Xiaomi’s “Other Files”: How to Clean Up Without Root and Not Break Your System

Xiaomi's smartphone is filled with mysterious "Other Files" and has a couple of photos left of it? The system stubbornly shows that tens of gigabytes are busy with something uncertain, but neither the gallery nor the file manager sees this data. The Internet is advised to get root rights, but it's risky: you can strip warranties or turn the phone into a "brick." Fortunately, there are ways to clean up garbage without a root - you just need to know where to look.

In this article, we'll look at what's underneath MIUI's Other Files, why they take up so much space, and how to safely delete them. We've tested all the methods on models from the Redmi Note 10 Pro to the Xiaomi 13 Ultra -- none of which require unlocking the bootloader or installing custom firmware. Importantly, some actions can reset individual application settings, so save important data in advance.

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

In the MIUI storage menu, the "Other Files" section is a dump for everything the system failed to classify.

• 🗑️ Application cache (including hidden cache of system services) MIUI)
• 📁 Remnants of Remote Programs (Folders) /data/data and /data/app-lib)
• 🔄 Temporary update files (especially after major updates) MIUI)
• 📊 Logs and dumps of the system (created in case of failures or diagnosis)
• 🎮 Game data (saves, texture packs, Google Play Games cache)

For example, after the upgrade of MIUI 14 to HyperOS, many users inflated “Other Files” to 15-30 GB — these are the remnants of old firmware that the system did not delete automatically. Another common case is that applications like Facebook or TikTok can leave behind hundreds of megabytes of garbage in the /data/media/0/Android/obb folder, although this data is not displayed in the file manager.

The system does not show the contents of the section for two reasons:

1. Files belong to system processes and are hidden from the user.
2. MIUI is not able to correctly classify certain types of data (e.g., web representation cache or SQLite database).

Method 1: Clear cache of all applications (including system)

The safest method is to delete the cache of all applications at once, which will not affect personal data, but can reset the settings of some programs (for example, you have to re-sign in to accounts).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Scroll down and click Clear Cache for all apps.
4. Confirm the action (a password or pattern lock may be required).

Once cleaned, restart your phone. If the Other Files took up 5-7 GB, this method can free up up to 30-50% of the space. For models with HyperOS (such as Xiaomi 14), the path is slightly different:

Settings → Applications → Permissions → Additional → Cache Cleanup

Make a backup copy of important data|Remember the usernames/passwords from the applications|Connect the charger|Close all active programs-->

⚠️ Note: Do not clean the application data (the “Clear Data” button) – this will delete all settings and files inside the program (for example, saving games or chats in instant messengers!

Method 2: Removal of garbage through the built-in “Optimizer” MIUI

MIUI has a hidden deep-cleaning tool called Optimizer (formerly called Security) that can find and delete temporary files that are not visible in a standard manager.

How to use:

1. Launch the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Optimizer tab (or Deep Cleaning in newer versions).
3. Press the check and wait for the scan to be completed.
4. In the Garbage Files or Unnecessary Files section, select all items and tap Clear.

Please note the sub-items:

• 📂 Remains of applications - files of remote programs.
• 🗃️ Cache of mini-programs – garbage from widgets and fast apps.
• 📥 Downloads – old files from the Download folder that the system has deemed unnecessary.

On Redmi and POCO with MIUI Global firmware, this tool is less effective than on the Chinese versions. If the optimizer finds less than 500 MB of garbage, move on to the next method.

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After cleaning through Optimizer, restart your phone to Restore Mode (press Power + Volume up when turned on) and select Wipe Cache Partition.This will remove the update cache that is not visible in normal mode.

Method 3: Manually clean folders through file manager (without root)

Some folders with “other files” are accessible through standard Xiaomi Files, but hidden from the user.

1. Open Files → Settings → Show hidden files.
2. Go to the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/).
3. Look for the following folders (remove their contents, but not the folders themselves!):

Pay special attention to the Android/data folder, which stores the data of all installed applications, and only delete folders that belong to already remote programs (for example, if Facebook has been uninstalled long ago, but the com.facebook.katana folder is still there).

⚠️ Note: Do not touch folders called com.miui, com.android or com.xiaomi, which are system data. MIUI.

Method 4: Reset application settings (without data loss)

If previous methods didn’t work, try resetting all apps, which will delete their cache, permissions, and temporary files, but won’t affect personal data (photos, videos, documents).

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on three dots in the corner and select Reset App Settings.
3. Confirm the action (entry will be required) PIN-code-key).

After discharge:

• 🔄 Apps will return factory settings (for example, YouTube will reset history and subscriptions).
• 📱 Some programs may request permissions again (access to the camera, microphone, etc.).
• 🗑️ Free up space occupied by incorrectly deleted updates and broken links to files.

This method is particularly effective after updating. MIUI, And it's a system that creates duplicate cache. 12T And the newer reset of app settings also clears the micro cache-G-services (a stripped-down version of Google Play Services for China), which often inflates the section "Other files».

Method 5: Using ADB for deep cleaning (no root)

For advanced users, there is a way to remove garbage through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) without getting root rights.This is Google's official tool that lets you control your phone through a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Cleaning commands (enter cmd or terminal):

adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.miui.cleanmaster # Clean up the MIUI Optimizer


adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.providers.downloads # Clean up the download manager




adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary update files




adb shell rm -rf /cache/* # Cache partition cleanup (requires a reboot)

After completing the commands, restart the phone with the command:

adb reboot

⚠️ Attention: Rm teams -rf If you don't specify the correct path, you can delete critical system files, enter them exactly as above, without changing them!

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ADB-Cleaning is the most powerful method without root, but it requires caution. If you're not sure what you're doing, skip this method and use the previous ones.

What NOT to do when cleaning “Other Files”

In the pursuit of free space, users often make mistakes that lead to data loss or system failure.

• 🚫 Format a section /data Recovery will erase everything, including photos and apps.
• 🚫 Delete files with the.odex or.vdex extension – they are necessary for the operation of system applications.
• 🚫 Use "cleaners" from the Play Market (e.g. CCleaner or SD Maids – They often delete important files MIUI.
• 🚫 Disable system applications via adb or pm disable – this can disrupt firmware.

Also not worth it:

• 🔋 Clearing Other Files while charging – this can cause the file system to crash.
• 📶 Interrupt the cleaning process (e.g. pulling the cable out) USB time ADB-team).
• 📱 Use "developer modes" for forced cleanup if you do not understand their purpose.

If after all the manipulations, the “Other Files” section still takes up a lot of space, the reason may be:

• 🛠️ Damaged file system (only reset to factory settings will help).
• 📦 Hidden backups from Mi Cloud (check Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup).
• 🔍 Virus or malware (scan your phone through Dr.Web or Malwarebytes).

FAQ: Frequent Questions About Xiaomi's "Other Files"