'Other' eats up memory on Xiaomi Redmi? learns to clean properly

You open the Xiaomi Redmi settings, check the space, and you see that the lion's share is taken by the mysterious "Other" section. 10 GB, 20 GB, or even all 30 GB of "invisible" files that can not be deleted by standard methods. This problem is haunting the owners of the Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10C, Redmi 9A and other models MIUI — no matter the firmware version.

Unlike the app cache or downloads, the Other section has no explicit source, and it accumulates update remnants, temporary system files, error logs, fragments of remote applications, and even hidden messenger data — MIUI It doesn't provide the tools to clean it directly, but it doesn't mean that memory can't be released. In this article, we'll look at 5 proven methods, including hidden functions. MIUI, work ADB and manual cleaning through the File Manager.

We warn you that not all methods are equally safe, some can be used weekly (for example, cleaning the cache), others only as a last resort (resetting to factory settings).

⚠️ Attention.

What is the “Other” section in Xiaomi memory and why it grows

"Other" (or Other in English version) MIUI) — This is the garbage bin of the operating system:

• 📁 Remnants of Remote Applications – configuration files, databases that have not been completely erased.
• 🔄 Temporary update files — MIUI Downloads service packs in the background, but doesn’t always clean them after installation.
• 📊 System and error logs – journals, memory dumps, crash reports (especially a lot of them accumulate when using Redmi with custom firmware).
• 🤖 System process cache – data from Android System, Media Provider and other services.
• 📱 Hidden data messengers — Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber store media files in encrypted folders that are not visible in the gallery.

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

🔍 How do you know if the Other is to blame? Open Settings → Memory and look at the diagram. If the gray segment ("Other") takes up more 30% It's time to act on the Redmi Note. 11 This section can be “eating” before 15–20 GB due to the nature of the work MIUI 13/14.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of system applications (safe)

Let's start with the simplest and most harmless method: Android System cache, MIUI System, Media Storage, often takes several gigabytes, but is not displayed in the standard file manager.

📌 Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select “Show System Processes”.
3. Find apps with names: Android System (or Android System) MIUI System (or System) MIUI) Media Storage (or Media Storage) Download Manager (or Download Manager)

"Storage" → "Clean the cache"

⚠️ Warning: Don't click "Clear Data" for system applications! this can cause malfunctions MIUI, including wallpaper loss, resetting sound settings and network connection problems.

Clear the Android System cache

Clear the cache MIUI System

Clear the Media Storage cache

Restart the phone after cleaning-->

💡 How much space will be available? on the Redmi Note 10 Pro MIUI 13 this method allows you to return 1-3 GB of memory. on newer models (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) The effect may be more modest - about 500 MB-1 GB, as MIUI 14 optimize the cache automatically.

Method 2: Delete temporary files through File Manager

MIUI It hides many folders from the user, but you can find them manually).

📂 What folders to clean:

• 🗑️ /storage/emulated/0/Android/data — It's where the application data is stored. You can delete folders of programs that you deleted long ago, but their files are left.
• 📥 /storage/emulated/0/Download — Check for old downloads (especially files with the.apk,.zip extension).
• 🔍 /storage/emulated/0/.thumbnails — Image and video miniatures (can be removed without consequences).
• 📦 /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb — game cache files (for example, PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact. If games are deleted, folders can be erased.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from folders:

• /storage/emulated/0/Android/obj — application-critical data.
• /storage/emulated/0/MIUI — system-file MIUI.
• /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails — Gallery miniatures (remove only if you are ready to wait for their regeneration).

Deleting these files can cause the system to crash or lose photos.

🔧 How to clean a folder Android/data rightly:

1. Open the File Manager and go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/data.
2. Sort folders by date of change (the oldest ones are at the top).
3. Delete the folders of applications that you have long uninstalled (for example, if you deleted TikTok six months ago, but its folder is still there).
4. Do not touch the folders of active applications - this will lead to their failure.

📊 Result: On Redmi 9T With 128GB of memory, this method helps to free up 3-7GB if you haven't cleaned it for a long time. On models with 64GB, the effect is more modest - about 1-2GB.

Method 3: Cleaning through ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods do not help, you will have to connect to the phone through ADB (Android Debug Bridge is a debugging tool that allows you to delete system files that are not available through the interface.

⚙️ What's the matter:

• Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• Installed Xiaomi drivers (download from the official website).
• Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• Utility. ADB (download from Android).

