Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro: what it is and how to clean up memory without risk

Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro is one of the brand’s most popular smartphones, but even its owners are facing memory problems. When checking the storage settings, you often see that the mysterious “Other” section occupies the lion’s share. What are these files? Why do they appear? And most importantly, how to safely delete them without disrupting the system?

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to clean the Other partition on the Redmi Note 6 Pro, including hidden system caches, app residues, and update debris. You’ll also learn which files can be deleted without risk and which shouldn’t be touched – even if they take up gigabytes of memory. All instructions are adapted to MIUI 9-14 and do not require root rights.

We warn you that not all methods are equally effective, for example, standard cleaning through the settings of the smartphone removes only the tip of the iceberg, while deep cleaning with the help of deep cleaning. ADB It can free up to 10-15 GB of third-party utilities on loaded devices, but it is important not to overdo it here - improper actions can lead to malfunctions. MIUI.

What is the “Other” in memory Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro?

The “Other” section of the Redmi Note 6 Pro storage menu is a container for files that the system cannot categorize as standard (photos, videos, apps, etc.).

🗑️ Application cache and systems – temporary files that have not been deleted after use (e.g. thumbnails of images, web page data).
📦 Remnants of remote applications – folders and settings of programs that you have long uninstalled, but their “tails” are left in memory.
🔄 Update files MIUI — firmware packages that have downloaded but have not been installed (especially relevant for manual updates).
📄 Logs and dumps: error reports that Android creates for diagnostics (can weigh hundreds of megabytes).
🔒 Hidden application files – for example, data from messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) or games that are stored outside of standard folders.

On the Redmi Note 6 Pro with 64 GB of storage, the “Other” section can grow to 5-20 GB, especially if:

📱 You often install/remove applications.
🔄 Update regularly MIUI «airborne».
🎮 You play hard games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact).
📸 Use the camera in mode. RAW or you're filming a video in 4K.

The biggest problem is that the system doesn't show the detailed composition of this partition, you only see the total volume, but you don't know what it is, and that makes it difficult to clean it up because you have to go blind.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to delete files from the Other section through Explorer unless you are sure of their purpose. /data/dalvik-cache contains optimized application data – its removal will lead to a slowdown of the smartphone.

📊 How often do you clear your memory on Xiaomi?

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the place ends.

Never.

Method 1: Standard cleaning through MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use built-in MIUI tools, which are suitable for beginners and require no additional knowledge, but will free up no more than 1-3 GB of memory.

Instructions:

Open the Settings → Memory.
Click on the "Other" section.
Select “Clear” (if the button is active).
Confirm the action.

If the Clear button is inactive or gray, MIUI has not found files that can be safely deleted, in which case move on to the next method.

You can also use this menu:

🧹 Remove the application cache (section "Cash»).
🗑️ Clear the Recycle Bin (if the function of backing up deleted files is enabled).
📁 Check large files (the Files tab»).

⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI (for example, MIUI 12.5) The "Other" section may be displayed as "System Data" and the cleaning function does not change.

Make a backup copy of important data|Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)|Connect to a stable Wi-Fi|Close all background applications-->

Method 2: Cleaning with Safe Mode

If standard cleaning didn't help, try running your smartphone in Safe Mode.In this mode, all third-party apps are turned off, and you can remove their residues, which are usually blocked.

How to Sign In to Safe Mode on Redmi Note 6 Pro:

Press the power button until the shutdown menu appears.
Press and hold the “Switch off” option (a suggestion to switch to safe mode will appear).
Confirm the transition.

In Safe Mode:

🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
🗑️ Find programs you haven’t used in a long time and remove them (including cache).
📂 Check the Download folders, DCIM/.thumbnails, Android/obb conductor.

Once cleaned, restart your smartphone as normal, and if the Other section has shrunk, it means the problem was with the remnants of the apps.

What to do if Safe Mode is not enabled?

If the smartphone does not go into safe mode through the power menu, try an alternative method: 1. Turn off the device. 2. Press the power button and hold it until the Redmi logo appears. 3. Once the logo appears, release the power button and immediately press the volume down. 4. Keep the volume down until Safe Mode loads (the corresponding inscription will be at the bottom of the screen).

Method 3: Delete cache and data via ADB (for advanced)

If the first two methods didn't work, it's time for deep cleaning with ADB (Android Debug Bridge) - a technique that requires connecting a smartphone to a computer, but allows you to delete files that are normally hidden from the user.

Warning: Incorrect ADB commands can disrupt MIUI. Use this method only if you are confident in your actions.

Steps:

Download and install Platform Tools (includes ADB).
Enable USB debugging on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to unlock Developer Mode) Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging on USB (enable)
Connect the Redmi Note 6 Pro to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with ADB and type: adb shell pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster # Clean standard cleaner MIUI pm clear com.android.providers.downloads # Clean up downloads rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files

More aggressive cleaning (only if the Other section is >10 GB):

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/* # Cleaning Dalvik cache (may slow down the first application launch)




rm -rf /cache/* # Cleaning the system cache

⚠️ Attention: Command rm -rf If you don't specify the right path, you can delete critical system files. Never run them in the root directory (/)!

💡

Before using ADB, backup your application via adb backup -apk -shared -all -f backup.ab. This will save all applications and their data in case of a crash.

