Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their price-performance ratio, but even powerful models face a lack of internal storage over time. Users often notice that the vacant space disappears and the mysterious “Other” section becomes the culprit in the memory report. This section can grow to tens of gigabytes, occupying precious space that could be used for photos or applications. Understanding the nature of this storage is the first step to effectively optimize the system.
In this article, we will discuss in detail what exactly is behind this name in the shells of MIUI and HyperOS. You will learn why the system classifies certain files as “unknown” and what cleaning methods are safe. Don’t rush to delete everything in a row, as some system caches are necessary for fast interface operation. We will look at both the standard Android tools and advanced methods through the computer.
What is hidden in the other section
The Other section (or System in some versions) is not a counting error, but a special container for files that the system cannot uniquely classify, including temporary files, remnants of deleted applications, messenger cache and streaming services data. Often users wonder why the storage volume does not decrease after cleaning the gallery - it is cached data that continues to occupy space in this hidden partition.
Multimedia content is a big focus, and apps like Telegram, WhatsApp, or TikTok store videos and images they've watched in hidden folders to speed up their re-upload, and over time, these files turn into digital junk that the system perceives as "Other," and may also contain error logs, usage reports, and temporary update files that haven't been deleted automatically.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to delete files from system folders through root-righted file managers without understanding their purpose.This can lead to a cyclical bootloop or data loss.
💡
Use the built-in storage analyzer to see which app contributes the most to the Other section, usually social media or navigators.
Basic cleaning through system settings
The first step in the fight for space is to use the standard tools provided by the MIUI or HyperOS shell, which are safe and do not require the installation of third-party software. The first step is to use the built-in Security application, which has a garbage cleaning module, which is able to find the remnants of remote programs and temporary installation files.
To clean up more deeply, go to the storage settings menu, where the system provides a categorization. If you click on the Apps section, you can manually manage the data of each software installed. Especially effectively clean the cache of heavy applications such as browsers and social networks. Clearing the cache does not delete your personal correspondence or logins, but frees up a significant amount of memory.
Often, the Other section hides offline maps and downloaded music. Check navigation apps (Yandex.Maps, Google Maps, 2GIS) and streaming services. If you rarely use offline mode, you can safely delete old maps. It is also worth checking the folder “Downloads”, which often fall into the installation APK-Files that are no longer needed after installing programs.
☑️ Xiaomi's Basic Cleanup
Working with garbage in messengers
The leaders in filling the “Other” section are traditionally messengers. Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber store the history of media files locally. Telegram, for example, has an automatic cache clearing feature, but by default it is often disabled or configured to store data forever. To fix this, you need to go to the settings of the application itself, find the item “Data and memory” and set a limit on the cache size.
WhatsApp is similar, but it's important to be careful: Direct cleaning through phone settings can remove important backup databases; better use the built-in Storage Management feature inside WhatsApp itself, which will show the chats that take up the most space, and allow you to delete large videos or files selectively, which will help save important text messages, getting rid of heavy attachments.
Don't forget hidden folders. Messengers can save contact statuses (stories) to hidden directories. Xiaomi's file manager may not show them right away. They may need to enable hidden files to be displayed in Explorer settings. They're usually on the Android/media/com.whatsapp path or similar.
| Annex | Where to look for a cleanup | What to remove safely | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telegram | Settings -> Data and memory | Cash, Autoboot. | Low (media will download again) |
| Settings -> Storage | Big files, Statuses | Medium (I need to check backup) | |
| YouTube | Settings -> General | Search history, Cash. | Low. |
| Chrome | History -> Clearing the history | Cookies, Cash | Low (to be logged out of accounts) |
Why does Telegram take up so much space?
Using PC and debugging over USB
If built-in methods can not free up space, the computer will come to the rescue. Connecting your smartphone to your PC allows you to see the file system in more detail. However, simply copying files to your computer and deleting them on your phone may not be enough, since some system folders are hidden from the average user.
To activate Developer Mode, go to Settings -> About Phone and quickly click 7 times on MIUI Version (or OS Version). Then the Developer Menu will appear in the advanced settings. Find the Debugging USB option there and activate it. Now, when you connect to your computer, select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
You can find and delete folders with logs and temporary files through your computer. Pay attention to /Android/data and /Android/obb. This stores application data. Deleting folders from remote games or programs is safe, but you can't touch folders of active system applications (for example, com.android.systemui), and it's also worth checking the root folder for files with the.log or.tmp extension that may have remained after crashes.
adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "cache"This command (if you have ADB drivers) will help you find packets that take up space, although it will require root rights to clean them completely through ADB. Without superuser rights through ADB, you can only view the structure or delete user files. Beware: deleting system files through ADB can make the phone inoperable.
💡
Connecting to a PC allows you to visually assess the size of folders and find forgotten files that are not visible in the standard phone interface.
Radical methods: Resetting and flashing
When the Other has grown to critical size and nothing helps, the last resort is a full factory reset, which is guaranteed to clean up all memory parts, including system debris that cannot be manually removed, but before that, you need to make a full backup of important data, since all files will be destroyed.
To perform the reset, go to Settings -> About Phone -> Reset. Select "Delete All Data." The phone will reboot and start the cleanup process. This will take 5 to 15 minutes. Once turned on, you will get a clean system, like from the store. The Other section will be minimal, taking only the necessary system files.
⚠️ Warning: Before resetting, make sure the battery is charged at least 50-60%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can damage the memory partition table.
If even after a reset, the problem returns very quickly (in a couple of days), this may indicate a failure in the file system or the presence of malware. In such cases, reflashing the device through the Mi Flash Tool with full cleanup (Clean All) helps, which will reinstall the operating system clean, eliminating software errors of garbage accumulation.
Prevention of memory overflow
To avoid future space shortages, you should change your smartphone usage habits. Regularly checking your storage once a month will help you identify bloated apps early on. Use cloud services to store photos and videos by activating the “About Free Space” feature in Google Photos or analogues.
It is also useful to limit the background activity of heavy applications. In the battery settings, you can prevent auto-run programs that you rarely use, this will prevent the accumulation of temporary files in the background.