How to clean the “Other” on the smartphone Xiaomi: 7 proven ways

The “Other” partition in Xiaomi’s smartphone memory is one of the most puzzling and annoying problems for users. It can take anywhere from 5-10 GB to 30+ GB, and the system does not show which files are getting there. Most often, “Other” grows due to the cache of applications, temporary MIUI files, system logs and remnants of remote programs. In this article, we will discuss 7 working ways to clean this partition, from standard tools to hidden commands for advanced users.

It's important to understand that "other" doesn't always equal garbage. It can get into critical files for work. MIUI/HyperOS, For example, widget data, thematic or cache settings of system services. Deleting some files from this section may cause interface or individual functions to fail (for example, Smart Assistant or animations will stop working.

1. Standard cleaning through "Settings"

To start with, the simplest method that is available to all users without root rights or additional software, the latest versions of MIUI 14 and HyperOS have improved the cleaning algorithm, but many features are still hidden from view.

Go to: Settings → Memory → Memory Cleanup → Other

Here, the system will show you the approximate amount of space you take in. Click Clean, but don't expect miracles -- this method only removes surface debris (browser cache, temporary download files).

• 📱 MIUI 12/13: The path may be different – look for settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
• 🔍 What is cleaned: app cache, image thumbnails,.thumbnails files.
• ⚠️ What is NOT cleared: system logs, widget data, backups MIUI.

💡

If the “Clean” button is inactive, try first to manually remove the cache for Browser, Gallery and Downloads via Settings → Applications → Application Management

2. Cleaning the cache of system applications

Many users are unaware that even system applications (which cannot be removed) accumulate gigabytes of cache, such as Mi Video, Mi Music or Themes, which can store up to 2 to 5 GB of unnecessary data, and clearing their cache will not harm the system, but will free up space.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show System Processes.
3. Sort the applications by cache size (click on Warehouse).
4. Select applications with a large cache (e.g. com.miui.gallery, com.miui.video) and click Clear cache.

Gallery (com.miui.gallery)|Topics (com.android.themes)|Mi Video (com.miui.video)|Browser (com.android.browser)|Downloads (com.android.providers.downloads)-->

3. Removal of system logs and dumps through ADB

If standard methods don't work, it's time to move to advanced tools, and one of the most effective ways is to clean up through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which removes system logs, memory dumps, and temporary files that MIUI doesn't show in the interface.

Note: This method requires a computer with installed ADB-Drivers and enabled Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/log/*




rm -rf /data/tombstones/*




rm -rf /data/anr/*




rm -rf /data/system/dropbox/*




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*




exit




exit

• 📂 /data/log/ — Logs of system and applications.
• ⚰️ /data/tombstones/ — memory dumps when applications crash.
• ⚠️ /data/anr/ — Logic: Application does not respond».
• 📦 /data/local/tmp/ — temporary update files.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files in /data/data/ or /system/ — This will cause the system to fail. /data/media/0/ (It is your internal memory with photos and documents).

4. reset the /data partition cache (without data loss)

This method doesn’t delete your files (photos, videos, documents), but it resets the cache of all applications and parts of system data. It is useful if the Other took more than 10 GB and previous methods did not help.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. Choose a language, then Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

This method cleanses:

• 🧹 cache of all applications (including system).
• 🗑️ Temporary update files MIUI.
• 📊 Application usage statistics.

⚠️ After this procedure, the first 5-10 minutes of the smartphone can work slower than usual – this is normal, as the system restores the cache.

Cache dump via Recovery|ADB-team|Cleaning the cache of system applications|None of the above.-->

5. Cleaning through Safe Mode (Safe Mode)

If Other is growing because of viruses or malfunctioning apps, try booting into Safe Mode, which disables all third-party apps and you can uninstall the problem software.

How to turn on Safe Mode:

1. Press the power button before the turn off menu appears.
2. Press and hold the button “Off” (will be prompted to go to Safe Mode).
3. Confirm the transition.

In Safe Mode:

• 🔍 Check if the Other section has decreased (if so, a problem in third-party software).
• 🗑️ Remove recently installed applications (especially memory optimizers!).
• 🛠️ Clear the cache through Settings → Memory.

💡

If the other is reduced in Safe Mode, it is one of the installed applications that is to blame. Delete them one by one, starting with the most suspicious ones (optimizers, launchers, antiviruses).

6 Manually delete unnecessary files through file manager

Some files that fall into Others can be manually deleted, and any file manager with access to system folders (such as Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer) will do.

What folders can be cleaned:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ — cache of games and applications (remove folders of unnecessary programs).
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/ — Additional game files (can be deleted if the games are not used).
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Download/ — old downloads (especially files with the.apk,.tmp extension).
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails/ — Photo and video miniatures (restore automatically).

Do not delete:

• ❌ Android folders, MIUI, Xiaomi (Critical System Data).
• ❌ Files with.db or.xml extension at the root of memory.

7.Extreme measures: reset to factory settings

If none of the methods worked, and the Other takes 20+GB, it could be the problem with corrupted system files, in which case only a full reset would help.

How to reset your settings:

1. Make a backup copy of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm.
4. After reset, do not restore data from the MIUI backup – it may contain garbage!

⚠️ Note: On models with HyperOS (e.g. Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) Reset can take up to 30 minutes. Do not interrupt the process, even if the screen does not react for a long time!

FAQ: Frequent questions about the “Other” section on Xiaomi