How to Clean Up Xiaomi Redmi’s “Other”: The Complete 2026 Guide

Why is the Other taking up gigabytes of memory on Xiaomi Redmi?

Have you ever looked into your Xiaomi Redmi’s storage settings and seen that the Other partition is 10, 20 or even 30GB? It’s not a system bug — it’s a way of classifying files that don’t fall into the standard categories (“Photos,” “Video,” “Apps”). This section includes a cache of system processes, temporary update files, log files, remnants of deleted applications, and even data from MIUI that doesn’t want to be shown openly.

The problem is that standard cleaning tools (like the built-in Cleaner) often ignore these files, and they can slow down a smartphone by 20-40%, especially on models with 64/128 GB of memory. In this article, we will discuss how to safely reduce the volume of the Other without risking damage to the system – from simple methods to advanced ones (including ADB and manual removal).

We warn you that not all methods are equally secure, for example, deleting files from /data/log can cause MIUI to crash if you do it wrong, so we divided the methods by risk level, from green zone (suitable for beginners) to red zone (only for power users).

Method 1: Cleaning the cache of system applications (safe)

To start with, the simplest and safest method is that Xiaomi system applications (like com.miui.home or com.android.systemui) accumulate gigabytes of cache that go into the Other section, and can be removed without affecting the phone.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select Show System Processes».
• 🗑️ Find apps called com.miui., com.android. or com.xiaomi.* (e.g. Launcher, Security, Gallery).
• 🧹 For each, click "Storage» → «Clear the cache».

Please note: do not click Clear Data for system applications - this can reset the launcher settings, theme settings or even lock the screen.

After this procedure, the Other section can be reduced by 1–5 GB, depending on the Redmi model and the time of the last cleanup. For example, on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, users on average free up 2.3–3.7 GB.

Method 2: Delete temporary MIUI update files

Xiaomi is known for frequent MIUI updates, but few people know that after installing updates, their files often remain in memory, they take from 500 MB to 2 GB and are classified as “Other”, and you can delete them through built-in storage or file manager.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Update MIUI.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select “Delete downloaded service pack”.
3. Confirm the action.

If this item is missing, check the folder. /sdcard/Downloaded_rom In any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer), you can have files with the.zip extension, and you can delete them safely.

On the Redmi. 10 And newer is also worth checking the folder. /data/ota_package (available only with root rights or through ADB). There may be old stains that are used to 3–4 GB.

Method 3: Cleaning log files and dumps (for experienced)

MIUI actively logs applications and services, which are used for diagnostics, but over time take up gigabytes. For example, on a Redmi K50 after a year of use, logs can weigh 5-8 GB.

Option A: Through Engineering Mode (without root)

This method works on most Xiaomi without superuser rights:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##4636###
2. Go to the tab "Usage statistics" (or "Usage statistics").
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Clear logs."

Option B: Through ADB (requires PC)

If the first method did not work, connect the phone to the computer and execute the commands:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/log/*




rm -rf /data/tombstones/*




rm -rf /data/anr/*

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Before using ADB, make sure that the phone is debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).

⚠️ Note: Removing logs through ADB This may cause some services to fail. MIUI, If you don't execute the instructions correctly, for example, deleting files from the /data/system It will cause bootloop (locking on the boot).

Method 4: Manual removal of application residues

When you delete an app through Play Market or settings, its data doesn't always disappear completely, leaving folders in /data/data, /sdcard/Android/obb and other sections, these tails can take up to 10-15 GB and be classified as "Other."

How to find and remove them:

• 🔍 Use a file manager with access to root folders (e.g, FX File Explorer or Root Explorer).
• 📁 Move to the /sdcard/Android/data Delete the folders of applications that you have long since deleted.
• 🗑️ Check it out. /sdcard/Android/obb — It stores game caches (e.g. Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile can leave files weighing) 1–3 GB even after uninstallation).
• 🛠️ For complete cleaning, use the command ADB: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.example.app (replace com.example.app with a remote application package).

On the Redmi Note 11 Pro, users often find remnants from Facebook, TikTok and PUBG Mobile, which occupy 500 MB-1.5 GB each, deleting these folders frees up space without risk to the system.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If all previous methods failed, and the Other partition still takes up more than 10 GB, then the radical way is hard reset, which will delete all data, including hidden system files, but return the phone to a “clean” state.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Back up your important data (photos, contacts, messages) via Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Delete all data” and confirm.
4. After restarting, set your phone as new.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or Redmi 8) after reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account. If you forget your password, the phone will turn into a brick»!

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Factory reset is the most efficient way to clean the Other, but only use it if other methods have not worked. Once reset, the phone will run faster, but it will take time to set up.

How to prevent the “Other” from being refilled?

Cleaning up memory is good, but it’s even better to keep it from clogging. Here are some tips for Xiaomi Redmi owners:

• 🔄 Clean the cache of system applications regularly (every 1-2 months).
• 🚫 Turn off automatic update downloads in Settings → The phone. → Update MIUI → Settings (⚙️) → Downloading.
• 📱 Use lightweight versions of apps (such as Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite) that create fewer temporary files.
• 🔍 Periodically check the folders /sdcard/Download and /sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails — There's a lot of unnecessary files.
• 🛡️ Set a limit on background activity for applications in Settings → Battery → Energy management.

Redmi with MIUI 14 and later also has the smart cleaning feature turned off in storage settings – it often deletes the wrong files, leaving debris intact.

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