How to clean the “Other” on Android 11 in Xiaomi smartphones: a step-by-step guide

Why does the Other section take up so much space on Xiaomi with Android 11?

If you own a Xiaomi smartphone based on Android 11 (MIUI 12/12.5), you’ve probably encountered a mysterious Other section in the memory settings, which can take anywhere from 5 to 30 GB — and the system does not clearly explain what exactly is stored there. Unlike obvious categories like Photos, Videos or Apps, The Other becomes a real black hole for free space.

In fact, this term hides the cache of system processes, temporary MIUI files, remnants of deleted applications, log files and shell data. In Android 11, the storage structure has changed: Google has tightened the rules for developers, and Xiaomi has added its optimization layers. As a result, some files that were previously related to Cache or System Data now fall into Other. Moreover, on devices with MIUI, this section is often inflated due to the peculiarities of the Smart Cleanup function** and the background processes of the shell.

Another thing you can't do is you can't just delete all the content, because it can cause system failures, but there are safe ways to reduce the volume by 40 to 70 percent without risking the stability of the smartphone. Next, we'll look at each method with the specifics of Android 11 and Xiaomi in mind.

Method 1: Cleaning the cache of system applications

The safest and most effective method is to manually clean the cache of the built-in MIUI and Google services. In Android 11, many system processes (such as com.miui.home or com.google.android.gms) actively use cache, which over time grows to giant sizes, especially devices with MIUI 12.5, where the shell aggressively caches animations and widget data.

To clear the cache:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select Show System Processes.
• 🧹 Sort the list by cache size (click on Size in the table cap).
• 🗑️ For each application with a large cache (from 100 MB) click Storage → Clear the cache.

Pay attention to the following processes (they most often “inflate” the Other):

⚠️ Warning: Do not clear data (clean all data) for system applications! this can cause shell failure MIUI. Clear the cache only.

Close all active applications

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

Make a backup copy of important data

Do not interrupt the cleaning process.-->

Method 2: Delete temporary files via Storage Analyzer

Xiaomi has built a hidden memory analysis tool in MIUI, Storage Analyzer, which lets you see which files are in the Other section and delete the ones you don't need. This method only works on Android 11 with MIUI 12.5+ and requires activation through an engineering menu.

Instructions for use:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##.
2. In the menu that appears, select Storage.
3. Press Storage Analyzer and wait for the scan (it can take up to 5 minutes).
4. In the results, find the Other section and sort the files by size.
5. Delete files with extensions:.log,.tmp,.bak,.old.

Most often, the Others are:

• 📄 Log files of the system (/data/log/) — You can remove everything except the current log.
• 🎨 Cash themes for the decorating (/data/system/theme/) — If you don’t use custom themes.
• 🔄 Update files (/cache/ota/) — if you haven't updated the firmware for a long time.
• 📱 Backup copies MIUI (/MIUI/backup/) — unless you plan to roll back.

💡

If Storage Analyzer doesn’t show the Other section, try first clearing the cache of the com.android.settings app through Settings → Apps.

Method 3: Resetting Security and Accounts settings

In Android 11, Xiaomi has added advanced security features that actively use storage to store biometric data, encryption keys and authorization tokens. Over time, this data accumulates and ends up in Other, especially if you often add/delete fingerprints or accounts.

To clear this data:

1. Go to Settings. → Passwords and security.
2. Select Security Data Removal (could be called Security Settings Reset).
3. Confirm the action (you will need to enter a password or pattern lock).
4. Reset the device.

After discharge:

• 🔑 You will need to add fingerprints and faces again (if supported).
• 🔒 All saved passwords in MIUI Password Manager will be removed.
• 📱 Applications may request re-authorization (e.g., banking or social media).

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Account to unlock your device, make sure to remember your account password before resetting.Otherwise, you may need to reset via Fastboot.

Once a month

Once in 3 months

Only when memory ends

Never cleaned.

I don't know what that is.-->

Method 4: Using ADB for deep cleaning

For advanced users, there is a way to remove unnecessary files from Other via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to manually scan system folders and remove debris that is not available through the standard interface. Importantly, the wrong ADB commands can cause the system to crash. Use only if you are confident in your actions.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times), then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute in the command line:

adb shell


su




cd /data/data/




du -sh * | sort -rh | head -20

This team will show the top-20 The folders that take up the most space:

• 🗃️ com.android.providers.media – cache of media files (can be cleared).
• 📁 com.miui.cloudservice – Mi Cloud data (if not used).
• 🔧 com.android.settings – system settings (clean carefully!).

To delete a folder (such as a gallery cache), use:

rm -rf /data/data/com.miui.gallery/cache/*

Method 5: Retrace to factory settings (extreme method)

If all previous methods failed, and the Other partition still takes up more than 10 GB, the last option is a complete reset. This method is guaranteed to clear all temporary files, but also delete user data. On Android 11 Xiaomi, you can do a reset in two ways:

Method 1: Through settings (saves data in Mi Account)

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose Reset All Settings (not to be confused with Delete All Data!).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

Method 2: Through Recovery (complete cleaning)

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm and wait for completion.

After discharge:

• ✅ The Other section will be reduced to 1-3 GB (minimum possible size).
• ⚠️ All applications and data will be deleted (except files on the SD-map).
• 🔄 When you first boot, the system will create new cache files, so don’t be surprised if the Other grows back to 4–5GB in a week.

💡

Resetting is a last resort.Be sure to back up through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset or manually copy important files to your PC before the procedure.

How to Prevent the “Other” Section from Spreading in the Future

To prevent the Other section from occupying huge amounts of memory, follow these recommendations:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic optimization MIUI: Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity → Optimize and deactivate Autoclean. It often creates duplicate cache files.
• 📱 Limit background activity: in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Autostart Turn Off Autostart for Unnecessary Applications.
• 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly: use the built-in cleaner (Security) → Cleaning once every 2 weeks.
• 🔒 Do not use themes and wallpapers from MIUI Themes: They cache gigabytes of data in /data/system/theme/.

It is also useful to track growth dynamics Other with the help of analytical applications, for example:

• Files by Google (shows hidden files)
• SD Maid (Deep System Garbage Analysis)
• Storage Analyzer & Disk Usage (English)

If, after all the manipulations, the Other partition grows back to 10+ GB, this may indicate a software failure.

• 🔄 Update MIUI Up to the latest version (through Settings) → Updating the system).
• 🛠️ Fastboot flashing (if the user experience allows you to do so).
• 📞 Contact Xiaomi Service Center (if the device is guaranteed).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's "Other" section