Why is the Other taking up gigabytes of storage on your Redmi Note 8 Pro?
You open your storage settings on your Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro and see that the Other partition takes 10, 20, or even 30 GB out of 64 available? It's not a system bug, it takes into account files that don't fall into the standard categories (Photos, Videos, Apps), which includes system process cache, temporary update files, remnants of deleted applications, error logs, and even hidden messenger data.
Compounding the problem, MIUI (Xiaomi firmware) does not always correctly classify files, for example, uploaded documents to Telegram can appear as “Other”, although logically they should be in “Downloads”, and the cache of games like PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact sometimes “hidden” here, although it refers to these applications, as a result, users face a lack of memory, although there seems to be nothing superfluous on the phone.
In this article, we'll look at 7 proven ways to clean the Other section, from manual methods to automated tools. Importantly, not all files in this section can be deleted without risk to the system. We'll show you which data is safe to clean and which ones are not worth touching so as not to break the MIUI.
What exactly is hidden in the “Other” section?
Before you start cleaning, you need to understand what types of files fall into this category.
- 🗑️ Cache of system applications - temporary files MIUI, Google Services, sync services, such as com.miui.home cache (launcher) or com.google.android.gms (Google Play Services).
- 📁 Remnants of Remote Programs – folders with settings and application data that you have long uninstalled, but the files remain in the file /data/data/ or /sdcard/Android/.
- 🔄 Update files – downloaded but not installed OTA-packet (MIUI_*.zip), as well as backups before updates.
- 📜 Error Logs and dumps are files with the extension.log,.dmp or.txt that the system creates when crashes (for example, /data/anr/ or /data/tombstones/).
- 🎮 Cache of games – some games (such as Call of Duty Mobile) store texture packets in custom folders that are not standard. MIUI referencing».
- 📎 Hidden downloads – files downloaded through browsers in incognito or instant messenger mode (for example, /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/org.telegram.messenger/files/).
Fun fact: On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with 64GB of storage, the Other section often grows due to the features of the F2FS file system that Xiaomi uses to optimize performance.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to manually delete files from folders /system/ or /vendor/ — This can lead to a device blink (completely inoperable!
Method 1: Cleaning through built-in MIUI tools
To start with, the safest method is to use the standard MIUI 12/13/14 features (depending on the firmware version of your Redmi Note 8 Pro), which require no root rights and are minimally risky.
Steps:
- Open the Settings → Memory.
- Slip on the “Other” section (may be called “Other” in some localizations).
- Wait for the analysis (may take 1-2 minutes).
- Click on “Clean” or “Delete unnecessary files”.
What the system will delete:
- 🧹 Application cache (including system cache).
- 🗑️ Temporary download files.
- 📂 Empty folders and “broken” symbolic links.
Limitations of the method:
- ❌ Does not remove the remnants of remote applications.
- ❌ Does not clear error logs and dumps.
- ❌ Does not affect hidden folders of messengers.
☑️ Preparation for deep cleaning
Method 2: Manually cleansing through file manager
If the built-in tools don't work, we'll try to find and remove garbage manually, and any file manager with access to hidden folders, like Mi File Manager (built-in) or Solid Explorer, will do.
Key folders to check:
| The way to the folder | What it keeps. | Can we clean it? |
|---|---|---|
| /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ | Application data (including game cache) | ✅ Yes (remote application folders only) |
| /storage/emulated/0/Download/.thumbnails | Miniatures of downloaded files | ✅ Yes (safely) |
| /data/log/ (requires root) | Logs of system and applications | ⚠️ Partially (delete files older than 30 days) |
| /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/ | Backups and temporary MIUI files | ✅ Yeah (except for the folder) backup/) |
Instructions:
- Open the file manager and enable the display of hidden files (in Mi File Manager: ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files).
- Go to /storage/emulated/0/ (internal memory).
- Sort files by size (slip on “Size” in the top panel).
- Delete:
⚠️ Note: Do not delete folders of current applications (for example, com.whatsapp or com.android.vending) - this will cause malfunctions in their work. MIUI.
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If you're not sure if you can delete a file, move it to a separate folder (e.g. /storage/emulated/0/Temp/) and check your phone for a day. If everything is stable, delete it safely.
Method 3: Using Deep Cleaning Applications
We tested 5 popular applications on the Redmi Note 8 Pro and selected the most effective ones:
- 🛠️ SD Maid (requires root for full functionality) - clears application residues, empty folders and system cache. The free version works without root, but less efficiently.
- 🧹 Files by Google – a simple tool with a “Clean Up” feature that finds duplicates and unnecessary files.
- 🔍 CCleaner is a classic of the genre, but on MIUI It is unstable (may miss the cache of system applications).
- 📊 Storage Analyzer – Visualizes which files take up space, but does not automatically clean up.
