Why does Xiaomi store a “Other” section and what is it?
If you’ve ever looked at the storage settings of your Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO, you’ve probably come across a mysterious “Other” section that takes up gigabytes of storage — sometimes up to 10-20 GB. Unlike photos, videos, or apps, this section doesn’t have explicit content, but it’s growing all the time. So what’s underneath this label?
The other is system debris that MIUI cannot automatically classify.
- 🗑️ Residual files after deleting applications (incomplete uninstallation, temporary data).
- 🔄 System process cache that is not cleaned by standard means.
- 📁 Hidden folders from updates MIUI, log files and error dumps.
- 🔗 Symbolic links and file system tags that take up space.
- 🎮 Game data stored in non-standard folders (e.g, Android/obb or Android/data).
The problem is compounded by the fact that MIUI (especially in versions 12-14) actively uses caching to speed up the interface, for example, after updating the system, old files are not always deleted, but simply archived “just in case”, as a result, after six months of use, the smartphone can lose up to 30% of free space for no apparent reason.
Worst of all, the standard Cleanup feature in the storage settings often ignores this section. Why? Because some files are marked as "system" and can't be automatically cleaned, but that doesn't mean they can't be manually deleted, which is what we'll talk about.
Method 1: Cleaning through the built-in “Storage” menu (basic method)
Before you resort to radical measures, try standard MIUI tools. They won’t remove all of the Other, but can free up 1-3GB of garbage.
Instructions:
- Open the Settings → Storage.
- Slip on the "Other" section (may be called "Other" in older versions of MIUI).
- Wait for the analysis (may take 1-2 minutes).
- Click on “Clean” or “Delete” next to the categories found (such as “Downloads”, “Cash” or “Unnecessary Files”).
⚠️ Note: If the “Clear” button is inactive, it means, MIUI does not consider these files to be safe to delete.
☑️ What can be cleaned through the standard menu
This method works best on Xiaomi 12/13 and Redmi Note 11/12 models, where MIUI 13/14 analyzes garbage more aggressively. On older devices (such as Redmi 9 or POCO X3), the effect will be minimal.
Method 2: Removing the cache of system applications manually
Many files in the Other section are cache of system services that are not automatically cleared, such as com.miui.system or com.android.providers.media can take up 500 MB-1 GB each.
How to clean:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show All Processes (or System Applications).
- Find apps with names: 📱 MIUI System (com.miui.system) 🖼️ Media Storage (com.android.providers.media) 🔄 Download Manager (com.android.providers.downloads) 📊 MIUI Analytics (com.miui.analytics)
"Storage" → "Clean the cache"
⚠️ Warning: Do not click on Clear Data for system applications – this can cause malfunctions MIUI (For example, the wallpaper or theme settings will disappear).
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If the cache is not cleared, restart the smartphone. Some files are deleted only after the reboot.
On the POCO F4 and Xiaomi 12T, this method allows you to free up to 2-4 GB, especially if you have not cleaned the cache for a long time. On budget models (for example, Redmi 10A), the effect is more modest - about 500 MB-1 GB.
Method 3: Delete residual files through the file manager
Part of the Other is the remnants of remote applications that remain in the Android/data and Android/obb folders. These are not visible in the standard Explorer, but can be found through Mi File Manager or third-party applications (for example, Solid Explorer).
Step-by-step:
- Install Solid Explorer (or any other file manager with access to root folders).
- Open the menu and turn on “Show hidden files”.
- Go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/data and /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb.
- Delete folders with app names you deleted long ago (e.g. com.tencent.ig for PUBG Mobile or com.supercell.clashroyale for Clash Royale).
- Also check the folder. /storage/emulated/0/Download old-fashioned APK-file-archive.
| folder | What it keeps. | Can I remove it? |
|---|---|---|
| Android/data | Application data (save, settings) | Yes, if the application is removed |
| Android/obb | Additional game files (graphics, levels) | Yes, if the game is deleted. |
| MIUI/backup | Backups of the system | Yes, unless you're planning a recovery. |
| Download | Uploaded files (APK, images) | Yeah, unless you need files. |
| DCIM/.thumbnails | Photo and video miniatures | Yes, they're automatically regenerated. |
⚠️ Warning: Do not delete the folders of current applications (the ones that are installed now) - this will cause malfunctions in their work. MIUI Xiaomi, if you are not sure about its contents.
What if the file manager doesn’t show Android folders?
Method 4: Reset the partition cache (without data loss)
If previous methods didn’t work, try resetting the partition cache through Recovery Mode.This won’t delete your files or apps, but will clean up system debris that has been accumulating for years.
Instructions:
- Turn off your smartphone.
- Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears (on some models – Volume up + Volume down + Power).
- In the Recovery menu, select the language (if you have a choice), then tap on "Wipe & Reset".
- Select “Wipe Cache” (not to be confused with “Wipe Data” which will reset everything!).
- Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 1-2 minutes).
- Reboot your smartphone via Reboot → System.
You should also disable unnecessary system services:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → System.
- Find MIUI Analytics and User Feedback – disable them or limit background activity.
- In Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud, turn off synchronization of unnecessary data (for example, notes or calendar if you do not use).
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If you install and delete games frequently, use them. SD-Card as an internal storage (in Settings) → Warehouse → SD-This will take some of the trash from the main memory.