You opened up your memory settings on your Xiaomi Redmi and found that the mysterious 10GB, 20GB, or even 30GB category is the lion's share -- and it's unclear what it is, can it be deleted, and how not to damage the system -- a problem that many Xiaomi smartphone owners are familiar with, especially after a year of active use. Unlike photos or apps, "other files" don't have a clear description, which raises a lot of questions.
In fact, this category hides the cache of system processes, temporary application files, log files, remnants of deleted programs and even fragments of updates. Some of them can indeed be deleted without risk, but some files are critical for stable operation. MIUI. In this article, we’ll look at which files fall into the Other category, how to identify them, and what cleaning methods are safe for your Redmi – from manual methods to using hidden firmware features.
What are the “Other Files” in Xiaomi Redmi Memory and Why Do They Take So Much Space?
Category "Other files" in MIUI — It's a sort of garbage bin of the operating system, and it's going to include anything that doesn't fall into the standard categories like Apps, Media, or Documents, unlike Android in its pure form, where these files are distributed across folders. /data and /cache, Xiaomi's firmware groupes them into one category for user convenience, but that convenience is confusing: you can't immediately figure out what's taking up space.
The main sources of “other files” on Redmi are:
- 📁 Cache of system applications - temporary data MIUI, Google Services and pre-installed services (e.g. com.miui.home or com.android.systemui).
- 🗑️ Remnants of Remote Applications – Incomplete uninstallation leaves configuration files in folders /data/data.
- 📜 Log files and dumps – crash records, debugging information (especially if you’ve turned on Developer Mode).
- 🔄 Update fragments – undeleted firmware packages or OTA-file /cache.
- 🎭 AR-cache and graphics resources – data for games and applications with augmented reality (for example, Pokémon GO or Snapchat).
Interesting fact: on Redmi with MIUI 12+ The proportion of "other files" can be artificially inflated by the way the memory counts. The system takes into account compressed and encrypted data, which actually takes up less space than the interface shows. For example, if you see 15 GB of "other files," the actual volume can be 20 to 30 percent less than the actual volume.
How to Check Which Files Are Sitting: Hidden Tools MIUI
Before you delete something, you need to understand what's stored in the Others category. MIUI This information is not available, but there are several ways to get it:
Built-in memory analyzer (hidden mode):
- Go to Settings. → Memory.
- Slip the “Other Files” schedule 5 times in a row and the advanced analysis will open.
- The system will show the distribution by types: cache, logs, temporary files, etc.
2. via ADB (for advanced users):
adb shell du -sh /data/* | sort -rh | head -n 20This team will display a list of the largest folders in the section /data, And you can see where the other files usually accumulate. /data/log, /data/dalvik-cache or /data/misc.
3. file managers with root rights (e.g., Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer):
- 🔍 Check the folder. /data/data — Here are the remnants of remote applications.
- 🗃️ folder /cache — Temporary update files and recovery cache.
- 📂 folder /miui/backup — backups of system settings.
💡
If you don’t have root rights, use Files by Google, which can find large, unwanted files without any special permissions.
Safe ways to clean “other files” without harming your system
You can’t remove everything – it can lead to failures. MIUI Here are proven methods that won't hurt your Redmi:
1. Cleaning the cache of system applications:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Sort by size and select apps like MIUI System, Google Play Services or Mi Video.
- Click on “Clear Cache” (not data!).
2. Deletion of log files:
- Enable Developer Mode (7 taps by build number in Settings → About phone).
- Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Find the option “Limit background processes” and set “No background processes” for 5 minutes – this will suspend log writing.
- Use Files by Google or SD Maid to search and delete files with.log or.txt extension in folders /data/log and /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log.
3. Cleaning the residues of remote applications:
- Install App Inspector from Google Play.
- In the “Residual Files” section, select unnecessary data and delete it.
Make a backup copy of important data|Check the vacant space (should be available) ≥10%)|Disable automatic update of applications|Close all background applications-->
⚠️ Warning: Never manually delete files from folders /system, /vendor or /efs — This will cause a device to crash, and don't touch files with.odex,.vdex, or.oat extensions, which are critical to work. ART/Dalvik.
Dangerous cleaning methods: what you can not do on Xiaomi Redmi
Some "tips" from the Internet can permanently disable a smartphone, and this is strictly forbidden:
| Method | Why is it dangerous? | What's the threat? |
|---|---|---|
| Delete /data/dalvik-cache folder | Provides optimized application code for ART | Apps will start to fly out, the phone will slow down |
| Formatting of the section /cache through TWRP | Stores critical data to restore the system | The smartphone will not boot after restarting |
| Deletion of files from /data/misc | Contains settings Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, accounts | Loss of network, inability to connect to Google |
| Use of rm -rf /data/* | Delete everything, including user data | Full reset to factory settings without the possibility of recovery |
It is especially dangerous to follow the advice to “delete everything from the folder”. /data» — This will result in loss of photos, contacts and even IMEI If you see such recommendations, immediately close the source.
What happens if you delete /data/app-lib?
How to Prevent the Accumulation of Other Files in the Future: Prevention
To prevent the category “Other files” from growing to tens of gigabytes, follow these rules:
1. Set up automatic cache cleaning:
- Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
- Turn on the Auto Clean option and set a schedule (e.g. once a week).
2. disable unnecessary diagnosis:
- B Settings → The phone. → Reviews and Analytics Disable “Send Error Reports».
- In Developer Mode, turn off "Log Maintenance" HCI» and “Debugging by USB» (if you don't use).
3. Monitor updates:
- B Settings → The phone. → Update the system to disable “Space over Wi-Fi” to OTA-files didn't accumulate in /cache.
- After updating manually delete packages from the folder /sdcard/Download/rom.
4. Use lightweight alternatives to standard applications:
- 📷 Replace Mi Gallery with Simple Gallery – it doesn’t create extra cache files.
- 🎵 Instead of Mi Music, use it. VLC or musicolet.
- 📱 To run games, install Xiaomi Game Turbo – it optimizes cache.
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Regular cache cleaning and disabling unnecessary diagnostics reduces the volume of “other files” by 30-50% in a month.
Specific problems with different Redmi models: what you need to know
Some Xiaomi Redmi models have unique features that affect the accumulation of “other files” and this is what is typical of the popular series:
| Model | Problem. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11 Pro | The MediaTek processor cache takes up to 5 GB in /data/media | Clean through Settings → Memory. → Deep cleaning |
| Redmi 9/9A/9C | Google Play Services Log Files Are Growing Due to Bugs MIUI 12.5 | Update to MIUI 13+ Turn off background activity of Google Play |
| Redmi K40/K50 | Game Turbo files are up to 3 GB in /data/gameturbo | Clean the cache through Settings → Special facilities → Game Turbo |
| Redmi 8/8A | Remains of updates MIUI 11→12 not automatically deleted | Manually delete the folder. /cache/ota through TWRP or ADB |
On Redmi with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors (e.g. Redmi Note) 12 Pro+) There is often a problem with a bloated cache /data/dalvik-cache/x86_64. It's about emulation. 64-Bit applications. Solution: disable support. 64-bit in the developer settings (option "Forced start in mode" 32-bit»).
⚠️ Attention: Redmi with MIUI Global (e.g. for the European market) category “Other Files” may include data for compliance GDPR (Deleting your username passwords, location history will result in the loss of your Xiaomi account and the blocking of certain features (e.g. Mi Cloud or Find Device).
What to do if “Other Files” are returned after cleaning
If the other files category grows again after all the manipulations, the problem goes deeper.
1. Virus or malware:
- Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light and scan the system.
- Pay attention to applications with rights android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS — They can create hidden files.
Failure of the file system:
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell fsck /dev/block/mmcblk0pXX (substitute XX section number /data, You can find it through the adb shell mount).
The firmware bug:
- Check if your version is not MIUI stable, for example, in MIUI 14.0.3 for Redmi Note 12 was a bug with endless growth of Bluetooth logs.
- If yes, roll back to the previous version or update to the patch.
Hardware wear of memory:
- On older smartphones 3 Flash memory may be degraded over the years (especially on Redmi). 7/8 eMMC).
- Check your memory health through AIDA64 (section → State of health»).
- If you are a Reallocated Sector Count > 10, consider replacing the memory module.