Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 4X often face the problem of lack of internal storage, when a significant part of the volume is occupied by the mysterious “Others” section, which is puzzling, since standard file management tools do not provide a clear answer to what exactly lies behind this category.
Understanding the nature of this data is critical to the stability of your gadget. If you do not regularly prevent, the system partition can grow to a giant size, taking up to 20-30 GB of usable space on a budget device with limited memory, which leads not only to the inability to install new applications, but also to slowdowns in the interface, frequent freezes and even problems with updating the MIUI operating system.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how safe and effective storage cleaning methods are, and we will look at both the standard MIUI tools and more advanced methods through a computer and third-party software. It is important to approach the process carefully so that important user data, such as photos or documents, which are sometimes mistakenly classified by the system, are not accidentally deleted.
The Nature of the Others Section and Why It Grows
The Others section of the MIUI shell is a collection of files that the system cannot uniquely classify as images, music, videos or apps, primarily the cache of messengers like Telegram and WhatsApp, which store thousands of received media files, and also the location data, temporary browser files and residues after a firmware update.
Often, users are unaware that watching high-resolution online videos or listening to music on streaming services leaves a huge digital footprint, which is stored to speed up re-downloading, but eventually turns into ballast. Without regular cleaning, cache volume can grow exponentially, especially if you actively use social networks.
Another reason for this partition to grow is file system errors or incorrect application shutdowns. When a program doesn't close correctly, it can leave temporary files that the system flags as unknown. On Redmi 4X, with its not-so-new file system, this happens quite often.
⚠️ Warning: Don't try to manually delete files from system folders through a root-rights file manager unless you're sure of their purpose.Deleting critical system libraries can lead to a cyclical smartphone reboot.
Understanding what exactly is taking up space is the first step to solving the problem, and analysis shows that the lion’s share of “other” files is user-generated content that is simply missorted by the system, so cleaning often comes down to working with specific applications rather than system debris.
Basic cleaning through built-in MIUI tools
The safest and easiest way to start the fight for free space is to use the regular Security app. In Xiaomi Redmi 4X, it is deeply integrated into the system and has access to the main cache storage. Launch the application, select Cleanup and wait for the scan to be completed. The system will suggest removing temporary files that do not affect the operation of the applications.
However, standard cleaning often only touches the tip of the iceberg. To work deeper, you need to go to the storage settings. Follow the Settings → Memory → Device Memory. Here you will see a visualization of occupied space. Click on the "Other" category to see the detailing if it is available in your firmware version.
The built-in Cleanup tool also allows you to manage the cache of individual applications. This is the most effective method of dealing with bloated messengers. Choose an application from a list, click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Everything, which will reset the application settings), this action is safe and will not delete your correspondence or contacts.
Regular use of embedded tools helps keep the system on track, but if the Others section continues to grow despite the cleanup, then the problem is deeper and more radical measures are needed. Don't ignore the system's space shortage notifications, as this can lead to malfunctions in the operating system.
Analysis and cleaning of messengers and social networks
The main culprits behind the memory overflow on Redmi 4X are Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber and social networks. These apps by default store all received photos and videos in the memory of the device, creating duplicates and accumulating gigabytes of data. In Telegram, for example, the cache can take up tens of gigabytes if not configured automatic cleaning.
To clean up Telegram, go to the app settings, select Data and Memory → Memory Use. Here you will see detailed statistics and the Clear Cache button. It is recommended to install automatic cache cleanup, for example, every 3 days or week, this will save important media files in the cloud, but free up space on the phone.
WhatsApp is similar, but there's a nuance about backups: local databases can take up a lot of space. Go to Settings → Data and Storage → Storage Management. You can delete large files or media that were received in specific chats, and this allows you to point-free space without deleting important correspondence.
☑️ Checklist of cleaning messengers
Social networks such as VKontakte or Odnoklassniki also cache images and videos viewed to speed up the feed, and these apps often have a “Clear Cache” option in their settings. If you don’t have one, you can use the “Clear Data” feature, but remember that this will require re-authorization in the app.
⚠️ Before clearing messenger data, make sure you have an up-to-date backup of important correspondence in the cloud (Google Drive or iCloud) so that you do not lose your message history irretrievably.
