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

Xiaomi Redmi 8 and Redmi 8T are popular budget smartphones with 32/64 GB of memory, but over time owners face a mysterious “Other” section in the storage settings. It can take from 5 to 20+ GB, and the system does not show which files are included. In this article, we will understand what the “Other” on Xiaomi, why it grows and how to safely clean it without risk to the system.

The problem is relevant for all MIUI devices (including Redmi 8/8T), because the system automatically hides some files under this category, most commonly including app cache, temporary update files, dalvik-cache data, remnants of deleted programs and even duplicate media files. We tested 5 cleanup methods, from standard MIUI tools to manual methods using ADB.

Important: Back up important data before any memory manipulations, and some methods (such as cleaning dalvik-cache) can cause temporary system instability.

What is the “Other” section on Xiaomi and why it takes up so much space

In MIUI, the Other section is a container for files that the system cannot categorize as standard (Applications, Images, Videos, etc.) and includes:

• 🗑️ Application cache and systems are temporary files that are created to speed up programs, but often are not automatically deleted.
• 🔄 Remains of updates – firmware packages that have downloaded, but not installed (especially relevant after the OTA-updates).
• 📁 dalvik-cache data – optimized files for work ART/Dalvik, duplication.
• 👻 Hidden files and folders – for example,.thumbnails (image miniatures),.nomedia (hidden media) or folders from remote applications.
• 🔗 Symbolic links and logs are log files that accumulate over the years.

On the Redmi 8/8T, the problem is compounded by the fact that the devices were released with eMMC memory (rather than faster UFS), which over time “degrades” – the write speed drops and the system starts creating more temporary files to compensate, resulting in “Other” can take up up to 30% of total memory, even if you regularly clean the cache.

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse “Other” with “Other” /data/media/0 (internal memory of the user. In some firmware MIUI Some system files are mounted in hidden folders that are not displayed in the standard file manager.

Method 1: Cleaning cache and debris through standard MIUI settings

So, to start with, the safest method is the built-in MIUI tools, which don't require super-user rights and are suitable for beginners.

1. Open the Settings. → Memory (or Warehouse).
2. Slip to the "Other" section - the system will show an approximate composition of files.
3. Click on “Clear” (if the button is active) or “Memory Management”.
4. Select "Unnecessary Files" and confirm the deletion.

This method removes:

• 🧹 Application cache (including system cache).
• 📥 Downloaded files from browsers and messengers (if they were not opened).
• 🗃️ Empty folders and temporary files.

However, standard cleaning does not affect:

• 🔧 Data from dalvik-cache.
• 📦 Remains of updates MIUI.
• 🖼️ Hidden thumbnails and duplicate media files.

Method 2: Manually remove hidden folders through file manager

If the standard cleaning didn’t work, we’ll try to manually find and delete unnecessary files, and this will require a file manager with access to system folders (for example, Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer).

Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings, then check the following folders:

Instructions:

1. Open the file manager and go to the root directory (/).
2. Find the data folder (root access may be required).
3. Remove the contents of the folders from the table above (except for system files with extensions.odex,.oat).
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /data/dalvik-cache without root, applications may freeze the next time they run, and the system will restore them automatically, but the first program run after cleaning will be slower.

Delete the folder.thumbnails|Clean up /cache (recovery)|Remove the old ones APK from /data/local/tmp|Check the Download folder for duplicates-->

Method 3: Cleaning through Safe Mode

If the Other is taking up space because of viruses or broken apps, Safe Mode will help, and only system programs are loaded in it, which allows you to identify the problem.

How to Sign in to Safe Mode on Redmi 8/8T

1. Press the power button before the off menu appears.
2. Hold your finger on “Switch off” (or “Switch off power”).
3. Confirm the transition to safe mode (the inscription “Safe Mode” will appear at the bottom of the screen).

In safe mode:

• 🔍 Check the “Other” section in the storage settings – if it has decreased, the problem is in third-party apps.
• 📉 Remove recently installed programs (especially from unknown sources).
• 🛠️ Run the cache cleanup through Settings → Annexes → Application management.

After you exit Safe Mode, check if the space is back. If so, the problem was in the background of one of the apps.

💡

If the Other hasn’t decreased in Safe Mode, the reason is because of the system files. Try the ADB method (see below).

Method 4: Using ADB for deep cleaning (without root)

For advanced users, the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) method is suitable, which allows you to delete files that are not available through the standard interface without obtaining root rights.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Cleanup commands:

adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.media # Cleaning up media cache


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




adb shell rm -rf /cache/* # Cleaning system cache (except recovery)




adb shell pm trim-caches 500M # Limiting application cache to 500MB

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Redmi 8/8T to your PC and confirm debugging access.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter commands in turn (after each, wait for completion).
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Command rm -rf If you don't specify the right path, you can delete critical files. Always check the path twice before you run. -rf /data/* This will result in a complete reset of the device!

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of these methods worked, and the Other still takes gigabytes, it's a complete reset, and it's a radical method, but it's guaranteed to clean up all the hidden files.

How to reset Redmi 8/8T without losing data (partially):

1. Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Move important files (photos, videos) to your PC or cloud.
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
4. Select “Erase all data” and confirm.

After discharge:

• ✅ «The other will take up no more than 1-2 GB (standard size for the MIUI).
• ⚠️ Applications and their data will be deleted (but files on the SD-map).
• 🔄 The first day after the reset, the system can create cache again - do not be afraid if the memory quickly fills up to 5-10 GB.

Redmi 8/8T automatically backs up MIUI in /MIUI/backup, which can be manually removed if you don't plan to restore settings.

How to Prevent the Spread of the Other in the Future

To avoid the problem recurring, follow simple rules:

• 📵 Limit the background activity of applications in Settings → Battery → Select Battery Mode (select "charge savings»).
• 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Memory. → Clean (once every 1-2 weeks).
• 🚫 Do not install applications from unknown sources – they often create hidden files.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI — In new versions optimized work with cache.
• 📱 Use light firmware (for example, MIUI Lite or custom based on Android Go).

For Redmi 8/8T, it is especially important to turn off automatic memory optimization:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Memory protection.
2. Turn off the "Autoclean" option.
3. Manually set up cleaning on a schedule (for example, once a week).

💡

Redmi 8/8T with eMMC memory does not require more than 80% of the storage to be filled, resulting in a sharp drop in write speed and an increase in the number of temporary files.

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