Previous articleOther files on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: what it is, how to clean and free memory

Why Other Files Take Gigabytes of Memory on Your Redmi Note 8T – and How to Fix It

Have you ever looked into the storage of your Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T and were surprised to find that the Other Files partition is 10, 20, or even 30 GB? It's not a system bug — it's real garbage that insidiously accumulates over time. App cache, update residues, temporary files from MIUI, error logs and even fragments of deleted programs — all hidden under the mysterious name "Others." And if you don't clean them for years, the smartphone starts to slow down, overheat and give out errors when installing new applications.

In this article, we will not only explain how to delete Other Files on the Redmi Note 8T, but also explain why they appear, which ones can be safely erased and which ones can be touched dangerously. You will learn about hidden folders that are not visible in the standard file manager, learn how to clean the cache without harming the system, and even recover lost gigabytes of memory. And also – analyze myths: for example, why a simple cleaning through Settings → Storage removes only 10-15% of garbage, and what to do if the system stubbornly does not show the Others section.

We warn you right away that some methods will require root rights or ADB. But don't worry, we'll give alternatives to those who aren't ready for experiments. Let's start with the simplest and move on to advanced methods. Are you ready to give your Redmi Note 8T back its old space?

What are Xiaomi’s “Other Files” – and Why You Can’t Just Delete Them

The Others section of MIUI's storage is a kind of operating system black box, and it includes anything that doesn't fall into the categories of Apps, Photos, Videos, or Audio.

• 🗑️ Application cache and systems – temporary files that should have been deleted automatically but are “forgotten” in memory.
• 📄 Logs and error dumps – reports of crashes that Android creates for diagnosis (sometimes weighing several gigabytes!).
• 🔄 Update remnants – firmware files that have downloaded but not installed (especially relevant for the use of software) MIUI, who likes to update in the background).
• 🧹 Deleted files – not completely erased data (for example, after cleaning the gallery through “Recently deleted»).
• 🔧 Service files MIUI — configurations of themes, widgets, security settings.

The problem is that Xiaomi doesn't give the user full control over these files. The standard storage manager (Settings → Storage) only shows the tip of the iceberg. For example, it can offer to clear 500 MB of cache, whereas the real amount of garbage is 5-10 GB. Why is that?

The fact is that MIUI hides some files so that the user does not accidentally delete something important for the system, but often this "protection" gets real junk.

• 📁 folder /data/log — This is where the logs of the system are stored, which can weigh up to 2-3 GB.
• 📁 folder /data/dalvik-cache — Android virtual machine cache that sometimes inflates to inadequate sizes.
• 📁 folder /data/app-lib — Remnants of libraries from remote applications.

⚠️ Note: Not all "Other Files" can be deleted without consequences. /data/dalvik-cache will lead to a long cache reassembly at the next launch of the smartphone (it will “think» 5-10 (a) Delete files from the /system It may cause a critical failure and require reflashing.

Method 1: Standard Cleaning Through Settings – What It Really Deletes

Let's start with the safest method, which doesn't require any additional software or superuser rights.

1. Settings → Storage.
2. Tap on the “Other Files” section (or “Other”, depending on the version of MIUI).
3. The system will analyze the contents and suggest clearing the cache.

But there are a few nuances here:

• ✅ What will be deleted: cache of user applications (for example, YouTube, Chrome, Instagram), temporary download files, image thumbnails.
• ❌ What will NOT be deleted: system cache, error logs, update residues, files from folders /data/log and /data/dalvik-cache.

To make cleaning more efficient, do the following:

Close all working applications (especially messengers and browsers)

Connect your smartphone to charging (the process can take 5-10 minutes)

Make sure that the device has at least 10% charge

Restart your phone before cleaning.-->

Once cleaned, restart the Redmi Note 8T to help the system recalculate the free space. However, don’t expect miracles: the standard method usually frees up no more than 1-2 GB. If you need more, read on.

💡

After clearing the cache, some apps (like Instagram or TikTok) will load longer on the first run – this is normal, they recover temporary data.

Method 2: Manually clean through file manager – which folders can be deleted

If the standard method didn't work, you should dig deeper, and you'll need a file manager with access to the system folders.

• 📱 Mi File Manager (built-in in the MIUI, But you need to enable the display of hidden files).
• 📱 Solid Explorer or Solid Explorer FX File Explorer (require permissions to access root folders).

