How to Clean Up Xiaomi Redmi’s “Other”: A Step-by-Step Guide with Hidden Tricks

The “Other” section in Xiaomi Redmi’s smartphone memory is a real black hole for free space. It can take anywhere from 5 to 30 GB, but users do not see what files are stored there. Unlike photos, videos or apps, the content of “Other” does not appear in the standard file manager, and attempts to clean it through Settings → Storage often lead to a meager result: only 100-500 MB is released, although gigabytes are occupied.

Compounding the problem, Xiaomi’s MIUI actively caches data to speed up the system, but doesn’t always delete it correctly, and users are faced with a situation where at 16/32 GB of memory, the Other takes up to 70% of the volume, and the smartphone gives a notification “Not enough space” even after removing all the applications. In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways to clean the Other, including hidden system folders, update cache and debris from remote applications – taking into account the features of the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/13C and other popular models.

Important: The methods vary in complexity, from basic (for beginners) to advanced (require root rights or ADB), and we have noted the risks of each method so that you can choose the best option without harming the system.

1.What is the “Other” in Xiaomi Redmi memory and why it grows

The Other section is a collection category for files that MIUI cannot classify as standard (photo, video, audio, documents, applications).

• 🗃️ System application cache (com.android.systemui, com.miui.home) – temporary files to speed up the interface.
• 🔄 Remnants of Remote Applications – folders with settings and data that didn’t clear after uninstallation.
• 📦 Update files MIUI — b) the uninstalled but uninstalled (subject to) 2-3 GB).
• 📁 Hidden Android folders — /data/log, /data/tombstones (mistake), /data/dalvik-cache (virtual machine cache).
• 🎮 Game data – saves, texture packs and cache (for example, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile can leave here up to 5 GB).

The main reasons for the growth of the “Other”:

• 🔄 Frequent updates MIUI — The scaling is in the background and is stored in /cache, Even if you don't install it.
• 🗑️ Incorrect removal of applications – through Settings → Appendices are only removed APK, And the data stays.
• 📱 File system errors – after failures or interrupted operations (for example, copying files) “broken” files are formed.
• 🤖 Activity of system processes — MIUI Creates diagnostic logs that are not automatically cleaned.

On Redmi with 128GB of memory, the Other can take up to 10-15GB without critical consequences, but on models with 32/64GB (such as the Redmi 9A or Redmi 10C), this leads to freezes, brakes and the inability to install new applications.

Method 2: Cleaning through standard MIUI settings (without root)

The safest method, but it only removes surface debris, suitable for beginners and those who do not want to risk data.

Step 1. Cleaning the app cache

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Sort by size."
3. Select apps with a large cache (such as YouTube, Telegram, Chrome) and click Clear Cache.

Step 2: Delete unnecessary files through Storage

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Click on “Other” (or “Other” in older versions of MIUI).
3. Select the categories “Cash”, “Downloads”, “Logins” and delete them.

Step 3: Cleaning up downloads and baskets

• 📁 Open Files (Standard Manager Xiaomi) → «Categories» → «Downloads and delete unnecessary files.
• 🗑️ Go to the Recycle Bin (in the same manager) and clean it up.

Delete the cache of large applications (social networks, messengers, browsers)

Scan the “Downloads” folder for unnecessary files

Clean the Recycle Bin in the File Manager

Check the Logs section in Settings → Warehouse-->

⚠️ Note: This method is free on average. 1-3 GB. If the "Other" takes more 10 GB, move on to the following methods.

Method 2: Delete hidden folders through the file manager (without root)

MIUI has hidden system folders that don’t appear in the standard manager, but can be seen through Total Commander, FX File Explorer or MiXplorer (with root mode enabled if you have permissions).

Which folders can be cleaned safely:

Instructions:

1. Install MiXplorer from XDA Developers (requires permission to install from unknown sources).
2. Open the manager, turn on the display of hidden files (Settings → Show hidden files).
3. Follow the paths from the table above and delete unnecessary files.

💡

Before deleting your Android/data folders, check if they are being used by current apps, such as PUBG Mobile’s com.tencent.ig folder, which will cause you to reset your game progress.

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders Android/obb (game data and MIUI/Extra (System files – this can lead to application crash or loss of functionality.

Method 3: Cleaning through ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods didn’t help and root rights didn’t, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) – a debugging tool that allows you to remove system debris without full access.

What will be required:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB Tools.

Cleanup commands:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with adb.exe.
2. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices must appear serial number of the device.
3. Clear the cache of all applications: adb shell pm trim-caches -f 1000000000 (where 1000000000 is the size in bytes, about 1 GB).
4. Delete the temporary update files: adb shell rm -rf /cache/*
5. Clear the system logs: adb shell rm -rf /data/log/*

⚠️ Attention: Rm teams -rf permanently delete files. Do not use them for folders not specified in the instructions (for example, /data/data — This will cause a phone reset!).

5. Method 4: Reset the cache via Recovery Mode (without data loss)

If the Other takes up more than 10GB and previous methods didn’t help, try resetting the cache through Restore Mode.This won’t delete your files or apps, but will clean up system debris.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (English / Whale) and go to “Wipe & Reset”.
4. Select “Wipe Cache” (not “Wipe Data” – it will erase everything!).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
6. Reboot your phone ("Reboot").

This method cleanses:

• 🗃️ Firmware cache (/cache).
• 📦 Temporary update files.
• 🔄 Logs of the system (/data/log).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi) 9T) If the phone doesn't turn on for more than 10 minutes, perform a hard reboot (click Power). + Loudness down for 15 seconds).

💡

Recovery cache dumping is the only official way to clean up system debris without root rights.It is safer than ADB but less effective at removing user data.

Method 5: Complete root-right cleaning (for experienced)

If you are ready to get root access, you can delete all unnecessary files from Other, including:

• 📂 Remote application folders in /data/data.
• 🗑️ Logs of the nucleus (/data/tombstones).
• 📦 Cash Dalvik (/data/dalvik-cache).
• 🔄 Remains of updates (/data/ota_package).

How to get root on Xiaomi Redmi:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-14 days).
2. Please use Magisk to obtain root rights.

What to clean after getting root:

1. Install Root Explorer or FX File Explorer with root support.
2. Go to /data/data and delete the app folders you deleted long ago.
3. Clear /data/dalvik-cache (Android Virtual Machine cache).
4. Delete update files in /data/ota_package and /cache.

⚠️ Attention: Root access deprives of warranty and may lead to:

• 🚫 Blocking of banking applications (due to SafetyNet).
• 🔄 Unstable system operation (if you delete critical files).
• 📵 Poose. OTA-Updates (you will need to update manually).

💡

Before you get root, make a full backup via TWRP or Mi Backup, which will help you recover your phone if something goes wrong.

7 How to Prevent the Spread of the Other in the Future

To “Other” does not take up gigabytes of memory, follow these recommendations:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system. → «Settings» → Turn off "Automatic Booting».

Clean the cache regularly:

SD Maid

MIUI

Settings → Storage → Clean up

Remove the applications correctly:

Settings → Applications → Remove

"Delete all data"

Transfer files to the memory card:

Settings → Warehouse → SD-map

Check the hidden folders:

/storage/emulated/0

For models with low memory capacity (Redmi 9A, Redmi 8A) it is also recommended:

• 🎮 Limit the cache of games: In settings PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty or Genshin Impact «HD-resource».
• 📸 Compress Photo: In the camera, select “Compress Photo” (Camera Settings) → Permission → Compression).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up the “Other” in Xiaomi Redmi