«Another in the memory of Xiaomi Redmi: a complete analysis + cleaning-up

Have you ever looked into your Xiaomi Redmi’s storage settings and found that the mysterious “Other” section is tens of gigabytes long? MIUI, Unlike clear categories like Photos or Applications, the Other collects everything that can’t be classified as standard file types, from service process cache to temporary update data.

The problem is that this section often grows to ridiculous sizes - users of the Redmi Note 12 and the Redmi Note. POCO X5 Complain about 20 to 40 GB of “unknown” files that cannot be deleted by standard means. In this article, we will not only explain what exactly is hidden under “Other”, but also show 5 proven ways to reduce its volume – from safe cleaning through the use of a computer. ADB And then we debunk the myths: no, it's not junk that can be simply erased, and yes, some of these files are critical to the system.

What is the “Other” in Xiaomi memory: the official explanation and reality

According to the documentation MIUI, The “Other” section includes:

• 📁 Cache of system applications (e.g. com.miui.system or com.android.providers.media)
• 🔄 Temporary update files (firmware residues, packages) OTA)
• 📊 Logs and dumps (error reports, diagnostic data)
• 🔒 Encrypted files (e.g. Mi Account or Google Play Services data)
• 🧩 Virtual machine files (if you use them) ART/Dex optimisation)

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

• 🗑️ Remains of remote applications (incorrectly uninstalled) APK and their data)
• 🎮 Cash games (like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile leave gigabytes of junk»)
• 📱 Duplicate media files (created by Gallery or Google Photos)
• 🔍 Search indexes (databases for quick search in the MIUI Launcher)

⚠️ Attention: Redmi on MIUI 14+ The part of the files in the Other is the protected data for encryption (for example, keys). FBE). Deleting them can lead to loss of access to encrypted folders or failure when downloading.

Interesting fact: POCO F5 With a clean Android 13 (without) MIUI) The “Other” section takes an average of 3-5 GB, while on the Redmi Note 11 with the same firmware – 15-25 GB. MIUI aggressively caches data to speed up the shell.

Why the “Other” is growing to giant sizes: 3 main reasons

If you notice that the Other section has grown from 5GB to 20GB in a month, three factors are usually to blame:

1. Automatic backup MIUI

The function "Backup" (Settings) → The phone. → Backups: By default, they create local copies of each 24 These backups are stored in a folder. /MIUI/backup/AllBackup and can weigh up 10–15 GB (especially if you have a lot of apps with large databases, such as Telegram or WhatsApp).

The problem is, MIUI It doesn't clean old backups automatically -- they accumulate over the years. K50 Users found up to 50 GB of backups created over 2 years of use.

2. cache Google Play Services and MIUI Optimization

Google services and MIUI They're using cache to speed things up:

• 📱 com.google.android.gms (Google Play Services) can take up to 3-5 GB of cache for maps, geolocation and push notifications.
• ⚡ com.miui.optimization – optimization service MIUI, which stores data on applications that are launched (up to 1-2 GB).
• 🔍 com.miui.search – indexes for searching by phone (especially if you have a lot of documents or notes).

These files are not visible in the standard file manager, but they take up space in the "Other" section. MIUI Old cache is often not cleaned, but simply archived.

3. Residues OTA-update

Every update MIUI through OTA (by air, and leaves behind him:

• 📦 firmware folder (/cache/ota or /data/ota_package) — weight 1.5–3 GB.
• 🗃️ Logs of installation (/data/log/ota) — before 500 MB.
• 🔄 Temporary files for rollback (/data/rollback) — before 1 GB.

In theory, these files should be deleted after a successful update, but in practice (especially on Redmi 9, Redmi 10 and other budget models) they are often left behind and copied over new versions.

💡

Most of the Other can be cleaned manually, but about 3 to 5 GB are system files that you can't touch. MIUI.

How to see what exactly takes place in the “Other”: 3 ways

Before you delete something, you need to understand which files are inflating the partition.

Method 1: Through the built-in storage analyzer

Open the Settings. → Storage and tap on the "Other" section. MIUI 14/15 Detailed by category:

• 📁 System data - cache and logs.
• 🔄 Temporary files – update residues.
• 🔒 Secure Data – Encrypted Files.

But this method only shows general categories, no paths to files, and for detailed analysis, we need a different approach.

Method 2: File Manager Pro (with root rights)

If you have root access, install File Manager Pro (for example, the file manager, FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer:

1. Enable the display of hidden files (Settings → Show hidden files).
2. Go to the root folder. /data.
3. Sort files by size (click on the sort icon).

Notice the folders:

• /data/log — Logs of the system (can be cleared).
• /data/dalvik-cache — Virtual machine cache (cleaning requires restarting).
• /data/media/0/MIUI/backup — backup.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /data/system or /data/app If you don't have root rights, you'll crash the system.

