The other takes up all memory on Xiaomi Redmi: what it is, how to clean and make room

Why is Xiaomi Redmi’s memory filled with an unknown Other?

You open Settings → Memory on your Xiaomi Redmi, and there's a shocking picture: gigabytes are occupied with a mysterious "Other" section. No photos, no apps, no browser cache, just a gray block that eats up 10, 20, maybe 30 GB of precious space. Where does it come from? Can it be removed? And most importantly, how do you get back control of your phone's memory?

This problem is familiar to most Xiaomi smartphone owners, especially the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 and older devices with 64-128 GB of internal memory. The fault is the features of the MIUI operating system, data caching and hidden system processes. In this article, we will understand what exactly is hidden under the “Other”, how to reduce it without harming the phone and what tools will be needed to do this.

What is the “Other” in Xiaomi Redmi memory?

The Other section of MIUI is the garbage bin of the operating system, where files that do not fall into the standard categories (applications, music, photos, etc.) are dumped.

• 📁 System cache - temporary files MIUI, Updates, App Store GetApps.
• 🔄 Residual data from remote applications – “tails” from programs you have long uninstalled.
• 📱 Logs and dumps – error report files that the system creates when crashes.
• 🔒 Encrypted data – application files protected by password or biometrics.
• 🗑️ Update debris – old firmware versions that weren’t cleaned after upgrade.

Xiaomi’s peculiarity is that it doesn’t always sort files correctly, such as Telegram or WhatsApp cache can get into “Other” instead of “Messages” section, the same applies to downloads from the browser or files downloaded through Mi Share.

Top.-5 The reasons why the Other is growing on Redmi

If the Other section is larger than 5 to 10 GB, it's a cause for concern.

1. MIUI Auto Updates: The system downloads new firmware versions in the background, but does not always delete old files. For example, after upgrading from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14, up to 2-3 GB of garbage may remain.
2. Aggressive caching apps: TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and even Mi Video can create gigabytes of temporary files that the system classifies as "Other."
3. File system errors: If the power is cut or the file system F2FS/ext4 (used in Xiaomi) crashes, files can be “lost” and they will be sent to “Other”.
4. Hidden application folders: Many programs (such as Xiaomi Cloud or Mi Fit) create hidden folders in the root directory that are not visible in the standard file manager.
5. Viruses and malware: Some Trojans disguise their files as system files, and they end up in "Other," especially if you've installed APKs from unverified sources.

Critical information: On Redmi devices with Snapdragon chipsets 4xx/6xx (For example, Redmi Note 9 Pro or Redmi 10) The "Other" section can grow because of a bug in the dm-verity module, which is responsible for checking the integrity of the system, which leads to the creation of unnecessary logs up to the size of the system. 500 MB per day!

How do you check what the “other” is?

To understand exactly which files are hidden under the Other, you need special tools, and the standard MIUI file manager won't show them.

Method 1: Files by Google App

This is an official Google app that can analyze hidden files:

1. Install Files by Google from the Play Market.
2. Open the "Cleaning" tab» → «Memory analysis».
3. Click Other Files – The app will show the folders that take up the most space (e.g. /data/log or /cache/recovery).

Method 2: Use ADB (for advanced)

If you’re ready to dig deeper, connect your phone to your PC and use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB):

adb shell


su




du -sh /data/* | sort -rh | head -n 20

This team will show the top-20 file /data, It's usually where the bulk of the trash is hidden.

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If the results ADB You saw the folder. /data/log size 1 GB -- you can clean it up. It's the logs of the system that you don't need to run the phone.

Method 3: Third-party analyzers (with caution!)

Apps like SD Maid or Storage Analyzer can help, too, but:

• ⚠️ Some require root rights, which voids the warranty.
• ⚠️ Can delete critical files if you use them without understanding them.

Step-by-step: how to clean the “Other” on Xiaomi Redmi

Now, let's get to the practice. Here are some safe ways that won't require root rights or damage your phone.

Step 1: Cleaning the cache of system applications

Many standard MIUI applications (e.g. Mi Video, Music, GetApps) accumulate gigabytes of cache:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort by size (click on the three dots in the upper right corner).
3. Select an app (like Downloads or Galery) → Memory → Clear cache.

Step 2: Remove old MIUI updates

After the system update, old firmware files can remain in memory:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Press three points. → «Remove the downloaded service pack».
3. Also check the folder. /sdcard/Downloaded_rom — There may be some old firmware here.

Step 3: Cache reset via Recovery

This is a radical but effective method:

Turn off the phone.

Press Power + Volume Up Before the Mi Logo Appears

Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache

Reboot the phone.-->

⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data.

Step 4: Disconnect unnecessary system processes

Some MIUI functions actively consume memory:

• 🔍 Mi Cloud Sync – Turn off automatic sync in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
• 📊 Analytics MIUI — Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Confidentiality → Analytics and disable data collection.
• 🎵 Mi Music/Video — These apps scan files and create cache even if you don’t use them.

Step 5: Manually Clean Hidden Folders

Use Files by Google or Solid Explorer (with the “Show Hidden Files” option enabled) to delete:

• 🗑️.thumbnails folder – here are the thumbnails of the images.
• 📁 folder Android/obb — residual files of remote games.
• 🔄 folder Download/.temp — download-file.

💡

If the other still takes up a lot of space after all the manipulations, the cause could be a corrupted file system, in which case only a factory reset or firmware reflash would help.

What happens if the other one comes back?

And sometimes, after cleaning, the Other section grows back in a couple of days, and that's a sign of a systemic problem.

1. Update MIUI to the latest version

In newer versions, firmware often fixes memory management bugs. Check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.

2.Roll back on stable firmware

If you're using MIUI beta, it may contain errors. Go to the stable branch:

1. Download the latest stable firmware for your model from en.miui.com.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of the memory.
3. Update through Settings → System Update → Select a firmware file.

3. Check the phone for viruses

Use Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light to scan. Some viruses create hidden files that end up in "Other."

4. Make reset to factory settings

If nothing works, the last chance is hard reset.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase all data”.
3. Do not restore the backup through Mi Cloud after the reset – it may contain the same errors.

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After the reset, install only the necessary applications and watch the "Other" section for 2-3 days. If it starts to grow again, the problem is in one of the installed applications.

Table: What takes the "Other" on different Redmi models

We analyzed user reports and compiled a table of typical memory eaters on popular models:

⚠️ Note: On devices with eMMC memory (e.g. Redmi) 7/8) The "Other" section can grow because of the wear of the memory chip, in which case only a replacement module or buying a new phone will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the “Other” on Xiaomi Redmi