Xiaomi’s “Other” in Memory: What It Is and How to Clean It Without Harming the System

You open up your storage settings on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, and you see that the lion's share of storage is occupied by the mysterious "Other" section - sometimes up to 10-30 GB. And neither photos, nor apps, nor cache take up that much space. Where do these files come from? Can they be deleted without the risk of "breaking" the phone? And why do they reappear after cleaning?

This problem is familiar to most users of Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI (especially versions 12-14). Unlike Android in the “pure” form, where the memory is distributed transparently, here the system hides some files under the label “Other”.

• 🔍 What is hidden under the “Other” and why MIUI sorely;
• ⚠️ What files can be deleted and which ones can not be touched;
• 🛠️ 5 Proven Cleaning Methods – From Standard Tools to Hidden Features;
• 🔄 How to prevent refilling of memory with garbage.

Important: the methods differ for different versions of MIUI and models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro and Redmi Note 10 have different settings).

What is the Other in Xiaomi’s Memory and Why Does It Take So Much Space?

The “Other” section of MIUI is a container for files that the system cannot categorize as standard (photos, videos, apps, etc.) and includes:

• 📁 System logs and dumps (error reports, process logs);
• 🗑️ Residual files after deleting applications (incorrectly erased data);
• 🔗 Cash shells. MIUI (including animations, themes, widgets);
• 📱 Update files (firmware residues, delta packets);
• 🔒 Encrypted data (e.g. from Mi Cloud or Mi Account).

On Xiaomi with MIUI 14 and later, some of these files may refer to virtual memory (memory extension function), which uses part of the drive as a RAM, this is especially noticeable on devices with 6/128 GB or less.

Why does the section grow over time?

1. Incorrect removal of applications – many programs leave “tails” in /data/data folders
2. Automatic error reports – MIUI actively collects logs for diagnostics
3. System updates – even after installing the firmware, temporary files remain.
4. Cache themes and widgets – if you change the design often, the system saves the old versions.

Can I remove the “Other” and what are the risks?

Yes, some files can be deleted, but not all. For example, system logs (/data/log) are critical for stable operation, and theme cache (/miui/theme) is not. The main rule is never to manually delete files from /system, /vendor or /data/app folders without root rights, this will lead to system failure.

What happens if you clean the other one carelessly?

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13+ And the Memory Fusion function, part of the Other can be reserved by the system, and deleting those files will result in a loss of performance.

Method 1: Standard cleaning through MIUI settings

The safest method is to use embedded tools that only delete unnecessary temporary files without affecting critical data.

Instructions for MIUI 12-14:

1. Open the Settings. → Warehouse;
2. Slip on the "Other" section;
3. The system scans files and offers to clear the cache and unnecessary data;
4. Click “Clear” and confirm the action.

Some models (such as the POCO F4 or Xiaomi 12T) may require:

• 🔄 Restart the phone after cleaning;
• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Cleaning for deep inspection.

Close all applications

Connect your phone to charge (if charge < 20%)

Create a backup copy of important data

Check the vacant space after cleaning-->

How much space will be freed up? Normally 500MB to 2-3GB, depending on the degree of memory contamination. On Xiaomi 13 Ultra, with active use of themes and widgets, up to 5GB can be freed up.

Method 2: Cleaning with Safe Mode

If the standard cleaning didn't work, try Safe Mode, which shuts down all third-party applications, and the system shows the actual memory allocation.

How to start Safe Mode:

1. Press the power button before the turn off menu appears;
2. Slip and hold the “Switch off” option;
3. Confirm the transition to safe mode (the Safe Mode sign will appear at the bottom of the screen).

In Safe Mode:

• 🔍 Check the “Other” section in Settings → Storage – now there will be only system files;
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary data through standard cleaning;
• 🔄 Reboot your phone to exit Safe Mode.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14 and HyperOS Safe Mode can block access to some folders. If the Other partition hasn't decreased, move to the next way.

Method 3: Manually clean through file manager (for experienced)

This method requires caution, but allows you to delete files that MIUI does not show in the standard interface. Use built-in Explorer** or third-party applications (for example, FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).

What folders can be cleaned:

Step-by-step:

1. Open Explorer and enable the display of hidden files (in the application settings);

On POCO X3 Pro and other microcard devices, check the /sdcard/Android/obb folder as well, which may contain heavy game files that the system attributes to the Other.

Method 4: Using ADB for deep cleaning (for advanced)

If previous methods have failed, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) will help, which requires connecting the phone to a PC and basic command line knowledge.

What can be done through ADB:

• 🗑️ Clear the cache of all applications (pm clear) --all);
• 🔍 Delete residual files of remote programs;
• 📊 Reset statistics on memory usage.

Instructions:

1. Enable debugging by USB on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap on version → return to Additional → For developers → Debugging by USB);

adb devices


adb shell pm clear --all




adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*




adb shell rm -rf /cache/*

On Xiaomi 12S Ultra and other flagships with MIUI 14, you may need an additional command to clean up virtual memory:

adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true

⚠️ Attention: Rm teams -rf Without specifying a specific folder, you can delete critical data!

💡

Before using ADB, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup. This will allow you to recover data if you make an error.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If the Other takes up more than 10GB and isn’t cleaned by other means, it’s hard reset, which will delete all data, including system debris, but return the phone to a clean state.

How to reset Xiaomi without losing important data

1. Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup or Mi Cloud;
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings;
3. Select “Erase all data”;
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After discharge:

• 📱 Do not restore data from the backup immediately – first check if the “Other” has appeared again;
• 🔄 Install only the necessary applications, avoiding “junk” programs;
• 🛡️ Turn off automatic reporting in Settings → Additionally. → Confidentiality → Sending error reports.

On the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ and other devices with AMOLED-Resetting screens will also help get rid of memory artifacts that sometimes refer to the "Other».

💡

Resetting to factory settings is the only way to completely remove system debris, but it is worth using it only if other methods have not helped.

How to prevent the “Other” from being refilled

To prevent the section from growing again, follow these rules:

• 📵 Turn off automatic reporting (Settings) → Additionally. → Confidentiality);
• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning (once in) 1-2 weekdays);
• 🚫 Do not install apps from unknown sources – they often leave debris behind;
• 📱 Use lightweight versions of software (e.g. Facebook Lite instead of the main client);
• 🔒 Limit the background activity of applications in Settings → Battery → Choice of applications.

On Xiaomi 13T and other new models, enable Smart Cleanup in Settings → Storage – it automatically deletes unnecessary files once a day.

If you frequently change themes or widgets, turn off automatic updates:

1. Go to Settings → Screen → Themes;
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) → «Settings of topics»;
3. Turn off Auto Update Themes.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the “Other” in the memory of Xiaomi