How to Clean the “Other” section in Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 memory: 7 working ways

Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 will sooner or later encounter a mysterious “Other” section in memory analysis that takes up gigabytes of space but does not disclose its contents. This item can “eat” from 5 to 20 GB — and the longer you use a smartphone, the more it grows. Unlike obvious categories like “Photos” or “Apps”, it hides system caches, remnants of deleted programs, log files and temporary data, which MIUI does not classify as standard categories.

Complicating the problem, regular cleaning tools (e.g. Settings → Memory → Cleanup) often ignore this section. Moreover, on the Redmi Note 7 with MIUI 12-14 firmware, the Other section can include up to 30% of junk files that are safely removed manually. In this article, we will analyze what is stored in the Other, which files can be deleted without risk to the system, and provide proven methods – from standard functions to hidden commands for experienced users.

What is the Other in the memory of Redmi Note 7?

The Other section** is a basket for files that don’t fall into the main categories of memory analysis.

On the Redmi Note. 7 s 64 GB of memory "Other" can take up to 10–15 GB, and on 32 GB - critical 5–8 GB: The main danger is that these files fragment memory, slowing down the smartphone, for example, log files from the computer. /data/anr/ It can contain hundreds of megabytes of data about the hanging of applications that the system never deletes itself.

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete files from folders /system/ or /vendor/ — It's gonna crash. MIUI. Also avoid cleaning the folder. /data/dalvik-cache/, Otherwise, the applications will start to fly out massively.

Method 1: Cleaning through the built-in MIUI storage

Start with the regular tools, they are safe and do not require root rights. In MIUI 12-14 (relevant to the Redmi Note 7), the path is as follows:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Slip on "Other"** (may be called "Other Files").
3. The system will offer to clear the cache and unnecessary files - confirm the action.

This method removes up to 1-2GB of debris, but often leaves deep system caches intact. For example, the Google Play Services cache (com.google.android.gms) can weigh up to 500MB and not be cleared through this menu.

Delete the application cache | Clear downloads | Delete thumbnails (thumbnails) | Clear the call log-->

For a deeper cleaning, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, sort by size, and manually clear the cache for the heaviest programs (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, MIUI Gallery).

Method 2: Manually remove garbage through file manager

If the standard cleanup didn’t work, use a file manager with hidden folder access (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).

• 📁 /sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo and video miniatures (can weigh up to a maximum of two) 1 GB).
• 📁 /sdcard/Android/obb/ — Cache of games (remove folders of games that have not been used for a long time).
• 📁 /sdcard/Download/ — Old downloads, especially APK-file).
• 📁 /data/log/ — Log files (root rights required).

On the Redmi Note 7 without root, you can only clean folders on /sdcard/. Access to /data/ requires superuser permission (see Method 5).

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Before deleting folders, back them up on your PC – some games (like Genshin Impact) are stored in /obb/ saves, not just cache.

Method 3: Cleaning through ADB (without root)

If you don’t want root rights but need deep cleaning, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that removes the cache of system applications that is not available through standard settings.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times), then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers.
2. Connect the Redmi Note 7 to your PC and execute:

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep 'cache'

This command will show applications with a large cache. Then clear the cache for a specific package:

adb shell pm clear com.example.package

For example, to clean the cache of Google Play Services:

adb shell pm clear com.google.android.gms

⚠️ Note: Do not use the adb shell pm clear command for system packages like com.android.phone or com.miui.home, which can disrupt the interface.

Method 4: Using cleaner applications

Apps like SD Maid or Files by Google can automate trash detection, but on the Redmi Note 7, they have limitations:

• 🔍 SD Maid finds remnants of remote applications and empty folders, but without root it won’t clean up /data/.
• 🗑️ Files by Google offers to delete duplicates and old files, but ignores the system cache.
• ⚠️ Avoid cleaners like Clean Master – they often show false threats and slow down the system.

For maximum efficiency:

1. Install SD Maid from Google Play.
2. Run the scan for "Basket" and "System Files".

On the Redmi Note 7 with MIUI 12, SD Maid can find up to 2-3 GB of trash that standard tools skip. For example, folders like /sdcard/Android/data/com.tencent.mtt/ (cache of advertising apps) often remain after uninstallation.

Method 5: Deep Cleaning with Root Rights

If you're willing to take risks, root access will give you full control of your memory. On the Redmi Note 7, for this:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (linking to the Mi Account is mandatory!).
2. Install custom recovery (such as TWRP) and scrolle Magisk for root.
3. Use Root Explorer or FX File Manager to access /data/.

Key folders for cleaning with root:

• 🧹 /data/log/ — Logs of the system (you can delete everything).
• 🗑️ /data/dalvik-cache/ — Dalvik cache (remove only if ready to reboot and re-optimize applications).
• 📦 /data/app-lib/ — Remnants of Remote Application Libraries.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /data/data/ for active applications (e.g. for, com.android.providers.media/) It will crash these apps. Always check what you delete!

Method 6: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If the Other takes up more than 10 GB and no methods help, then hard reset remains, which will delete all user data, but return the smartphone to a “clean” state.

How to reset to Redmi Note 7:

1. Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Delete all data” and confirm.

After reset, the Other section will be reduced to 1-2 GB (this is normal for system files).

• ⏳ Recovery from backup can bring back some of the trash.
• 🔄 Apps will be reinstalled, but their cache will start to grow again.

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Resetting to factory settings is the only way to completely remove fragmented files from the Other section, but it should only be used if other methods have not worked.

How to Prevent the Spread of the Other in the Future

To the “Other” section does not take up gigabytes of memory, follow the simple rules:

• 🔧 Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play to control cache.

It's also useful to disable automatic MIUI optimization, which sometimes creates redundant logs.

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Optimization.
2. Turn off the "Auto-Optimization" option**.

On the Redmi Note 7 with MIUI 13+, this feature can generate up to 500MB of log files per month, which fall into the “Other” section.

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