“Other files” in Xiaomi memory: hidden gigabytes that can be returned

Have you ever looked into your Xiaomi storage and found that the Other Files section is 10, 20, maybe 30GB, and neither photos, nor videos, nor apps weigh that much, where does this mysterious data come from, why doesn't the system classify it, and most importantly, can it be safely deleted without breaking your smartphone?

This problem is familiar to owners of most Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO — From the budget Redmi Note 10 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Unlike the obvious categories like Media or Apps, Other Files are the Android garbage can, where everything that the system could not classify as standard types gets into:

• 🗑️ Application and system process cache that is not automatically cleaned
• 📁 Remains of Remote Programs and Their Temporary Files
• 🔄 Error logs, memory dumps and debugging information (especially after crashes)
• 📊 Application databases that have “swelled” to giant sizes
• 🖼️ Miniatures and previews generated by the gallery and messengers

In this article, we will not only explain what is stored in the Other Files, but also show how to reduce their volume without risk to the system – from manual cleaning to the use of hidden functions. MIUI. Next articleWhy do these files come back after deletion and can you get rid of them forever.

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

Let’s start with the main thing: “Other files” is not a virus, not a bug or a bug. MIUI. This is a standard Android mechanism that groups all data that doesn't fit into predefined categories (photos, videos, audio, documents, apps:

1. Aggressive caching. MIUI Actively saves temporary files to speed up work – for example, the cache com.miui.gallery (gallery) can “weigh” several gigabytes.
2. Features of the file system. Unlike "pure" Android, MIUI It uses its own file classification algorithms, which often “lose” data in the Other category.

To understand the scale, look at real-world examples from users’ devices (data collected from forums). 4PDA and Mi Community):

I wonder what on POCO and global firmware MIUI The volume of Other Files is usually smaller than the Chinese versions, which is because China has a smaller file. ROM Background services are more active (for example, com.xiaomi.market for updates to topics).

How to see what is stored in the "Other Files"

By default. MIUI It doesn't show the detailed composition of this category, but there are a few ways to look inside:

Method 1: Through the built-in storage analyzer

Open the Settings. → Storage and tap on the "Other Files" section, and the system will show the total volume, but not the details, to see more:

1. Click Clear (this won’t delete files, but will open a list of categories).
2. Select View Details – subcategories like Cache, Logs, or Downloads may appear here.

Method 2: Use a file manager with root rights

If you have an unlocked bootloader and Magisk, install Root Explorer or FX File Explorer and check the following folders:

/data/data/ – cache and application data


/data/tombstones/ - system failure logs




/data/media/0/Android/data/ – Remnants of remote applications




/data/media/0/MIUI/ - System temporary files

Method 3: Analysis with ADB (without root)

Connect the phone to the PC, turn on “Debugging by” USB» (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version number and execute the command:

adb shell du -sh /data/data/* | sort -rh | head -n 20

It'll show the top.-20 The folders that take up the most space, like Redmi Note. 11 often "pop up" com.xiaomi.micloudsync (cloud synchronization) with a volume in the 2–3 GB.

💡

If the team ADB If it doesn't work, upgrade Platform Tools to the latest version. MIUI 14+ Additional debugging confirmation may be required on the smartphone screen.

How to Clean “Other Files” on Xiaomi: Step-by-step instructions

Now, let's get to the point: the important thing is that not all methods are equally safe, and we divided them into three categories by risk.

Method 1: Cleaning the application cache

The safest way that does not require root rights is:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort by size (shoot three dots in the upper right corner).
3. Select apps with large cache (e.g. Gallery, Google Play Services, Mi Video) and click Clear Cache.

📷 Gallery (com.miui.gallery)

🎵 Music (com.miui.player)

📺 Google Play Services (com.google.android.gms)

📱 Miui Daemon (com.lbe.security.miui)

📊 System Launcher (com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer)-->

Method 2: Resetting the Media Scanner Settings

This method removes thumbnails and temporary media files, but does not affect the photos/videos themselves.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Multimedia Storage (com.android.providers.media).
3. Click on “Storage” → “Clear Data”.
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: After this operation, the gallery will re-build the preview for 5-10 minutes.

