Xiaomi’s “Other”: Hidden Files, Cache and Garbage – Full Guide 2026

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners will eventually encounter a mysterious "Other" item in the "Storage" section of the settings, which can be anywhere from 5 to 30+ GB — and the system doesn't offer any ways to clean it up. What is this data? Why is it accumulating? Can it be deleted without risk to the phone?

In fact, the Other is a hoard of system files, cache of applications, logs, temporary data, and even remnants of deleted programs. MIUI doesn't classify them as junk, so it doesn't show them in a standard cleaner, but some of them can be safely removed -- if you know where to look.

In this article, we will discuss:

• 🔍 What exactly goes into "The Other"** - from cache to hidden folders
• ⚠️ What files cannot be deleted (risk of “bricking” the phone)
• 🛠️ Cleaning methods – from manual to automated
• 📊 How to Prevent the Storage of Garbage in the Future

1.What is in the “Other” category on Xiaomi?

The “Other” item in Settings → Storage is a basket for files that MIUI cannot categorize as standard (photos, videos, apps, etc.) and includes:

The main culprits are:

• 📁 System application cache — temporary files MIUI, Google Services, Mi Account, etc.
• 🗃️ Logs and dumps are error reports (.log,.dmp) that are created when crashes occur.
• 🧹 Remnants of remote applications are folders in /data/data or /Android/obb that have not been cleaned.
• 🔄 Temporary update files are downloaded but not installed firmware (OTA).
• 📱 Virtual machine data (if you are using Xiaomi HyperOS or MIUI with application isolation).

Interesting fact: The Other may hide duplicate photos created by editors (e.g., Mi Gallery saves the original + edited version), and there are often messenger caches (Telegram, WhatsApp) that are not cleaned during a standard cleaning.

In Xiaomi’s HyperOS (2026+), the “Other” category can include Sandbox files that are used to protect data. They can’t be deleted manually, only through system tools.

2.Why does the Other take up so much space?

The main reason is that MIUI aggressively caches data to speed up the system, but it doesn't always clean it up.

• 📱 Apps create cache, but after updating, they don’t delete old versions.
• 🔄 The system stores APK- update files even if they are already installed.
• 📊 Error logs accumulate over the years (especially if the phone is frequently rebooted or "glutted").

The second problem is memory fragmentation, and when you delete applications, their data is not always erased completely, for example, a game called Genshin Impact, after uninstallation, can leave up to 2-3 GB of cache in the /Android/obb folder in Another.

The third reason is the features of MIUI:

• 🔒 The system hides some folders from the user (e.g. /data/log).
• 🗑️ A standard cleaner (Safety → Cleaning) ignores some of the “junk.”
• 📦 Xiaomi applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) cache media files in non-obvious places.

💡

If Other suddenly grew by 5+GB in a day, check the /MIUI/Download folder, which is often downloaded with updates or backups without notice.

3. Which files from the “Other” can be deleted and which can not?

Before cleaning, remember the red flags, files you can’t touch:

⚠️ Warning: Deleting folders /data/dalvik-cache, /system or files with the.odex extension will cause system failure, and you can only clean them through Recovery or specialized utilities.

What can be removed safely:

If you are not sure what you can remove, use the proven tools:

• 🛠️ SD Maid (paid version) – shows “junk” with a division into categories.
• 📂 Files by Google – Finds duplicates and large files for free.
• 🔧 Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools – for advanced users (requires ADB).

4. Step-by-step instructions: how to clean “Other” on Xiaomi

We've put together 3 ways, from the simplest to the most advanced, start with the first and move on to the next one if you don't have a seat.

Method 1: Standard MIUI tools

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Slip on “Other” → “Clear” (if the button is active).
3. Go to Files → Categories → Garbage and delete everything.
4. Run “Optimization” in the “Security” section.

Method 2: Manually cleansing through file manager

• 📁 Install Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer (with root permissions, if any).
• 🔍 Go to folders: /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log for error logs; /sdcard/Android/obb for game cache; /sdcard/Download for old APK; /data/local/tmp for temporary files (requires root).
• 🗑️ Delete everything except the current date files.

Method 3: Advanced cleaning through ADB (for experienced)

adb shell pm clear com.miui.system


adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*




adb shell rm -rf /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log/*

⚠️ Warning: The commands above will clear the cache of system applications and logs, but critical data will not be affected. However, if you make a mistake along the way (for example, delete /data/data instead of /data/local/tmp), the phone may stop booting.

Make a backup copy of important data

Check the space available (should be ≥1 GB)

Close all applications

Connect charging (the process may take time)-->

5. How can we prevent the accumulation of the Other in the future?

To prevent the “Other” from growing to 20+ GB, follow these rules:

Automatic measures:

• 🔄 Set up auto-cleaning in Settings → Storage → Waste Cleanup → Automatically.
• 📥 Disable autoload media in instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
• 🗑️ Install SD Maid and enable weekly cleaning.

Manual actions (once a month):

• 📂 Check the /sdcard/Android/obb folder – delete the cache of unnecessary games.
• 🔍 Clean Uploads from old APK and archives.
• 🔄 Update apps — newer versions often optimize cache.

For advanced users:

• 🛠️ Disable logging (requires ADB): adb shell setprop persist.logd.size 0
• 📦 Move the application cache to the SD- card (if supported).

💡

Regularly cleaning the app cache (for example, through App Cache Cleaner) reduces the volume of the “Other” by 30-50% per month.

6 Frequent mistakes in cleaning the Other and how to avoid them

Many Xiaomi users make critical mistakes trying to make room.

Error 1: Delete /data folder without backup

This folder contains all user data, including messages, gallery photos and settings, and cleaning it is equivalent to a complete reset.

Mistake 2: Using “magic” scripts from the Internet

There are often teams on the network like:

rm -rf /data/*

They'll delete everything, including system files. Never run unfamiliar commands with rm -rf!

Error 3: Cleaning up Google Play Services cache

It'll lead to:

Error 4: Delete files from /system

This folder contains the firmware of the phone, and any changes without root and knowledge will lead to:

• 🔴 Loss of warranty;
• 🔴 Brik (not being able to turn on the phone)
• 🔴 Need to flash through Fastboot.

💡

If the Other has grown again in a week after cleaning, check the apps for viruses. Some Trojans create hidden files in /sdcard/.thumbnails or /sdcard/.data folders.

7. Alternative ways to make room (if the "Other" is not cleared)

If standard methods do not help, try these non-obvious techniques:

Method 1: Transfer applications to SD-map

• 📱 Suitable for phones with Adoptable Storage support (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro).
• 🔧 Use App2SD or manually transfer data through Settings → Applications.

Method 2: Reset the /data partition cache (without data loss)

Performed through Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume Up to log in to Recovery.
3. Select the Wipe Cache Partition.
4. Reboot.

Method 3: Disabling unnecessary system applications

Some Xiaomi apps (e.g. Mi Pay, Mi Roaming) take up space but are not in use. They can be disabled (do not delete!):

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.payment

Method 4: Using Cloud Storage

• 📁 Move photos and videos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
• 🎵 Store music and documents in Yandex Disc or Dropbox.

💡

If the Other takes more than 15GB and cleaning doesn't help, consider a full reset (with backup).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions