“Other” in Xiaomi Redmi storage: decryption + 5 ways to clean

You opened your storage settings on your Xiaomi Redmi to make room, and you saw the mysterious "Other" section that takes up 10 to 30 GB of memory? It's not a system bug or a virus -- that's how MIUI groups files that can't be categorized as standard (photos, videos, apps), the problem is that this partition often grows into ridiculous sizes, eating precious gigabytes, and you can't clean it through standard tools.

In this article, we will discuss in detail what exactly is hidden under the “Other” in the Redmi Note. 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4 and other models, why the system doesn’t show these files in Explorer, and how to safely remove them – from manual cleaning to hidden features MIUI. Particular attention will be paid to the cache of system applications (for example, com.miui.gallery), which can weigh up to 5–8 GB and not cleared through “Memory Cleanup».

What is the “Other” in Xiaomi’s vault: the official explanation and reality

According to Xiaomi’s documentation, the “Other” section includes:

📁 Cache of system applications (for example, galleries, browser, GetApps store)
🔄 Temporary files from updates MIUI applications
📄 Logs and dumps of the system (created when failures or debugging)
🔐 Encrypted data of some applications (for example, banking)
🗑️ Residual files after deleting programs

In practice, however, the “Other” is often hidden:

🎵 Music files from the cache Spotify/Yandex Music (even after the application is deleted)
📱 Backups from Mi Cloud or Google Drive that are not synced
🖼️ Miniatures and previews from the gallery (folder.thumbnails)
🤖 ARCore files (if you used augmented reality apps)

📊 How often do you clean up your storage on Xiaomi?

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the place ends.

Never.

The main problem is that MIUI doesn't provide tools to analyze this section in detail. Even through Settings → Storage → Other, you'll only see the overall size, without the ability to view specific files. This is because some of the data belongs to root-based system processes, and some is simply not indexed by the Android file system.

Why the Other Takes So Much Space: 3 Main Reasons

1.Cash gallery and media scanner

com.miui.gallery creates thumbnails for all photos and videos on your device, even if you deleted them long ago. These files are stored in a hidden folder /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails and can take up to 5-7 GB. This is especially true for users who often take pictures in RAW format or shoot videos in 4K.

2. Residual files after updates

Every update MIUI (Even minor leaves behind bags of weight 500–1500 MB in a folder /data/ota_package. The system has to delete them automatically, but often they don't. The same goes for app updates through the Play Market, which accumulates cache in the app. /data/app-lib.

3 Logs and debugging dumps

If you’ve ever connected a phone to a Xiaomi PC Suite, used ADB, or turned on Developer Mode, the system could save gigabytes of logs to /data/log or /data/tombstones.These files are only needed by Xiaomi engineers to diagnose crashes, but never cleared automatically.

💡

Before cleaning Other, check if you have Developer Mode enabled (in Settings → About Phone → MIUI 7 times tap) If it is on, turn it off, as it generates additional logs.

Type of file	Typical size	Can I remove it?	How to clean up
Cash galleries (.thumbnails)	3-7 GB	Yes.	Manual cleaning or through Storage Analyzer
Remains of updates (ota_package)	500 MB - 1.5 GB	Yes.	Files by Google or ADB
Logs of the system (/data/log)	100MB - 1GB	Yeah (root requires)	ADB shell or Root Explorer
GetApps Cash and Mi Video	1-3 GB	Yes.	Cleaning the application data
ARCore files	200-500 MB	Yes.	Removal through Settings → Applications

How to see what exactly occupies a place in the “Other”: 4 working ways

Since standard MIUI Explorer doesn’t show hidden files, you’ll need third-party tools, and it’s important that not all methods require root permissions, but some folders (like /data) will not be available without them.

1. Files by Google application

The safest way to do this is without root:

Install Files by Google from the Play Market.
Open the Cleanup tab. → Other files.
The app will show large files and folders, including cache of galleries and app remnants.

2. Storage Analyzer (for advanced users)

This app scans the entire file system, including system folders (but it won’t show everything without root):

📊 Visualizes occupied space by folders
🔍 Finds duplicates and temporary files
⚠️ Do not delete files from /system or /vendor — It'll cause a breakdown!

