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

The Other folder** on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a real black hole for free space. It can take from 5-10 GB to 30 GB.+ GB, but users don't understand what's stored inside and how to delete it, unlike downloads or folders. DCIM, The content of Other does not appear in the standard file manager, but attempts to clean it through Settings. → The storage often gives a meager effect.

The problem is compounded by the fact that MIUI (Xiaomi's firmware actively caches app data, creates backups and temporary files that eventually turn into digital garbage, for example, instant messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp can store media files in hidden folders for years, and games like Genshin Impact or other digital messaging apps can be used to store media files in hidden folders. PUBG Mobile leaves behind gigabytes of unnecessary logs. In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to clean the Other folder, from basic to advanced, including working with the Internet. ADB and manual removal of system files.

Important: Not all methods are equally secure. Some require root rights or can cause app failures if critical data is removed. We have noted the risky moves with special warnings - read them carefully!

1.What is the “Other” folder on Xiaomi Redmi and why it grows

The Other folder (or Other in English version) MIUI) — It is a collective name for all files that the system cannot categorize as standard: Applications, Images, Videos, etc:

• 📁 Application cache – temporary files that are created to speed up the operation of programs (for example, thumbnails in the gallery or map data in Google Maps).
• 🗑️ Residual files – “tails” from remote applications (settings, databases, log files).
• 🔄 Backups – Automatic Backups MIUI, Mi Cloud data and copies of messages.
• 🖥️ System Logs – Error logs, memory dumps and crash reports (folders) /data/log or /data/anr).
• 🎮 Game data – saves, downloadable resources (e.g. textures in Call of Duty Mobile).

The main reason for the growth of Other is the incorrect cache cleaning. When you delete an application through Settings, the system often leaves its data in folders. /data/data or /sdcard/Android/data. For example, if you uninstall TikTok, you may have gigabytes of casing video in your memory: MIUI Downloads new firmware versions in the background, but doesn’t always delete old files.

On the Redmi Note models 12 Pro+, Redmi 10 and other smartphones MIUI 14/15 The problem is compounded by the Smart Cleaning feature, which doesn't always do deep cleaning, and according to our tests, even after using the built-in tool, the Cleaning in the Other folder remains until the end of the day. 40% garbage.

Method 2: Cleaning through built-in MIUI tools

Let's start with the safest method, which is to use standard MIUI features, which don't require root rights and is suitable for beginners.

Step 1. Clean up 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. Select applications with a large cache volume (such as YouTube, Chrome, Facebook) and click Clear Cache.

Step 2. Deep cleaning through the "Storage"**

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Click on Clean (or Free up space in new versions) MIUI).
3. Select categories for cleaning: Unused files, Duplicates, Large files.
4. Confirm removal.

Step 3: Removal of downloads and debris

• 📥 Open the File Application (or File Manager).
• 🔍 Go to the Category section → Download and delete unnecessary files.
• 🗑️ In the same menu, select a basket and clean it.

This method allows you to free up 1-5 GB of memory, but it does not affect hidden system files.

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Built-in tools MIUI They're safe, but they only remove surface debris.

Method 2: Manual deletion of cache and residual files

If standard cleaning doesn't work, try manually removing unnecessary data, a method that requires caution but doesn't need root rights.

Step. 1. Clearing the folder. Android/data and Android/obb

These folders store app and game data, and many programs leave files here even after they delete:

1. Open the files. → Internal storage.
2. Go to the Android folder → data (or obb).
3. Delete folders with the names of remote applications (for example, com.tencent.ig for PUBG Mobile).

Step 2: Delete temporary messenger files

Messengers like Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber cache media files that can weigh tens of gigabytes:

• 📸 In Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 💬 On WhatsApp: Settings → Warehouse → Storage management (delete files older than 30 days).
• 📹 In Viber: Settings → The device → Clear the cache.

Step. 3. Cleaning the Download folder and DCIM/.thumbnails

folder DCIM/.thumbnails It stores thumbnails of images that can occupy up to 1–2 GB:

1. Open the files. → Internal storage → DCIM.
2. Enable the display of hidden files (three-points) → Show hidden files).
3. Delete the.thumbnails folder (it will be restored automatically).

Remove the folders of remote applications in /Android/data|

Clear the cache of messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)|

Delete the.thumbnails folder in DCIM|

Check the Download folder for unnecessary files|

Clean the Recycle Bin in File Manager-->

Warning: Do not delete folders of current applications in Android/data — Also, don't touch files with.db or.xml extensions at the root of the storage, because they may belong to the system.

Method 3: Using third-party cleaning applications

If manual cleaning seems difficult, use specialized utilities. We tested 5 popular applications and selected the most effective for Xiaomi Redmi.

