Xiaomi’s “Other” takes up gigabytes of memory: what is it and how to clean it?

You opened your storage settings on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, and saw that the Other partition takes up a disproportionate amount of space — 5 to 30 GB? — a typical problem for MIUI-based devices, where the system groups dozens of file types under this category that don’t fall into the standard partitions (“Apps”, “Media”, “Documents”).

Unlike Samsung or Google Pixel, where the Other typically takes 1-3 GB, Xiaomi can grow this section to absurd sizes, and the reasons are rooted in the MIUI architecture, which actively caches data, backs up and hides utility files from the user. In this article, we will not only reveal which files are hiding under the Other category on Xiaomi, but also show you how to delete them, from manual cleaning to using hidden system functions.

1.What's Hiding Under "Other" on Xiaomi: Full List of Files

The MIUI Other category is a garbage bin for files that the system cannot classify as standard partitions.

• 📁 Application and system caches are temporary files that have not been deleted after closing programs (e.g., YouTube cache, TikTok, or MIUI Launcher).
• 🔄 Residual files after updates are old firmware versions (.zip), application updates (.apk) and update metadata.
• 🗑️ Deleted files that do not fall into the Recycle Bin are fragments of media, documents, and APK that remain in memory after the “soft” deletion.
• 🔒 Hidden system logs are debugging files (.log,.trace), memory dumps, and error reports (/data/anr/, /data/tombstones/).
• 📱 Backups MIUI are automatic backups of settings, SMS and calls created before updates (/MIUI/backup/).
• 🎮 Game and heavy-duty apps data — saves, additional resources (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile) and Google Play Games cache.
• 🔍 Indexing files are databases for quick search (/data/data/com.miui.search/).

Especially the residual files are taken up after MIUI updates. For example, when you switch from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14, the system saves the old firmware in case of rollback, and also duplicates some libraries. These files can weigh 3-8 GB and are not deleted automatically even after a successful update.

2.How to check what exactly occupies a place in "The Other"

Before you clean it, you need to understand which files are to blame for overflows. MIUI has built-in analysis tools, but they don't show the whole picture.

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Memory and click on the “Other” section, and the system will show the total volume, but without detail.
2. Use the MIUI File Manager: Go to Categories → Storage Analysis. Large folders will be visible here, but not all hidden files.
3. Install a third-party analyzer, such as Files by Google or SD Maid. They will show: 📂 Folders weighing >500 MB (e.g., /Android/data/ or /MIUI/). 🗃️ Duplicate files (especially relevant for photos and APK). 🔍 Application cache that is not cleaned by standard means.

For advanced users, there is a way to view hidden files through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and connect your phone to your PC and follow the command:

adb shell du -sh /data/* | sort -rh

This will show the folder list in /data/, sorted by size. Be careful: deleting files from this directory can disrupt the system.

💡

If you see a folder /MIUI/backup/ weighing several gigabytes in the memory analyzer, you can safely delete it - these are old backups that the system does not clean automatically.

3 Top-5 Ways to Clean Up “Other” on Xiaomi without Rooting

Not all methods are equally effective. We selected 5 working methods that do not require superuser rights and do not risk the stability of the system:

🧹 1. Clearing the cache of all applications

The safest method to delete temporary files without losing data is:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Sort by size."
3. Open each major app (e.g. Facebook, Telegram, MIUI Launcher) and click Clear Cache.

Check the free space on your phone.

Make a backup copy of important data

Close all working applications

Connect the charger (cleaning may take time)-->

🔄 3. Reset system cache (not reset!)

This feature deletes temporary MIUI files without affecting user data.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Select “Clear System Cache” (not to be confused with “Settings Reset”!).
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

After the reboot, the “Other” section may decrease by 1-3 GB.

📱 4. Turning off automatic redundancy MIUI

MIUI defaults backups of settings, SMS and call logs before each update. These files are stored in /MIUI/backup/ and can weigh up to 5GB. To disable auto-reservation:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Turn off the option of “Automatic backup”.
3. Remove old backups manually through File Manager.

