How to Clean the Other section on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: The Complete Guide

The “Other” section of Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro memory is a real black hole for smartphone owners. It can take up from 5 to 20 GB for no apparent reason, and the system does not offer tools to clean it. Unlike the app cache or downloads, it accumulates system logs, temporary MIUI files, remnants of deleted applications and even duplicate media files that are not visible in the gallery. If your Redmi 8 Pro is slowing down and the free space is melting before your eyes, this section is the problem.

In this article, we will look at 5 proven ways to clean the Other, from standard MIUI tools to manually analyze the file system using ADB and third-party utilities. Importantly, not all methods are equally safe. For example, removing system logs through root can cause Google Services to malfunction, and cleaning the Dalvik cache will require a reboot. We noted the risks in each section - read carefully!

Before you start, check how much space the Other takes up on your device. Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory. If the volume is greater than 3-4 GB, it’s time to act. On the Redmi 8 Pro with 64 GB of memory, this is critical: the system starts to “glut” when it is already 85% full.

1. Standard MIUI Tools: What Can Be Cleaned Without Risk

To start with, safe methods that don't require root rights or a PC connection. MIUI 12/13/14 has built-in garbage cleanup utilities, but they often skip files from the Other section. Here's what you should do first:

• 🧹 Cleaning the app cache: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management, select any application (e.g. Google Play Services) and click Clear Cache. Repeat for the 5-10 heaviest apps from memory.
• 🗑️ Removal of unnecessary APK: In the same app management menu, look for the Unused tab, and there are often installer files (.apk) up to 500MB in size.
• 📁 Storage optimization: In Settings → Memory. → Click on Deep Clean. This feature scans temporary files and logs, but does not touch system data.

Pay special attention to the Security app (shield icon) and it has a Cleanup tab where you can delete:

• 📄 System logs (up to 1-2 GB)
• 🎵 Music cache (remainders from Mi Music or Spotify)
• 📷 Gallery miniatures (hidden cache by Google Photos)

⚠️ Note: Do not use the “Speed Up” feature in the Security app – it closes the background processes but does not clear the “Other” option. Also avoid the “Dumpster Cleanup” option from third-party utilities (such as CCleaner) as they can delete important files. MIUI.

If the Other section has shrunk by less than 1GB after these actions, move on to the next method: On Redmi 8 Pro with MIUI 12.5 firmware and later, standard tools are often useless due to system folder access restrictions.

2. Manually delete hidden files through file manager

Some of the debris in the Other section is stored in hidden folders that don't appear in the standard MIUI Explorer. To see them, you'll need a third-party root-access file manager (like Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).

Here is a list of folders that can be manually cleaned (pre-backup!):

To access these folders:

1. Open Solid Explorer and enable the display of hidden files in the settings.
2. Go to the root directory (/) and find the /data/ folder.
3. Remove the contents of the folders from the table above, except files with the.db extension (this is the system database).
4. Reboot the phone.

Backup important data | Charge your phone at least 50% | Disable two-factor authentication in banking applications |Remember Wi-Fi passwords (they will reset when you clear the cache)

-->

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /data/app-lib/ or /system/ If you're not sure, skip the folder. Also, don't touch files called lib* or boot*.

After manual cleaning, check the volume of the Other in the settings. If it decreased by 2-3 GB, then the problem was in the hidden logs. If not, go to the analysis through ADB.

3. Memory analysis via ADB: for advanced users

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool gives you a detailed report of what exactly ranks in the Other section, which requires you to connect your phone to your PC, but doesn't need root rights.

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro with enabled debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).

Connect your phone to your PC and execute the following commands in the command line (cmd or Terminal):

adb shell


df -h /data

This command will show total memory and space. Then type in:

du -sh /data/* | sort -rh | head -20

You'll get a list of the 20 largest folders in the /data/ section, sorted by size. Typical junk folders on Redmi 8 Pro:

• 📂 /data/log/ — log 1.5 GB)
• 📂 /data/tombstones/ — Memory dumps when applications crash (before) 800 MB)
• 📂 /data/misc/ — cache of system services (up to) 1 GB)

To clean them, use the command:

adb shell rm -rf /data/log/*


adb shell rm -rf /data/tombstones/*

💡

If rm gives a “Permission denied” error, add su (e.g. su rm -rf /data/log/*) before it, but root access is required.

