“Other” in the memory of the Xiaomi smartphone: hidden files, cache and garbage – a complete analysis

Have you ever looked into your Xiaomi memory settings and noticed that the Other partition takes up gigabytes of space, but didn't understand what it was? You're not alone. This mysterious item is one of the most common causes of memory shortages on Redmi devices, POCO Unlike clearly defined categories ("Apps", "Photos", "Video"), "Other" combines everything that the system cannot uniquely classify: from temporary files to hidden application data.

In this article, we will not only explain what is “Other” in Xiaomi’s memory, but also show you how to analyze it, which files can be deleted without risk, and which ones should not be touched. You will learn why after cleaning the cache through the standard settings, the volume of the “Other” does not decrease, and what to do if this partition “eats” 10+ GB of your memory. We're also going to break down the unique features of the firmware. MIUI, This can grow faster than other Android devices.

What is the Other in Xiaomi’s Memory and Why Does It Take So Much Space?

In the Android operating system (and its modifications) MIUI Xiaomi's Other category is a garbage bin for files that don't fall into standard sections:

• 🗑️ Application cache and systems are temporary files that should be deleted automatically but often remain due to crashes.
• 📁 Residual data of remote programs – fragments of applications that have not been completely uninstalled.
• 🔄 Logs and dumps of the system - debugging files created MIUI Diagnostics (especially after updates).
• 📱 Hidden files of messengers – media and documents from Telegram, WhatsApp, which did not get into “Downloads” or “Multimedia».
• 🔗 Symbolic links and empty folders are file system artifacts that take up space but are not visible to the user.

On Xiaomi devices, this section often grows due to two features. MIUI:

1. Aggressive caching: The system actively stores data to speed up work, but does not always clean it.
2. Duplication of files: when updating MIUI Can back up old versions of applications that are not deleted.

For example, after updating the firmware through Settings → The phone. → Update system in the "Other" can remain files of the old version up to the 1–2 GB: And if you use Telegram with autoload media often, it's in a hidden folder. Telegram/Telegram Images to accumulate hundreds of megabytes of 'invisible' photos.

How to check what exactly ranks in the “Other” section

Before you delete something, you need to understand which files are hidden under the "Other." MIUI (For example, settings → Memory is only showing the total volume, but not detailing it. Here's how to get the full picture:

Method 1: Through the built-in memory analyzer (MIUI 12–14)

In the new versions MIUI There is a hidden function of detailed analysis:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Slip on the memory usage schedule (not in the “Other” category, but in the schedule itself).
3. The system will show an extended report with folders that take up the most space.

Method 2: Using a file manager with root rights

If you have root access, install Root Explorer or Solid Explorer and check the following folders (they often “bloat” Other):

• 📂 /data/log/ — System logs (you can delete files older) 7 days).
• 📂 /data/dalvik-cache/ — Dalvik cache (cleared only through Wipe Dalvik Cache) TWRP).
• 📂 /data/app-lib/ — Remnant libraries of remote applications.
• 📂 /sdcard/Android/data/ — cache of games and programs (for example, Facebook or TikTok can store gigabytes of data here).

💡

If you don’t have root, use Files by Google – it shows hidden files without special permissions and offers to clear unnecessary data.

Method 3: ADB-analysis

For advanced users: connect your phone to your PC and perform in ADB Shell:

adb shell


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

This team will show the top-20 file /data/, Be careful: delete files through the ADB Without understanding their purpose, they can lead to failures!

What files in the “Other” can be deleted and which can not

Not everything that gets into the Other is safe to delete, and here is a table that looks at the typical files and the risks of cleaning them:

Critical folders that can not be touched:

• 🚫 /data/system/ — system settings (deleting will lead to bootloop).
• 🚫 /data/misc/ — Wi-Fi configurations, Bluetooth, VPN.
• 🚫 /data/property/ — Android environment variables.

💡

If you're in doubt about whether you can delete a file, don't take any chances. You'd better transfer it to your PC and see if the system would break without it.

Step-by-step: how to clean the “Other” without root

If you don't have root rights, follow this algorithm. It's safe and doesn't require any technical skills.

Step 1: Clearing the cache of all applications

This will delete temporary files without affecting personal data:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Sort by size."
3. Open every major app (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, MIUI Gallery) and click "Clear the cache».

Step 2: Remove old MIUI updates

Updates often remain in memory even after installation:

1. Open Explorer (or Files by Google)
2. Go to the Internal Storage folder → downloaded_rom.
3. Delete all files with the.zip extension (these are firmware archives).

Step 3: Cleaning the Downloads folder

Many files from the Internet or messengers are saved in Downloads, but are not displayed in the gallery:

1. Open Files → Categories → Downloads.
2. Sort by size and delete unnecessary files (e.g, APK, paperwork).

Step 4: Using Files by Google

This app from Google can find the “junk” that MIUI see:

1. Install Files by Google from the Play Market.
2. Launch and go to the “Cleanup” tab.
3. Click “Delete Unnecessary Files” – the program will find duplicates, old ones APK cash.

Advanced methods: cleaning with root and TWRP

If the Other takes more than 10GB and standard methods don't work, you'll have to use root access or custom recovery.

💡

Before any root manipulation, make a full backup through TWRP or MIUI Backup (Settings) → Additionally. → Backup).

Method 1: Cleaning Dalvik Cache through TWRP

Dalvik Cache is an optimized application file that sometimes “bloats” to gigabytes:

1. Boot in TWRP Recovery (hold Power + Volume up when turned on).
2. Go to Advanced. → Wipe Dalvik Cache.
3. Confirm the action and restart.

After that, the system will work slower for the first 5-10 minutes (while the cache is reassembled).

Method 2: Remove Unnecessary Folders with Root Explorer

With root access, you can manually remove:

• 🗃️ /data/log/ — log (except for the current logcat).
• 🗃️ /data/tombstones/ — Error dumps (you can delete everything).
• 🗃️ /data/local/tmp/ — time-file.

⚠️ Warning: Never delete folders /data/system/ or /data/misc/ — This will lead to system failure and the need to reflash.

Method 3: Using a script to clean automatically

For power users, you can create a script in Tasker or Termux that will clean the cache regularly.

su


rm -rf /data/log/*




rm -rf /data/tombstones/*




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*

Why does the “Other” reappear after cleaning?

Many users complain, “I cleaned the Other, but it took 5GB again a week later!”

1. Automatic caching: MIUI and applications are constantly creating temporary files.
2. Application Updates: When Updating through Play Market, Older Versions APK remain /data/app/.
3. Hidden autoload: messengers (Telegram, Viber) and social networks (TikTok, Instagram) download media in the background.
4. File system errors: sometimes MIUI Incorrectly calculates the space occupied (helps reboot).

⚠️ Note: If the “Other” returns within a day after cleaning and takes more than 3 GB, this may indicate that the “Other” is not a good thing:

• 🐛 Virus masquerading as system files (check out Malwarebytes).
• 🔄 Failure of the file system (will help reset to factory settings or flashing).
• 📱 Memory defect (if the phone falls or overheats, contact the service).

How to Prevent the Spread of the Other in the Future

To avoid having to clear your memory every week, follow these tips:

1. Set up auto-cleaning in MIUI

Enable built-in optimization:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Activate the "Autoclean" option.
3. Set a schedule (for example, once a week).

2. Limit cache for individual applications

Some programs (like Google Chrome or YouTube) can take up gigabytes of cache.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app and tap “Limit background activity.”
3. Turn off “Autoload Media” in the settings of messengers.

3.Use cloud services

Move some of the data to the cloud to reduce the load on your internal memory.

• 📷 Photo and video: Google Photos (up to 15 GB free).
• 📄 Documents: Mi Cloud (built into Xiaomi) or Dropbox.
• 🎵 Music: YouTube Music or Spotify (streaming instead of storage on your device).

4. Regularly check your memory

Make a habit once a month:

• 🔍 Check the settings → Memory of the abnormal growth of the Other».
• 🗑️ Clear cache via Files by Google.
• 📱 Remove unused applications (even if they weigh little, their data can take up gigabytes).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the “Other” in the memory of Xiaomi