Xiaomi Redmi 8's 'Other' Takes Gigabytes of Memory? learns to clean properly

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but even its 64 GB of memory can suddenly be clogged with the mysterious category “Other”. Users often face a situation when free space is melting before their eyes, and memory analysis shows that some “invisible” files are to blame. In this article, we will understand what is hidden under the “Other” item in the Redmi 8 storage, why the system does not show them explicitly and how to safely free up space without risking damage to the OS.

Spoiler: Not all files in the Other section can be deleted without consequences. It's a collection of system application cache, temporary data, log files, remnants of deleted programs, even hidden updates. We tested 5 working methods, from manual cleaning to the use of specialized utilities, and collected them in a step-by-step guide with warnings about possible risks. If you have already tried standard cleaning through Settings → Storage and it didn't work, the following methods will work.

What is the “Other” in Xiaomi Redmi 8 memory and why it takes up so much space

The Other category in MIUI memory analysis is a collection of files that the system cannot assign to specific applications, media or documents.

• 🗑️ System App Cache – Temporary Data from Google Play Services, MIUI System and other services that are not automatically cleaned.
• 📄 Log files and dumps – records of errors, failures and system operation (for example, /data/anr/ or /data/tombstones/).
• 🔄 Remnants of remote applications – folders and files that remain after uninstallation of programs (often in the /data/data/).
• 📦 Hidden Updates – downloaded but not installed OS packages or Xiaomi branded apps.
• 🔒 Encrypted data – files that cannot be accessed without root rights (for example, data from some messengers).

On Redmi 8 with MIUI 11/12, the problem is compounded by the fact that the system defaults to reserve up to 5-7 GB for service needs, but does not always properly release them. For example, after a major OS update, old files can remain in memory, taking up space “on reserve”.

Warning: Don’t try to remove everything from the Other section through the file manager. Some folders (e.g. /data/dalvik-cache/) are critical to Android, and deleting them will result in a cyclical reboot of the smartphone.

Method 1: Cleaning the cache of system applications through settings

The safest method is to remove the cache of embedded services that most often inflate the Other section. On Redmi 8, this is:

1. Google Play Services (can take up to 2GB)
2. MIUI System (Cache of updates and logs).
3. Download Manager (download residues).
4. Media Storage (miniatures and metadata of media files)

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all processes.
3. Find it in the list of Google Play Services, click on it → Storage → Clear cache.
4. Repeat step 3 for the rest of the apps in the list above.

Important: Don't click Clear data for system applications, it will reset their settings and can disrupt the smartphone.

⚠️ Note: After cleaning the cache, Google Play Services may temporarily stop working Google services (such as contact sync or geolocation.

Method 2: Manually delete temporary files via file manager

If the system cleanup didn’t work, you can manually delete some of the files you don’t need, such as a standard Xiaomi Files or a third-party manager (such as Solid Explorer).

Folders that can be cleaned without root rights:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Download/ — Remove old downloads.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails/ — photo and video miniatures.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ — Remnants of remote applications (folders with uninstalled program names).
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/ — Log files and dumps (for example, a folder) debug_log).

Folders that are not recommended to touch (risk of failure):

• 🚫 /data/ — System data (root rights required).
• 🚫 /system/ — firmware.
• 🚫 /cache/ — Recovery cache (removed only through recovery).

Example: If you delete the Facebook app, but the folder /Android/data/ is left folder com.facebook.katana, it can be safely deleted – these are residual files.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete folders of current applications (for example, com.whatsapp, if WhatsApp is installed.

Method 3: Using Deep Cleaning Applications

If manual methods don't work, use specialized utilities that can find and delete files that the system hides from the user.

Recommendation: SD Maid is the most powerful solution.

1. Run the storage analysis.
2. Go to CorpseFinder (search for residues of applications).
3. Select unnecessary files and click Delete.
4. Then check the SystemCleaner section to clean the logs.

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Before using SD Maid, enable the “Show system files” option in the application settings – this will allow you to find more garbage.

Method 4: Recovery Mode cache reset (for power users)

If the Other takes more than 3-4 GB and is not cleaned by standard methods, cache resetting through recovery mode will help, which does not delete user data, but requires accuracy.

Instructions:

1. Turn off Redmi 8.
2. Press the Power Button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10 seconds until the MI logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (volume buttons) and confirm the choice with the power button.
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
6. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

This method clears /cache, the partition where the system resets temporary update files and logs, and after the reboot, MIUI will restore the necessary data automatically.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option will completely reset the phone to factory settings, deleting all your files.

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Resetting the cache via Recovery is the only way to clear the /cache partition without root rights.

Method 5: Complete resetting of settings (last resort)

If none of the methods worked, the "Other" still takes 5.+ GB, the last option is hard reset, which is a radical solution that will bring the phone back to factory status, but delete all the data:

• 🔄 The smartphone slows down and freezes.
• 📉 There is less than 10 free memory left%.
• 🔧 You have tried all the previous methods.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select Reset all settings and confirm the action.
4. After restarting, set your phone as new.

After reset, the Other will decrease to 500 MB-1 GB, which is the normal amount for MIUI service files. To avoid refilling memory, keep an eye on the application cache and regularly clean the storage (every 1-2 months).

How to prevent the memory from being refilled by others

To prevent the problem from returning, follow simple rules:

• 🔄 Clean the cache once a month (via Settings) → Warehouse → Cache data).
• 📱 Remove unused applications – even uninstalled programs can leave files.
• 📁 Transfer media files to a memory card or to the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
• 🔒 Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play (or limit it to Wi-Fi only).
• 📊 Use apps (e.g. Facebook Lite instead of the main client).

You should also disable unnecessary system services:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find MIUI Daemon and turn off auto-start.
3. For Google Play Services, limit background activity.

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Install Greenify – an application that “freezes” background processes, saving memory and battery power.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up 'Other' on Redmi 8