How to Clean the Other section on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the mysterious situation of a device’s memory being full, even though photos and apps take up very little space. In system analysis of storage, this unknown mass of files is displayed under the name “Other” or “System Data.” The accumulation of garbage occurs unnoticed by the user, but critically slows down the MIUI operating system or the new HyperOS. Ignoring this problem can lead to the inability to install updates or even cyclical reboots of the gadget.

Understanding the nature of these files is the first step to a successful cleanup. Android, in conjunction with the Xiaomi shell, aggressively caches data to speed up work, but automatic cleanup mechanisms often fail. In this article, we will discuss safe methods for freeing up gigabytes of space that do not require root rights or flashing the device, you will learn which folders can be deleted manually and which ones can not be touched categorically.

There are several levels of access to hidden data, from regular cleaning tools to the use of debugging by ADB. We will consider each method, from simple actions in settings to advanced techniques for power users. It is important to act consistently so as not to damage system files. Modern smartphones have a complex file system structure, and rash actions can lead to the loss of important data.

The nature of the category “Other” in the storage

The Other category is not a single file, but a collection of disparate data that the system cannot classify as media files, apps or documents, primarily cached data from social networks and instant messengers, such as Telegram or Viber, which can store videos and images viewed in hidden folders that a standard analyzer perceives as system debris.

The second important source of partition growth is system logs and error reports. If Android crashes, the OS starts writing detailed progress reports, and over time, these text files can take up several gigabytes, and temporary update files that were not deleted after the new firmware version was successfully installed.

Special attention should be paid to streaming services and online cinemas. Apps like Netflix, YouTube or local video services cache the play buffer; temporary buffer files are often not deleted automatically after watching; the user may not even suspect that the movie he watched left a trace weighing 2-3 GB in the “Other” section.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to delete files from system folders through superuser file managers unless you are sure of their purpose).

Basic cleaning through the standard application "Safety"

The safest and most recommended way for all users is to use the built-in Security tool, which has the right to remove safe debris that does not affect personal data. To start, run the application and select Cleanup, the system will conduct an initial analysis and suggest removing obvious debris.

But standard cleaning is often superficial. You need to go to Deep Clean, where the algorithm scans not only temporary files, but also the remnants of deleted applications, large files and duplicates. In the deep cleaning menu, you can often find hidden tabs, such as Application Files or Messenger Cache, which make up the lion's share of the Other section.

After scanning, carefully examine the files proposed for removal. The system can flag some APK installation packages or old backups as trash. Make sure that there are no important documents among them. Press the clean button and wait for the process to be completed. Rebooting the device after this procedure will help the system correctly recalculate the occupied space.

Manual control of the cache of leading applications

If automatic cleaning didn't work, you'll need to manually check the space-consumption-leading apps, most commonly social media and instant messengers. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Sort the list by memory size. You'll be surprised to find that the messenger is 10-15 GB, even though it only weighs a few hundred megabytes.

Go to the properties of a heavy application and find Memory or Warehouse, and there will be a "Clear Cache" button, and it is important not to confuse it with the "Clear Everything" or "Erase Data" button. The first operation is safe and only deletes temporary files (pictures, avatars, video previews), the second one will reset the application to the factory state, removing correspondence and logins.

For some applications, such as Telegram or WhatsApp, the built-in cleaning through Android settings may not be complete. It is better to use the internal settings of the application itself. For example, in Telegram, the Settings path → Data and memory → Using memory allows you to flexibly configure the autodeletion of the cache and clean it manually with high accuracy.

Using Developer Mode and ADB for Advanced

For users who aren’t afraid of technical terms, there is a method of cleaning through debugging by ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to remove the system cache that is not available through the interface. First, you need to activate the developer mode: go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the build number MIUI or HyperOS 7 times.

When activated, the "Additional" menu will have a "Developer" option, turn on "Debugging USB" there, connect your phone to your computer, install ADB drivers and utilities. With the adb shell pm trim-caches 999999999999, you can force the system to remove all the cache, a powerful tool that really frees up space in the "Other" category.

Also, ADB can safely remove system applications (bloatware), which often generate background debris. the command adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packet will hide the application for the current user, freeing up resources. However, extreme caution is needed here: removing system components can disrupt the operation of the phone.

adb shell pm trim-caches 9999999999

⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB Entering the wrong packet or command name can cause the system to run in an unstable way.

File system analysis and hidden folders

Sometimes, the Other grows out of forgotten files in the root directories. Using a file manager with access to system folders (like Total Commander or MiXplorer), you can find the Android/data folder. This stores game and application data. Deleting folders of already deleted games will safely free up space.

And notice the DCIM/.thumbnails folder, which stores thumbnails of your photos and videos. If you edit a lot of photos or take a lot of pictures, this folder can grow to gigabytes. It can be cleaned, but the system will recreate it the next time you start the gallery. It's normal behavior, but regular cleaning is useful.

Also check the Download download folder and the root of internal memory, PDF-documents from messengers and other files that the user forgot to delete. The system analyzer may not classify them correctly, enrolling them in "Other».

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Tip: Install DiskUsage or Storage Analyzer, which visualizes the memory as a map, where you can immediately see which folder or file occupies the most space in the Other section.

Comparison of methods of cleaning the storage

The choice of method depends on your technical background and the scope of the problem. Below is a table comparing the effectiveness and risks of different ways to vacate space on Xiaomi.

As you can see from the table, for most users, the optimal solution is a combination of regular cleaning and manual cache management of heavy applications. ADB-The only reason for this is in the case of running cases where other methods fail, and resetting to factory settings is an extreme measure to be taken if the system is not stable.

Regular maintenance of your smartphone will prevent critical memory filling. Try to check the storage once a month and delete unnecessary files. The biggest gain in free space comes from setting up automatic cache cleaning in the messengers themselves, not in the system, which prevents the accumulation of dead cargo in the background.