers like WinDirStat or TreeSize Free on your computer, if you plug your phone in storage mode.
However, a more effective method is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to access hidden parts of the system, you will need to install ADB drivers on your computer and enable debugging over USB in the Developer menu on your phone.
adb shell dumpsys diskstatsThis command will show you detailed data on disk usage, so you can see which packets or system processes consume the most space, which is especially useful when the standard interface hides the source of the problem.
When you connect to your PC, look for Android/data and Android/obb folders, which store app data, and sometimes you can find a cache of cards or downloaded series of TV shows that are not formally displayed in the gallery or downloads.
- 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC via the original cable
- 💻 Use disk space analyzers
- 🔍 Check the folders of large applications manually
- 🗑️ Remove Forgotten Downloads and Archives
Why does your computer see fewer files?
Working with the file system through a computer gives you more control, but it requires caution: only delete files that you are sure of assigning, such as old WhatsApp backups or downloaded files from Telegram.
Cleaning the cache of messengers and social networks
The main memory eaters in the Other section are messengers. Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber store all the media files viewed in cache. In Telegram, for example, cache can grow to incredible sizes if automatic deletion is not configured.
To clean up, go to the app itself, not through your Android settings. On Telegram, the path looks like this: Settings → Data and memory → Memory Use. Here you can clear the cache with a single button without deleting correspondence. Media files will be re-downloaded if necessary.
WhatsApp is more complicated. The app stores media files in a shared folder, and cleaning through the app settings may not have a full effect. It is recommended to use a built-in storage management tool: Settings → Data and Storage → Storage Management. Here you can delete files larger than 5 MB or files that have been transferred repeatedly.
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Set up auto-delete your Telegram cache for 3 days or 1 week, which will prevent the accumulation of gigabytes of garbage in the future and eliminate the need for manual cleaning.
Social networks like VK or Odnoklassniki also cache images and videos. Their settings often have a "Clear Cache" option that safely deletes temporary files. Regularly cleaning these apps can free up 1 to 5 GB of space monthly.
⚠️ Attention: Clearing the application data (not to be confused with cache) will delete correspondence, logins and settings. Always choose “Clear cache” rather than “Clean data” or “Erase data».
Once the messenger cache is cleared, the “Other” section should be significantly reduced, and if it does not, then the volume is occupied by system processes or other heavy applications, such as navigators or video editors.
Radical methods: Resetting and flashing
If none of the soft methods worked, and the Other section continues to take up absurd volume (e.g., 40-50GB on a 64GB phone), there may have been a file system error or a corruption of the system tables, in which case a complete reset.
Resetting to factory settings (Wipe Data) deletes all user data and returns the phone to the "out of the box" state.Be sure to back up important photos and contacts in the cloud or on your computer before doing so.The path to reset: Settings → About phone → Reset → Erase all data.
A more complicated but clean method is to flash the device: downloading the current version of MIUI or HyperOS from the official website and installing it via Recovery mode is guaranteed to clear the system partition from any errors and “junk”.
There is also a method of formatting an internal drive via the Recovery menu (Wipe Data/Factory Reset), which is sometimes more effective than a conventional reset via the settings menu, as it affects low-level markup sections.
| Cleaning method | Efficiency | Risk of data loss | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in cleaning | Low. | No. | Minimum |
| Cleaning up the app cache | Medium | No (unless you get it wrong) | Low. |
| Analysis through PC | Tall. | Medium. | Medium |
| Reset to factory | Maximum | High (needs backup) | Low. |
The choice of method depends on the criticality of the data on the device and the willingness to spend time configuring the phone again. In 90% of cases, the combination of cleaning messengers and resetting solves the problem of an inflated “Other” section.
Prevention of memory overflow
To keep the problem from returning in a month, it is important to implement a habit of regular maintenance. Automating cleaning processes is the key to success. Set up automatic cache cleaning in the Security app or use third-party but proven utilities.
Use cloud storage for photos and videos. Services like Google Photos or Mi Cloud allow you to store originals in the cloud, leaving only compressed copies on the device or deleting files after downloading, which frees up gigabytes of space.
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Regularly restarting your smartphone (at least once a week) helps the system to properly close the background processes and clean temporary files, preventing the accumulation of errors in the Other section.
Also, limit the background activity of applications. In the battery settings, limit background activity for rarely used programs, which will not only save power, but also reduce the number of temporary files they create.
Keep an eye out for system updates. Xiaomi engineers regularly release patches that fix memory management errors. If you notice a sharp increase in the Other section after the update, it may be a well-known bug that will be fixed in the next security patch.