“Other” in the memory of Xiaomi Redmi: what it is and how to clean without harming the system

Have you ever looked into your Xiaomi Redmi’s storage settings and found in horror that the mysterious “Other” category is tens of gigabytes?It’s not a system bug or a virus — it’s accumulated system debris, app cache, update remnants and temporary files that MIUI doesn’t show to the user by default. Unlike photos or videos that can be easily manually deleted, “Other” hides hundreds of small files scattered across /data, /cache and other system partitions.

The problem is that even after you cache through settings or delete unnecessary apps, the volume of the Other often stays the same. Why? Because MIUI (particularly in versions 12–14) aggressively caches data to speed up work, but does not always clean it correctly. For example, after updating the firmware, old files can remain in the folder. /sdcard/MIUI, a Remote applications - leave behind the "tails" in /data/data. In this article, we will discuss 5 How to reduce the “Other” on Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4 and other models, from secure embedded tools to advanced methods of ADB.

⚠️ Important: Not all methods are equally secure. Hand-cleaning system folders can cause malfunctions MIUI We've marked risky moves with special warnings -- read them carefully!

1.What's Hiding Under "Other" in Xiaomi's Storage

Category "Other" in the Settings menu → Storage is the garbage bin of the operating system.

• 📁 App cache (including Google Play Services cache, which can weigh up to 1-2 GB).
• 🔄 Remains of updates (folders) /cache and /sdcard/MIUI/backup after OTA-updates).
• 🗑️ Temporary files from browsers, instant messengers and social networks (for example, com.tencent.mm for WeChat).
• 📱 Remote Application Data (folders in the /data/data, which are not automatically cleaned).
• 🔧 Logs and dumps of the system (files.log,.dumpstate in the system) /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log).

On Redmi with MIUI 13/14, the Other is often more than 10-15 GB because of the way Memory Extension works, creating a virtual swap file that can inflate over time, and Xiaomi is also using Storage Compression, which leads to duplicate temporary files.

🔍 How do you check what's taking up space? Install Files by Google or Storage Analyzer from Play Market, and they show you a detailed folder structure, including hidden system data. /sdcard/Android/obb It can contain gigabytes of cache from games, and /sdcard/MIUI/extra — old-fashioned themes.

2.Safe cleaning through built-in MIUI tools

Before you go into system folders, try standard methods. They don't require root rights and don't risk system stability.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of all applications

This is the easiest and most secure method that removes temporary files without losing personal data.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Sort by size."
3. Select an app (like YouTube or Facebook) → Storage → Clear cache.
4. For mass cleaning, use the “Clear Cache of All Apps” button (available in some versions of MIUI).

⚠️ Warning: Don’t confuse Clear Cache with Clear Data! The second option will delete all settings and accounts in the app (e.g., chats in Telegram or saved passwords in Chrome).

Method 2: The MIUI Integrated Optimizer

Xiaomi has added a deep cleaning tool to MIUI 12+ that removes:

• 🗃️ Unnecessary APK-Files (remainders of installed applications).
• 📊 Duplicate files (photos, videos, documents).
• 🧹 Multimedia cache (miniatures, previews).

How to start:

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Cleaning.
2. Click on “Deep Clean” and wait for analysis.
3. Tick the unnecessary files and click “Clear”.

💡 Tip: If the Deep Clean option is missing, update MIUI Up to the latest version or install the Security app from the Play Market – there is a similar tool.

Check the vacant space (should be ≥1 GB)

Backup of important data

Close all background applications

Connect the charger (the process can take 10–30 minutes)-->

3. Manual garbage removal through file manager

If the built-in tools don’t work, you’ll have to manually search and delete unnecessary files. Use a root Explorer (like Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer) or Xiaomi’s standard Files app.

What folders can be cleaned without risk

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders /sdcard/MIUI/theme (design topics) and /sdcard/Android/data (Application data) without backup! This can cause malfunctions MIUI.