Method 3: Through ADB (without root)

If there is no root license, but there is a computer, connect the phone to ADB and execute commands:

adb shell


du -sh /data/log




du -sh /data/media/0/MIUI/backup




du -sh /cache

This will show the size of the key folders. /data/log borrower 1.5 GB, it can be cleaned by the team:

adb shell rm -rf /data/log/*

💡

Before cleaning through ADB back up your important data. Adb pull /sdcard/ <path> Copy all files from phone to computer.

How to Clean the Other in Xiaomi Redmi Memory: 5 Working Methods

Now, let's get to the practice. Here are 5 ways, from the safest to the most advanced (requires technical skills), start with the first and move on to the next one if the result is not satisfactory.

Method 1: Cleaning through built-in MIUI tools

The easiest way is to use standard functions:

1. Open the Settings → Storage → Cleaning.
2. Select “Deep Clean” and wait for analysis.
3. Delete:

• 🗑️ Unnecessary files (application residues, temporary data).
• 📁 App cache (especially Google Play Services) MIUI System).
• 🔄 Downloads (folder) /Download often-cluttered APK).

This method removes up to 2-5 GB of garbage, but does not touch system files.

Method 2: Deletion of backup copies MIUI

As mentioned earlier, backups can take up tens of gigabytes to remove.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Slip on the last backup and select “Delete”.
3. For complete cleaning, remove the folder /MIUI/backup through any file manager.

⚠️ Note: If you use cloud backup (Mi Cloud), local copies can be easily deleted, but if the backups are only local, first save important data to your PC.

Method 3: Cleaning the Google Play Services cache and MIUI

These two services are the main memory eaters, to clear their cache:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google Play Services and select Storage» → «Clear the cache».
3. Repeat for MIUI Optimization and MIUI System.

After cleaning, restart the phone. This will free up 1-3 GB, but may temporarily slow down some functions (such as geolocation).

Method 4: Residue disposal OTA-update ADB

If you've never cleaned your update folders, you can get 5 to 10 GB of garbage, plug your phone into your PC and do this.

adb shell


su




rm -rf /cache/ota*




rm -rf /data/ota_package*




rm -rf /data/log/ota*

If you do not have a root license, use:

adb shell pm clear com.android.updater

This will remove the system updater cache and free up 1-2 GB.

Method 5: Manual deletion of logs (requires root)

For experienced users: system logs (/data/log) and dumps (/data/tombstones) can occupy up 1–2 GB. Remove them by team:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/log/*




rm -rf /data/tombstones/*

⚠️ Important: Do not delete files from /data/system — This will result in loss of account data and resetting of settings.

Backup of important data|Check the free space on the phone|Close all applications|Use only official methods (no root, unless you are sure)|Restart the phone after cleaning-->

What NOT to delete from Other: MIUI Critical Files

Not all files in the Other section are harmless, some of them will cause your phone to crash or lose data.

• 🔐 /data/system — It stores system settings, accounts and encryption keys, and it will reset to factory settings.
• 📜 /data/misc — Configuration files for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS. Without them, the phone will not be able to connect to networks.
• 🔑 /data/property — System properties (e.g. ro.build.version) can make the phone unbootable.
• 🛡️ /data/keystore — Keys for Mi Account and Google Services, Deletion will log you out of all accounts.

Also avoid removal:

• 📱 Files with the.odex or.oat extension are optimized versions of applications.
• 🗝️ Folders. /data/dontpanic — Here is stored data for recovery after failures.
• 📡.db-wal and.db-shm files are temporary databases needed for applications to run.

⚠️ Warning: If after cleaning the "Other" phone started to restart in the loop or give an error "Unfortunately, MIUI "has stopped" means you deleted critical files. The only way out is to reset to factory settings.

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

To avoid having a problem every few months, follow these guidelines:

Advice 1: Disable automatic backup

Go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup and:

• Turn off Automatic Backup.
• Set “Reserve only over Wi-Fi” (if backups are needed).
• Limit backups (e.g., only the last 2-3 copies).

Tip 2: Clean up the Google Play Services cache regularly

Once a month, go to the settings. → Annexes → Google Play Services → Storage and click "Clear Cache" to prevent unnecessary data from accumulating.

Tip 3: Use an alternative launcher

Launcher MIUI It actively indexes files to search, which inflates "Other." Install a light launcher like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair and turn off the standard launcher:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.home

Tip 4: Remove unnecessary system applications (no root)

Some pre-installed apps (Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps) are constantly cacheing data.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer


adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.player




adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop

Advice 5: Set up automatic cleaning

B Settings → Warehouse → Auto-clean up:

• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files once a week.
• 📁 Cleaning the cache of unused applications.
• 🔄 Removing old screenshots and screen recordings.

This will reduce the growth of the Other by 30-50%.

💡

Regular cleaning (once every 1-2 months) prevents the accumulation of garbage.+ GB is most likely to blame backups or leftovers OTA — They need to be manually removed.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the “Other” in the memory of Xiaomi Redmi