Regularly auditing chat content helps keep the volume of the Others section under control, and users often store old video circles and postcards for years that no longer have any value but take up precious space on the internal drive.
Deep Cleaning Through Computer and File Managers
If the built-in tools don't help, a computer connection will come to the rescue. 4X PC-only USB-cable by selecting file transfer mode (MTP). This will allow you to see the real folder structure and find the heavy files that are hidden from view in the mobile interface.
Notice the app names folders. Often, huge amounts of data are stored in the root of internal memory or in the Android/data folder. For example, offline maps of navigators or downloaded movies in players can be mistakenly considered by the system as “other” files. Deleting unnecessary content from these folders instantly frees up space.
For more advanced users, it is recommended to install a file manager with disk analysis on the phone, such as Total Commander or DiskUsage, which builds a visual memory card, showing which folders occupy the most space, and this allows you to find hidden files that are not visible in a standard Explorer.
It's also important to check the DCIM/.thumbnails folder. It stores thumbnails of your photos. Over time, this file can grow to several gigabytes. It can be safely deleted — the system will create a new one when you open the gallery, but it will be smaller. This is a classic case of system debris masquerading as important data.
Hidden Android folders
Using a computer gives the advantage of a large screen and easy file management.You can quickly sort files by size and date to find forgotten archives or installations. APK-files that remained after updating programs and now just take up space.
Comparison of Memory Cleaning Methods
The choice of cleaning method depends on your skills and the depth of the problem. Below is a table comparing the effectiveness of different approaches for the Redmi 4X.
| Cleaning method | Efficiency | Security | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Integrated MIUI cleaning | Low (10-15%) | Tall. | Low. |
| Cleaning up the app cache | Medium (30-40%) | Tall. | Low. |
| File Manager (PC) | High (50-70%) | Medium | Medium |
| Reset to factory settings | Maximum (100%) | Low (Data Loss Risk) | Tall. |
As you can see from the table, embedded tools are good for daily prevention, but more powerful tools are needed to solve serious problems.Resetting to factory settings is an extreme measure that is guaranteed to remove the Others section, but requires a full backup of data.
Combining methods will work best, for example, regular cleaning of messenger cache combined with weekly analysis through the file manager will keep the memory in order without having to resort to radical measures, especially for devices with limited memory, such as the Redmi 4X.
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Use Google Photos (Yandex.Disk) with the “free up space” function, which automatically deletes from your phone copies of photos and videos that are already stored in the cloud, freeing up gigabytes of space.
Radical measures: Resetting and reflashing
If no methods help and the Others section continues to grow, there may have been a serious file system error or a system debris that cannot be removed by regular means, in which case the only way out is a full reset to the factory settings (Hard Reset), which will remove all data from the phone, returning it to the “out of the box” state.
Before starting the procedure, make sure to back up all important data. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Restore and Reset → Reset. Make sure the phone is at least 50-60% charged so that the process does not interrupt due to battery drain. The process will take a few minutes, after which the phone will restart.
An alternative to resetting via menus is to flash the device through your computer using the Mi Flash utility, which completely cleans all memory parts, including hidden system areas where undisposable debris may have settled, but this requires certain technical skills and the original firmware for your model.
⚠️ Warning: After resetting or flashing, do not restore the app backup immediately if you suspect it is the app causing the cache to sprawl.
Radical measures are stressful for the device and the user, but often the only way to resuscitate an old smartphone. Once reset, you'll see the Others section disappear and the available space return to factory values. This proves that the problem was software-based, not physical.
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Hard Reset is the only way to ensure that you remove system debris that is not amenable to normal cleaning, but requires a mandatory data backup.
Preventing memory overflow in the future
To keep the problem of other files from coming back, you need to develop a habit of monitoring memory status, establish a rule: check the storage once a month and clean the cache of heavy applications. Do not allow memory to fill up more than 85-90%, as this critically slows down the flash memory and the entire system.
Use the optimization features offered by MIUI. Security settings can enable automatic garbage cleanup when you lock your screen or schedule, and while these tools are not all-powerful, they help keep things under basic control and prevent the accumulation of small debris.
Also, consider your smartphone habits: Turn off auto-save media in instant messengers unless absolutely necessary. Move photos and videos to a memory card or cloud immediately after creation. These simple steps will help keep your Redmi 4X performance high for years to come.