How to Clean Update Cache (Folder /cache)

This folder contains temporary files necessary for installation. OTA-Updates. After updating, they become useless, but they remain in place.

1. Open the root file manager (or use ADB, see Section 5).
2. Go to /cache.
3. Delete all files with extensions.zip,.tmp or names like update.zip.
4. Reboot the phone.

Critical information: The /cache folder clears automatically when you restart, but only if the phone turns off correctly.If you use Fastboot frequently, the cache can accumulate for years.

4.Clean through Recovery and Fastboot modes

If the Other takes up more than 20GB and doesn’t shrink after manual cleaning, it’s worth trying the Recovery and Fastboot system modes.

Method 1: Wipe Cache Partition in Recovery

This method clears the system cache, including update residues and temporary kernel files.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the MI logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (if you have a choice) and go to Wipe & Reset.
4. Select Wipe Cache (not Wipe Data!)
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
6. Restart the phone (Reboot).

🔧 Note: On some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO F1) The Wipe Cache can be called Clear Cache or hidden behind an additional menu.

Method 2: Fastboot commands for deep cleaning

For advanced users: ADB and Fastboot can manually clean partitions that are not available through standard settings.

It will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools and Xiaomi drivers.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Cleanup commands:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /cache/*




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*




rm -rf /sdcard/MIUI/backup/*




rm -rf /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log/*




exit




exit

⚠️ Attention: Rm teams -rf Removing files permanently. Mistakes in transit (e.g., rm) -rf /data/ instead /data/local/tmp/) It can erase all user data!

💡

Before using ADB, check that there are no spaces or Cyrillic characters in the path. For example, the /sdcard/My files in the command should be listed as /sdcard/My\ Files (with space shielding).

5. Advanced methods: Root and custom firmware

If you're willing to take risks, root access will open up opportunities for deep cleaning, but remember: this will void the warranty and may lead to a brick.

What does root give to clean up the "Other"

• 🗑️ Full access to folders /data/data (remnants of remote applications).
• 🔧 Ability to remove pre-installed system applications (bloatware) that take up space.
• 📊 Using applications like SD Maid or Root Cleaner for Automatic Cleaning.

🔨 How to get rooted in Xiaomi Redmi:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a binding Mi Account and wait 7-14 days).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP).
3. Please use Magisk to obtain root rights.

📌 Root Cleanup Example: Remove folders of old updates in /data/ota_package or cache of Google Play Services in /data/data/com.google.android.gms (But beware, this could disrupt Google’s services).

⚠️ Attention: On models with Dynamic RAM Expansion (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) Deleting system files can cause errors in virtual memory. Before cleaning, disable this function in Settings → Additionally. → Memory.

💡

Root access allows you to remove up to 50% of the garbage from the category “Other”, but requires technical skills. For most users, the methods from sections 2-4 are sufficient.

6 How to Prevent the Accumulation of the Other in the Future

To prevent the Other from growing again, follow these rules:

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly (once every 1-2 months through Settings) → Warehouse).
• 📥 Turn off automatic update downloads in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙️) → Downloading.
• 🗃️ Use cloud storage (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) to back up photos and videos.
• 🚫 Avoid Play Market cleaners (such as Clean Master or CCleaner) that often delete useful files and show false warnings.
• 📦 Remove unused applications through Settings → Apps, not just “freeze” them.

📊 Statistics: According to the data XDA Developers, on Xiaomi Redmi with MIUI The 14th category “Other” averages 8-12 GB, of which 60% is the cache of Google Play Services and the Internet. MIUI System: Regular cleaning reduces this volume by 30-40%.

💡 Tip for gamers: If you play heavy games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile), transfer the cache to the game. SD-A card or an external drive:

1. Connect. OTG-flash-drive SD-map.
2. In the game settings, select Move Data or use AppMgr III.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the “Other” on Xiaomi Redmi