How to Free Up Space in the Other folder on Xiaomi Redmi 8T: Safe and Effective Techniques

The “Other” folder on Xiaomi Redmi 8T smartphones is a real black hole for free space, it can take up from 5 to 20 GB of memory, and the system does not show which files are stored there. Many users try to clean it through standard settings, but are faced with the fact that the space does not vacate or returns in a few days.

The fact is that MIUI refers to the Other not only cache and temporary files, but also application system data, remnants of deleted programs, log files, and hidden folders with backups. On Redmi 8T, the situation is complicated by the outdated version of Android 9 (in the database) and the features of the F2FS file system, which fragments small files more than ext4, as a result, even after cleaning the cache, the place can “return” due to background processes.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to free up space in the Other folder, including hidden methods that aren’t mentioned in the official instructions. Importantly, some actions require super-user rights, but we’ll also provide safe alternatives for users without root access.

Why the Other folder takes up so much space on Redmi 8T

On Redmi 8T folder “Other” often grows to 10-15 GB, while on new Xiaomi models its size rarely exceeds 3-5 GB.

1.Outdated version of MIUI. The smartphone came with MIUI 11 based on Android 9 Pie, where the cache cleaning mechanisms work less efficiently than in newer versions.For example, MIUI 14 added a Deep Clean feature that is not on the Redmi 8T.

2.F2FS File System: Optimized for speed, but poorly handles fragmentation of small files (logs, cache, temporary data) and as a result, the system “sees” the occupied space, but cannot properly free it.

3. Remnant Remnants of Remote Applications: When you uninstall the program through Settings → Applications, MIUI does not always delete folders with data in /data/data/ and /sdcard/Android/obb/. These files are in the Other and accumulate over the years.

⚠️ Note: If the Other folder is larger than 20 GB, it may indicate file system damage, and only a full reset or flashing through Fastboot will help.

To understand what exactly takes up space, you can use third-party memory analyzers, such as Files by Google or SD Maid, but they will not show all files, some of the data is hidden from the user without root rights.

Method 1: Clear cache and temporary files through MIUI settings

The most secure method, which does not require additional programs, is suitable for users who have a folder "Other" takes up to 5 GB.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Click "Clean" in the "Junk" section.
3. Go to Deep Clean (if any) and select Clear Cache.
4. Go back to the main Memory menu and tap on Other, where MIUI will show file categories (e.g. Logs, Downloads) and delete the files that are not needed.

Please note: this method does not remove:

• 📁 Remote application folders in /data/data/.
• 🔄 Backup copies MIUI (are /MIUI/backup/).
• 📱 System update files (folder) /cache/).

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete files from the folder /Android/data/ — It can break the app's work. MIUI It manages the data itself.

If the place returns quickly after cleaning, proceed to the next method.

Method 2: Remove Remnants of Remote Applications (without root)

When you delete programs through Settings → Applications, MIUI leaves their data in hidden folders, which can take anywhere from 500 MB to several gigabytes.

To find them:

1. Install a file manager with access to system folders, such as FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer.
2. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
3. Go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/data//storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/
4. Delete the folders with the names of the apps you have deleted (e.g. com.tencent.mm for WeChat).

Also check the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/backup/AllBackup/

It stores backups of applications created by MIUI, and you can delete them if you don't plan to restore data.

On Redmi 8T, the /Android/obb/ folder often contains game remnants up to 2-3GB, even if the game itself has been deleted long ago.

Method 3: Cleaning Log Files and System Dumps

MIUI actively maintains bug logs (log files) that help developers track crashes. On Redmi 8T, these files can take up to 1-2 GB, especially if the smartphone has not restarted for a long time.

How to remove them:

1. Install the Logcat Extreme app (requires root) or use ADB.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell su -c "rm -rf /data/log/*"
3. For cleaning kernel dumps (if root is available): adb shell su -c "rm -rf /data/tombstones/*"

Without root rights, you can try:

• 🔄 Rebooting your phone will clear some of the time logs.
• 📱 Enable “Developer Mode” and disable “Debugging by USB» (Sometimes it resets the logs).

⚠️ Note: Removing logs through ADB This can cause you to lose the data about the crashes that you need to diagnose the problems.

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If the phone started to work faster after cleaning the logs, it means that the problem was fragmentation of the file system. Regular reboot (every 2-3 days) helps to avoid this.

Method 4: Reset the partition cache (Wipe Cache Partition)

If the Other folder is more than 5GB and is not cleaned by standard methods, resetting the partition cache through the receptacles will help. This method does not delete user data, but requires rebooting to a special mode.

Instructions:

1. Turn off Redmi 8T.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

What does it mean?

• 🧹 Clears the system cache and Dalvik (Android virtual machine).
• 🔄 Deletes temporary update files MIUI.
• 🚀 Can speed up the smartphone if it slowed down.

Limitations:

• ❌ Does not delete user data (photos, videos, applications).
• ❌ Doesn't clean folders. /Android/data/ and /Android/obb/.

Method 5: Complete resetting of settings (last resort)

If none of the methods worked, and the Other folder still takes 10+GB, the last option is a complete reset, which is a radical solution, but it is guaranteed to clear all hidden files.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Delete all data”.
4. After reset, do not restore data from the MIUI backup - it may contain the same "junk" files.

What to do after the discharge:

• 📱 Don’t install unnecessary apps – everyone APK leaves a mark on "The Other».
• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Memory.
• 📁 Use Google Drive (Mi Cloud) for photos and videos.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 8T After reset, the "Other" partition in the memory settings may disappear — MIUI recalculating data after cleaning.

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A complete reset is the only way to delete system files that MIUI labels as “undisable,” but after that, the phone will become “clean,” and the Other folder will take up no more than 1-2 GB.

More tips for memory optimization on Redmi 8T

To prevent the “Other” folder from growing again, follow these recommendations:

• 📵 Turn off automatic download of media in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram). These files often fall into "Other».
• 🔄 Reboot your phone every 2-3 days – this clears temporary RAM files and cache.
• 📱 Use lighter versions of apps (like Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite) that take up less space in the Other».
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary themes and wallpaper MIUI. They're stored in /MIUI/theme/ and can weigh up 500 MB.

You should also turn off auto-update apps in Google Play:

1. Open the Play Store.
2. Switch to the avatar → Settings → Network settings.
3. Select “Do not update automatically”.

This will prevent temporary update files from accumulating in the Other folder.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning the “Other” folder on Redmi 8T