What is hidden in the folder “Other” on Xiaomi: a complete analysis + clean-up

Have you ever looked into your Xiaomi storage and wondered why the Other partition takes up gigabytes of memory when you didn't consciously save anything? MIUI. Unlike explicit folders like Download or Photos, the content of Another remains for most terra incognita users.

In practice, it accumulates residual files of system processes, cache of applications that failed to be deleted correctly, temporary data from updates, and garbage from remote programs, for example, after uninstalling the game through Settings. → The applications of her cache may remain in this section. MIUI 14+ Some of the Other files may be protected system data that is not displayed in a standard file manager, making it difficult to identify them.

In this article, we will not only decipher what exactly is included in the “Other” on Xiaomi, Redmi and other smartphones. POCO, But we'll show you how to safely shrink it down without risking damage to the system. MIUI, third-party utilities for memory analysis, as well as about which files can be deleted and which cannot be touched categorically.

1.What is the "Other" folder in MIUI And why it's growing.

The “Other” section in Xiaomi’s storage is a kind of “basket” for files that the system cannot uniquely categorize into standard categories (for example, “Music”, “Video” or “Documents”). MIUI This section is designated as misc_files (It's called miscellaneous. It's got some key features:

• 📁 Dynamic composition: content changes depending on user actions and OS operation. For example, after updating the firmware, backups of old configurations may appear here.
• 🔄 Delayed autocleaning: MIUI In theory, it should delete unnecessary files from the Other itself, but in practice this process often fails, especially on devices with 32 GB of memory.
• 🛡️ Protected system data: some files are /data/system It is not visible without root rights, but takes place.

The main reasons for the growth of the folder:

1. Remote application cache. When you uninstall the program through Settings → Its cache applications and temporary files are not always deleted completely.
2. Remains of updates MIUI. After OTA-Updates in the "Other" can remain packages update.zip weight 1–2 GB.
3. Logs and dumps: Files with the.log or.dmp extension are generated during crashes and diagnostics.
4. Photos/videos downloaded via instant messengers (e.g. Telegram or WhatsApp) if they were not processed by the gallery.

⚠️ Note: If the size of the “Other” exceeds 5 GB on a device with 64 GB of memory, this may indicate a failure in the storage service MIUI (In this case, only resetting the settings or manual cleaning through ADB.

2. Complete list of files that fall into the "Other"

To effectively clean a partition, you need to understand what types of files are stored there. Below is an exhaustive list with examples and weights.

Special attention should be paid to files with extensions:

• 📄.nomedia – hide folders from being scanned by the gallery (they can be deleted if you don’t need secrecy).
• 🗑️.trash – a basket of some file managers (for example, Mi File Manager).
• 🔧.db – Application databases (remove only if the application is uninstalled).

3. How to view the contents of "The Other" without root rights

By default. MIUI It doesn't provide direct access to files in the "Other" section, but there are a few ways to view them:

Method 1: Through built-in "Storage Analysis"

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Slip on the "Other" schedule.
3. The system will show file categories (for example, “Cash”, “Downloads”, “Other”).
4. Click “Clear” to delete unnecessary data.

Method 2: Use Mi File Manager with Extended Rights

Update the standard file manager to the latest version and:

1. Launch the app.
2. Go to Categories → Analysis of the vault.
3. Select “Other” and wait for the scan.
4. The manager will show the folders that occupy the most space (for example, the most space, /Android/data or /Download/unconfirmed).

Method 3: Third-party utilities (without root)

Apps like Files by Google or SD Maid (in "Guest" mode) can be shown:

• 📂 Duplicate files.
• 🗃️ Empty folders.
• 🧹 Residual cache (.thumbnails,.face).

⚠️ Note: Do not use the “deep cleaning” features in third-party apps on Xiaomi with MIUI 12+. This may cause a failure of the com.miui.securitycenter service, which is responsible for the security of the system.

4. Step-by-step instructions for cleaning the "Other"

Before cleaning, make sure there is enough charge on the device (≥50%) and stable internet connection (required for backup).

Step 1: Cleaning the application cache

The safest way to make room:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort by size (slip on "size").
3. Select apps with a large cache (for example, YouTube, Facebook, Telegram).
4. Press "Storage» → «Clear the cache».

Step 2: Removing update residues

If you have recently updated MIUI:

1. Open Mi File Manager.
2. Move to the /sdcard/Download/ or /sdcard/MIUI/.
3. Delete the files with the names update.zip, miui_*.zip.
4. Clear the folder. /sdcard/MIUI/backup/ (unless you're planning to roll back firmware).

Step 3: Manually Delete Unnecessary Files

Use it. FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer for search:

• 🗑️ Folder.trash or Recycle Bin.
• 📸 Folders. DCIM/.thumbnails (Photo miniatures, can be removed).
• 🎵.nomedia files in media folders (if you don’t need stealth).

Step 4: Resetting Safe Storage (for Advanced)

If "The Other" takes >3 GB for no apparent reason:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory. → Additionally. → Secure storage.
2. Click "Clean" and this will delete encrypted files that the system cannot classify.

💡

Before mass deleting files from the "Other" create a backup through Settings → System system → Backup. That'll allow you to recover data if something goes wrong.

5 What to do if the Other is not reduced

If after all the manipulations, the Other section still takes up gigabytes, the problem may lie in:

• 🔄 Storage service failure: Restart the device in Safe Mode (hold the power button) → «Reboot in Safe Mode) and check the size of the Other. If it's shrunk, it's the third-party app's fault.
• 📱 File system errors: Run the check through ADB: adb shell fsck -f /dev/block/mmcblk0pX (where X is the partition number, usually p28 for /data).
• 🔒 Secure system data: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or Redmi Note 11 Pro+) Part of the "Other" refers to /data/app-lib and not cleaned without discharge.

Extreme measures:

1. Reset to factory settings (with loss of data).
2. Flashing through the Mi Flash Tool (requires an unlocked bootloader).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ and dynamic memory (RAM Expansion) Part of the Other can be a virtual swap partition, fixed in size and not cleanable.

💡

If after all the actions, the Other takes up more than 1 GB on a device with 128 GB of memory, this is normal. MIUI Reserves part of the storage for system needs.

6 How to Prevent the Spread of the Other in the Future

To prevent the “Other” folder from becoming a source of headache, follow these recommendations:

• 🗃️ Cloud usage: Move rarely used files to Mi Cloud or Google Drive.

For devices with 64 GB of memory or less:

• 📵 Turn off the “Duplicate Photos” feature in Google Photos if it saves copies to local storage.
• 🎮 Delete the game cache (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) after each session via Settings → Annexes → Game. → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

7. Myths and misconceptions about the “Other” folder on Xiaomi

There are a lot of myths on the Internet about what the Other section is hiding.

Another common misconception is that the “other” can be completely removed through the TWRP. In fact, even with custom recavery, some files will remain - they are tied to the /data partition that is encrypted on modern Xiaomi.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the folder “Other»