Open the manager and go to the root directory (/). Next, check the following folders:

How to clean:

1. Run the file manager on behalf of the superuser (if there is root).
2. Go to the folder you want (for example, /data/log).
3. Select all files (except system files, such as.prop or.rc).
4. Remove them and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: If you delete files from /data/dalvik-cache The phone's stuck on the Redmi logo, don't panic. 10–15 If you're stuck for longer than an hour, you'll have to reset your settings through Recovery.

Method 3: Cleaning through ADB for advanced users

If you don't have root rights, but you want to dig through the system, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is your tool, which allows you to delete files that are not available through the standard interface, but requires a connection to a computer.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the Redmi Note 8T (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap the assembly number → return to → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to your computer and allow debugging.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd in Windows or Terminal in macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

(Your device name should appear, which means that you are connected.)

1. You can now view and delete files, for example, to clear the /data/log folder, do:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/log/*




exit




exit

If you don't have root, the su command won't work.

adb shell pm clear com.miui.analytics

(This team will clear the MIUI analytics cache, which often takes hundreds of megabytes.)

Other helpful teams:

• 🗑️ Clearing the cache of all applications: adb shell pm trim-caches 1000000000 (where the number is the desired volume in bytes).
• 📂 Delete temporary files: adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*.
• 🔄 Reboot to Recovery for Cache Clearing: Adb Reboot Recovery.

⚠️ Attention: Rm teams -rf If you don't specify the right path, you can delete critical system files. Always check the path twice before running. -rf /data/* Destroy all user data and require a complete reset!

💡

ADB is a powerful tool, but it requires caution. If you are not sure about the command, first check its operation on an unnecessary folder (for example, /sdcard/Download/temp/).

Method 4: Recovery Mode Cache Reset – Safe and Rootless

If previous methods have failed or you are afraid of breaking something, use the built-in Recovery mode, which allows you to clear the cache of partitions without deleting personal data.

How to Sign In to Recovery on Redmi Note 8T:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the menu in English or Chinese.

Next:

1. Select "Wipe & Reset" (or "" in Chinese firmware).
2. Tap "Wipe Cache" (not to be confused with "Wipe Data" which will erase everything!).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
4. Reboot your phone ("Reboot").

This method cleanses:

• 🧹 Application cache and systems (/cache).
• 🔄 Temporary update files.
• 📁 Remains from Remote Applications (Partially).

What NOT to be removed:

• ❌ Personal files (photos, videos, documents).
• ❌ Installed applications and their data.
• ❌ Files in folders /data/log or /data/dalvik-cache.

Once the cache is reset, the phone can boot longer than usual — that's fine. The method is safe, but it only releases 1-3 GB. For deep cleaning, combine it with other methods.

Method 5: Using Third-Party Apps – Which Really Work

There are hundreds of cleaners on Google Play, but most of them are either useless or dangerous. We tested a few and picked the ones that actually clean up Other Files on the Redmi Note 8T:

Recommendations for use:

• 🛡️ SD Maid is the best choice for deep cleaning. In the settings, turn on "Show system files" and start scanning root folders.
• 🔍 Storage Analyzer can help you understand what exactly ranks in the Others section, for example, it can show that 3GB is a log. MIUI, 1 GB of Google Play Services cache.

Example of working with SD Maid:

1. Open the app and give it superuser rights (if there is root).
2. Go to the “CorpseFinder” section – here are the remnants of remote applications.
3. Run SystemClean to clean the system cache.
4. In AppControl, find the apps with the largest cache (like Facebook or TikTok) and clean them manually.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Clean Master) can delete important files, masquerading as “optimization” and widgets, themes, or even even themes may stop working after such cleaning. MIUI Launcher.

What to do if “Other Files” are returned – preventing garbage accumulation

Cleaning up your memory is good, but it's even better to prevent it from clogging, and here are some tips to help keep the Others section under control:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update. Tap three dots in the top right corner and select "Update settings." Turn off "Automatic Boot».

This will prevent unnecessary firmware files from being downloaded in the background.

Some programs (like YouTube or Netflix) can accumulate gigabytes of cache to limit this:

1. Select an app (like Chrome).
2. Slip "Storage" → "Clear the cache."

If you need a clean phone, it’s best to do a full reset (Settings → Additional → Reset and Reset → Reset).