How to Clean the Other folder on Xiaomi Poco: The Complete Guide 2026

The “Other” folder on Xiaomi Poco smartphones is one of the most mysterious and annoying features of MIUI. It can take up 5 to 30 GB of storage, while the system does not show what is stored inside. Users often face a situation where free space is running out, and in the “Storage” section there is a huge “Other” block that can not be removed by standard methods.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working cleaning methods, including hidden system tools, manual cleaning through ADB, and explain why the Other folder fills up again after a while. Instructions are suitable for all Poco models, from the budget Poco M3/M4 to the flagships Poco F5 Pro and Poco X6 Pro. Importantly, some methods require root or unlocked bootloader permission – we will warn you about this in advance.

If you have already tried to clean the cache through the settings and it did not help - do not rush to reset the phone to the factory. 90% of the garbage in the "Other" can be removed without losing data, but you need to know where to look.

Why does the “Other” folder take up so much space?

The MIUI “Other” folder is a container for system files that do not fall into the standard categories (Photos, Videos, Applications).

• 🗑️ Cache of system applications (including com.miui.home, com.android.systemui)
• 📁 Logs and dumps of the system (error reports, log) MIUI)
• 🔄 Remnants of Remote Applications (Incorrectly Uninstalled) APK)
• 📱 Update files (downloaded but not installed) OTA-packet)
• 🎮 Game data (unity cache, Unreal Engine, saves, etc)
• 📊 Databases MIUI (settings of themes, widgets, security)

The main problem is that MIUI doesn't optimize automatic cleaning, for example, after a system update, old firmware files can stay in /cache for months, and the same applies to application logs: if a game or messenger crashes, the system saves the dump of the error, but does not delete it.

Another nuance: some applications (especially Chinese ones) create hidden folders in the root directory that don’t appear in the standard file manager. For example, TikTok or AliExpress can store gigabytes of cache in /Android/data/com.zhiliaoapp.musically, but MIUI classifies this as “Other.”

Method 1: Cleaning through built-in MIUI tools

Before resorting to radical measures, try standard MIUI methods. They won’t delete everything, but can free up 2–5 GB without risking the system.

Step 1. Cleaning the app cache

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner and select "Sort by size."
3. Scroll down the list – you’re interested in apps with a cache of more than 100MB (e.g. Google Play Services, MIUI Launcher, Galery).
4. Click on the app → “Storage” → “Clean the cache”.

Step 2: Delete Unnecessary Files through Cleanup

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Cleaning.
2. Click on “Deep Clean” and wait for analysis.
3. Check all items except the "Journal" (it is better not to touch them).
4. Slip "Pure."

Step 3: Remove downloaded updates

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. If you have a downloaded but not installed OTA package, click on three dots → “Delete the service pack”.

Clear the cache of large applications (YouTube, Chrome, Games)

Remove downloaded but not installed MIUI updates

Check the “Downloads” folder for unnecessary files

Clean the Recycle Bin in Gallery and File Manager-->

Limitation of the method: built-in tools MIUI Do not remove the system cache (folders) /cache and /data/log). This requires root rights or ADB.

Method 2: Manually clean through file manager (no root)

If a standard cleaning didn’t work, try manually finding and removing junk files, and any file manager with access to hidden folders (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer) will do.

Which folders can be cleaned safely:

• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data — cache of games and applications (remove folders of unnecessary programs).
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Download — old downloads (especially note files with the.apk,.zip extension).
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo and video miniatures (can be removed without consequences).
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Backup — backup MIUI (If you have not done backup manually, be sure to clean).

How to enable the display of hidden files:

1. Open the file manager (e.g., Google Files).
2. Slip on three lines (menu) → “Settings” → “Show hidden files”.
3. Go to /storage/emulated/0 and manually check the folders from the list above.

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If you're not sure if you can delete a folder, rename it (e.g., add old at the end). If nothing breaks after a day or two, delete it safely.

Warning: Do not touch the folders with the names:

• /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb – game data (only delete if the game itself is deleted).
• /storage/emulated/0/MIUI – System files of theme and widgets (you can break the interface).
• /storage/emulated/0/Alipay or /storage/emulated/0/Tencent – if you are not using Chinese services.

Method 3: Cleaning through ADB (without root but with PC)

If manual cleaning does not help, and root rights do not want to get — ADB (Android Debug Bridge will help you remove the system cache and unnecessary files. This method does not require unlocking the bootloader, but you need to USB-debug.

Step 1: Preparation

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
2. Return to "Settings» → «Additionally» → «For developers" and include «USB-debugging».
3. Download ADB Tools on PC and unpack it into the C:\adb folder.

Step 2: Connection and cleaning

1. Connect Poco to your PC via USB (select File Transfer mode).
2. Open the command prompt in the ADB folder (press Shift + PCM → “Open PowerShell window here”).
3. Enter the commands in turn: adb devices (your device should appear) adb shell su -c "rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*" su -c "rm -rf /cache/*" exit

What teams do:

• rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* - clears temporary application files.
• rm -rf /cache/* — Remove the system cache (safely, automatically recreated).

The result: after rebooting the folder “Other” should decrease by 1-3 GB. If there are no changes, move to the next method.

Method 4: Complete cleaning with TWRP (requires unlocking the bootloader)

If previous methods have failed, the most radical way is to clean through custom recovery (TWRP) which requires an unlocked bootloader, but allows you to delete all unnecessary system files, including:

• 🗃️ Kesh. Dalvik/ART (Speed up the system after cleaning).
• 📜 Logs. MIUI and nuclei (/data/log, /data/anr).
• 🔄 Remains of old firmware (/data/ota_package).

Step 1 Unlocking the bootloader

1. Apply for unlocking via Xiaomi’s official website (can take up to 72 hours).
2. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions.

Step 2: Installation of TWRP

1. Download the latest version of TWRP for your Poco model from twrp.me.
2. Fastboot recovery via fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0-xx-poco.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0-xx-poco.img

Step 3: Cleaning through TWRP

1. V TWRP Choose "Wipe» → «Advanced Wipe».
2. Check the boxes: 🔘 Dalvik / ART Cache 🔘 Cache 🔘 System (only if you want to re-examine) MIUI)

Swipe to confirm ("Swipe to Wipe").

Reboot to the system.

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Cleaning through TWRP is the only way to remove the Dalvik cache without root.This can speed up the phone, but requires unlocking the bootloader.

⚠️ Note: if you accidentally mark the data in TWRP, This will result in a complete reset of the phone, and all photos, messages and apps will be deleted!

Method 5: Using Deep Cleaning Applications

If you don’t want to mess with ADB or TWRP, you can use third-party apps that can clean the Other better than standard MIUI tools.

How to use SD Maid to clean the Other:

1. In AppCleaner, clear the cache of all applications.

Use SD Maid, it works smarter with MIUI.