Have you ever looked into the storage settings on a Xiaomi smartphone and seen the mysterious “Other” section that takes up gigabytes of memory? It grows by leaps and bounds, but it's not clear what goes in there and whether it can be safely deleted. Unlike the obvious categories like Photos or Applications, Another is a kind of black box of a system where files that are dumped are dumped. MIUI It cannot be classified in a clear way.
In this article, we will not only reveal what exactly is hidden under the “Other” in Xiaomi’s storage, but also show you how to analyze these files, which can be deleted without risking the smartphone and which should not be touched. You will learn about hidden caches, system logs, remnants of remote applications and even how some viruses masquerade as system data, and at the end – a cleanup checklist and answers to frequent questions that will help keep the phone’s memory under control.
What is the Other in Xiaomi’s Storage and Why Does It Take So Much Space?
Section “Other” in MIUI — It's a collection of files that the operating system can't categorize as standard: photos, videos, audio, documents or applications, and it includes anything that doesn't fit into the usual classification, including:
- 📁 Application cache and systems are temporary files that are created to speed up programs, but often remain after they are deleted.
- 🗑️ Remnants of Remote Applications: Data fragments that were not completely erased during the uninstallation.
- 📜 System logs and dumps are debugging files that are created when crashes or for diagnostic purposes (e.g. logcat or tombstones).
- 🔄 System Updates – Updates that are downloaded but not installed MIUI.
- 🦠 Hidden files of viruses or adware – some malware masquerades as system data.
- 🎭 Theme and design files – remnants of old themes MIUI, purified.
For example, if you delete a game but it has a 500MB cache, it will be in the Other, and the same happens with system logs after crashing or resetting, and in some cases this partition can take up to 10 to 15GB — especially on devices that have not been cleaned for a long time.
It's important to understand that not everything in the Other can be safely deleted. /data/dalvik-cache They're critical to Android, and cleaning them up without knowing what they're doing can lead to a cyclical reboot of the phone, so before you erase something, you need to figure out which files are taking up space.
How to see what is stored in the “Other” section
By default. MIUI It doesn't show the detailed composition of the "Other" section, but there are several ways to get that information, and the easiest way to do that is to use embedded tools or third-party apps.
Method 1: Through the built-in storage analyzer
Open the Settings. → Memory. → Storage analysis. Here, the system will show the memory distribution by category, but to detail "The Other" you need to:
- Click on "Other" item.
- Wait until the system scans files (may take 1-2 minutes).
- View a list of folders and files sorted by size.
Look at folders like this. /data/log, /cache or /android/obb — They often contain unnecessary data, but some pathways (e.g, /data/system) not recommended.
Method 2: through a file manager with root rights
If you have root access, use Root Explorer or Solid Explorer to view hidden system folders. Without root, many files will not be available, but even then you can find:
- 🗃️ folder /sdcard/Android/obb — Additional game data is stored here (e.g. graphics packages).
- 🗃️ folder /sdcard/Download — often contains forgotten downloads.
- 🗃️ folder /data/local/tmp — Temporary files that can be deleted.
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If you're not sure if you can delete a file, transfer it to a separate folder on your memory card and restart your phone. If the phone is working normally after that, the file was safe to delete.
Method 3: Third-party applications for memory analysis
Apps like Files by Google, SD Maid or Storage Analyzer can show a detailed structure of the Other, SD Maid finds out:
- 🧹 Remnants of Remote Applications (orphaned files).
- 🗑️ Empty folders and duplicates.
- 📦 Unnecessary APK-file /sdcard/Download.
However, be careful: some cleaners aggressively delete files, which can disrupt the system, and it is better to use them in analysis mode only, and clean them manually.
What files in the "Other" can not be deleted?
Top.-5 How to Clean the Other in Xiaomi’s Storage
Now that you know what's hidden in The Other, it's time to start cleaning up. Below are proven methods, sorted by efficiency and safety.
1. Cleaning the cache of applications and systems
The safest way to free up space is to delete temporary files.
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select an app (like Google Chrome or Facebook).
- Press "Clear the cache."
To clean the system cache:
- Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
- Click “Clean” (this will remove the cache of all applications).
This method frees up from 500 MB to 2-3 GB, depending on the number of applications installed, but the cache will accumulate again, so it is necessary to repeat the procedure once every 1-2 months.
2. Removal of Remote Application Remains
When uninstalling applications, their data often remains in folders /sdcard/Android/data and /sdcard/Android/obb. To remove them:
- Open a file manager (such as Mi File Manager).
- Go to the Inner Memory → Android → data and obb.
- Delete folders with the names of remote applications (for example, com.tencent.ig for PUBG Mobile).
Note: Some games (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) store 1-4 GB files in obb.
Cleaning of system logs and dumps
Log files (.log,.txt) and dump files (.dmp,.tombstone) accumulate after a crash.
- /data/anr (logs of appendices),
- /data/tombstones (dam-hole),
- /data/log (generality).
You will need root rights to remove them or ADB-Without root, you can try:
adb shell
su
rm -rf /data/anr/*
rm -rf /data/tombstones/*
rm -rf /data/log/*⚠️ Note: Do not delete files in /data/system — This may disrupt your Mi Account and other system functions.
4.Removing old MIUI updates
Updates downloaded but not installed take anywhere from 500MB to 1.5GB. To remove them:
- Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select “Delete downloaded package”.