Method 3: Removal of logs through ADB (advanced)

If you're willing to take a chance, you can delete system logs that take up gigabytes. Connect your phone to your PC and do:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/tombstones/*




rm -rf /data/anr/*




rm -rf /data/system/dropbox/*

These commands remove critical crash logs, and once they're done, it's impossible to diagnose problems through Mi Service Center, and only use them if you're sure the phone is stable.

💡

Before cleaning the "Other Files" through ADB Backup your sensitive data, even "safe" commands can crash if you interrupt the process.

Why Other Files Are Returned After Cleaning

Many users complain, “I cleaned 10GB and a week later they came back!” This is normal behavior, and here’s why:

• 🔄 Cache is recovered. Apps (especially social networks and instant messengers) actively cache data to speed up work, for example, TikTok can “generate” 1-2 GB of cache per day.
• 📥 Background synchronization: Services like Mi Cloud or Google Photos are constantly downloading thumbnails and metadata.
• 🖥️ Media scanner errors: If there are broken files in memory (such as incorrectly downloaded videos), the system creates copies of them in Other Files for analysis.
• 📦 Remains of updates. MIUI Old firmware files can remain in the /data/ota_package.

To slow down the return of unnecessary files:

1. Turn off automatic download of media in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
2. Limit cache for individual applications: Settings → Annexes → [select the application] → Warehouse → Limit the cache.
3. Turn off unnecessary synchronization: Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Synchronization (remove the checkmarks from unnecessary data).

Software to clean “Other Files”: what works and what doesn’t

Google Play has hundreds of cleaners, but most of them are either useless or dangerous.We tested popular tools on Xiaomi 13T Redmi Note 12:

⚠️ Note: No application can clear system “Other Files” (e.g. logs in the file). /data/tombstones) If the program promises to "free" 30 GB for 1 clicking.

The best approach is a combination of built-in tools and manual cleaning:

🧹 Once a week: Cleaning the cache through Settings → Warehouse

🔍 Once a Month: Files by Google

📱 Every 3 months: reset media scanner (com.android.providers.media)

🖥️ Once every six months: cleaning the logs through ADB (advanced)-->

How to Prevent the Accumulation of Other Files in the Future

You can't get rid of this category completely (and you don't need to!), but you can reduce its growth significantly.

1. Automatic cleaning setup

V MIUI 12+ There is a hidden function of automatic cleaning:

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Cleaning.
2. Activate Auto Clean and set a schedule (e.g. every Saturday at 3:00).
3. Enable the "Deep Cleaning" option.

2. Transfer of the cache to SD-map (for supported models)

If your Xiaomi supports memory cards (like the Redmi Note 11 Pro), you can transfer some of the cache:

1. Put it in. SD-Map and format it as an internal storage.
2. B Settings → Select heavy programs (such as Facebook) and click “Move to” SD-map».

⚠️ Attention: Not all apps support portability, SD-card must be of class UHS-I or higher, otherwise the system will be slowed down.

3. Disconnecting unnecessary system processes

Some background services MIUI Logs are actively written. They can be turned off, but it can disrupt some functions):

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.micloudsync # Disable Mi Cloud Sync


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics # Disables MIUI Analytics

Before you turn off, check which features will stop working. For example, after you turn off com.xiaomi.micloudsync, synchronization of notes will stop working.

4. Regular check through Storage Analyzer

Install the Storage Analyzer app from Google Play, which shows a visual map of occupied space and helps you identify voracious folders, for example, in the screenshot below you can see that 4 GB is occupied by the remnants of the remote folder. PUBG Mobile:

Frequent Questions About Xiaomi’s “Other Files”