Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 4X sooner or later face the mysterious category of “Other files” in the “Storage” section. These files can take from 1-2 GB to 10+ GB, but what they are is unclear. The system prevents them from opening, and standard cleaning methods (for example, through “Cleanup”) often do not work. In this article, we will discuss what is hidden under “Other files”, why they accumulate on the Redmi 4X (and other Xiaomi smartphones on MIUI 8-12), and how to delete them without risking the phone.
Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) features limited memory (16/32 GB) and an outdated version of Android 6.0/7.1 with a MIUI shell. Over time, the system creates an application cache, temporary update files, log files and debris from remote programs that fall into the category of “Others.” Moreover, some files can be hidden firmware residues or artifacts after resets that are not deleted by standard means.
What are the “Other Files” on Xiaomi Redmi 4X?
“Other files” is a generalized category in which MIUI puts everything that does not fit into the standard sections (“Applications”, “Photos”, “Video”, etc.”).
- 🗑️ Application cache (including system cache, such as com.android.systemui)
- 📄 Log files (.log,.tmp) from the system and programs
- 🔄 Remnants of Remote Applications (Folders) /data/app-lib)
- 📦 Update archives (MIUI, Google Play)
- 🖼️ Miniatures and previews from the gallery (.thumbnail)
- 🔒 Hidden firmware files (for example, /cache or /lost+found)
The Redmi 4X is further complicated by:
- 📉 Small storage (especially in the 16GB version).
- 🐢 Outdated file system F2FS (on some firmware), which is worse at cleaning up garbage.
- 🔄 Frequent updates MIUI, tail-learning.
Importantly, not all Other Files can be deleted, some of which are critical to the system (e.g. /system or /vendor files), and deleting such data can lead to a phone blink.
Why does standard cleaning not help?
Many users try to get rid of “Other Files” by:
- 🧹 Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
- 🗑️ Built-in Security App (or Clearer»).
- 🔄 Reboot the phone.
But these methods don't remove deep debris. Why?
| Cleaning method | What's removed | What NOT removes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Cleanup at MIUI | Cache of user applications, temporary files | System cache, logs, update remnants |
| Security annex | Gallery garbage, duplicate photos | Files in /data and /cache |
| Reboot. | Clears the RAM (RAM) | Does not affect permanent memory (ROM) |
Also, the MIUI on Redmi 4X has a peculiarity: it hides some system folders from the user, even when you connect to a PC. For example, the /data/log folder can weigh several gigabytes, but it can not be seen without root rights.
⚠️ Note: If the volume of Other Files grows again after a day or two, the problem may be in background processes (for example, Mi Cloud or Google Play Services), in which case disabling sync or resetting to factory settings will help.
How do you see what exactly takes place?
Before you delete Other Files, you need to understand what data is taking up memory. There are several ways to do this:
1. Through the built-in MIUI tools
Go to Settings → Storage → Other files, and here the system will show the categorization (e.g., Cache, Downloads, System Data) but this method is inaccurate, it doesn’t reveal details.
2. through the file manager (with superuser rights)
If you have root access, use Root Explorer or FX File Explorer to view hidden folders:
- 📁 /data/log — logistic.
- 📁 /cache — update cache.
- 📁 /data/app-lib — remnants of remote applications.
3. via ADB (no root)
Connect your phone to your PC and use the command:
adb shell du -h /data | sort -rh | head -n 20This command will show the TOP-20 largest folders in the /data section (where garbage usually accumulates).
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If you don’t have ADB, install Minimal ADB and Fastboot on your PC. Setup instructions are available on XDA Developers.
How to delete "Other Files" on Redmi 4X
Now, let's get to the practice. Below are 5 working methods, from the safest to the radical (require root or reset).
Method 1: Hand-cleaning cache (without root)
This method removes the cache of all applications, including system:
- Go to Settings → Applications.
- Press three points (⋮) → «Show all applications».
- Select an app (such as Gallery or Google Play Services).
- Press "Storage» → «Clear the cache».
To speed up the process, you can use mass cleaning through ADB:
adb shell pm list packages -f | awk -F= '{print $2}' | xargs -n1 adb shell pm clearMethod 2: Delete temporary files via Recovery
If the phone is heavily clogged, cleaning the cache section through the recavers will help:
- Turn off the Redmi 4X.
- Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
- Select "Wipe & Reset» → «Wipe Cache».
- Confirm the action and restart the phone.
⚠️ Note: Do not confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option will delete all your data (photos, apps, settings).
Method 3: Use cleaning applications (with caution!)
Apps like SD Maid or Files by Google can find and remove some of the trash.
- 🔍 They can’t see system folders without root.
- ⚠️ Can delete files (e.g. game data).
Recommendation: Use them only to clean up user data (e.g., Telegram or Chrome cache).
Method 4: Reset to factory settings (radical method)
If the “Other Files” take up more than 5GB and are not deleted by other methods, hard reset will help:
- Make a backup copy of important data (photos, contacts).
- Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
- Select "Settings Reset."
- Confirm the action (the phone will restart and clean).
After reset, the “Other Files” should be reduced to 500 MB – 1 GB (normal for MIUI).
Method 5: Manual removal via ADB or root (for advanced)
If you're confident in your actions, you can manually remove the trash folders.
adb shell
su
rm -rf /data/log/*
rm -rf /cache/*
rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*⚠️ Dangerous! Wrong commands can break the system. Use this method only if you understand what you're doing.
Make a backup copy of important data|Check the free space in the settings|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Disable sync with Mi Cloud (if not required)|Install ADB-drivers (for methods with PCs)-->
How to prevent the accumulation of “Other Files” in the future?
To avoid recurring problems, follow these tips:
- 🔄 Clean the cache regularly (once every 1-2 weeks).
- 🚫 Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play.
- 📁 Do not store files in the root folder (for example, /sdcard).
- 🔒 Use light firmware (for example, MIUI Lite or custom LineageOS).
You can also disable unnecessary system applications (for example, Mi Video, Mi Music) that create an extra cache:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.videoplayerList of safe to disable system applications on MIUI
Frequent errors in cleaning “Other Files”
Many users make mistakes that exacerbate the problem or lead to data loss, and the most common ones are:
| Mistake. | Effects of consequences | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Remove /system or /vendor folder | The phone won't turn on ("brick") | Do not touch system partitions without root |
| Using “cleaners” with aggressive settings | Delete the necessary data (for example, save games) | Clean only by hand or through proven tools |
| Resetting settings without backup | Loss of photos, contacts, messages | Always do a backup before resetting. |
| Delete.odex or.apk files in /system | Apps departure or cyclical reboot | Do not edit system APKs without knowledge |
Another common mistake is ignoring updates: On the Redmi 4X, older versions of MIUI (like MIUI 8) have cache clearing bugs, and upgrading to MIUI 10-12 (if available) can fix the problem.
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If after all the manipulations, the "Other files" take up more than 1-2 GB - this is the norm for MIUI. Do not try to zero them completely: the system always leaves a reserve for stable operation.