If this item is inactive, check the folder. /sdcard/Download — Sometimes updates are saved as files. update.zip.
5. factory reset (last resort)
If the Other takes more than 10 GB and no methods are working, all you have to do is reset it completely.
Backup photos and contacts
Record logins and passwords from accounts
Make sure your phone has enough charge (at least 50%)
Untie the device from Google Account (if any) FRP-defence)
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For discharge:
- Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
- Select “Erase all data”.
- Confirm the action.
After the reset, the Other will be reduced to 100-300 MB, but you will have to reconfigure the phone.
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The safest method of cleaning the Other is to remove the cache and residues of applications. Logs and dumps of the system are best touched only if root is present or through the use of the root. ADB, avoidance.
Why does the “Other” reappear after cleaning?
Many users find that after a while, the Other grows again, because:
- 🔄 Automatic cache creation – applications and system constantly generate temporary files.
- 📦 Residual data after updates — MIUI It does not always clean up old versions of the firmware.
- 🦠 Hidden virus activity – some malware disguises itself as system processes and creates files in the background.
- 🎨 Tomes and widgets — MIUI It saves the cache of the themes, even if you have not used them for a long time.
To minimize the growth of the Other, follow these tips:
- 📵 Regularly (every 1-2 months) clean the cache through Settings → Memory.
- 🚫 Delete unused apps and their data through Settings → Annexes.
- 🛡️ Use an antivirus (such as Malwarebytes) to check for malware.
- 🔄 Turn off automatic theme loading in Settings → Topics → Settings of topics.
If the Other grows too fast (for example, by 1-2 GB per week), it may indicate:
- 🐞 Failure to work MIUI — Try updating the firmware.
- 🦠 Virus – Check your phone for suspicious apps.
How to Prevent the Spread of the Other in the Future
To avoid having a memory problem every few months, set your phone up correctly:
1. Turn off automatic download of updates
Updates MIUI They weigh a lot, and loading them in the background can take a few gigabytes to unobtrusively take:
- Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
- Press three points. → «Update settings».
- Turn off Automatic booting over Wi-Fi.
2. Limit caching for individual applications
Some apps (such as YouTube or Telegram) allow you to limit the size of the cache:
- In Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Cache size (set a limit of 200-500 MB).
- In Google Chrome: Settings → Confidentiality → Clear the data (check “Cookies and Site Data»).
3.Use cloud services for backups
Backup files (such as those from Mi Cloud or Google Drive) can take up space in Other. Set up automatic backups to the cloud:
- Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud.
- Enable Autosynchronization for contacts, notes, and photos.
- Turn off local backups.
4. Check the Download folder regularly
folder /sdcard/Download It often becomes a dump of unnecessary files: old ones APK, Documents, archives, set up automatic cleaning:
- Use Files by Google with the Cleanup function (it offers to delete unnecessary files).
- Manually check the folder once a month and delete anything older than 3-6 months.
5. Set a limit on the background activity of applications
Some applications in the background create logs and temporary files.
- Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
- Select “Background Limitation” for unnecessary applications.
This will not only reduce the growth of the Other, but also extend battery life.
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Prevention is always better than treatment: regular cleaning of the cache and monitoring the loads will help to avoid the growth of the “Other” to critical sizes.
Frequent Mistakes in Cleaning the Other and How to Avoid Them
Many users make mistakes in their attempts to make room, leading to system failures or data loss, and the most common are:
1. Deletion of files from /data/data rootless
folder /data/data It contains critical application data, and deleting files from here without superuser rights can lead to:
- 📱 Loss of access to accounts (e.g. Mi Account).
⚠️ Note: If you see files from the "Other" /data/data, Don't manually delete them. Instead, clear the cache of a particular application through Settings. → Annexes.
2.Using "cleaners" like Clean Master
Applications like Clean Master, CCleaner, or 360 Security often delete files at random, leading to:
- 📂 Loss of important data (e.g. saved in games).
- 🔧 Violation of system services.
- 📊 False sense of freeing up space (many “cleaners” simply move files to a hidden folder).
If you do use such programs, select only analysis modes and clean files manually.
3. Delete.odex and.oat files
Files with the.odex and.oat extensions are the optimized application code needed to run them, and deleting them will lead to:
- 🚫 Inability to launch applications (they will immediately close).
- 🔄 The need to reinstall all programmes.
These files are usually in /data/app or /data/dalvik-cache. Don't touch them!
4. Ignoring backup before resetting
Factory reset is a radical but effective way to clean up the Other, but many people forget to backup, losing:
- 📸 Photos and videos (unless synced to the cloud).
- 📞 Contacts and messages (unless sync with Google or Mi Cloud is enabled).
- 🎮 Save in games (unless they are linked to an account).
⚠️ Before resetting, make sure to check that all important data is stored in the cloud or on an external medium. Use Google Photos for photos, sync with Google Account for contacts.
5. Patent to delete files from /system partition
The /system partition contains the operating system files. Any changes here can lead to:
- 🚨 Bricking the device (the phone won't turn on).
- 🔄 Bootloop (infinite reboot cycle).
- 📵 Loss of network or sensor functionality.
Even with root access, modifying /system is risky. If you need to delete something here, use Magisk or TWRP for safe modifications.