Xiaomi’s “Other Files”: What They Are, Why They Take Place, and How to Delete Them Without Harming Your Phone

Have you ever looked into the storage of your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO And you saw the mysterious "Other Files" section that takes up gigabytes of memory, and it's not the app cache, it's not the photos, it's not the music, it's just a gray block with some kind of incomprehensible content. Many users try to remove it, but the system either does not allow you to do it, or after cleaning the memory again “overgrown” with garbage after a couple of days.

In this article, we will look at what exactly lies beneath the Other Files on Xiaomi smartphones, why they appear and how to safely remove them without the risk of breaking the phone. MIUI, And even how to prevent them from being re-accumulated, and also what files you can't touch so you don't disrupt the system.

Let's warn you right away, not all Other Files are garbage, some of which are critical to the job. MIUI But there are some that can (and should!) be removed.

What are Xiaomi’s “Other Files” and Why Do They Take So Much Space?

The Others section of Xiaomi’s storage menu is a collection of files that the system cannot categorize as standard (photos, videos, apps, etc.), everything from time logs to remnants of deleted programs gets into it.

🔹 Kesh. MIUI Even after cleaning through the settings, part of the cache remains in hidden folders (for example, in the case of the cache, /data/system/package_cache).

🔹 Logs and error dumps. Xiaomi is actively collecting data about debugging failures - these files can weigh hundreds of megabytes.

🔹 Remnants of remote applications. When uninstallation programs often leave behind configuration files in folders. /data/data or /sdcard/Android.

🔹 Temporary download files: Unsuccessful downloads, interrupted updates or browser cache (e.g. Mi Browser).

🔹 Update files MIUI. After installing the firmware, the old versions can remain in the folder. /cache or /data/ota_package.

Interesting fact: on some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or POCO F5) The Others section can take up to 10-15GB, especially if you update software frequently or test beta versions. MIUI.

Which “Other Files” Can Be Deleted and Which Can’t

Before you start cleaning, it is important to understand what you can touch and what is strictly forbidden.

An important rule: if you're not sure what the file is, don't delete it. /data/dalvik-cache It looks like garbage, but cleaning it will cause all applications to fail before restarting.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files with extensions.odex,.vdex or.oat are optimized components of applications.

Method 1: Clean Other Files without root rights (for most users)

If you don't have root access, you can free up 2 to 5 GB of memory with standard means.

1. Clearing the cache MIUI:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Memory. → Clean up.
• 🔍 Click on “Other Files” and select “Cache».
• 🗑️ Confirm removal (it is safe to do so).

2. Delete temporary files via Files by Google:

• 📲 Install the Files by Google app.
• 🔍 Run the scan and select “Clean up» → «Unnecessary files».
• 🗑️ Delete “Application Remains” and “Temporary Files».

Manual cleaning of the Download folder:

• 📁 Open any file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager).
• 🔍 Move to the /sdcard/Download Delete unnecessary files (especially with extensions.apk,.zip,.tmp).

Efficiency: These methods will help free up 1-3 GB, but will not delete deep system files. ADB.

Method 2: Delete “Other Files” by ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — It's a low-level phone control tool, it's safer than root, but it requires care.

🛠 What's the matter:

• 🖥 Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Return to the Extra → For developers).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

📝 Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux).
2. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices (should appear serial number of your device).
3. Remove the packet cache (safe): adb shell pm trim-caches 1G
4. Clear the folder with error logs (requires confirmation): adb shell rm -rf /data/anr/* adb shell rm -rf /data/tombstones/*

⚠️ Attention: Rm teams -rf If you don't specify the right path, you can delete critical data!

💡 Result: This method removes up to 5-7 GB of garbage, but does not touch system files.

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If after the command adb devices the phone does not appear, try to reconnect the cable and confirm the debugging resolution on the smartphone screen.

Method 3: Complete root-access cleaning (expert level)

If you're willing to take the risk of rooting, you can delete almost all of the Other Files except the critical ones, but remember, this voids the warranty and can lead to a device blink if you do something careless.

🔧 How to get rooted in Xiaomi:

• 📱 Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-30 days).
• 🖥 Install custom recovery (for example, TWRP).
• 🔓 Use Magisk to get root rights.

🗑 What can be removed from root:

• 🧹 folder /data/local/tmp (time-file).
• 📁 Remains of updates in /cache and /data/ota_package.
• 🗃️ Cash Dalvik (/data/dalvik-cache) — But only if you're ready to reboot.
• 📝 Logs. /data/log and /data/media/0/MIUI/debug_log.

⚠ What you can’t do even with root:

• ❌ Delete files in /system or /vendor — This will cause the phone to fail.
• ❌ Touch the folders. /data/misc or /data/property — It stores network and device settings.

How to prevent the re-accumulation of “Other Files”

Cleaning up the memory is good, but it's even better to keep it from clogging. Here are some ways that work:

🔄 Turn off the automatic diagnostics. MIUI:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → All specifications → Version. MIUI.
• 🔧 Tap 10 times on the version to open "Advanced settings».
• ⚙️ Turn off Automatic Reporting».

🚫 Limit cache for individual applications:

• 📱 B Settings → Annexes → App management select a program (such as Facebook or TikTok).
• 🔧 Press "Storage» → «Limit cache” (if available).

🗑 Set up automatic cleaning:

• 📱 B Settings → Memory. → Autocleaning: Turn on the option and select “Daily».
• 🔧 Add only critical applications (e.g. messengers) to the exceptions).

📱 Use lightweight alternatives to heavy programs:

• 🔄 Replace Mi Browser with Chrome or Firefox (they are better at clearing cache).
• 📷 Instead of the Gallery MIUI Try Google Photos – it optimizes storage.

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Regular cleaning of the cache and disabling the diagnosis MIUI You can reduce the volume of “Other files” by 30-50% in a month.

Frequent Errors When Deleting Other Files and How to Avoid Them

Many users in pursuit of free space make critical mistakes that have to be corrected by flashing them back.

💥 Mistake. 1: Deletion of files in /system rootless

❌ What happens: The phone stops turning on or boots to bootloop (infinite restart).

✅ How to avoid: Never touch a folder /system No root rights and custom recovery.

💥 Mistake. 2: Cleanup /data/dalvik-cache restarted

❌ What happens: Apps start crashing with the error “App is stopped».

✅ How to avoid: If you clean this folder, restart your phone immediately and wait for app optimization (can take up to 20 minutes).

💥 Error 3: Delete.odex or.vdex files

❌ What Happens: Apps Stop Starting, Though They Remain In The Installed List.

✅ How to avoid: These files are part of the optimization ART/Dalvik. You can only remove them if you are ready to reinstall all programs.

💥 Mistake 4: Using cleaners like Clean Master

❌ What happens: Files are deleted and the cache returns every other day.

✅ How to avoid: Use only built-in tools MIUI Apps that are verified (Files by Google, SD Maid).

⚠️ Warning: If after cleaning the phone began to brake or overheat, check the folder /data/anr — It's possible that there's a memory dump in there because of a malfunction.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About “Other Files” on Xiaomi