Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a mysterious partition in the device’s memory that is labeled “Other” or “System Data.” On the Redmi 8T, this problem is especially relevant given the amount of internal storage that is quickly filled with multimedia files. When standard cleaning methods do not help to free up space, users begin to look for ways to force the system to clean up.
The system partition “Other” accumulates application cache, temporary update files, remnants of remote programs and the operating system logs of the MIUI. Secure deletion of this data requires an understanding of the structure of the file system so as not to accidentally damage critical components of the OS. In this article, we will discuss effective and safe ways to free up space.
Before we start radical measures, we need to make basic diagnostics. Often users do not realize that a significant part of the "Other" is occupied by data messengers or cache streaming services. The right approach to cleaning will allow you to return the device to speed and free up gigabytes of space without losing personal photos or contacts.
Memory analysis and detection of large files
The first step should always be to get deep analytics on what exactly takes up space. Xiaomi's standard Explorer provides the basic tools, but for detailed analysis, it's better to use a built-in cleaning utility or third-party analyzers. Data visualization helps you understand which folders have swelled to giant sizes.
Note folders with the names of social networks and instant messengers. Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber tend to accumulate gigabytes of media files, which the system often classifies as “Other” unless they are labeled as images or videos in the gallery. SQLite database files in instant messenger folders often make up up up to 40% of the “Other” partition volume.
Use the built-in Security app to scan, which will show general categories, but it doesn't always detail the contents of the system folders, and for more accurate results, you can plug your smartphone into your computer and manually check the folder size at the root of the internal memory.
Don't ignore downloaded files from your browser. The Download folder is often full of APK installation files that have already been used but not deleted, and their accumulation over time significantly affects the available space.
Cleaning the cache of applications and system services
The safest and most effective way to reduce the size of the Other partition is to manually clear the cache of heavy applications. Cached data speeds up programs, but the excess of it causes the system partition to inflate, and do this selectively, understanding which applications consume the most resources.
To start, go to the storage settings. The path usually looks like: Settings → About Phone → Memory. Here the system will offer to clean up the garbage, but manually checking gives you the best result. Find the ones on the list of applications that occupy the most space, such as YouTube, Chrome or social networks.
☑️ Manual cache cleaning algorithm
It is important to distinguish between Clear Cache and Clear Everything (or Erase Data) buttons: the first deletes temporary files, the second resets the application to the state immediately after installation, removing logins and settings, and be extremely careful when choosing an action so as not to lose authorization data.
Pay special attention to the system application "Downloads" or "Conductor", sometimes there are temporary files of MIUI updates that are no longer needed, and it is worth checking the Gallery app, where the cache of thumbnails can accumulate if there are thousands of photos in the album.
Work with garbage files through the Explorer
Manually cleaning through the file manager allows you to remove specific debris that automatic cleaners ignore. To do this, open the Explorer app and go to internal storage, where you need to look for folders with the names of remote games or applications that left behind the tails.
Often, you'll find folders at the root of internal memory with names like MIUI, Android, DCIM. App data is stored inside the Android/data folder. Deleting the contents of this folder can make room, but it will require reconfiguration of some programs. Log files are often hidden in root directories under obscure names.
⚠️ Warning: Never delete.xml or.conf files from system folders unless you are sure of their purpose.This can cause a phone to reboot cyclically or the interface to disappear.
Find folders called tencent (for QQ and sometimes WeChat residues) or com.whatsapp. They often contain Media or Cache folders that you can safely clean, and check the Bluetooth folder, which may have saved the files you have already forgotten.
Use of debugging and ADB modes
For advanced users who lack standard methods, there is the option of using USB debugging.This method allows you to connect to the file system of a smartphone from a computer and delete files that are hidden from the average user. For Redmi 8T, this is one of the most powerful tools.
First, activate the developer menu. To do this, click 7 times on the MIUI version number in the About Phone section. Then, in the Developer menu that appears, turn on the USB debugging option. Once you connect to a PC with ADB installed, you can run cleaning commands.
adb shell pm clear com.android.browserThis command, for example, will clear the browser data completely, and you can do the same with other system applications that accumulate cache, but using adb requires caution: an error in the command can lead to the removal of system components.
Risks of using ADB for beginners
Comparison of methods of cleaning the storage
The choice of method depends on your technical background and the scope of the problem. Below is a table comparing the effectiveness and safety of different approaches to cleaning the Other section on Xiaomi Redmi 8T.
| Method | Efficiency | Security | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in cleaning | Low. | Tall. | Minimum |
| Manual cache removal | Medium | Tall. | Low. |
| Removal through the Conductor | Tall. | Medium | Medium |
| Use of ADB | Maximum | Low. | Tall. |
As you can see from the table, embedded tools are good for prevention, but they don't solve the problem radically. Manual file management provides a better balance between outcome and risk. ADB should only be used in extreme cases when other methods have exhausted themselves.
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The combined approach (cache cleaning + manual garbage removal) gives the best result without the risk of losing the system’s stability.
Radical measures: Resetting and formatting
If the Other partition occupies a critical volume (for example, more than 20-30 GB) and does not decrease after all the manipulations, it is possible that the file system is damaged or indexing errors have accumulated in it, in which case the only correct solution is a complete reset.
Before you run Hard Reset, make sure you back up all your important data, and reset will delete everything: contacts, photos, apps, and settings, and it will bring your smartphone back to factory status, where the Other partition is minimal.
You can reset via the settings menu: Settings → About Phone → Reset → Erase all data. An alternative way is through Recovery mode, clamping the combination of volume and power buttons when the device is off.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure the battery is at least 50% charged before resetting. interruption of the formatting process due to battery discharge may result in the inability to load the operating system.
After a reset, take your time to restore the app backup immediately. Install it from Google Play. Often, old backups return the app with its bloated cache, negating all cleanup efforts.
Prevention of memory overflow
To keep the problem from returning to the Redmi 8T, you need to maintain a regular maintenance routine, so you don't have to fill up the memory, and the system needs space to keep the writing and reading mechanisms running properly.
Set up automatic cleaning in messengers. Telegram can set a cache storage limit (e.g., 1GB or 3 days) to prevent it from growing indefinitely. On WhatsApp, turn off auto-save media to the gallery if you don't need it.
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Use cloud storage (Google Photos, Yandex.Disk) with the function “free up space”, which will delete local copies of photos and videos, leaving them available online, which significantly reduces the internal memory.
Check your Downloads folder and gallery cart regularly, at least once a month, and removing unnecessary files as soon as they appear is the best strategy. Also, avoid using widgets with constantly updated content on your desktop if your device’s memory is limited, as they also generate cache.
Keep an eye out for MIUI updates. New firmware versions often optimize the file system and fix errors that lead to the proliferation of system partitions. The current version of the software is the key to stable memory.