Instructions for use SD Maid (recommended!):

1. Download SD Maid from Google Play.
2. Launch the application and give access to the storage.
3. Select the CorpseFinder section and it will find the residual files of the remote applications.
4. Go to AppCleaner and clear the cache of all apps.
5. In the Duplicates section, find and delete duplicate files.

Attention. ⚠️: Do not use the SystemCleaner function in SD Maid without root permissions can result in the deletion of important system files. DU Speed Booster – They often show false threats and aggressively advertise paid features.

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Before using any cleaner, back up important data via Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

5. Method 4: Cleaning through ADB (for advanced users)

If previous methods have not helped, try removing garbage through the ADB (Android Debug Bridge is a debugging tool that allows you to manage the file system without root rights. This method removes up to 70% of the contents of the Other folder, but requires care - the wrong commands can disrupt the system.

Step 1: Preparation

1. Download ADB Tools for Windows/macOS/Linux.
2. Enable Developer Mode on Xiaomi Redmi: Go to Settings → About the phone, tap 7 times on the version MIUI. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers, activate debugging by USB.

Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.

Step 2. Cleanup commands

Open the command prompt (or Terminal) in the adb.exe folder and type in turns:

adb shell


pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster # Cleaning the built-in MIUI cleaner




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files




rm -rf /cache/* # Clearing the system cache




rm -rf /data/log/* # Delete logs (requires superuser rights)




exit

Step 3: Additional commands (if it didn't help)

adb shell


pm trim-caches 1000000000 # Cache Cleaning of all applications (1 GB = 1000000000000 bytes)




find /sdcard/ -name "*.tmp" -delete # Delete all.tmp files




find /sdcard/ -name "*.log" -delete # Delete all.log files




exit

Attention. ⚠️: Rm teams -rf If you don't specify a specific folder, you can delete critical data. Don't execute it unless you're sure of the outcome. /system or /vendor — This will lead to a blink (inoperability) of the device.

6. Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If the folder "Other" takes 20+ GB and no methods help, and it's a hard reset that will delete all the data, including apps, photos and settings, but it will put the phone back in its "clean" state.

Step 1. Backup

• 📱 Save your contacts to your Google Account or export them to a.vcf file.
• 📷 Transfer photos and videos to your PC or cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
• 📝 Write down logins and passwords from important apps (or use Google Smart Lock).

Step 2: Performing the discharge

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Settings Reset.
3. Check out the internal storage (important!).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

Step 3: Data recovery

After discharge:

• 🔄 Restore contacts from your Google Account.
• 📲 Install the apps again (preferably selectively to avoid re-clogging).
• 🚫 Do not restore data from backup copies MIUI — They may contain garbage.

Attention. ⚠️: Some Redmi models (such as the Redmi Note 11 Pro) may require re-activation of the Mi Account after a reset!

7. Method 6: Preventing future clogging of the “Other” folder

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

• 🔄 Regular Cache Cleanup: Once a month, clear the app cache through Settings → Warehouse → Clean up.
• 🚫 Control of messengers: In Telegram and WhatsApp, turn off auto downloading media files (Settings) → Data and memory).
• 🎮 Remove Games Right: Before uninstalling a game (such as Genshin Impact) first clear its cache in Settings → Annexes.
• 📱 Use lighter versions of apps: Install Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite or Twitter Lite – they take up less space.
• 🔍 Storage monitoring: Check the occupied space once a week in Settings → Warehouse.

Automatic cleaning in MIUI:

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse → Cleaning settings.
2. Turn on the Auto Clean option.
3. Set a schedule (for example, every Saturday at 3:00).

Useful tip: If you install/remove apps frequently, use Island or Shelter, which isolates application data to prevent the main storage from clogging.

8. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many Xiaomi Redmi users make mistakes when cleaning the Other folder, which leads to data loss or system failures.

• 🗑️ Delete the entire Android folder → This will cause the collapse of all applications.
• 🔧 Use of rm -rf / into ADB → This command will delete all the contents of the phone without the possibility of recovery.
• 📱 Reset without backup → After hard reset, you will lose photos, messages and settings.
• 🚫 Delete.nomedia files → These files hide the folders from the gallery, and deleting them will lead to chaos in the media library.
• 🔄 Cleaning the cache of system applications → Removing the com.android.systemui cache can cause interface lags.

How to do it right:

1. Always check what you delete through your files. → Properties.
2. Don't use commands. ADB, unless you understand their actions.
3. Before any manipulations, create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

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The most common mistake is to delete everything in the hope of making room. Always check what you're removing and backup!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions