Xiaomi’s Other folder: Where it is, what’s inside and how to clean it

Have you ever looked into the memory settings of your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO And you see the mysterious folder, "Other," which takes up gigabytes of space, and this category is often a headache for users, because it can't be opened like a regular folder, it's not clear what gets there, and it's cleaned up using standard tools. MIUI In this article, we will look at where the Xiaomi Other folder is physically stored, what files it includes, and how to safely free up space without risking damage to the system.

Let us warn you right away: “Other” is not a separate folder in the usual sense, but a virtual category in which the user can use the information. MIUI It resets anything that you can't identify as a photo, video, application or document, and it gets the cache of system processes, temporary update files, error logs, remnants of deleted applications, and even some game data. The main problem is that the system does not show the contents of this category in the conductor, so users are lost in guesswork.

Unlike folders. DCIM Downloads, access to the “Other” requires either the use of hidden features MIUI, We'll look at both approaches, and we'll also talk about which files in this category can be deleted without consequences, and which can not be touched categorically - this will help to avoid malfunctions in the smartphone.

What is the “Other” folder on Xiaomi and why it takes up so much space

The Other folder (or Other in English version) MIUI) — This is a container for files that the system cannot classify. It appears in the Storage section (Settings). → The phone. → Storage) and often takes 5 to 20GB — especially on devices that have been in use for more than a year:

• 📁 Cache system applications (e.g. Google Play Services, MIUI Launcher or Security: These files are created automatically and rarely cleared.
• 🔄 Remnants of deleted applications. Even after uninstallation, some programs leave temporary files in folders. /data/data or /sdcard/Android/obb.
• 📦 Update archives MIUI. The system downloads firmware in the background and stores them in hidden directories, even if the update was not installed.
• 🖥️ Logs and dumps of errors. MIUI Creates reports files (for example, /data/anr or /data/tombstones), which take up hundreds of megabytes.
• 🎮 Games Data: Some games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile) store cache of textures and models in non-obvious places.

The main reason for the growth of Other is the lack of automatic cleaning. Unlike the application cache, which can be manually erased, files in this category often remain intact for years, and in fact, some of them are protected by root rights, so the standard file manager does not see them.

Interesting fact: on new smartphones Xiaomi (for example, Xiaomi) 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+) The amount of “other” is usually smaller due to optimization MIUI 14/15. Here are some of the older models (like the Redmi Note). 8 pro POCO F1) This category may grow to 30 GB and more.

Where is the “Other” folder physically stored on Xiaomi

In fact, "Other" is not a single folder, but a collection of hidden directories scattered across different parts of memory.

To see these folders, you’ll need a root file manager (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer) or ADB-Normal Xiaomi Explorer won't show them. /data/data/ contains folders of all installed applications, where their settings and cache are stored. /cache/ Archives of updates that can be safely removed.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to manually delete files from /data/data/ It can cause malfunctions in applications, and it's better to use specialized tools like this to clean up this folder. SD Maid or embedded tools MIUI.

If you don’t have root access, the only safe way to view the content of Other is to use it. ADB (Android Debug Bridge, for example, a command to view a list of large files in the /sdcard/:

adb shell ls -lh /sdcard/ | grep -E "[0-9]+M|[0-9]+G"

How to see what exactly takes place in the “Other”

Since MIUI It doesn't provide a detailed analysis of "Other," so you'll have to use workarounds. Here are 3 working methods to sort through the content:

Method 1: Storage Analyzer (without root)

Storage Analyzer (available on Google Play) scans memory and shows large files, including those related to the "Other" and how to use:

1. Install Storage Analyzer and provide access to the storage.
2. Select the “Inner Memory” section and start the scan.
3. Sort files by size so you can see what takes up the most space.
4. Note the folders.thumbdata,.cache, and com.xiaomi.* – they often inflate “Other.”

Method 2: Viewing through ADB (advanced)

If you are familiar with the command line, connect your phone to your PC and do:

adb shell du -h -d 1 /sdcard/ | sort -h


adb shell du -h -d 1 /data/data/ | sort -h

These commands will show the largest folders in internal memory and data partitions, and look for suspiciously large directories (100 MB and higher).

Method 3: Using Files by Google

The official Files by Google app has a built-in cleaning tool that partially analyzes the “Other”:

1. Open Files by Google and go to the Cleanup tab.
2. Click Free Space – the app will show unnecessary files, including cache and duplicates.
3. Please note the “Other Files” section – there may be elements from “Other Files”.

⚠️ Note: Not all files that show these tools can be safely deleted. /data/dalvik-cache/ It contains optimized data for fast application operation – cleaning it will slow down the system until the next restart.

How to Clean the “Other” folder on Xiaomi without harming the system

Cleaning the Other requires caution, and we've compiled 5 safe ways to keep the system safe:

Method 1: Clearing the cache through MIUI settings

The easiest way is to use built-in tools:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Sort by size."
3. Open large apps (e.g. Google Chrome, Facebook, MIUI Security) and click “Clear the cache».

This method only removes the cache without affecting critical data, but it does not clear the system cache, which is also included in Other.

Method 2: Delete unnecessary files via Files by Google

Files by Google can find and delete:

• 🗑️ Temporary files (.tmp,.temp)
• 📦 Empty folders
• 🔍 Duplicate files
• 🎵 Unused. APK-file

Run the scan in the Cleanup tab and remove anything the app flags as unnecessary.

Method 3: Manually clean the Download folder and DCIM

Often, forgotten files from Download folders are included in the “Other” and DCIM:

• 📂 Open the Explorer and go to the Inner Memory → Download.
• 🔍 Remove the old ones. APK-files, archives and unnecessary documents.
• 📷 In a file. DCIM →.thumbnails store photo thumbnails – they can be deleted (they will be restored automatically).

Method 4: Cleaning through Safe Mode

If “Other” is inflated due to a third-party app failure, try:

1. Restart your phone in Safe Mode (click the power button) → long tap on "Switch off» → «Safe regime»).
2. This mode only runs system applications, and check if the size of Other has decreased.
3. If so, the problem is in one of the apps installed, and delete them one by one until you find the culprit.

Method 5: Resetting cache via Recovery (advanced)

If previous methods didn’t help, try resetting the cache via Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
3. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

This method deletes all temporary system files, including update cache and error logs, and is secure and does not affect user data.

💡

Before cleaning Other, check to see if you have automatic backup enabled in Mi Cloud. Sometimes the system creates hidden backups that take up gigabytes of folder space. /MIUI/Backup/.

What can not be removed from the folder “Other” (risks and consequences)

Not all files in the "Other" are safe to erase, but here is a list of directories and files that will cause failures:

It is also not recommended to remove:

• 📂 Files with the.odex or.vdex extension are optimized components of applications.
• 📄 Files in a folder /data/local/tmp/ — They are needed for some services.
• 🔧 Folders like com.xiaomi. /data/data/ — This is the data of Xiaomi system applications.

⚠️ Note: If you delete files from /data/data/ without root rights, the system will restore them the next time the application is launched, but this can lead to loss of settings (for example, saves in games or logins in social networks).

If you're not sure if a particular file can be deleted, use the rule: if a file is older than 30 days and weighs more than 50 MB, chances are it's not necessary.

Specialized applications for cleaning “Other” on Xiaomi

If manual methods don't work, you can use third-party utilities, and we tested the top 5 apps for working with the Other:

From this list SD Maid and Files by Google are the safest options for users without root. They require no special knowledge and automatically determine which files can be deleted. Root Explorer is suitable only for advanced users, as it allows you to edit critical system files.

⚠️ Note: Some cleaning applications (e.g. Clean Master or Clean Master) DU Speed Boosters can display false warnings about “critical bugs” or “viruses” to force you to buy a premium version. Avoid such utilities – they often create unnecessary files themselves.

Frequent Mistakes When Working With the “Other” Folder and How to Avoid Them

Many users make the same mistakes when trying to clear "Other." Here's the top-5 Mistakes and how not to repeat them:

• 🚫 Delete files without backup. Always copy important data to your PC or cloud before cleaning. /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases contains backup copies of chats – its deletion will lead to the loss of history.
• 🔧 Using aggressive cleaners, applications like Clean Master can delete files, disguised as "optimization." SD Maid or embedded tools MIUI.
• 🔄 Cleaning the cache of system applications: Deleting the cache of Google Play Services or MIUI Security can lead to sync and notification errors.
• 📱 Ignoring updates MIUI. Newer firmware versions often fix bugs that cause "Other" to grow. Check for updates to Settings regularly. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔍 Finding the magic button to clean it up completely. There's no one-size-fits-all way to erase everything from the Other. You'll have to combine the methods of cleaning the cache, deleting unnecessary files, and resetting it through Recovery.

Another common mistake is trying to clear Other through formatting. Some users think factory reset (Settings) → Additionally. → Resetting settings will completely delete "Other"; in fact, this only erases user data, and system files (including part of "Other") remain in place.

If the other still takes up a lot of space after all the manipulations, it may be a problem with hardware wear and tear, and over time, the flash drive loses capacity due to the large number of write cycles. AIDA64 (section»).

💡

Regularly clean cache (every 1-2 months) and delete unnecessary files via Files by Google SD Maid is the best prevention of folder growth "Other».

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi’s Others