How to Free Up Space in the Other section on Xiaomi Redmi Note 10: The Complete Guide

Why Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is clogged with the “Other” section and how to fix it

Did you notice that your Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 (or Redmi Note 10 Pro/10S) suddenly ran out of space, even though there are almost no photos, videos and apps? The culprit is the mysterious “Other” section of the storage. It’s not just an app cache, but a whole bunch of system files, logs, temporary data and residues from remote programs. On MIUI (especially versions 12-14), this problem is more common due to aggressive background optimization and memory features.

In this article, we will discuss what exactly is hidden under the Other on the Redmi Note 10, how to clean it safely without losing data, and why standard methods (like cleaning the cache in the settings) often do not work, and also learn how to prevent re-clogging of memory with hidden MIUI functions and third-party tools.

⚠️ Warning: Some methods require superuser rights (root) or work with system folders. 10 global-version firmware MIUI 13+ file-deleting /data/log or /cache Without backup, it can cause updates to crash over the air (OTA). If you are not sure, skip risky steps and use safe ways.

What is the “Other” in Xiaomi’s storage and why it takes up gigabytes

The Other section in MIUI is the garbage bin of the operating system.

• 📁 Application and system cache (including residues from Google Play Services and MIUI-service).

On the Redmi Note 10 with 128GB of memory, the Other can take 5 to 20GB — which is normal if the phone is actively used. But when the number is above 30-40GB, it's time to sound the alarm.

• 🔄 Frequent updates MIUI (each OTA-Update leaves backup copies in /cache).
• 📱 Dual Apps (Dual Apps, Second Space).

💡 Interesting fact: Redmi Note 10 with MIUI Part 14 of the Other may be related to the function MIUI Optimization, which backs up settings to quickly recover from crashes, is not visible to the user, but takes up space.

Method 1: Cleaning cache and debris through standard MIUI settings

Start with the safest method, the built-in MIUI tools, which do not require root rights and do not risk damaging system files.

Step 1. Clean up the app cache

1. View the list: Apps with a cache >500MB (e.g. YouTube, Chrome, Facebook) can be cleaned without consequences.

Step 2: Use of a built-in cleaner

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory (or Settings → Memory in some versions of MIUI).
2. Slip on "Clean" (or "Free").

Step 3: Delete unnecessary files manually

• 📂 Open Files (File Manager app from Xiaomi).
• Go to Categories → Downloads and delete unnecessary files (APK, archives, documents).

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from folders /MIUI, /Android or /system manually – this can cause a failure MIUI. If you are not sure if the file is needed, leave it.

Method 2: Removing logs and dumps through ADB (without root)

If standard methods don’t work, try removing system logs via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) which doesn’t require superuser rights, but you need to connect the phone to your computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Developer mode enabled on Redmi Note 10 (7 times tap on Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and allow debugging over USB (a request will appear on the smartphone screen).
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your Redmi Note 10.
4. Delete the error logs (safe for the system): adb shell pm trim-caches -d 1000 adb shell rm -rf /data/log/* adb shell rm -rf /cache/*
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

📌 What this team is removing:

• 🗑️ Temporary application cache files (without deleting the program data).
• 📜 Logs of the system (/data/log), including crash reports.
• 🔄 Cash updates (/cache), weighable 1–2 GB.

⚠️ Note: Do not use commands like adb shell rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache — It'll cause a breakdown. MIUI And you'll need to flash it back. /data/data — it stores the application settings.

💡

If after a reboot, the phone optimizes apps for a long time, that's OK. The system recovers the Dalvik cache that's been cleared.

Method 3: Manual cleaning through File Manager with root rights (for advanced)

If you're willing to take a risk and you have root rights (like Magisk), you can manually delete unnecessary files from system folders.

What folders can be cleaned (with caution):

How to clean:

1. Install Root Explorer (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer) and provide root access.
2. Go to /data/log and delete all files (except folders).
3. Clear /cache, but don’t touch files with the.odex extension.
4. Check /data/media/0/Android/obb to delete folders of games you haven’t used in a long time.
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 10 s MIUI 13+ file-deleting /data/system This can result in the Mi Account being blocked due to the reset of the device IDs. If you are not sure, back up through the device. TWRP before cleaning.

Method 4: Using third-party applications (without root)

If you don't want to mess with ADB or root, try specialized cleaning apps that won't have the same effect as manual cleaning, but they will help you remove some of the garbage.

Top.-3 apps for Redmi Note 10:

• 🧹 SD Maid finds the remnants of deleted applications, empty folders and duplicate files. The free version cleans up the main garbage, but you need a Pro version to clean up the deep.

How to use SD Maid:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Launch and provide access to the storage.
3. Select the "CorpseFinder" section** (search for remnants of remote applications).
4. Press "Run" and wait for analysis.
5. Delete the files found (usually folders in /data/data).
6. Go to AppControl** and clear the cache for all applications.

💡 Tip: After cleaning SD Maid reboot your phone – this will help the system recalculate the free space.

⚠️ Note: Do not use features like SystemCleaner** in SD Maids without root rights – they are useless and can show false errors.

💡

The application side will not be able to clear system logs or update cache, which requires ADB or root, and their main task is to remove debris from user files and program residues.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If nothing worked, and the Other section is still tens of gigabytes long, it's time to consider hard reset. It's a radical method, but it's guaranteed to clear all unnecessary files.

What will be removed:

• 📱 All applications and their data.
• 📷 Photos, videos and music (if not saved) SD-map).
• ⚙️ System settings, accounts, Wi-Fi passwords.
• 🗑️ All contents of the Other section** (including system logs and cache).

How to reset:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” (or “Factory settings”).

🔄 Alternative method (through recovery):

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery.
3. Select "Wipe Data"** (use volume buttons for navigation).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 10 With a blocked bootloader, resetting via Recovery will not delete files from the folder /miui/backup. If you want to erase everything, including backups MIUI, Use fastboot:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache

💡

Factory reset is the only way to 100% clear the Other section, but it will delete all your data. Use it only if other methods have failed.

How to prevent re-clogging of memory on Xiaomi Redmi Note 10

To prevent the Other section from growing again, follow these tips:

1. disable unnecessary MIUI functions:

• 🔄 Auto-update MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto-downloading updates (turn off).

2. Limit the background activity of applications:

• 🛑 For each application, turn off “Autostart” and “Background Activity” in Settings → Annexes → Application management → battery.

3. Clean the cache regularly:

• 🗓️ Start the built-in cleaner once a week (Settings) → Memory. → Clean up).
• 🧹 Use it once a month. SD maid ADB deep-clean.

4. Move the files to SD-map:

• 📁 Photos and videos are automatically saved to Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
• 🎵 Store your music and documents on a microSD (if you have a slot).

💡 Useful Lifehack: On the Redmi Note 10 you can turn on “Easy Mode”** (Settings) → Special opportunities → Light Mode. It turns off some animations and background processes, which reduces the number of logs you create.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up the "Other" on Xiaomi