How to Clean the Other folder on Xiaomi Redmi 3: A Complete Guide with Pictures and Tips

Why is the folder “Other” on Xiaomi Redmi 3 grows to a giant size?

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 3 (and other MIUI smartphones) often encounter a mysterious folder called Others, which takes up 5 to 20 GB of storage — and it’s impossible to know which files are stored there. Unlike the Images or Video folders, the content of Others does not appear in the standard file manager, raising suspicions about whether it’s system junk, remnants of remote applications, or hidden MIUI data.

In fact, the Others are all things that don't fall into the standard categories: app cache, temporary update files, system logs, debugging data, and remnants of apps that have been removed without being completely cleaned, and it gets bigger especially if you're actively using messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp, downloading files through your browser, or updating your firmware frequently. MIUI doesn't automatically clear that garbage, so it snowballs over time.

The main problem is that standard cleaning tools (like the built-in Optimizer) only remove the tip of the iceberg. To really make room, you'll have to use a combination of system tools, third-party utilities, and even manual file deletion, but it's important not to overdo it: some of the data in the Other is critical to MIUI, and deleting it can cause failures.

Method 1: Clearing the application cache through MIUI settings

To start with, the safest method is to remove the app cache, which requires no root rights or risk damaging system files, and cache is the lion's share of Other, especially if you use social media, games or streaming services a lot.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select Sort by size – so you will see the most “gluttonous” programs.
• 🧹 Click on the app (such as Facebook or YouTube) → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Repeat for all applications where the cache exceeds 100-200 MB.

Note: Clearing the cache does not delete your data (logins, messages, settings), but it can slow down applications a little when they first start after cleaning – they will have to download data again.

Video viewing apps (YouTube, TikTok)|Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)|Social networks (Facebook, Instagram)|Games (especially with 3D-graphic)|Browser (Chrome, Mi Browser)-->

Method 2: Using the built-in Security App

MIUI includes a Security App (Security or Optimizer in Russian) that can find and delete junk files, but by default it doesn't clean everything you can, and to get the most out of it, you need to use hidden features.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleanup (or Garbage) tab.
3. Press Deep Clean (if there is no such option, tap on the gear in the upper right corner and turn on Show Deep Clean).
4. Check all categories, especially: 🗑️ Residual files (remains of remote applications), 📁 Large files (temporary downloads), 🔄 Update files (firmware residues).

Clean up

After deep cleaning, it is recommended to restart the smartphone - this will help MIUI correctly recalculate the occupied space in memory.

💡

If the Other folder size has not changed after cleaning, check Security settings → Cleanup → Ignore system files. Disable this option so that the utility scans all partitions.

Method 3: Manual garbage removal through file manager (for experienced ones)

If standard methods fail, you can manually delete unnecessary files from hidden folders. This method requires caution: deleting the wrong files can cause MIUI to malfunction. On Xiaomi Redmi 3, critical system files are stored in /data and /system folders - you can not touch them without root rights!

Safe to clean folders (use any file manager, such as Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer):

Warning: Do not delete files with extensions.odex,.apk (unless these are your downloads), as well as folders with names com.android. or com.xiaomi. - these are system components!

Method 4: Cleaning through ADB (for advanced users)

If you're ready to connect Redmi 3 to your computer, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) for deep cleaning, a technique that removes the cache of system applications that are not normally available through standard settings.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → Click on version 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Cleaning commands (enter the command line after connecting the device):

adb shell pm clear com.miui.home # Clearing the launcher cache


adb shell pm clear com.android.browser # Clean up the browser




adb shell pm clear com.xiaomi.midrop #Mi Drop cleanup




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

After completing the commands, restart your smartphone. This method is especially effective if the Other folder has grown after the MIUI update - often old firmware files remain in the system and take up space.

💡

ADB-Cleaning removes data only for the current user. If there are multiple accounts on the smartphone, repeat the commands for each user.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of the methods worked, and the Other folder still takes up 10+GB, the last option is a complete reset, a radical solution that will delete all the data on the device, including apps, photos and settings.

• 📉 The smartphone slows down and freezes due to lack of memory.
• 🔄 You plan to sell or transfer Redmi 3 to another person.
• 🛠️ Other cleaning methods have failed to produce results.

How to reset:

1. Back up important data (photos, contacts, messages) through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, set up your smartphone as new.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi Redmi 3, resetting does not delete files on the memory card (if installed). SD-The map will have to be formatted separately via PC.

Method 6: Use of third-party utilities (CCleaner, SD Maid)

If you don't want to mess around with manual cleaning, you can install specialized applications that automatically find and remove garbage, including files from the Other folder. However, be careful: some utilities may delete useful data or show false "optimizations."

Recommended annexes:

Before using third-party utilities:

1. Read the reviews about the app on Google Play.
2. Create a backup copy of important data.
3. Do not give the application the right to superuser (root), if you are not sure about its security.

Method 7: Preventing the refilling of “Other”

Cleaning the Other folder is only half the battle, so that the problem doesn't come back in a month, you need to configure the Xiaomi Redmi 3 so that the garbage doesn't accumulate again.

• 📵 Limit cache for individual applications: go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → [select the application] → Warehouse → Limit the cache.
• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI: In new versions of firmware often fix memory leaks.
• 🚫 Turn off automatic download of media files in instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp).
• 🗑️ Install automatic cleaning in Security → Cleanup → Autoclean (set your schedule).

It is also useful to disable unnecessary system applications that actively use cache, for example, Mi Video, Mi Music or Mi Browser can be replaced with third-party counterparts (such as VLC or Chrome), which better manage memory.

💡

To reduce the size of the Telegram cache, go to the messenger settings → Data and memory → Clear the Telegram cache. Also limit the automatic download of media in Settings → Data and memory → Autoboot media.

FAQ: Frequent Questions About the “Other” Folder on Xiaomi Redmi 3