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders /data/app/ or /data/user/ — This will result in the removal of all installed applications and reset settings. --no-preserve-root, They can wipe out the entire file system.

After cleaning, restart your phone with the command:

adb reboot

On Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro with MIUI 13+ firmware, the /data/misc/bluetooth/ folder often grows to 500MB due to a headphone sync bug. It can be safely cleaned - it will not affect the connection of devices.

4.Using third-party utilities: What works on MIUI

If manual methods didn't work, you can use specialized applications. However, most of the Google Play cleaners are useless or even harmful. We tested 3 utilities that actually clean the Other on the Redmi 8 Pro:

We recommend starting with Files by Google:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Start and select the “Cleanup” tab.
3. Click on “Free space” and confirm the removal of unnecessary files.
4. Go to the Files → Duplicates tab and delete the repetitive media files.

For deep cleaning with root access, SD Maid is suitable:

• 🔍 Run the scan in the "CorpseFinder" section (seeks for the remnants of remote applications).
• 🧹 In SystemCleaner, tick all items except Database Optimizer».
• 🗑️ Press “Run” and wait until the process is over.

After using the utilities, check the “Other” section in the settings. If the volume decreased by 1-2 GB, but the problem remains, the cause may be fragmentation of memory (relevant to the Redmi 8 Pro with an eMMC drive), in which case only a complete reset will help.

5.Extreme measure: reset to factory settings

If neither method worked and the Other partition took more than 5GB, the last option is hard reset, which is a radical solution, but it is guaranteed to clear all hidden files.

Save your contacts in Google Account | Download photos on PC or cloud | Record passwords from Wi-Fi and apps | Untie your Mi Account (if you sell a phone)

-->

Instructions for resetting on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase all data”.
3. Enter the password from the Mi Account (if linked).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• 📱 Do not restore data from backup MIUI — It may contain the same garbage.
• 🔄 Install applications gradually, checking the volume of the “Other” after each.
• 🚫 Avoid installation APK Unknown sources – they often leave behind residual files.

⚠️ Note: Redmi 8 Pro with firmware MIUI 12.0.3.0 and below after reset, you may experience an error in activating your Mi Account. If the phone asks for an old password and you do not remember it, use the recovery form or contact support.

Resetting will return the phone to its "clean" state, but it does not guarantee that the "Other" will not reappear, to prevent refilling:

• 📵 Turn off the automatic download of media files in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
• 🗃️ Clean the cache regularly in Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.
• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version MIUI — In new versions optimized work with memory.

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

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

• 📲 Limit background activity: In Settings → Battery → Select Balanced Mode or Economy Mode to Power Saving Mode, which will reduce the number of temporary files created by systems.
• 🚫 Do not use “Optimizers”: Applications like DU Speed Booster or 360 Security create a cache that goes into the Other».
• 🔄 Update the firmware: B MIUI 14 improved memory management system. Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📁 Store media files on a memory card: Move photos and videos to Settings → Memory. → Default storage → Memory map.

It is also useful to disable unnecessary system services:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → All applications.
2. Find Google Play Services, Mi Video, Mi Music and turn off Auto Start and Background Activity for them.
3. For Google Photos, turn off “Backup” in the app settings.

💡

Regularly cleaning the cache and eliminating the “optimizers” reduce the growth of the “Other” by 60-70%, the main thing is to prevent memory from filling by more than 80%.

If you are actively using instant messengers, configure them so that they do not clog up memory:

• On WhatsApp: Settings → Storage → Storage Management → delete unnecessary media files.
• In Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Clear the cache.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up the “Other” on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro