How to clean the “Other” in the Xiaomi phone: step-by-step instructions

The “Other” section of Xiaomi’s smartphone memory is a real black hole for gigabytes of data, and users often face a situation where the system shows that they are busy. 10-30 GB files are unknown, although photos, videos and apps take up much less, and in this article we will discuss what lies beneath the Other, why it grows and how to clean it safely without harming the system.

The problem is relevant for all Xiaomi lines, from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Even after resetting to the factory settings, the Other can take up to 5-8 GB — that's normal, but if the volume exceeds 15-20 GB, it's time to act. We tested 5 cleaning methods on the firmware MIUI 14 and HyperOS, so you can choose the best option.

It’s important to understand that not all files in Prokhoh can be deleted without consequences: it stores the cache of system applications, log files, temporary update data and even backups. Cleaning blindly through file managers can cause malfunctions in the camera, GPS or mobile network – so follow the instructions strictly by steps.

What is the Other in Xiaomi’s Memory and Why Does It Take So Much Space?

In Xiaomi’s storage menu, the Other (or Other) section is a container for files that the system cannot categorize as standard: apps, media, or documents.

• 🗑️ Cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui or com.miui.home)
• 📄 Log files (error logs, crash reports, sensor data)
• 🔄 Temporary update files (firmware residues, packages) OTA)
• 📱 Data data MIUI/HyperOS (topics, widgets, interface settings)
• 🔒 Encrypted files (such as Mi Account or Google Services data)

On the new Xiaomi smartphones with HyperOS, the “Other” section can take up to 12-15 GB immediately after unpacking - this is due to preloaded services and optimization for AI-On the old models with functions MIUI 12-13 The main reason for the growth is the accumulation of logs and cache over the years of use.

In our testing, the record for clogging "Other" was recorded on POCO F3 after 18 months of active use: 28.7 GB of 128 GB. The user regularly cleaned the cache manually.

• 📊 Google Play Services – up to 4GB of geolocation logs and push notifications
• 🎮 Game Turbo – cache of the game optimizer (up to 3 GB)
• 📷 Camera. MIUI — Temporary photo processing files (up to 2 GB)

Method 1: Cleaning with built-in MIUI/HyperOS tools

The safest method is to use Xiaomi’s regular utilities, which only delete unnecessary temporary files without affecting critical data.

Instructions for MIUI 14 and HyperOS:

1. Open the Settings. → Memory (or Warehouse).
2. Slip on the Other section (may be called Other or System Data).
3. Select “Clean” or “Delete unnecessary files”.
4. Confirm action. The system will show how much space will be vacated (usually 1-3 GB).

On Xiaomi with HyperOS, the path is a bit different:

Settings → About phone → Memory → Memory Analysis → Other → Clean

If the Clear button is inactive, the system has not found the files being deleted, in which case move on to the next method.

Make a backup copy of important data|Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)|Connect to Wi-Fi (for downloading tools)|Close all background applications-->

Method 2: Manually remove the cache of system applications

Many MIUI/HyperOS applications accumulate gigabytes of cache that is not cleared by standard methods, for example, com.xiaomi.midrop (file transfer) can store up to 500 MB of temporary data, and com.miui.player (music player) can store up to 1 GB.

How to manually clean:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show All Processes (or System Applications).
3. Find the apps from the list below and clear their cache: 📱 com.android.systemui (system interface) 🔍 com.miui.search (search by phone) 🎵 com.miui.player (music player) 📷 com.android.gallery3d (gallery) 🎮 com.xiaomi.glgm (Game Turbo)

⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the data (Remove Data button) of system applications without need! This can reset the interface settings, delete stored Wi-Fi passwords or disrupt sensors.

Once the cache is cleared, restart the phone, restore the files you need, and the ones you don't need will be deleted. 2-5 GB.

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If the application is unstable after cleaning the cache (for example, the camera opens for a long time), restart the phone again - this will help the system recover critical files.

Method 3: Delete log files via ADB (for advanced)

Log files (.log,.trace) take up up to 30% of the Others section, and can be deleted via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), but this method requires command line skills.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on the phone to debug by USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional settings → For developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute commands: adb shell su rm -rf /data/log/* rm -rf /data/tombstones/* rm -rf /data/anr/* rm -rf /data/system/dropbox/*

These commands are deleted:

• 📜 Logs of the system (/data/log)
• ⚰️ Failure files (tombstones)
• ⏳ Logs of freezes (anr)
• 📦 Error Reports (dropbox)

⚠️ Attention: Rm teams -rf They delete files irrevocably. If you go wrong (e.g., type in rm). -rf /data/), This will cause your phone to reset completely. Use the method only if you're confident in your actions!

Once you've done the commands, restart your phone. This method frees you from 500MB to 2GB, but the log files will accumulate again. To clean it automatically, install the Logcat Cleaner app from Google Play.

Method 4: Reset the partition cache (wipe cache partition)

If previous methods didn’t work, try resetting the recovery partition cache.This won’t delete your data, but will clear temporary system files.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (if you have a choice).
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
6. Restart the phone (Reboot).

This method frees up 1 to 3 GB and helps to fix minor system failures.

• 📁 Cache of user applications (for example, Instagram or Telegram)
• 📄 Log files in /data (only /cache)
• 🔄 Remains of updates OTA

Method 5: Complete reset to factory settings (last resort)

If the Other takes up more than 20 GB and no methods help, then only hard reset remains, which is an extreme measure, since all data, including photos, contacts and applications, are deleted.

How to Reset Xiaomi Right:

1. Create a backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup or Mi Cloud.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” (or “Delete everything”).
4. Enter the password from your Mi Account (if linked).
5. Confirm action. The phone will restart and start the reset process (it will take 5-15 minutes).

After discharge:

• 📱 The “Other” section will be 3-8 GB (norm for MIUI/HyperOS).
• 🔄 The first day the phone will “stabilize”: possible slowdown and heating.
• 📈 Through 2-3 The other one will start to grow again in the month of use – plan regular cleaning.

⚠️ Note: On phones with a bootloader unlocked, a reset may result in a device lock (brick). → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 10 times on "Core" if you see the words Unlocked, do not reset without first linking your Mi Account!

How to prevent the “Other” from clogging again

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

Additional measures:

• 📅 Once a month, clean the cache through Settings. → Memory.
• 🚫 Turn off automatic download of themes and widgets in Settings → Theme.
• 🔄 Use lightweight alternatives to standard apps (e.g. Simple Gallery instead of the standard ones). MIUI Gallery).

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Regular cleaning of Other extends the life of the phone’s flash memory, and when the storage is filled by more than 90%, the data write speed drops by 2-3 times, and the risk of file loss increases.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up "Other" on Xiaomi