Owners of Xiaomi Poco F3 often face the unpleasant situation when the device’s memory is overflowing with a mysterious section called “Other” (This block can take up tens of gigabytes, significantly slowing down the MIUI or HyperOS operating system. Standard cleaning methods in smartphone settings often prove powerless against system accumulations that are not deleted in the usual way.
There are several effective ways to securely remove these files, and we'll look at both the standard tools of the system and deeper ways to clean up through the computer and special applications. It's important to understand the structure of the Android file system so that you don't delete the critical data that's needed to run the applications.
Before you start taking any radical steps, you should try the basic settings, which allow you to free up some space without using third-party software, but if the Other has grown to a giant size, you will need a comprehensive approach to completely clean the cache and temporary files.
Analysis of the contents of the “Other” section
The Other section is not a single file type, but a collection of data, including social media cache, remnants of deleted applications, error logs and temporary update files. Poco F3 doesn’t always correctly display the real contents of that folder in the standard memory management menu.
The bulk of the garbage is usually created by messengers like Telegram and WhatsApp, which store media files in their internal storage, and a significant amount of data is occupied by streaming services and navigators that save maps for offline access. Without detailed analysis, it is impossible to understand what exactly occupies space.
To pinpoint the culprits of memory overflow, it is best to use specialized tools that visualize the folder structure and show the real size of each file, which helps avoid removing system components and focus on user debris.
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Use the built-in storage analyzer in the Settings → Memory menu to get an initial estimate of the occupied space before deep cleaning.
⚠️ Note: Before removing any files from system folders, make sure they are not important documents or work projects, as recovering data after manual cleaning may not be possible.
- 📁 Cache of applications and browsers
- 📹 Uploaded videos from social networks
- 🗺️ Offline maps of navigators
- 📝 Logs of system errors
Cleaning through built-in MIUI and HyperOS
The first step in the battle for space is to use the regular Cleanup tool, which is built into the Security app on all Xiaomi smartphones, a method that is safe but often not effective enough against deep-seated debris in the Other section.
You have to run the scan and wait for the results, and the system will suggest that you delete the temporary files and the cache, but be careful: cleaning the cache can cause the applications to load a little longer on the first run after the procedure.
You also need to check the settings of specific applications, and you can find the most "heavy" programs in the application management menu and manually clear their data, which will reset the application to the state immediately after installation, removing all logins and settings.
☑️ Basic cleaning of the system
Special attention should be paid to the MIUI/Gallery/cloud folder, where deleted photos can be stored. Sometimes the system does not immediately clear the space after cleaning the basket. Full freeing up of space occurs only after the final confirmation of removal from the cloud buffer.
Use of the Files app by Google
One of the most effective ways to clear memory on Poco F3 is to use Google’s official app, which runs deeper than Xiaomi’s standard cleaner, and can find duplicate files, old screenshots, and unused apps.
Once installed, the app will do a deep analysis, which will prompt you to delete junk files that are safe to delete, and Google's algorithms are great at identifying residual files after you delete games and programs.
An important feature is to find duplicates. Often users forget to delete repetitive photos or videos that occupy space in the "Other" section. The app allows you to quickly highlight them and delete them with a single click.
And remember, the Download tab, which is where you accumulate a lot of APK installation files that you don't need after you install them, and removing them is the fastest way to get a few gigabytes of free space.
Deep cleaning through a computer (ADB and Conductor)
For advanced users who want to clean the Other section thoroughly, a computer connection is fine. By connecting Poco F3 over USB in file transfer mode, you can see the real directory structure. In MTP mode, not all system folders are displayed, but basic user data is available.
A more powerful method is ADB debugging. This requires you to turn on the developer mode and install drivers on your PC. You can delete files that are hidden from the average user through the command line.
The most dangerous, but effective, method is to obtain Root rights, and with superuser rights, you can delete any file, but this is insecure and can lead to the "bricking" of the device if you act carelessly.
| Cleaning method | Efficiency | Risk of data loss | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in cleaning | Low. | Minimum | Easy. |
| Files by Google | Medium | Low. | Easy. |
| Connection to PC | Tall. | Medium. | Middle-Average |
| Root rights | Maximum | High-pitched | Hardly. |
How to enable debugging on USB?
When working with a file system through a PC, it is critical not to delete folders with the names Android, data and obb completely. You can clean their contents, but deleting the directories themselves will disrupt the installed applications.
Clearing Telegram and WhatsApp cache
Messengers are the main memory eaters. Telegram cache can grow to incredible sizes if you do not configure autodeletion, and this cache often falls into the “Other” section, because the system considers it part of the application data.
To clean up Telegram, go to Settings → Data & Memory → Memory Use, where you can clear the cache with a single click, and it is recommended to limit the cache size by setting a limit of, for example, 2 GB.
On WhatsApp, the situation is similar, but files are often stored in the visible Media folder.However, the messaging database and thumbnails can take up space in hidden sections. Regularly cleaning chats from heavy videos will make life much easier for your Poco F3.
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Set up autodelete media in messengers is the most effective way to prevent overflowing of the Other section in the future.
Remember to check the Documents folder inside messengers, often automatically saving files that you just looked at, but they were left lying dead, occupying precious gigabytes.
Radical measures: Resetting to factory settings
If nothing helps and the Other section continues to grow, the final argument is a complete reset, which will put the smartphone back out of the box by removing all the data, including system debris and file system errors.
Before the procedure, make sure to back up your sensitive data. Use Google Drive or the Mi Cloud to save contacts, photos and notes. Without a backup, you risk losing all personal information irretrievably.
Reset is performed through the menu "Extended settings» → «Recovery and Reset. The process will take a few minutes, after which the phone will restart clean. This is guaranteed to solve the problem with the bloated "Other" section».
⚠️ Warning: After the reset, the system will re-index files and update applications, which can temporarily increase battery consumption and housing heating in the first hours of use.
Keep in mind that once you recover from a backup, some of the debris can come back with your application settings, so it’s recommended that you reconfigure important programs rather than restore them with a full backup.
Prevention of memory overflow
To keep the problem from returning, you need to develop a habit of regular digital space hygiene: do not allow the memory to be filled to the end, always leave at least 10-15% free space for the operating system to work correctly.
Use cloud storage for photos and videos. Services like Google Photos allow you to free up space on your device by storing originals in the cloud, especially for Poco F3 owners with a 128GB version of memory.
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Install the Cleanup widget on your desktop for quick access to the garbage removal feature once a week, without waiting for notifications of a space shortage.
Check your installed apps regularly, and removing programs you haven't used in more than a month is a great habit, and many of them continue to collect data and take up space even if you're not using them.