Xiaomi 8T and Redmi: what is it and how to completely clean

Have you ever gone into your Xiaomi 8T or Redmi storage settings and seen the lion’s share of storage taken up by the mysterious “Other” section? This gray segment can eat up 5 to 20 GB — and it can’t be deleted by standard methods. Unlike photos, videos or apps, there’s no explicit list of files that can be erased manually.

In fact, the Other is a collection of system caches, logs, temporary MIUI files, remnants of remote applications, and even hidden messenger data. Xiaomi does not provide built-in tools for its complete cleanup, but there are workarounds from secure (through hidden menus) to radical (reset to factory settings).

It's important to understand that not everything in the Other section can be deleted without consequences, for example, /data/dalvik-cache files are used to speed up applications, and /data/system cache stores system settings, but there is real garbage, such as remnants of MIUI updates, which are downloaded in the background and never deleted automatically.

What exactly is hidden in the “Other” section on Xiaomi

The Other section of MIUI is a basket for files that the system cannot classify as media, documents or applications.

• 📁 Application cache and systems: temporary files that should have been deleted automatically but were left behind due to crashes.
• 🔄 Update remnants: firmware packages (.zip) that have downloaded but not installed.
• 🗑️ Logs and dumps: error report files (/data/anr, /data/tombstones).
• 👻 Remote applications: not completely erased program data (for example, Facebook or Telegram cache).
• 🔒 Hidden files MIUI: Configuration of themes, widgets and system services.

On Xiaomi 8T (model M1808E10A) and Redmi with MIUI 12-14, the structure of the “Other” partition is almost identical, but the amount of garbage may differ. For example, after a major update (say, from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14), there are often update.zip weighing 1-2 GB.

To see the detailed structure of the section, you will need root rights or ADB-But even without them, you can clean up to 60 to 70 percent of the garbage using standard methods.

Method 1: Cleaning through the built-in “Storage” menu

The safest method is to use the standard MIUI tool, which will not delete everything, but will help get rid of some cache and unnecessary files.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Slip on the "Other" section (may be called "Other" in older versions of MIUI).
3. Click on “Clean” or “File Management”.
4. Select Categories to Remove: 🧹 App cache (safe). 📄 Downloads (check if there are any important files). 🔍 Logs and dumps (can be removed).

Usually, this method is released 1-3 GB. If the volume of the "Other" has not decreased, proceed to the following methods.

💡

After cleaning the cache, restart the phone - this will help the system recalculate the occupied space and show current data.

Method 2: Manually clean through file manager (no root)

MIUI hides many system folders, but some of the debris can be found manually, with a standard Files or a third-party manager (such as Solid Explorer) suitable.

What folders can be cleaned:

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files in folders /data or /system without root rights, this will cause malfunctions in the phone.

For cleaning:

1. Open the Files» → «Internal storage».
2. Enable the display of hidden files (in the manager settings).
3. Remove the contents of the folders from the table above (except important data).

Backup of important files

Check the free space before and after

Do not touch folders called "system" or "data"

Restart the phone after cleaning-->

Method 3: Using ADB for deep cleaning

If the first two methods didn’t work, try ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a debugging tool that allows you to remove system debris without root.

What you need:

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

Cleanup commands:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster # Cleaning up a standard cleaner


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




adb shell rm -rf /cache/* # Cache cleanup (requires reboot)

⚠️ Attention: Command rm -rf If you don't specify the right path, you can erase critical data. -rf / — It'll wipe out the system!

After completing the commands, restart the phone.This method can free up 3-5 GB if debris has accumulated due to update failures.

Method 4: Resetting cache via Recovery Mode

If the Other takes up more than 10GB and previous methods didn’t work, try cleaning through Restore Mode.This won’t delete your data, but it will reset the system cache.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. Choose your language (if required).
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
6. Reboot your phone (Reboot → System)

This method is especially effective after MIUI updates, when old versions of system files remain in the cache.

💡

Cache reset via Recovery does not delete personal data, but it can reset some settings (e.g., application background processes).

Method 5: Complete reset to factory settings (last resort)

If the Other takes 15+GB and no methods are working, then all that remains is hard reset, which is a radical way to get the phone back out of the box.

⚠️ Warning: Full reset will remove:

• 📱 All installed applications and their data.
• 📷 Photos, videos and documents (unless backup is made).
• ⚙️ System settings, accounts and Wi-Fi passwords.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup or Mi Cloud.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset → Resetting.
3. Select “Erase Everything” and confirm.

Once reset, the Other will decrease to 1-2 GB (which is normal for system files), but remember: this method is only worth using if other options are exhausted.

How to prevent the re-accumulation of garbage

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

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning (once every 1-2 weeks).
• 🚫 Turn off automatic update downloads in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙️) → Downloading.
• 📱 Remove unused applications through Settings → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔒 Use lighter versions of software (e.g. Facebook Lite instead of the main client).

It is also useful to turn off background activity for unnecessary applications:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Select an app (like TikTok or Instagram).
3. Activate “Limit background activity.”

These measures will reduce the storage load and reduce the amount of temporary files.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's "Other" section