How to Free Up Space in the Other folder on Xiaomi Redmi 8: Complete Guide 2026

Why is the folder “Other” on Xiaomi Redmi 8 grows to giant sizes?

Have you ever looked into the storage of your Redmi 8 and found with horror that the mysterious folder “Other” takes 10, 20, or even 30 GB? It is not a glitch of the system and not a virus – this is how the MIUI architecture works. Unlike the obvious categories (“Photos”, “Video”, “Apps”), everything that the system can not uniquely classify, from the update cache to the residual files of deleted programs, falls here.

On the Redmi 8 (2019 model with Android 9/10 and MIUI 11-14), the problem is exacerbated by limited internal memory capacity – only 32/64 GB. Even after removing photos and apps, “Other” continues to grow like a snowball.

• 🔄 System cache: MIUI Actively caches data to speed up work, but rarely cleans it automatically.
• 🗑️ Residual files: After uninstallation of applications, their settings and temporary data often remain in the system.
• 📦 Hidden updates: firmware and security patch files are downloaded in the background and stored “in reserve».

Worst of all, standard cleaning tools in Settings → Storage often ignore this section. But the good news is that Redmi 8 can safely free up to 70% of the volume of the Other folder without root rights and specialized programs. Next, proven methods, sorted by efficiency.

Method 1: Cleaning the cache of system applications (safe and fast)

The most innocuous method that doesn't require deep knowledge: System applications (com.android., com.miui.) accumulate gigabytes of cache that MIUI doesn't show in the standard interface, such as the Gallery can store thumbnails of deleted photos, and the Browser can store copies of visited pages.

How to clean:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select “Show System Processes”.
3. Sort the list by size (click "Size").
4. Open each application from the top-10 and press "Clear the cache».

Pay special attention to these applications (they often “clog” the cache):

• 📷 Gallery (com.miui.gallery) – stores sketches and metadata.
• 🌐 Browser (com.android.browser) – saves web pages for offline browsing.
• 📱 Launcher (com.miui.home) – caches icons and widgets.
• 🔄 System Update (com.android.updater) – Downloaded Service Packs.

⚠️ Warning: Do not click on Clear Data for system applications – this can cause malfunctions MIUI (For example, you'll lose your launcher settings or contacts!

Method 2: Removing residual files via MIUI Storage Analyzer (hidden function)

Xiaomi hides from users a powerful storage analysis tool, MIUI Storage Analyzer, which shows all files, including those hidden in the Other folder, accessed through a secret code:

##4636##

After entering the code:

1. Select “Storage” in the menu that appears.
2. Click on “Storage Analysis” (it may take 1-2 minutes to wait).
3. In the Other section, you will see a detailed list of folders and files sorted by size.
4. Delete unnecessary files manually (e.g. old.log logs, temporary.tmp files, or remnants of deleted applications in /data/data folder).

Typical junk folders that can be cleaned:

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files with.odex,.vdex or folder extensions /system — If you're in doubt, you'd better skip the file.

💡

Before deleting files via Storage Analyzer, take a screenshot of their names and paths. If you have problems after cleaning, you can recover critical data via ADB or reflash your smartphone.

Method 3: Reset /cache cache via Recovery Mode

If the first two methods didn’t work, try clearing the cache partition through Restore mode, which will delete all temporary system files, including:

• 📦 Update cache MIUI (folder /cache).
• 🔄 Dalvik-cache files (accelerate application launches but become fragmented over time).
• 🗃️ Residual data after application installation failures.

Instructions:

1. Turn off Redmi 8.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (English / Whale) and go to “Wipe & Reset”.
4. Select “Wipe Cache” (not to be confused with “Wipe Data” – it’s a complete reset!).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 1-3 minutes).
6. Reboot your smartphone.

Once rebooted, the system will collect the cache again, so the first 5-10 minutes of operation may be slower than usual, but this method is guaranteed to free 1-4 GB in the Other folder.

Method 4: Remove old MIUI updates via ADB

MIUI stores all downloaded firmware in /cache/ota, even after installation. On Redmi 8, these files can take up to 3-5 GB. They can only be deleted through ADB (Android Debugging Tool).

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB (download).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Cleanup commands:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /cache/ota/*




rm -rf /data/ota_package/*




exit




exit

If you run the commands and you get a Permission denied error, your Redmi 8 has your root access disabled, and only Recovery Mode (Method 3) will help.

💡

Cleaning with ADB is the most radical method, but it requires technical skills. If you are not confident in your abilities, use Methods 1-3.

Method 5: Transfer data to a memory card (unless the Other is reduced)

If the Other folder still takes up a lot of space after all the manipulations, the problem may be fragmentation of internal memory. On Redmi 8 with eMMC 5.1, this is especially true: over time, the write speed decreases, and the system begins to “smear” files throughout the disk, increasing the volume of the Other.

The solution is to transfer some of the data to microSD (up to 512 GB):

1. Insert a memory card (UHS-I U3 class is recommended for speed).
2. Go to Settings. → Warehouse → SD-map.
3. Click on “Format as internal storage” (Warning: After that, the card will only work on this smartphone!).
4. In the Warehouse menu, select “Move Data” and specify which apps and files to move.

Important: After formatting as an internal storage, do not retrieve the card without first “disabling” the settings – this can lead to data loss!

What NOT to do when cleaning the Redmi 8

Some of the "advice" on the Internet can hurt your smartphone, and this is strictly forbidden:

• 🚫 Delete the folder /system or files in it - this will lead to a "brick" (the phone will not turn on).
• 🚫 Use programs like Clean Master or CCleaner – they often delete critical files MIUI.
• 🚫 Format a section /data Without a backup, it will erase all your data.
• 🚫 Disable system applications through ADB without understanding the consequences (e.g., disabling com.miui.securitycenter will disrupt the security center).

If after cleaning the smartphone began to work slower or there were errors, try:

1. Reset the device.
2. Start settings → Additional → Optimization.
3. In extreme cases, make a reset to factory settings (Settings → About the phone → Reset settings).

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