The memory overflow problem on Xiaomi smartphones is often taken by surprise, especially when the user sees the mysterious “Other” category, which can take up tens of gigabytes. This section in the standard MIUI or HyperOS storage analyzer becomes a real black box where the system dumps the cache of applications, residual files after updates, temporary messenger data and system logs. Understanding what exactly is hidden behind this label is the first step to freeing up precious space without losing important personal data.
Unlike well-structured folders with photos or music, the Other is dynamically generated and often does not lend itself to simple manual sorting through the file manager. Users are faced with a situation where even after removing unnecessary applications, the volume of this category does not change much, because the Android operating system and its MIUI shell continue to store data to speed up the operation of programs that need to be deleted by specific methods, not just by erasing files.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the mechanisms of formation of excess weight in the system, consider safe ways of cleaning with regular means and with the help of specialized software. You will learn which files can be deleted without risk to the smartphone, and which cannot be touched categorically.
Anatomy category "Other": what is stored there
Before we take any drastic measures, we need to understand the structure of the data that the system classifies as “Other”: in most cases, it accumulates app cache files that serve to quickly load content, but eventually grow into obscene sizes, for example, streaming services like YouTube or Spotify retain temporary video and audio buffers that are not formally part of the application, but take up space.
The second big group of files is the residual data of remote programs. When you delete a game or utility through a standard controller, the system often leaves folders with settings, error logs and temporary saves. In addition, this includes operating system update files that were not deleted automatically after successfully installing a new firmware version. System logs and error reports can take up to 5-10 GB of memory if not cleaned for months.
The data from messengers like WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber deserve special attention. They store media files received in chats in hidden directories that Xiaomi’s analyzer often cannot correctly classify as “Images” or “Video” by sending them to “Other”, which creates the illusion that memory is occupied by system debris, when in fact these are your personal but hidden files.
⚠️ Warning: Before starting a mass cleanup, always back up important data. Android/data It can cause resets of application settings or their inoperability.
To visualize what might be taking up space, consider a sample table of file types distribution in this category:
| Type of data | Approximate volume | Security of removal | Location. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash app. | 1 - 15 GB | High (data will be recovered) | Android/data |
| Remnants of remote games | 0.5 - 5 GB | Tall. | Android/obb |
| Logs of the system | 0.1 - 2 GB | Medium (requires rights) | System section |
| MIUI Update Files | 2 - 4 GB | High (if the update is completed) | Downloaded_ROM |
Basic cleaning with MIUI and HyperOS
The safest and first method that every Xiaomi owner should use is the built-in Security app, designed specifically for the MIUI and HyperOS shell file system, and knows which files can be deleted without risking damage to the integrity of the OS. Launch the application, select Cleanup and wait for the analysis to be completed. The system will suggest removing obvious debris, but to work with the Other category, you need to click on the Clean All button or go to deep analysis.
Inside the cleaning tool, Deep Clean is often hidden, which scans large files, duplicates and remnants of deleted applications. Here, it is important to be careful: the system may suggest removing old screenshots or files you forgot in downloads. The automatic analyzer works smart enough, but human control is never superfluous, especially when it comes to personal documents.
Another effective built-in tool is to manage the memory of specific applications. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications, select a heavy app (like a browser or social network) and click Memory. There you will see the “Clear Cache” button. This action is safe and does not affect your logins or saves, unlike the “Clear All” button, which will reset the application to factory state.
☑️ Checking before cleaning
Regular use of regular tools allows you to keep the volume of the category “Other” within reasonable limits, preventing it from growing to critical values. However, if the memory is filled too quickly, you may need a deeper approach using third-party utilities or manual file management.
Using the “Conductor” application for manual removal
For more advanced users who want to know exactly what is taking up space, the standard File Manager application will be an indispensable tool. By going to file viewing mode on the internal drive, you can manually examine the directories. Particular attention should be paid to the Android folder, which contains the data and obb subfolders. This is where the main data arrays of the Other are stored.
Inside the data folder, you can find the cache and data of each application installed. You can't delete the contents of folders with the names of system services (for example, com.android.systemui) - this will lead to reboots or a bootloop. However, folders of remote games or applications (which often remain hanging) can be safely erased. Look for folders with the names of remote programs or those that take up disproportionately much space, such as cache cards or navigators.
It’s also worth checking the root folders of messengers. In Telegram, for example, the cache can be stored in the folder Telegram/Telegram Images or similar, unless you turn on automatic cleaning in the settings of the messenger itself. WhatsApp media files are often located in Android/media/com.whatsapp. Manual deletion of old videos from these directories will instantly free up gigabytes of space that the system persistently considered “Other”.
⚠️ Note: When manually deleting files in the folder Android/data Be careful. Only remove what you're sure of. 100%, or application files that you have already deleted from the system.
For ease of navigation, you can sort files by size, so you can see the heaviest elements right away. If you see a 2-3GB file with an obscure name at the root of the memory, it's probably the remnant of a failed update or a forgotten game file, and deleting it is usually safe unless you plan to launch the application right now.
Cleaning through developer mode and debugging via USB
If standard methods don’t work, you can use more powerful tools available through the developer mode. To activate it, you need to go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the MIUI version (or OS version) 7 times. After that, a new item will appear on the menu “Advanced Settings” → “Developers”.
In the developer menu, we are interested in the option “Debug over USB”, which allows the computer to see the smartphone not only as a media device, but also as a debugging object. By connecting the phone to a PC, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) commands to remove system debris that is not available to the average user, for example, the command adb shell pm clear com.android.cache (if applicable to your version of the OS), or cleaning specific packages can work wonders.