How to make room in the “Memory – Other” section on Xiaomi smartphones

The Memory-Other section of Xiaomi smartphones often becomes a headache for users, taking up gigabytes of precious space, but it doesn’t tell you what’s stored inside. Unlike obvious categories like Photos or Video, it accumulates system files, cache, logs, remnants of remote applications, and even hidden MIUI data. Attempts to clean it through standard settings usually end in nothing – the system either doesn’t show the content or offers to delete only a few megabytes.

Compounding the problem, the Other section can grow to 10 to 20 GB or more over time, especially on devices with MIUI 12 to 14, where storage optimization is poor. In this article, we will look at 5 proven cleaning methods, from safe (via embedded tools) to radical (using ADB and resetting to factory settings).

What is “Memory is Other” and why is it clogged

The Other section in MIUI is the garbage bin of the operating system.

• 📁 System cache - temporary files MIUI, which must be removed automatically but often remain due to failures.
• 🔄 Logs and dumps – records of system operation, application and kernel errors (especially many after updates).
• 🗑️ Remnants of Remote Applications – Not all files are erased when uninstalled, especially if the application was used OBB database.
• 🔒 Hidden files MIUI — backups of settings, data for recovery after reset, temporary files of the themes of registration.
• 🤖 Google Play Services and other system services cache that is not cleared by standard means.

The main reason for the sprawl is the inefficient operation of the automatic cleaning mechanism in MIUI, for example, after updating the firmware, the system may not delete old APK files or data from the previous version, and users themselves are also to blame: many install and delete dozens of applications without knowing that their tails remain in memory.

⚠️ Note: If the Other partition takes up more than 50% of the total memory, this may indicate file system damage or malware activity.

Before you start cleaning, check the actual memory state through Settings → About Phone → Memory Status. If the graph shows that the Other takes up a disproportionate amount (e.g., 15 GB out of 32 GB), then the problem definitely requires intervention.

Method 1: Cleaning through built-in MIUI tools

Let's start with the safest method, which doesn't require root rights or a PC connection. MIUI has hidden tools for cleaning up system debris, but they're hidden in non-obvious menus.

Step 1. Clean up the app cache

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Sort by size"**.
3. Open the first 10-15 apps on the list (usually Google Play Services, MIUI System, Browser) and click Clear Cache.

Step 2: Delete Unnecessary Files through Cleanup

• 🧹 Open the Security app** (Shield icon).
• 🔍 Go to the section "Cleaning up» → «Deep cleaning».
• ✅ Tag all items, especially System Garbage and Residual Files, then click Clean»**.
• 🔄 Repeat the procedure 2-3 times – sometimes the system finds new debris after the first cleaning.

Step 3: Resetting the Storage application data**

This is a little-known trick that resets the cache of the storage system:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Find the Storage app** and open it.
3. Click on “Storage” → “Clear Data” and “Clear Cache”**.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: After this action, the download history in the MIUI bootloader and some file manager data.Settings backups are not affected.

Method 2: Manually remove garbage through file manager

If the built-in tools don’t work, we’ll try to manually find and delete unnecessary files, and any file manager with access to system folders (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer) will do.

Which folders can be cleaned safely:

How to delete:

1. Open the file manager and enable the display of hidden files (in Mi File Manager: triple point → Settings → Show hidden files).
2. Follow one of the paths from the table above.
3. Delete unnecessary files or folders (for reliability, move them to the Recycle Bin first).
4. Reset the device.

If you try to delete the error "Denied Access"**, then you do not have permission to modify the system folders, in which case either root or ADB (more about this below) will help.

💡

Before removing folders, take a screenshot of their contents – if there are problems after cleaning, you can only recover critical files.

Method 3: Cleaning through ADB (without root)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a debugging tool that allows you to execute commands at the system level without superuser rights, and it can remove cache and unnecessary files that are not visible through standard means.

