How to Clean Up the “Other” on Xiaomi Poco X3: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi Poco X3 is one of the most popular smartphones among users who value performance and functionality at an affordable price. However, over time, many people face a problem: the “Other” partition in storage takes up gigabytes of memory, although there are no explicit files there. It’s not just an inconvenience – clogged memory slows down the system, worsens multitasking and can even lead to sudden reboots.

Unlike the obvious categories (Photos, Videos, Apps), the Other section hides app cache, temporary system files, deleted program remnants, error logs, and even fragmented data. On the Poco X3 with its 64/128GB of storage, this problem is especially relevant: users often do not understand where free gigabytes go. In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways to clean the Other, including hidden MIUI settings, commands for power users and prevention recommendations.

Important: The methods are suitable for all Poco X3 modifications (including the Poco X3 NFC and Poco X3 Pro), but some steps may vary depending on the version of MIUI (12-14).If your smartphone runs Android 10/11/12, all instructions will remain current.

1.What is the “Other” in Xiaomi’s storage and why is it growing

The Other section of MIUI is the garbage bin of the operating system.

• 📁 Application cache – temporary files that programs create to speed up work (for example, thumbnails of images in a gallery or map data in Google Maps).
• 🔄 Remnants of Remote Applications – Not all files are erased when uninstallation occurs (especially if deleted through Settings). → Apps, not through the Play Market).
• 📜 System logs -- errors, reboots, sensors -- accumulate for years if you don't clean them.
• 🔗 Symbolic links are virtual shortcuts to files that the system creates for compatibility.
• 🗑️ Fragmented data – scraps of files that have not been deleted correctly (for example, after an interrupted download).

On the Poco X3, two factors exacerbate the problem:

1. UFS 2.1 memory architecture is fast, but prone to fragmentation when used intensively.
2. MIUI optimization: The system actively caches data to accelerate, but does not always clean it correctly.

🔍 How do you check the volume of "Other"? Go to Settings → The phone. → If the partition is more than 2-3 GB, it's time to act.

2. Method 1: Clearing the cache of all applications (without root)

The safest and fastest method is to reset the cache for all installed programs, which will not delete personal data (photos, messages, accounts), but will free up 500 MB-2 GB of memory.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Stick to three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select "Sort by size».
3. Open applications that are over 100 MB in turn and click “Clear Cache”.
4. To speed up the process, use a filter: enter “cache” in the search bar – the system will show only programs with a large amount of temporary files.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache for Google Play Services, MIUI System and Android System WebView – This could cause Google services to crash.

💡 Tip: After cleaning, restart the phone - this will allow the system to recalculate the occupied space and avoid "phantom" files.

Method 2: Removing Remnants of Remote Applications

When you delete a program through Settings or Play Market, some of its files remain in the system.

• 📂 Folders in /Android/data/ and /Android/obb/ (game caches, saves).
• 🔧 Settings and databases in /data/data/ (root-only).
• 📄 Configuration files in /sdcard/ (For example,.nomedia to hide folders).

How to manually remove:

1. Connect Poco X3 to your PC via USB (File Transfer Mode).
2. Open the internal memory folder → Android → data.
3. Delete folders with names of remote applications (for example, com.whatsapp for WhatsApp).
4. Check the Android → obb folder – there are often heavy game files (.obb) left over.

⚠️ Warning: Do not delete folders of active applications (for example, com.android.vending for Play Market) - this will lead to their collapse (URL The appendix contains ID).

Method 3: Cleaning system logs and dumps (for experienced)

System logs (.log,.dump) take up to 1-3 GB, but are hidden from the user.

Method A: Through ADB (without root)

Connect Poco X3 to your PC, turn on “Debugging over USB”** (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap on the build number, then Settings → Additional → For Developers) and execute the commands:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/log/*




rm -rf /data/tombstones/*




rm -rf /data/anr/*




exit




exit

Method B: Through TWRP (unlocked bootloader required)

If you have a custom recovery set up:

1. Download to TWRP (Switch Off → Power + Vol+).
2. Select "Advanced» → «File Manager».
3. Go to /data/log/ and delete all files.
4. Repeat for /data/tombstones/ and /data/anr/ folders.

Critical information: Deleting logs via ADB or TWRP can lead to temporary system instability (e.g. errors in Google Play Services). After cleaning, be sure to restart the phone and check the key features (calls, internet, camera).

💡

If after cleaning the logs, the phone began to slow down, follow the command adb shell cmd package bg-dexopt-job - this optimizes the background processes.

5. Method 4: Reset the storage settings (without data loss)

The MIUI Storage Reset function recalculates the occupied space and removes the "broken" links to files, not formatting, but software re-indexing of memory.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Stick to three points (⋮) and select "Store Reset».
3. Confirm the action. It'll take 5-10 minutes.

⚠️ Attention: After discharge:

• 🔄 Some applications may request permissions again (e.g. access to contacts).
• 📱 The miniatures will be temporarily lost in the gallery (they will recover in 10-15 minutes).
• 🔋 The battery level may be displayed incorrectly (a full discharge/charging cycle is required).

💡

Resetting storage is the only official way to clean up the Other recommended by Xiaomi.It doesn't delete personal files, but requires a reboot.

6. Method 5: Manual cleaning through Files by Google

Files by Google (formerly Files Go) can find and remove hidden debris that is not visible in the standard MIUI file manager.

Instructions:

1. Install Files by Google from the Play Market.
2. Open the app and go to the “Cleanup” tab.
3. Select the categories “Temporary Files” and “Large Files”.
4. Click "Delete" and confirm the action.

🔍 What Files by Google is Looking for:

• 🗃️ Duplicate files (photos, documents).
• 📅 Old screenshots and memes (over 30 days).
• 🔗 Broken downloads (unproven files).
• 📦 Cash messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp).

⚠️ Note: The application may suggest removing files from the folder Android/data/ Before cleaning, check if you are removing game saves or app settings (such as offline maps in Google Maps).

7.Prevention: How to Prevent the Growth of the Other

To prevent the “Other” section from growing again, follow the rules:

1. Uninstall apps through the Play Market – this ensures that most of the residual files are deleted.
2. Turn off automatic download of media in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram): Settings → Storage → Autoboot.
3. Update MIUI regularly – new versions optimized memory.

📌 Useful Lifehack: If you install/delete games frequently, create a separate Games folder on your memory card and transfer.obb files to your memory card via FolderMount (root required.

FAQ: Frequent questions on cleaning up the "Other" on Poco X3