“Other” in memory Xiaomi Redmi 8T: what it is and how to clean without harming the system

Xiaomi Redmi 8T owners often encounter a mysterious “Other” partition in their memory settings that takes up gigabytes of space — and it’s unclear what exactly is stored there. The system shows that there’s critically little space left, but neither photos, apps, nor downloads explain that cost. What’s the matter?

In fact, “Other” are service files that MIUI (Xiaomi firmware) does not classify as standard: system application cache, temporary update files, log files, remnants of deleted programs and even hidden messenger folders. Unlike the Redmi Note 9 or POCO X3, the Redmi 8T has this problem more pronounced due to the peculiarities of working with eMMC 5.1 memory and a limited amount of 64/128 GB. The good news is that most of this garbage can be removed manually – without resetting to factory settings.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, including hidden MIUI features that are not shown in the standard interface, how to clear up to 10-15 GB of invisible memory without deleting personal data, and why some files return after a reboot, and what to do if the “Other” takes place again after cleaning.

What is the “Other” in the memory of Xiaomi Redmi 8T and why it grows

The Other section of MIUI is a dumping ground for files that the system cannot categorize as standard, and it gets:

• 📁 Cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui or com.miui.home) that is not cleared through the standard menu.
• 🔄 Update remnants: firmware, security patches, and even failed update attempts OTA.
• 📜 Log files (logs) that are created to debug work MIUI And apps. 8T They can weigh up to 1-2 GB.
• 🗑️ Temporary files of messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and social networks that do not fall into the section "Downloads».
• 🔗 Symbolic links and duplicate files created MIUI speed up.

The Redmi 8T features eMMC 5.1 memory, which is more fragmented over time than modern UFS 2.1/3.0. Because of this, the Other can take up to 20-30% of the total volume even on a clean device. In addition, MIUI 11/12 (the current version for this model) actively cache data to speed up the interface, but not always correctly delete them.

⚠️ Note: If the Other takes up more than 15GB on a 64GB model, it may indicate file system damage, and only a full reset or flashing through Fastboot will help.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of system applications through a hidden menu

The safest method is to remove the cache of all applications at once, including system ones, which is hidden in the standard MIUI menu, but can be called through the engineering menu.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times in a row on the MIUI version bar to activate the developer mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate the USB Debugging Switch (not necessarily connect the cable).
5. Now go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
6. In the upper right corner, click on three dots → Sort by size.
7. Select the first app in the list (usually System Interface or Lawnchair) → Storage → Clear cache.
8. Repeat for all applications with a cache > 100MB.

This method allows you to free up from 1 to 3 GB of memory, the main thing is not to clean the data (Clear the data), only cache!

Clear the System Interface Cache (com.android.systemui)|Remove the Lawnchair cache (standard launcher)|Scan Google Play Services and Google App|Pay attention to messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) with cache > 500MB-->

⚠️ Note: After clearing the cache, Google Play Services may temporarily stop working push notifications.

Method 2: Delete temporary update files and logs

MIUI stores update files in /cache and logs in /data/log. This data can be deleted without root permissions, but you will need access to the recovery mode.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. Select the language (if required) and go to the Recovery menu.
4. Select the Wipe & Reset option → Wipe Cache.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 1-2 minutes).
6. Restart the phone (Reboot).

This method removes:

• 📦 Update files (OTA), who have not been able to do so, but have not.
• 📜 Logs of the system (/cache/recovery/log).
• 🗑️ Temporary files of the application installer.

After the reboot, check the “Other” section – it should decrease by 500 MB – 2 GB. If there are no changes, then the problem is deeper (see Method 4).

Once a month |Only when critical updates |Never update |On system recommendation-->

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If after cleaning the cache, the phone began to slow down, restart it - MIUI will restore critical system files automatically.

Method 3: Manually clean folders through file manager

Some files in the Other section can be manually deleted through a file manager with access to hidden folders, and this will be the case with the standard Files or Solid Explorer application (with Root mode enabled if you have superuser rights).

What folders to clean:

How to clean:

1. Open the files. → Go to the internal memory.
2. Enable the display of hidden files (in the manager settings).
3. Remove the contents of the folders from the table above (except for personal data!).
4. The /data/log folder requires root or ADB access.

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders Android/obb — It stores game data. Also avoid folders called com.whatsapp, org.telegram if you don't want to lose media from chat rooms.

Method 4: Reset the partition cache (Wipe Dalvik/Cache) via TWRP

If standard methods didn’t work and The Other still takes >5GB, it’s time to use Custom Recovery (TWRP) which deletes all temporary system files, including the Dalvik cache, which MIUI doesn’t clean automatically.

What you need:

• 📱 Established TWRP Recovery (instructions for installation - in the spoiler below).
• 🔋 Battery charge > 50%.
• ⏱️ 10-15 minutes of time.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume up to enter TWRP.
2. Select Wipe → Advanced Wipe.
3. Check the Dalvik/ART Cache and Cache boxes.
4. Swipe to Wipe (Swipe to Wipe) with your finger.
5. After completion, press Reboot System.

This method frees up 1 to 4 GB of memory, but has a nuance: the first start after cleaning will take longer than usual (the system will recover cache).

💡

Wipe Dalvik/Cache doesn’t delete personal data, but resets app optimization. After a reboot, the phone can run slower than 5-10 minutes — that’s normal.

Method 5: Complete reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of these methods worked, and the Other still takes >10GB, the last resort is a factory reset, which will delete all the data, including apps, photos and accounts, but return the phone to its original state.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Save important data on your PC or in the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose Delete all data (not Reset!).
4. Enter your password (if required) and confirm.
5. After restarting, set your phone as new.

What to do after the discharge:

• 🔍 Do not restore data from backup MIUI — It may contain the same “junk” files.
• 📱 Install only the necessary applications (avoid cluttering»).
• 🔄 Turn off automatic firmware updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 8T s MIUI 12+ It can take up to 20 minutes to reset, and don't interrupt the process, even if the screen goes out, wait for a full reboot.

How to prevent the “Other” from being refilled

To prevent the Other from taking up memory again, follow these rules:

• 📵 Turn off automatic update downloads in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Settings.
• 🧹 Clean the app cache every 1-2 weeks (see Method 1).
• 🚫 Don’t use Google Play’s “memory optimizers” – they often create extra junk.
• 📥 Transfer media files (photos, videos) to SD-map.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone regularly (every 3-4 days) – this clears temporary files.

It is also worth disabling unnecessary system applications that actively cache data:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Select an app (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music).
3. Click Disable (Do not delete!).

💡

If you install/remove apps frequently, use SD Maid (root required) to automatically clean up residues.The app finds and deletes "orphan" files that remain after uninstallation.

FAQ: Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Redmi’s “Other” 8T