Method 4: Use of third-party utilities (Files by Google, SD Maid)

If you don't want to mess with ADB, you can use specialized applications that scan memory deeper than standard MIUI tools, and find the "junk" that the system doesn't see.

The best tools for Redmi Note 6 Pro:

Annex	What cleanses	Needs root?	Reference
Files by Google	Duplicate, large files, cache, application residues	❌ No.	Google Play
SD Maid	System garbage, empty folders, Dalvik cache	⚠️ Partially.	Google Play
CCleaner	Cash, history, temporary files.	❌ No.	Google Play
Storage Analyzer	Analysis of occupied space by folders	❌ No.	Google Play

Recommendations for use:

🔍 Files by Google is the best choice for beginners.It offers one-click "junk" cleanup and shows you which files can be safely deleted.
🧹 SD Maid is more powerful, but requires caution. In the settings, disable cleaning of system folders if there are no root rights.
📊 Storage Analyzer – will help you understand which folders occupy space in the “Other” section».

Example of cleaning through Files by Google:

Open the app and go to the “Cleanup” tab.
Click "Free space" and wait for analysis.
Select categories to clean (for example, “Temporary Files” or “Dublicates”).
Confirm removal.

Method 5: Manual cleaning through a conductor (for experienced)

If you're willing to dig into the Redmi Note 6 Pro file system, you can manually find and delete unnecessary files, a method that's risky, but sometimes frees up 5 to 10 GB.

What folders can be cleaned:

📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data — cache and application data. You can delete folders of programs that you deleted, but their data is left.
🗑️ /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb — Game and heavy application files (e.g, PUBG, Asphalt 9). Only remove if you are not playing these games.
📸 /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails — Image miniatures (can be removed without consequences).
📥 /storage/emulated/0/Download — downloads from browsers and messengers.
🔄 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/backup — backup MIUI, if you don't use them.

How to access hidden folders:

Use a root-enabled conductor (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
Enable the display of hidden files in the Explorer settings.
Only delete files that you are sure of.

⚠️ Attention: Don't touch the folders: /data, /system, /vendor, /boot — Their change will lead to a blink (inoperability) of the smartphone.

How to recover deleted files?

If you accidentally deleted important data, try recovery software: - DiskDigger (for photos and documents) - Recuva (requires a connection to a PC) - Undeleter (works without root, but less efficient) The chances of recovery depend on how long it has been after the deletion and whether the memory was used after that.

How to prevent re-clogging of memory?

Cleaning up The Other is a good thing, but it's even better to keep it out of the way. Here are some tips for owners of the Redmi Note 6 Pro:

📵 Limit the app cache: Settings → Annexes → Select the application → Memory. → Limit the cache
🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI (if not necessary: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto-update (disable)
📸 Set up the camera: - Shoot in Full HD instead 4K, If you don't need super quality. - Turn off the save. RAW-Photo (Camera settings) → Format → JPEG).
🎮 Transfer games to a memory card (if supported): Settings → Annexes → Choose a game. → Memory. → Change. → Memory map
🗑️ Clean Downloads regularly: – The Download folder often contains unnecessary files (APK, PDF, archive).

Also useful:

📊 Use light versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).
🔒 Turn off synchronizing unnecessary data (e.g., backup) MIUI cloudy).
📵 Delete unused accounts in settings (Settings) → Accounts).

On the Redmi Note 6 Pro with 64 GB of memory, it is optimal to leave at least 10-15% of the space free (6-10 GB), which prevents system slowdown and errors when installing updates.

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

Can I delete the “Other” section completely?

No, it's impossible. The Other section is not a separate folder, but a category where the system resets all files that don't fit the standard types (photos, videos, apps) and even after being completely cleaned, it will reappear, as Android is constantly creating temporary files to work with.

Why does the “Other” grow again after cleaning?

This is normal Android behavior. Systems and apps are constantly creating cache, logs and temporary files. For example: - WhatsApp and Telegram store media files in hidden folders. - Games (PUBG, Call of Duty) download updates in the background. - MIUI creates memory dumps when crashes. To slow down the growth of the Other, turn off automatic downloading of media in messengers and limit the cache of applications.

Is it safe to use CCleaner on Xiaomi?

Yes, but with reservations. CCleaner does not damage the system unless you use deep cleaning functions (for example, cleaning Dalvik cache without root). However, many experts note that after cleaning the CCleaner, the smartphone can temporarily slow down, as applications will have to recreate the cache. Files by Google or SD Maid is better for the Redmi Note 6 Pro.

What to do if the “Other” takes 20+ GB?

If the partition has grown to this size, the most likely problem is: - Remains of deleted applications (especially games). - Failed MIUI updates (folder /cache can weigh several gigabytes). - System logs (files with the extension.log or.dump). In this case: 1. Try cleaning through ADB (method 3). 2. Check the folder /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb - often there are undeleted game files. 3. If nothing helps, reset to factory settings first (save the data).

Can the “Other” slow down your smartphone?

Indirectly, yes. When memory is clogged, the system doesn't have enough space for: - Application cache (leads to frequent reboots of programs). - Temporary files (slows down the installation of updates). - Swap file (multitasking is worse). However, the presence of "Other" does not affect performance if at least 10% of memory is free.