💻 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Connect Redmi to your computer by USB (Select the "File Transfer" mode»).
2. Open the command line (CMD on Windows or Terminal macOS/Linux) and go to the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Grant the rights of the superuser: adb shell su (if it requests permission on the phone, confirm).
5. Delete temporary update files: rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* rm -rf /cache/*
6. Clear the cache of system applications: pm clear com.android.providers.media pm clear com.miui.system
7. Reboot the phone: reboot

⚠️ Attention: Rm teams -rf And pm clear can disrupt the system if you type them in with errors, like accidentally deleting a folder. /data/data This will result in the loss of all user data, and only use this method if you are confident in your actions!

💡

Before work, ADB Backup important data through Settings → System system → Backup.

📈 Efficiency: Redmi Note 11 Pro with MIUI 13 this way frees 5-10 GB (if the update cache has not been cleaned for a long time). 10A 64 GB of memory – about 2-4 GB.

Method 4: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If the Other takes up more than 15 to 20 GB and no methods are working, it's hard reset, which is a radical way to erase all the data on the phone, including system debris.

🔄 How to do the reset correctly:

1. Back up important data (photos, contacts, messages) through Settings → System → Backup or Mi Cloud.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” (not “Reset” but “complete cleanup!”).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: After discharge:

• 📱 The phone will be back to MIUI The version that was installed in the factory. If you've been upgrading, you'll have to download it. OTA-The packages will be refilled (this will be filled again by another»!).
• 🔐 All accounts (Google, Mi Account, WhatsApp) will be deleted.
• 📸 Photo and video in the folder DCIM They may be saved, but it is better to transfer them to the PC.

🔄 What to do after a reset:

1. Don't restore backups through Mi Cloud, it'll bring back old junk. It's better to manually transfer files.
2. Turn off autoload media in instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp).
3. Install Files by Google for memory monitoring.

📉 Resetting frees up all of the Other's memory, but it's a temporary solution. After 2-3 months of active use, the section will refill by 30-50%.

💡

Factory reset is not a cure, it's a crutch. If the Other fills up quickly again, look for the cause in system failures or malfunctions. MIUI.

Method 5: Use of third-party applications (with caution)

There are hundreds of memory cleanup apps on Google Play, but most of them are either useless or dangerous. We tested a few and picked the ones that actually help with The Other.

✅ Verified annexes:

• 🧹 Files by Google is the official Google app that finds and suggests removing unnecessary files, including app residues.

❌ What applications should not be used:

• 🚫 Any "cleaners" that promise to free up "up to 50% of memory" are a hoax, often deleting useful files or showing false results.
• 🚫 Apps requiring Google Play Protect to be disabled are a sign of malware.
• 🚫 The program is called "Super Cleaner for". MIUI» — They don’t have access to Xiaomi’s system folders.

📌 How to use Files by Google:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and go to the “Cleaning” tab.
3. Click on “Free space” and wait for the scan.
4. In the "Unnecessary Files" section, select: Remnants of deleted applications; Temporary files; Duplicates of photos.

Confirm removal.

📊 Efficiency: Files by Google helps free up 1–3GB on Redmi with heavily clogged memory. SD Maid (with root) – up to 5GB, but requires technical skills.

How to prevent the “Other” from being refilled

Cleaning up memory is a half-measure, so that the Other doesn't grow by leaps and bounds, you have to change your phone usage habits and adjust it. MIUI rightly.

🛠️ Preventive measures:

• 📵 Turn off autoload media in messengers: Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Autoboot media → Put "Never." On WhatsApp: Settings → Warehouse → Autoboot media → disconnect.
• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly: Once a week: App cache (Settings) → Memory. → Once a month: temporary files via Files by Google.
• 📱 Do not install applications from unknown sources: APK-Files often leave debris behind, which ends up in "Another." Use only Google Play or Mi App Store.
• 📲 Update. MIUI Timely: Newer versions of firmware optimized memory. Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

⚠️ Note: If the Other is growing on its own (without installing new apps or downloading files), this may indicate a growth rate:

• 🐛 Failure of the file system - only reset or flashing will help.
• 📡 Virus Software – Check your phone through Malwarebytes or Dr.Web.
• 🔧 Wrong job. MIUI — Try reinstalling the firmware through Fastboot.

📅 Preventive schedule for Xiaomi Redmi:

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