How to Clean Other Files on Xiaomi: The Complete 2026 Guide

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners are eventually confronted with the mysterious “Other Files” category in the Storage section, which can range from a few gigabytes to tens of them — without clearly explaining what is stored in the folder and whether it can be safely cleaned. Unlike photos or apps, Other Files have no obvious source, which raises questions: why do they take up so much space? Can they be deleted without harming the system? And most importantly, how do it right without breaking the smartphone?

In this article, we will discuss 5 We've tried and tested ways to clean up Other Files on Xiaomi, including hidden system methods and third-party tools, learn which data can be deleted without risk and which should not be touched, and get a checklist for regular memory optimization. MIUI 14/15 HyperOS – their garbage storage algorithms are different from older versions.

What are Xiaomi’s “Other Files” and Why Do They Take So Much Space?

The Other Files category (or Other Files in English) is the garbage bin of MIUI/HyperOS. This includes data that does not fall into the standard categories: photos, videos, audio, documents or applications.

• 📁 Application cache and systems are temporary files that should have self-deleted but remained hanging (for example, after updates or crashes).
• 🔄 Remnants of remote programs are fragments of data from applications that you have long uninstalled, but their traces remain in memory.
• 📄 Logs and dumps of the system are debugging files that are created when errors or for diagnostics (especially a lot of them accumulate on test firmware).
• 🎮 Game saves and temporary files, such as Genshin Impact cache or PUBG Mobile that doesn’t automatically clean.
• 🔗 Downloads from messengers – media files from Telegram, WhatsApp or Viber that did not make it to the gallery.

On new Xiaomi smartphones (such as the Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+), the “Other Files” can take up to 15 to 20 GB — and that’s not always a mistake. Some of them are system backups that MIUI creates to recover from crashes. The other part is update archives that don’t automatically delete. But if the volume is greater than 25 to 30 GB, that’s a reason to clean up.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to delete “Other Files” through the file manager manually by simply highlighting the Other or Misc folder.This can result in the loss of important data (such as contacts or Wi-Fi settings) or even a cyclical smartphone reboot.

Method 1: Cleaning through built-in MIUI/HyperOS storage

The safest method is to use a built-in memory cleaner, which analyzes "Other Files" and suggests that only data that is not critical to the system be deleted. MIUI 12-15 and HyperOS:

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Slip to the "Other Files" (or Other) section.
3. Wait for the analysis (may take 1-2 minutes).
4. Click on “Clean” or “Delete” next to unnecessary categories (such as “App Cache” or “Downloads”).

In HyperOS (on Xiaomi 14, Redmi K70 and later), the cleaning algorithm has become smarter: the system automatically sorts garbage by priority, for example, it will suggest first removing the messenger cache, not the system logs.

💡

If the volume of "Other Files" has not decreased after cleaning, restart the smartphone. Some data is released only after the reboot.

Method 2: Manual cleaning through file manager (for experienced)

If the built-in cleaner fails, you can try to remove the garbage manually, this method requires caution, but allows you to free up to 5-10 GB of additional space.

1. Open the file manager and enable the display of hidden files (in the manager settings).
2. Go to the root folder of internal memory (not the root folder). SD-map!).
3. Open the following directories (if any): /Android/data/ — Here are the remnants of remote applications. /Android/obb/ — Cache of games (for example, Call of Duty Mobile). /MIUI/debug_log/ — Logs of the system (can be deleted completely). /Download/ — Check for old upk files or archives.

remote

.log

.tmp

.bak

On HyperOS models (such as Xiaomi 13T or POCO F6), some of the system folders can be protected. If the file manager gives an error "No access", try:

adb shell pm grant com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE

This command (introduced via ADB on PC) will temporarily unlock the protected partitions, only use it if you are confident in your actions!

Method 3: Using ADB for deep cleaning (for advanced)

If the "Other Files" take up more than 10 GB and are not cleaned by standard methods, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) will help.This tool allows you to remove system debris that is not available through the interface.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on the smartphone mode developer (7 times tap on the "Version" MIUI» In Settings → About the phone) and activate "Debugging by USB».
3. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb devices (the device should appear).
4. Follow the commands to clean the cache: adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.miui.cleanmaster # Clean the built-in adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files adb shell rm -rf /cache/* # Clean up the system cache

On Xiaomi smartphones with HyperOS, some of the features of these apps may be limited due to security policies, such as SD Maid will not be able to clear the system cache without root.

1. Use a built-in MIUI cleaner (see Method 1).
2. For deep cleaning, connect via ADB (see Method 3).

Backup important data | Check app reviews in Google Play | Turn off auto-clean in the app settings | Do not give access to contacts and SMS without the need-->

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If the other files take up more than 30GB and no methods help, the last option is a complete reset, which is a radical solution, but it is guaranteed to clean up all unnecessary data, including hidden debris.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Save important data on your PC or in the cloud (Mi Cloud, Google Drive).
2. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Delete all data” (do not “Reset settings!”).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-15 minutes).

On HyperOS, the reset process has changed: now the system offers to save logins from accounts (for example, Google or Mi Account) for quick recovery.

• 📸 Photos and videos (unless synced with Google Photos).
• 🎮 Game saving (if not linked to an account).
• 📱 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings.

⚠️ Warning: After reset, do not restore data from backup MIUI, If the goal is to make room, often old copies contain the same garbage you're trying to remove.

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Factory reset is the only way to remove system "Other Files" that are not cleared by other methods, but only use it if other methods have not worked.

How to Prevent the Accumulation of Other Files in the Future

To avoid the problem again, follow the following simple rules:

• 🔄 Clean the cache manually regularly or set up automatic cleaning in Settings → Warehouse → Auto-cleaning.
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary files from Downloads and messenger folders (for example, Telegram/Telegram Images).
• 📦 Use cloud storage for photos and videos (e.g. Google Photos with compression).
• 🔧 Update the firmware - in new versions MIUI/HyperOS Optimized algorithms for cleaning garbage.
• 🚫 Avoid cleaners with aggressive advertising (such as Clean Master or Clean Master). DU Speed Boosters often delete useful data and display false warnings.

HyperOS models (such as Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi Turbo 3) have a Smart Clean feature that analyzes user behavior and suggests optimal settings. Activate it in Settings → Memory → Smart Cleanup.

If you install/delete games or applications frequently, check the folders:

/Android/obb/


/Android/data/




/Android/media/

This is where the main garbage from uninstalled programs accumulates.

FAQ: Frequent questions about “Other Files” on Xiaomi