3. Computer + ADB

If you have a PC, plug in your phone and do:

adb shell


su




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

This team will show the top-20 file /data, It requires the most space, and it requires the developer mode and the debugging. USB.

4.Root Explorer (e.g. Root Explorer)

If you have root rights, open the guide and check:

/data/log - logs of the system
/data/ota_package — update-sheet
/data/app-lib - app cache
/storage/emulated/0/Android/data – data from remote applications

What to do if you do not have enough permission to view folders?

If you try to open a folder and you see a message "Permission denied," you don't have root rights or the folder belongs to the system process: 1. Use it. ADB with superuser rights (team) `su`). 2. View folders through the computer using the program `MT2 Manager` (requires an unlocked loader). 3. Install custom recovery (TWRP) and through it mount the section `/data`.

How to clean the “Other” in the storage Xiaomi Redmi: step-by-step instructions

Warning: Do not delete files at random - this may cause system failure or data loss. Follow the instructions below as a security measure.

Step 1 Clearing the Gallery and Media Cache

Delete the.thumbnails folder manually through Files by Google:

Step 2: Removing update residues

For this, use Files by Google:

Open the application and go to Cleanup → Other files.
Find folders with the names ota, download or update.
Delete all files with the.zip or.pkg extension.

How to Prevent the Spread of the Other in the Future

To prevent the “Other” section from taking up gigabytes again, follow these guidelines:

1.Tune in automatic cleaning

MIUI 12/13/14 has a built-in function:

Go to Settings → Storage → Clean Memory.
Turn on the Auto Clean option.
Choose daily or when there is a shortage of space.

2. disable unnecessary system applications

Some MIUI applications (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps) actively cache data.

Go to Settings → Applications.
Select the unnecessary application → Disable.
Clear his cache and data.

3. Use cloud services for media files

If you often take pictures or take videos:

📷 Set up automatic downloads in Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
🗑️ Enable the option to Free up space after downloading.
📁 Store original files only in the cloud, and leave compressed versions on your phone.

4. Check the vault regularly

Set a reminder in the calendar for a monthly check:

🔍 View “Other” through Files by Google.
📉 Remove old backups and cache.
🔄 Update applications manually to avoid accumulating temporary files.

💡

If you install/remove applications frequently, use the Light Mode feature in MIUI (Settings → Special Features) to reduce the caching of system processes.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the “Other” in Xiaomi’s storage

❓ Why does the “Other” reappear after a few days?

This is normal Android behavior. Systems and apps are constantly creating temporary files (cache, logs, thumbnails).To slow down the growth of the Other: Turn off automatic app updates in the Play Market. Limit application background activity in Settings → Battery → Energy Management. Use Lite versions of apps (like Facebook Lite instead of regular Facebook).

❓ Can I transfer the “Other” to a memory card?

No, it's technically impossible. The Other section consists of system files and a cache of applications that must be stored in internal memory. SD-Install applications on the memory card (c Settings) → Annexes → Move it to SD). Use the card as an internal storage (formatting as Adoptable Storage, but this will slow it down).

❓ Is it safe to use cleaning software (e.g. Clean Master)?

No, these programs often do more harm than they do. They: Delete useful files by masking them as junk; slow down the phone by the background; they may contain adware or spyware; instead, use built-in tools like Files by Google or manual cleaning as described in this guide.

❓ Why Redmis are different in size?

The size depends on: 📱 Phone models: on the Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 13 "Other" is usually bigger than on the Redmi 9A s MIUI 12, due to differences in optimization. 🔄 User activity: If you take frequent photos, shoot videos or play games, the cache will accumulate faster. 🔧 System settings: Disabled system applications do not generate cache, and enabled applications (for example, Mi Video) – vice versa.

❓ What to do if after cleaning the phone began to brake?

This can happen if you delete: Cache system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui). files from /data/dalvik-cache. Logs that were used by the system at the time of cleaning. Solution: Reset the phone. If the brakes are left, reset the cache via TWRP (if installed).