🎮 5: Cleaning up heavy games and applications

Games like Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile download additional resources (textures, sounds) that are stored in /Android/obb/ or /Android/data/. These files can weigh 10+ GB and are not deleted when you uninstall the game.

• Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
• Select the game and click on “Storage” → “Clear Data”.
• Delete the game folder in /Android/obb/ manually.

💡

Cleaning your cache and app data is the safest way to free up space in the Other section, starting with it before resorting to radical methods.

4. Radical methods: when standard methods do not help

If the other partition is still >10 GB after all the manipulations, you'll have to use more serious tools, and you'll need to be careful, because these methods can affect the stability of the system or cause data loss.

⚠️ Warning: Do not delete files from /system/, /vendor/ or /data/system/ folders manually. This can cause bootloop or module failure MIUI.

🔧 1. Resetting to factory settings (with data saved)

MIUI allows you to do a soft reset that cleans system files but leaves photos and apps behind.

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Select “Settings Reset” → “Save my data”.
3. Confirm action. The phone will reboot and the Other section will be reduced by 3-7 GB.

This method removes:

• 📱 Settings MIUI (themes, gestures, sounds).
• 🔄 Residual update files.
• 🗑️ Cache system and applications.

🛠️ 2. Use ADB for deep cleaning

If you have experience with ADB, you can manually delete unnecessary files. Connect your phone to your PC and do:

adb shell


su




cd /data




rm -rf .log .tmp




rm -rf /data/ota_package/*




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*




exit

These commands delete:

• 📜 System logs (.log,.tmp).
• 🔄 Update Remains (/ota_package/)
• 🗃️ Temporary files (/local/tmp/)

⚠️ Warning: The rm -rf commands without a path indicator will delete ALL in the current directory. Always check the path before running.

📦 3. Phone flashing (last chance)

If the Other takes >15 GB and doesn't clear, the file system may be damaged, and then a full flashing through the Mi Flash Tool will help:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the MIUI Download website.
2. Unpack the archive and connect the phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
3. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the “Clean All” option and flash the device.

It's a radical method, but it's guaranteed to clean up all the hidden files. Minus: you'll need to set up your phone from scratch.

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

To prevent the “Other” partition from taking up gigabytes of memory again, follow these rules:

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly (once every 1-2 weeks) through Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.
• 🚫 Turn off automatic backup in Settings → Additional → Backup.
• 📱 Remove heavy games through Settings → Applications → Delete + Clear data.
• 🔍 Use a memory analyzer (e.g., SD Maid) to monitor large files.
• 🔄 Update MIUI in a timely manner – new versions optimize memory management.

Pay special attention to cleaning applications, and many of them (like Clean Master or CCleaner) not only fail to help, but also create additional cache, instead using built-in MIUI tools or proven utilities like Files by Google.

6. Comparison of cleaning methods: what works best

Not all methods are equally effective. In the table below, we compare methods in terms of speed, safety and outcome:

For most users, a combination of the first three methods is optimal. ADB and flashing should only be used if the Other takes >15 GB and interferes with the phone.

7. Frequent errors when cleaning up "Other" on Xiaomi

Many users make the problem worse by trying to clear the memory in the wrong ways, and here are the most common mistakes:

• 🚫 Delete files from /system/ – this will result in a bootloop (the phone will not turn on).
• 🔄 Using “cleaners” from the Play Market – most of them are useless or even harmful (creating extra cache).
• 📱 Reset to factory settings without backup – you’ll lose photos, contacts, and messages.
• 🗑️ Delete the /Android/ folder completely — this will delete all application data, including game saves.
• 🔧 Changing permissions to system folders without understanding the consequences (may break OTA updates).

⚠️ Warning: If your phone starts to brake or overheat after cleaning, you've probably deleted critical files, and then just flashing through the Mi Flash Tool will help.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions