How to completely clean the folder “Other” on Xiaomi Poco X3: from cache to hidden files

The Other folder on Xiaomi Poco X3 is a real black hole for free space, it can take 5 to 20 GB, but the system insists that there is “nothing important.” In practice, this folder accumulates the remnants of remote applications, cache system processes, logs of errors and even fragments of MIUI updates. If your smartphone has started to slow down and memory ends in the same place, the problem is in the Other.

In this article, we'll look at 5 proven cleanup methods, including hidden MIUI settings, working with ADB, and even manually removing debris through the file manager. Importantly, not all methods are equally safe - some can cause failures if you act at random. So we'll explain in detail what you can remove without risk and what you shouldn't touch. You'll also learn why the Other folder fills up again in a week and how to avoid it.

What is the “Other” folder on Xiaomi Poco X3 and why it grows

The Other folder (or Other in the English version of MIUI) is a collection container for files that the system cannot categorize as standard: photos, videos, audio or documents.

• 📁 Application and system process cache – temporary files that must be deleted automatically but often remain “just in case».
• 🔄 Remains of remote programs - fragments APK, settings and data that have not been cleared after uninstallation.
• 📜 Logs and error dumps are crash information files that Android creates for diagnostics (e.g., crash files, /data/tombstones).
• 🔄 Update files MIUI — downloaded firmware packages that have not been removed after installation.
• 🗑️ Garbage from messengers and social networks – cached stickers, gifs and media from Telegram, WhatsApp or TikTok.

On the Poco X3, the problem is compounded by MIUI 12/13/14 aggressively caches data to speed up work, but rarely cleans it. For example, after watching YouTube videos or TikTok, clips of videos up to 500 MB can remain in the Other folder.

🔍 How do you check what takes up space? Go to Settings → The phone. → Memory and click on the graph. The system will show the memory allocation, but often understates the volume of the Other. For accurate analysis, use third-party tools like Files by Google or SD Maid.

Method 1: Cleaning cache and debris through standard MIUI settings

The safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which will not remove all Other, but will help you get rid of 30-50% of the garbage without risk to the system.

Step 1. Cleaning the app cache

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Scroll down the list – there will be apps with the largest cache (most often Google Play Services, Chrome, Facebook or MIUI System).
4. Click on the app → Storage → Clear the cache.

Step 2: Delete Unnecessary Files through Cleanup

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Wait for the analysis to be completed (it may take 1-2 minutes).
3. Check all items except Download (there may be important files).
4. Click Clean and confirm the action.

Step 3: Remove old MIUI updates

The system stores update packages in a folder /data/ota_package. To remove them:

1. Open any file manager (such as Mi File Manager).
2. Go to the Device. → data → ota_package.
3. Delete all files with the.zip extension (these are old firmware).

Clear the cache of all applications|Remove garbage through “Cleaning” in the settings|Check the folder. /data/ota_package old-fashioned|Delete the Google Play Services cache-->

Method 2: Manually delete files through file manager (for experienced)

If standard cleaning doesn’t help, you can manually remove some of the garbage. ⚠️ Attention: Incorrect actions can lead to failures in work MIUI Before starting, make sure to back up important data.

What folders can be cleaned:

How to access system folders:

1. Install a file manager with root access support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
3. Go to /data and delete the contents of the folders from the table above (except dalvik-cache!).

⚠️ Attention: If after cleaning /data/log or tombstones apps have started to crash and the system is not stable — reboot. If the problem persists, restore deleted files from the backup.

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

If you don’t have root rights but need to remove system debris, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) can help.This method allows you to clear cache and unnecessary files through the command line without risking system stability.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB (download).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB Poco X3 (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the assembly number → Go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Cleanup commands:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd) in the ADB folder.
2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your Poco X3.
3. Clear the cache of all applications: adb shell pm trim-caches -1
4. Delete the temporary update files: adb shell rm -rf /data/ota_package/*
5. Clear error logs (safe): adb shell rm -rf /data/log/*

🔹 The result: These commands will release 1 to 5 GB, depending on the level of contamination. If you need more, move to the next method.

💡

Before using ADB, create a restore point in TWRP (if installed) to help roll back changes if something goes wrong.

Method 4: Reset the cache via Recovery Mode (without data loss)

If previous methods didn't work, try resetting the cache via Recovery.This won't delete your files or apps, but will clear up system debris that isn't available through standard settings.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the Poco X3.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up and hold for 10-15 seconds until the MI logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to Recovery Mode (English menu).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
5. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
6. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 1-3 minutes).
7. Reboot the phone (Reboot) → Reboot to System).

✅ What will it do:

• 🧹 Clears the Dalvik cache and ART (speed up the system).
• 🗑️ Delete temporary files that are not visible through the file manager.
• 🔄 Correct minor mistakes in the work MIUI.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option will reset your phone to factory settings and delete all your data.

Method 5: Complete reset to factory settings (last resort)

If the Other folder takes up more than 10GB and previous methods didn't work, it's just hard reset, which is a radical way to get the phone back to its original state by removing all the data, including:

• 📱 Applications and their settings.
• 📂 Photos, videos, music (if not on the list) SD-map).
• 📝 Messages, contacts, notes.
• 🔑 Accounts and passwords (except Google if linked to Google).

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Move your important files to your PC or cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
4. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
5. After restarting, set your phone as new.

Once reset, the Other folder will take up no more than 1-2 GB, which is normal for a clean system, but after 1-2 months of active use, it will start growing again. To avoid this, keep an eye on the application cache and clean the garbage regularly (every 2-3 weeks).

💡

Factory reset is the only way to completely clear the Other folder, but it deletes all user data. Use it only as a last resort.

How to prevent the “Other” folder from being refilled

Cleaning is half the battle, so that the Other folder doesn't grow back, follow these tips:

• 🚫 Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play. Manually update programs to control cache volume.
• 🗑️ Clean the messenger cache (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber) regularly, and they download media in the background and clog up memory.
• 🔄 Use the Light versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite) that take up less space and cache less data.
• 📥 Configure file retention to SD-map (if any) Move photos, videos and music through Settings → Warehouse.
• 🔍 Install a utility for memory monitoring, for example SD Maid or Files by Google.It will warn of litter growth.

📌 Useful Lifehack: If you install and delete games frequently, use the Guest Session feature in the Game. MIUI. It allows you to test applications in an isolated environment without clogging the main system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning the “Other” folder on Poco X3