How to Clean Up Other Files on Xiaomi Redmi: The Complete Guide

Noticing that your Xiaomi Redmi or POCO suddenly ran out of space, even though there are almost no photos, videos and apps? the culprit is a mysterious category of “Other Files” that can take up anywhere from 5-10 GB to half of internal memory. This data is not visible in the standard file manager, but it is they who “eat” precious gigabytes, slow down the smartphone and prevent the installation of updates.

Unlike app cache or downloads, Other Files is a mixture of residual data after deleting programs, temporary system files, logs, updates and even hidden folders from MIUI. They can not be erased with a single tap like a cache, but there are proven methods - from embedded tools to manual cleaning through ADB. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods for models of 2020-2026, including Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5 and Redmi 10C, taking into account the features of MIUI 14/15.

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

The category “Other files” in MIUI is the “junk box” of the operating system, which includes:

• 📁 Remnants of Remote Applications: Lib, Cache, and Configuration Files that were not cleaned after uninstallation.
• 🔄 Temporary update files: packages OTA-Updates that have downloaded but not installed (for example, after an update failure) MIUI).
• 📜 System and application logs:.log,.tmp files and error dumps that are created for diagnostics.
• 🎮 Game data: saves, Unity cache or Unreal Engine that do not fall into the category of Applications».
• 🔒 Hidden folders MIUI: for example, /miad/ (advertising modules) or /MIUI/ (themes and widgets).

On Redmi with MIUI 12-15, Other Files can take up to 20 to 30 GB if you never clean your smartphone. For example, after upgrading via MIUI Updater, you can still remember /cache/ota/ with update.zip, which is 2 to 3 GB, which the system does not automatically delete, and games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile leave up to 5 to 7 GB of junk behind even after it is deleted.

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse “Other Files” with the app cache (can be cleared in Settings) → Applications: This is system data that is not visible in a standard file manager and requires special deletion methods.

Method 1: Cleaning through the built-in “Memory Optimizer”

The safest method is to use Xiaomi’s Cleanup tool, which partially deletes unnecessary files, which will not cope with deep cleaning, but will help to free up 1-3 GB:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to Clean up (or Memory Optimizer in older versions of MIUI).
3. Click on “Deep Clean” and wait for the scan.
4. Mark the points: 🗑️ Unnecessary files APK (installer-leave). 📄 Logs and temporary files. 🔄 Residual data (if available).

"Clean it up."

After the procedure, restart your smartphone. If the cleaning list did not include the item "Other files", move to the next method.

💡

In MIUI 14+, Deep Cleaning can be hidden. To turn it on, go to Settings → About Phone and tap MIUI Version 5 times to open hidden options.

Method 2: Manual deletion through file manager (for experienced)

If you're willing to dig through system folders, you can manually find and delete the heaviest files, and you'll need a file manager with access to root directories like MiXplorer or Solid Explorer (with Root mode enabled if you have superuser rights).

Where to look for "garbage":

Instructions:

1. Open the file manager and enable the display of hidden files (in MiXplorer: Settings → Show hidden files).
2. Go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ and delete folders with the names of previously deleted applications.
3. Check the /MIUI/ folder – delete everything except backup and wallpaper (if you don’t need them).
4. Clean /Download/.thumbnails/ are miniatures that the system automatically creates.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete current application folders (e.g. com.miui.gallery) and system files in your app. /system/ or /data/ — It could lead to a crash. MIUI and the need for reflashing.

Delete Remote Applications folders in /Android/data/| Clear /MIUI/ (except backup)| Delete thumbnails in /Download/.thumbnails/| Check the folder size /cache/ (but not clean!)

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Method 3: Using ADB for deep cleaning (no root)

If previous methods didn’t work and Other Files still take 10+GB, try removing them via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or quality).
• 📦 Google's Platform Tools (download here).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB smartphone.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and unpack Platform Tools on your computer.
2. On Redmi, turn it on: ⚙️ Developer Mode: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times). 🔗 Debugging by USB: Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB.

Platform Tools

Shift + PCM → Open the PowerShell window here

adb devices

There should be a device with a serial number.

adb shell pm trim-caches -1

adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*

adb reboot

This method removes up to 3 to 5 GB of hidden debris, but does not touch critical system files. If the Other Files still take up a lot of space after the reboot, move on to the next method.

Method 4: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of these methods worked, and the Other Files take 15+GB, you get a hard reset, a radical method that deletes all data, including accounts, photos, and settings, and only use it if:

• 📉 Smartphone slows down and there is not enough memory for updates.
• 🔄 You've tried all the other ways.
• 📱 You have a backup of important data.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup or manually copy files to your PC.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data”.
4. Enter your password (if any) and confirm the action.
5. After the reboot, set up your smartphone as new.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Note 11 Pro)+) After the reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account. Make sure you remember your login and password!

Once a week | Once a month | Only when the place is out | Never clean |I don't know how to do it-->

Method 5: Use of third-party utilities (with caution!)

There are apps on Google Play that promise to clear Other Files, but most of them are either useless or dangerous. We tested a few utilities and only picked the ones we tried.

Recommendations for use:

• 🛡️ Files by Google: Safe to remove duplicates and large files, but can’t handle system debris.

💡

The side utility rarely handles Other Files better than the built-in MIUI tools. Use them only if other methods have not worked.

How to Prevent the Accumulation of Other Files in the Future

To avoid the problem recurring, follow simple rules:

• 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Remove unused applications through Settings → Apps, not just from the desktop.
• 📥 Set up automatic cleaning in Google Files or Mi Security.
• 🚫 Avoid “cleaners” with aggressive advertising – they often become a source of garbage themselves.
• 🔍 Periodically check your memory in your settings → Memory and delete unnecessary files manually.

Redmi models with MIUI 14+ have a Smart Cleanup feature that automatically deletes unnecessary files once a week to enable it:

1. Open "Security» → «Cleanup».
2. Tap on. ⚙️ (jersey.
3. Turn on the “Car Clean” option and set up a schedule.

FAQ: Frequent questions about “Other Files” on Xiaomi Redmi