Recommendations for using SD Maid (the most powerful tool):
- Download it from Google Play.
- Start and give access to the memory.
- Select the "CorpseFinder" tab (search for application residues).
- Press "Run" and wait for analysis.
- Delete the files found (usually 1-5 GB of garbage).
Example of the report after cleaning SD Maid on Redmi Note 8 Pro:
[CorpseFinder]
Found 42 orphaned files (2.3 GB):
- /data/data/com.tencent.ig/ (1.8 GB)
- /sdcard/Android/obb/com.gameloft.*/ (500 MB)
- /data/data/com.sec.android.app.launcher/ (12 MB)
[SystemCleaner]
Cleared 890 MB of cache:
- /data/dalvik-cache/ (450 MB)
- /cache/ (320 MB)
- /data/log/ (120 MB)⚠️ Attention: After cleaning SD Maid reboot your phone. MIUI It may start to “hang” due to the remote cache of system services.
Method 4: Cleaning the cache with Recovery Mode
If the phone is slowing down and the Other takes more than 10GB, try a Recovery Mode cleanup that will reset the cache of all applications and system processes, but will not affect personal data.
Instructions:
- Turn off the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
- Press the Power + Volume buttons up until the Mi logo appears.
- In the Recovery menu, select the language (English / Whale) and tap "Wipe & Reset".
- Select “Wipe Cache” (not to be confused with “Wipe Data” – it’s a complete reset!).
- Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
- Reboot your phone (Reboot → System)
What's it gonna do?
- 🧹 Cleaning Dalvik-cache (accelerates application launches).
- 🗑️ Delete temporary update files MIUI.
- 🔄 Resetting the cache of Google Play Services and other system services.
Limitations:
- ❌ Does not delete user data (photos, videos, documents).
- ❌ Does not clean up the remnants of remote applications.
What happens if the Recovery Mode does not open?
Method 5: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)
If all the previous methods didn't work, and the Other still takes 15+GB, then it's a radical method that will bring the phone back out of the box, but delete all the data.
How to do the reset correctly:
- Create a backup copy: 📱 Contact: sync with Google Account or export to.vcf. 📷 Photo/video: copy to PC or cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud). 🎮 Save games: Use built-in backup features (e.g. in the PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).
Settings → About the phone → Resetting settings
"Erase all data."
Enter your password (if installed) and confirm.
Wait until it is completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).
What will be removed:
- ✅ All applications and their data.
- ✅ System settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, wallpaper).
- ✅ Accounts (except synchronized through the Google/Mi).
- ✅ Files in internal memory (but not in the SD-map!).
After discharge:
- 🔄 The “Other” section will be reduced to 1-3 GB (normal for the MIUI).
- 🚀 The phone will run faster (especially noticeable on the Redmi Note 8 Pro with 64 GB of memory).
⚠️ Note: If the Other grows quickly again after reset, the problem may be a damaged file system, in which case only flashing through Fastboot or replacing the internal drive (if the phone is warranty-free) will help).
Method 6: Optimizing Memory for Prevention
To prevent the Other from accumulating again, follow these tips:
- 📱 Turn off automatic media download in messengers: WhatsApp: Settings → Warehouse → Autoload media. Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Autoboot media.
- 🔄 Clean the game cache manually: For PUBG Mobile: Settings → Mainstream → For Genshin Impact: delete the folder /sdcard/Android/obb/com.mihoyo.GenshinImpact/ (The game will be saved in the cloud).
- 🗑️ Use the "Light Mode" in MIUI: Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Light mode. This will turn off animations and background processes, reducing the memory load.
- 📊 Control background applications: C Settings → Annexes → Autorun disable autorun for unnecessary programs.
It is also useful to check the storage once a month through Settings → Memory → Analysis and delete unnecessary files (such as old APKs or duplicate photos).
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Regular cache cleaning and monitoring of autoload media in messengers will reduce the growth of the “Other” section by 40-60%.
Method 7: Flashing (for experienced users)
If all methods have been tried and the Other still takes up inadequate space (e.g., 20+GB on the 64GB Redmi Note 8 Pro), the problem may be a damaged firmware or file system errors, in which case Fastboot flashing will help.
What you need:
- 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB/Fastboot.
- 📱 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
- 🔗 Official firmware for Redmi Note 8 Pro (you can download on the Xiaomi website).
- 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool Tool.
Instructions:
- Unpack the firmware (.tgz →.tar).
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down).
- In the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and click Refresh.
- Select the “Clean All” mode and click “Flash”.
- Wait until the end (10-15 minutes).
Advantages of the method:
- 🆕 Completely updates the file system.
- 🧹 Deletes all hidden junk files.
- 🚀 Restores performance "like out of the box».
⚠️ Note: Fastboot flashing will delete all data, including files on internal memory, and there is a risk of a breeze if you interrupt the process or use the wrong firmware!