How to Clean the “Other” folder on Xiaomi: Safe and Effective Ways

Why does the “Other” folder take up so much space and what is stored in it?

If you've ever looked into the storage of your Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO, you've probably noticed a mysterious "Other" section that can take anywhere from a few gigabytes to tens. Unlike the clearly structured categories ("Photos," "Video," "Apps"), this folder doesn't reveal its content at first sight. So what's behind this title?

In fact, the Other is a hoard of system files, app cache, time data, error logs, remnants of deleted programs and even hidden folders from MIUI. The manufacturer does not allocate these files into separate categories so as not to overload the user interface. However, this is often the main reason for the lack of memory on the device. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with 256 GB of storage, the Other section can “eat” up to 20-30 GB – and this with active use of a smartphone for only six months!

The main problem is that the system does not offer built-in tools for deep cleaning of this partition. Even the Cleanup function in the storage settings often ignores most of the files from the Other, leaving the user with the question: how to safely vacate space without breaking the phone?

What can be removed from the “Other” folder and what can not be removed?

Before you start cleaning, it is important to understand that not all files in the Other are equally useful (or useless), some can be safely deleted, others only as a last resort, and others are strictly forbidden to touch.

• ✅ Securely delete: application cache (.cache folders), temporary download files (.temp), system error logs (.log), remnants of remote applications (com.example.app in the app) /data/data/).
• ⚠️ Delete with caution: application data (for example, offline maps in Google Maps or Telegram cache), backups MIUI, update-file (MIUI/OTA).
• 🚫 Never delete: System libraries (.so files in the /system/lib), Configuration files (.conf,.xml in) /system/etc), bootloader or recovery data.

Particular care should be taken with folders that start with a dot (such as.thumbnails or.miui) that often contain hidden settings or thumbnails of images, and deleting them will not cause critical harm, but can cause a malfunction of the gallery or design themes.

⚠️ WARNING: If you use Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware, never delete files from folders /vendor or /odm. This can lead to a “brick” of the device (complete inoperability).

Method 1: Cleaning through built-in MIUI tools

Let's start with the simplest and safest method, which is to use standard MIUI functions, and they won't remove anything that's superfluous, but they will help you get rid of some of the garbage without risk.

Open Settings → About Phone → Storage. Here you will see a diagram of occupied space. Tap on the Other section, then select Clean. The system will scan the device and prompt you to delete:

• 🗑️ Temporary application files (cache).
• 📄 Logs and error dumps.
• 📥 Uncompleted downloads.

However, this method has a limitation: it does not affect deep system folders and often skips large files. For example, if the Other contains a 2GB MIUI update archive, the built-in cleanup will not detect it.

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After cleaning through the storage menu, restart the phone, which will help the system correctly recalculate the occupied space and avoid “phantom” files that take up space but do not appear.

Method 2: Manually remove garbage through file manager

For a deeper cleanup, you’ll need a file manager with access to system folders, and the standard Files app from Xiaomi or third-party tools like Solid Explorer (require root rights for full access) are best.

Follow this algorithm:

1. Open the Files and go to the root directory (/).
2. Activate the display of hidden files (in the manager settings).
3. Go to the folders where garbage is most often accumulated:

Pay special attention to /sdcard/Android/obb. This is where additional game data is stored (for example, graphics packages for Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile). If you haven't played a game in a long time, feel free to delete the corresponding folder - this can free up several gigabytes.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files with the.odex or.vdex extension in application folders (for example, /data/app/com.android.chrome-1/). These are optimized libraries without which programs will not run.

Make sure your important data is synced to the cloud|Make a backup of contacts and photos|Remember the names of deleted folders (in case of recovery)|Do not delete files with unknown extensions (.bak,.swp,.db)-->

Method 3: Using ADB for deep cleaning (no root)

If standard methods don’t work and you don’t have root rights, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a tool for debugging Android devices, which allows you to delete the system cache and temporary files that are not available through the file manager.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Developer settings → Debugging by USB).

Connect your phone to your PC and execute in the command line:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster # Cache cleaner


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




adb shell rm -rf /cache/* # Cleaning system cache (requires a reboot)

After these commands are executed, be sure to restart the device, otherwise the system may start to work unstable, and some applications may become dyed.

Method 4: Cleaning with Recovery Mode (for power users)

If you’re willing to take risks, you can use Recovery mode to reset your cache or even completely reset your settings, which is appropriate if the Other takes up an unnecessarily large amount of space (e.g., 50+GB on a 128GB device) and other methods have not worked.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up until the MI logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

This method will remove:

• 🧹 Cache all the apps.
• 🗃️ Temporary system files.
• 🔄 Logs of updates and errors.

⚠️ Warning: Do not choose Wipe Data without backup! This will delete all your data, including photos, messages and installed applications. Also do not interrupt the cleaning process - this can lead to a bootloop cycle).

How to prevent the “Other” folder from being filled in in the future?

Cleaning up your memory is good, but it's even better to keep it from filling up. Here are some preventive measures:

• 🔄 Regularly (every 1-2 months) clean the app cache through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Clear the cache.
• 🚫 Turn off automatic update downloads in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙️) → Downloading.
• 📁 Use cloud services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) to store photos and videos, not local storage.
• 🎮 Remove games you haven’t played in a long time through Settings → Annexes → Games (they often leave behind gigabytes of cache).

Also worth paying attention to is the MIUI Optimization settings, which in some firmware, creates redundant logs and dumps. To turn it off, do it in ADB:

adb shell settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 1

This will not delete existing files, but will reduce their accumulation in the future.

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The most effective way to prevent the Other from filling in is to disable automatic MIUI backups and error logs, which can be done through ADB or special applications like Disable Service (requires root).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning the “Other” folder on Xiaomi