Preparation:

1. Download ADB Tools for Windows/macOS/Linux.
2. Turn on "Debugging by" USB» on a smartphone: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times until you have become a developer, then go back to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.

Cleanup commands:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster # Clearing the cache of the Security app


adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.downloads # Cleanup downloads




adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files




adb shell rm -rf /cache/* # Clearing the system cache (requires a restart)

Extended cleaning (for experienced users):

adb shell


su # (if there is root)




find /data/data -name "cache" -exec rm -rf {} \; # Delete all app cache folders




find /sdcard -name "*.log" -exec rm -f {} \; # Deletion of logs




find /sdcard -name "*.tmp" -exec rm -f {} \; # Delete temporary files

⚠️ Attention: Command rm -rf It deletes files permanently. A mistake in the path can lead to the loss of important data. If you are not sure, use ls to view the content before deleting it.

Once you have completed the commands, restart the device. If ADB issues a “Permission denied” error, you need root rights to delete specific files.

Method 4: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If all previous methods failed, and the Other section is still gigabytes long, it's a radical reset, but it's guaranteed to clear out all unnecessary information, including hidden system files.

How to reset correctly:

1. Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” and confirm the action.
4. After the reset, don't restore the data from the backup immediately - first check how much space the Other takes up. If the problem disappears, then the files in the backup were to blame.

What to do after the discharge:

• 🔧 Don’t install all apps at once – add them one at a time and keep an eye on the space occupied.
• 📱 Turn off automatic app updates in Google Play (settings) → «Auto-update» → «Never»).
• 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly through Security (once every 1-2 weeks).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO X3 Pro) can remain up to 1-2 GB in the “Other” section after a reset.** This is normal – it stores critical recovery files. MIUI.

💡

Resetting to factory settings is the only way to completely clear the Other section, but it erases all user data. Use it only if other methods have not worked.

Method 5: Using root rights for deep cleaning

If your device has root access (for example, through Magisk), you can delete even those files that are not available through ADB. This method is the most effective**, but also the riskiest - wrong actions can lead to a bootloop ( looped reboot).

What folders can be cleaned from root:

• 📂 /data/misc/apexdata/com.android.art — cash ART (Remove if there are lags in the interface).

How to clean:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to the folder and delete the contents (not the folder itself!).
3. Reset the device.

Automation through Magisk modules:

There are ready-made modules for Magisk that clean up garbage automatically:

• Universal GMS Doze – optimizes the work of Google Play Services and reduces their cache.
• Disable Flag Secure – allows you to screenshot protected applications (indirectly reduces their cache).
• MIUI Optimizations – Disables unnecessary MIUI functions that generate garbage.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /data/dalvik-cache or /data/apex Before experimenting, create a full backup copy through TWRP.

How to prevent the refilling of “Memory – Other”

Cleaning is a half-measure, so that the Other section doesn't grow back, follow these rules:

1. Control the installation of applications:

• 📱 Remove unused applications through Settings → Annexes → Removal (not just “cleaning the cache»).
• 🔍 Before installing, check the reviews about the application - some (for example, games with the help of the app). OBB-Files leave behind gigabytes of garbage.

2.Tune MIUI to minimize litter:

• 📊 Turn off Auto Optimization in Security (it often creates unnecessary logs).
• 🔄 Turn off Auto Update MIUI»** In Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Threefold → Settings.
• 📸 Turn off Photo Backup** in the Gallery if you don't use it.

Regular maintenance:

• 🗓️ Perform a deep cleaning service once a month through Security.
• 🔍 Once 3 Check the files for a month. /MIUI/debug_log and /Android/data trash-proof.

Alternative firmware:

If the Other problem is a constant one, consider switching to custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience, which lacks MIUI features that generate garbage but require unlocking the bootloader and root.

💡

Regularly cleaning the cache and monitoring the installation of applications will reduce the growth of the “Other” partition by 70-80%.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up "Memory - Other" on Xiaomi