How to Clean Up the Other on Xiaomi Phones: The Complete 2026 Guide

The Other section of Xiaomi’s smartphone storage is a real black hole for free space, which can take up 5 to 30 GB, but users rarely understand what is stored there. System logs, remnants of remote applications, the MIUI update cache, temporary messenger files, all this accumulates for years, slowing down the phone, and a particularly pressing problem for models with 64/128 GB of memory, where every gigabyte is on the account.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to clean the Other section, from standard MIUI tools to hidden functions and manual cleaning through ADB. All methods are tested on the Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 13 Lite with MIUI 13-14 firmware. Importantly, some operations require superuser rights (root), but most will work without them.

What is the “Other” section and why is it growing?

The “Other” section of MIUI is a container for files that the system cannot categorize as standard categories (Photos, Videos, Applications).

• 📁 Cache of system applications (com.android.systemui, com.miui.home)
• 🔄 Remains of updates (folders) /cache and /data/ota_package)
• 📱 Error logs and memory dumps (/data/tombstones, /data/anr)
• 🗑️ Temporary files of messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and browsers
• 🔧 Settings and Configurations of Remote Applications

The main reason for the growth is the architecture of Android, the system does not delete the cache and logs automatically, so as not to disrupt the work of background processes. MIUI The old firmware files remain in the folder /data/ota_package and can weigh up 2–3 GB: And messengers like Telegram save miniatures of media files in the “Other” even if you deleted them long ago.

On Xiaomi with MIUI 12 and newer, the problem is exacerbated by the Smart Cleanup feature, which often skips system debris. For example, on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ after a year of use, the Other can take 15-20 GB, although there are no more than 2-3 GB of really useful files.

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse "Other" with "System"; the latter contains critical files. MIUI, And cleaning it without root rights will lead to a device bribing.

Method 1: Standard Cleaning through “Safety”

The easiest method is to use the built-in Cleanup tool in the Security app, which deletes some temporary files, but often leaves a deep cache.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the section "Cleaning up» → «Deep cleaning».
3. Click on “Scan” and wait for analysis.
4. Check the boxes "App Cache", "Unused Files" and "App Residues".
5. Click on “Clean” (reboot may be required).

This method removes up to 1-3 GB of garbage, but does not touch system logs and hidden folders. On POCO F4 after this cleaning, the Other decreased from 8.7 GB to 6.2 GB - the effect is there, but not enough.

Cache of user applications

Temporary download files

Remains of uninstalled programs

Miniature media files (thumb)

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Method 2: Manually cleansing through Files (hidden folders)

To get to deep system files, you need to manually scan hidden directories, which requires a conductor with access to root folders (for example, Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).

What folders to clean:

How to clean:

1. Open Mi File Manager and enable the display of hidden files (Settings → Show hidden files).
2. Go to /data (root or ADB permission may be required).
3. Remove the contents of the folders from the table above (except for the current update files).
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /data/app or /system without root rights will cause a download failure MIUI. Only work with the listed directories!

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Before manually cleaning, back up your important data via Settings → Google → Backup. This will protect your files if something goes wrong.

Method 3: Cleaning through ADB (without root)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) – a debugging tool that allows you to delete the system cache without superuser rights.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on Xiaomi (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to unlock the developer menu, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Cleanup commands:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster # Clearing the cache of the Security app


adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files




adb shell rm -rf /cache/* # Clearing the system cache




adb shell rm -rf /data/tombstones/* # Deletion of crash logs




adb shell rm -rf /data/log/* # Cleaning logs (except last_log)

Once you have completed the commands, restart the phone. On Xiaomi 12T, this method freed up 4.3GB in the Other section by removing old logs and the MIUI cache.

Method 4: Use third-party apps (with caution!)

Google Play has deep cleaning apps, but most of them are either useless or dangerous.We tested 3 tools that actually work on Xiaomi:

• 🛠️ SD Maid (requires root) - cleans application residues, duplicates and system debris. POCO X3 Pro removes 5.1GB from Other».
• 🧹 Files by Google – finds large, unnecessary files (including messenger cache) free and secure.
• 🔍 Storage Analyzer -- analyzes folder space, helps you find heavy directories manually.

How to use SD Maid (from root):

1. Install the application and provide root access.
2. Run the scan in the "CorpseFinder" section (search for remnants of remote applications).
3. In the SystemCleaner section, tick the boxes "Logs", "Cash" and "Residues".
4. Press "Run" and wait until it is completed.

⚠️ Note: Applications like Clean Master or CCleaner on Xiaomi often degrade performance because they conflict with optimizations. MIUI. Use only proven tools!

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If the Other takes up more than 10GB and other methods have failed, it's a radical reset, but it's guaranteed to clean up all unnecessary files, including hidden system debris.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Back up your data through Settings → Google → Backup or Mi Cloud.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” (not “Resetting, it’s a different process!).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Once reset, the Other will be reduced to 1-2 GB (the minimum system cache needed). On the Redmi 9A, this method freed up 12 GB of the 18 GB occupied by the Other.

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Factory reset is the only way to completely remove system logs and MIUI cache, but it erases all user data. Use it only if other methods have failed.

How can we prevent the “Other” from growing in the future?

To “Other” does not take up gigabytes of memory, follow these rules:

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly through “Security” (once every 1-2 weeks).
• 📱 Remove unused applications through Settings → Apps, not just from the home screen.
• 🗑️ Clean up downloads in Mi File Manager (folder) /Download It often contains unnecessary files).
• 🔧 Turn off automatic media saving in instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp).
• 📡 Update. MIUI Wi-Fi to avoid file residues in the /data/ota_package.

Xiaomi has introduced the Smart Storage feature with MIUI 14, which automatically deletes unused files older than 30 days. Include it in Settings → Storage → Smart Storage.

If you install/remove applications frequently, use SD Maid or App Cloner to create sandboxes to prevent residues from clogging the system.

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