“Other” in the memory of Xiaomi Redmi: the secret eater of the place – understand and clean

You opened your storage settings on your Xiaomi Redmi, and suddenly you found that the lion's share of memory is occupied by a mysterious "Other" section? 10, 20, or even 30 GB - and you don't know what to do with it. The system does not give details, the app cache is cleaned, unnecessary files are deleted, and the cat cried anyway.

This problem is haunting owners of Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 and other MIUI models — and it's not accidental. "Other" is not a bug, but a feature of Android and Xiaomi's proprietary shell. In this article, we'll look at what exactly is hidden under this item, why it grows to unimaginable sizes and, most importantly, how to safely reduce its volume without risking the system.

What is the “Other” in the memory of Xiaomi Redmi?

To start with, "Other" is a dump for files that Android and MIUI can't categorize as standard (photos, videos, apps, etc.)

• 📁 System logs and dumps - error reports, processor log, sensor data.
• 🔄 Temporary update files – firmware residues, packages OTA, which have not been established.
• 🗑️ Remains of remote applications are not completely erased program data (especially relevant for games).
• 🔐 Encrypted files – for example, data from secure storage Mi Cloud or Secure Folder.
• 🤖 System process cache, such as media provider or android.process.acore.

In MIUI 12/13/14, the problem is compounded by the system’s dynamic memory allocation: some files from Other can migrate to and from other partitions, for example, after a firmware update, temporary files are not always cleaned automatically and remain dead weight.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to manually delete files from the folder /data or /system This can lead to data loss or a cyclical smartphone reboot. MIUI tightly controls access rights, and accidental deletion of a system file often ends with a visit to a service center.

Fun fact: on a pure Android Redmi (like POCO F3 on Pixel Experience), the Others section typically takes up 2-3 times less space, which is because MIUI creates more utility files to run proprietary features (like Second Space or App Lock).

Why does the other take up so much space?

There are several key reasons why this section is growing to giant sizes:

1. Updates MIUI. Each new firmware version (especially major, for example, with the MIUI 13 on MIUI (14) leaves behind “tails” – temporary files that should have been deleted automatically, but for some reason remained.
2. Application errors: Some programs (especially games and social networks) are not properly clearing their cache, such as PUBG Mobile or TikTok can leave gigabytes of unnecessary data in the /data/data folder.
3. Background processes: MIUI actively uses preloading data to speed up work, and these files are stored in Prochem and are not always deleted.
4. Duplicate media: If you transferred photos/videos from one device to another via Mi Share or Bluetooth, you might have temporary copies left over.

For example, after updating the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ from MIUI 13.0.4 to 14.0.2, users often notice that the Other has grown by 5-8 GB. This is due to the fact that the system backs up the old firmware in case of rollback package, but does not always delete it.

Another nuance: on devices with a small amount of memory (32-64 GB), "Other" takes up a percentage more space than on flagships with 128-256 GB. This is due to the fact that the system reserves a fixed amount for service needs, regardless of the total size of the drive.

How to safely reduce the “other”?

Now, the most important thing is how to make room without breaking your smartphone, and there are a few options, and we're going to take them from the safest to the riskiest.

1. Cleaning through built-in MIUI tools

The first thing to try is the standard system functions:

• 🧹 Cleaning up garbage: Go to Settings → The phone. → Memory. → Clean up. MIUI scan your device and suggest you delete unnecessary files (including a part of the “Other»).
• 🗑️ Delete temporary files: In the same memory menu, tap on “Other” – sometimes the system shows details and allows you to clear some of the data.
• 🔄 Resetting the application cache: In Settings → Annexes → Select Clear Cache for all applications (especially Google Play Services and Miui System).

These methods usually free up 1 to 3 GB, but not more. If the Other takes 10+ GB, you'll have to use more radical methods.

2.Removal of the MIUI update cache

One of the main eaters of space is undeleted service packs, to clean them up:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select “Delete downloaded package”.
3. If there is no item, check the folder. /sdcard/Downloaded_rom via any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager) and delete files with the.zip extension.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from the folder /cache manually! This may cause crashes on the next update. Use only official tools MIUI.

3. Reset settings (without data loss)

If previous methods have not worked, try a soft reset:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Resetting settings.
• 📱 Select “Reset all settings” (not “Delete all data!»).
• 🔄 Confirm action. The phone will reboot, but your photos, videos and apps will stay in place.

This helps if Other has grown due to incorrect system settings or application conflicts, and after resetting, MIUI reassembles cache and service files, which can free up to 5 GB.

4. Manual removal via ADB (for advanced)

If you're ready for more complex manipulations, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a computer and basic knowledge, but allows you to remove up to 70% of the "Other".

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, open the command line and type: adb shell pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster # Service Garbage Cleanup rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files rm -rf /cache/* # Clean up the system cache (requires root)

⚠️ Warning: Teams with rm -rf They can permanently delete important data if you've entered it incorrectly, and only use it if you understand what you're doing!

What can I do with the “Other”?

In trying to make room, many users make critical mistakes that lead to data loss or phone breakdown, which is strictly forbidden:

• 🚫 Delete the folder /data or /system This will lead to a knock (total inoperability) of the device.
• 🚫 Use Play Market cleaners, programs like Clean Master or CCleaner often delete files and sometimes even contain malicious code.
• 🚫 Format a section /cache It can disrupt the work. OTA-update.
• 🚫 Delete files with the.odex or.vdex extension. These are optimized application libraries, without which programs will not work.

It is especially dangerous to get Root rights to clean “Other.” On modern Redmi (like Note 12 or Redmi K60), unlocking the bootloader resets all data, and incorrect use of Magisk can lead to loss of IMEI or problems with Widevine (next Netflix will not work in HD).

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If the other still takes up a lot of space after all the manipulations, check the phone for viruses using Mi Security Scan (built into MIUI), some Trojans disguise themselves as system files and inflate this partition.

How can we prevent the growth of the “other” in the future?

To avoid this problem again, follow the following simple rules:

• 📱 Update regularly MIUI. Newer versions often fix bugs associated with garbage cleaning.
• 🔄 Do not interrupt the updates. If the firmware update process is interrupted, the temporary files will remain in the Other».
• 🗑️ Use cloud storage. Move photos and videos to Mi Cloud or Google Photos to reduce the load on internal memory.
• 🛡️ Disable unnecessary system applications, such as Mi Video, Mi Music or GetApps, which can create extra cache.

It is also worth monitoring the size of the Other every 1-2 months, if it begins to grow sharply (for example, from 5 to 15 GB per week), this may indicate:

• 🐛 Virus or malware.
• 🔄 Failure to work MIUI.
• 📱 Problems with internal drive. On old Redmis (like Redmi) 5/6) This could be a sign of flash memory wear.

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If the other one takes up more than 20% of the total memory after all the manipulations, then this is an excuse to contact the service center, and it may be a problem in the hardware (memory controller or the chip itself).

Comparison of cleaning methods: what works best?

To make it easier for you to choose the right method, we have collected data on the effectiveness of each method based on feedback from Redmi users:

As you can see from the table, the safest are the first three methods. Fastboot flashing or getting a Root is only justified if "Other" takes more than 20 GB and interferes with the normal operation of the phone.

Frequent questions about the “Other” in Xiaomi Redmi

If your question is not covered in the article, study the official documentation of Xiaomi or contact the Mi Community forum, where user reviews from around the world are collected.