How to Clean Up Xiaomi’s “Other” Memory: A Complete Guide with Proven Methods

The Other section in Xiaomi’s storage is a real black hole for smartphone owners, which can take up 10 to 30 GB of storage, but the system does not show which files are stored there, most often there is a cache of applications, update remnants, temporary MIUI files and debris from remote programs. If you notice that the free space on the device is melting in front of you, and cleaning with standard methods does not help, this article is for you.

We tested 5 ways to clean the Other partition on different Xiaomi models (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and others) and selected only those that are guaranteed to work without root rights. Importantly, some methods require caution - improper actions can lead to system failures. So read the warnings carefully before each step.

What is the “Other” section in Xiaomi’s memory and why is it growing?

The Other (or “Other”) section is a hidden folder in the smartphone memory where MIUI drops files that don’t fit into the standard categories (“Photos”, “Video”, “Audio”, etc.) and it gets there:

• 🗑️ Cache of system applications (e.g. com.miui.system or com.android.providers.media)
• 🔄 Remains of updates (folders) download_rom or MIUI_update)
• 📁 Temporary files from remote programs (for example, Facebook or TikTok residues after uninstallation)
• 🛠️ Logs and dumps (debugging files created when crashes occur)
• 🎮 Game data (save, Genshin Impact cache, PUBG Mobile and others.)

The main problem is that MIUI does not provide tools for detailed analysis of this section. Even in Settings → Memory you will only see the total volume, without the ability to delete files selectively. Moreover, on some firmware (for example, MIUI 14 for the global version), the Other section can be automatically restored after cleaning - this is due to the work of the background services Xiaomi Cloud and Mi Push.

In our experience, the most littered are devices with 32-64 GB of memory, where users actively install / remove applications. On smartphones with 128 GB+, the problem is less noticeable, but can still take up to 5-10 GB.

⚠️ Note: If the Other partition is more than 20 GB, it is not normal. It may be malware or a failure in the file system. In this case, first check the smartphone with antivirus (for example, Malwarebytes or built-in Mi Security).

Method 1: Cleaning through the built-in MIUI storage

The safest method is to use standard MIUI tools. It is suitable for all models (Redmi 10, POCO F4, Mi 11 Lite, etc.) and does not require additional programs.

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Slip on the "Other" section (or "Other" if you have English firmware).
3. The system will prompt you to clear the "Unnecessary Files" - confirm the action.
4. Reboot your smartphone (required!).

This method removes up to 1-3 GB of garbage, but often leaves the bulk intact, because MIUI only cleans cache and temporary files without affecting:

• 📦 Remains of updates (MIUI_update)
• 🔧 Logs of the system (/data/log)
• 🎮 Cash of games (for example, Call of Duty Mobile)

Back up your important data | Charge your phone at least 50% | Turn off automatic app updates | Close all background programs-->

If the Other section has grown again after cleaning, after a day or two, the problem is in the background.

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three points (⋮) → Special access → Battery optimization

Enable optimization for all applications except instant messengers.

Method 2: Manual deletion through file manager (no root)

For power users, there's a method that manually cleans hidden folders, which runs on MIUI 12-14 firmware, and doesn't require superuser rights, but you have to be careful that deleting the wrong files can cause crashes.

Use the built-in Files (or Mi File Explorer):

1. Open Files → Categories → Internal Memory
2. Enable the display of hidden files: tap on ⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files.
3. Go to the folders: /Android/data/ /Android/obb/ /data/log/ /MIUI/backup/ /download_rom/
4. Delete everything except the folders of the current apps (for example, if you play Genshin Impact, do not touch its data in /Android/obb/).

⚠️ Note: Do not delete folders called com.android., com.miui. or com.xiaomi.* are system components.

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If you can't delete the folder, check if it's being used by an application. Close all programs through Settings → Applications → Launched and try again.

Method 3: Using ADB for deep cleaning (advanced)

If previous methods have failed and the Other section still takes 5GB+, you can use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a connection to your computer but allows you to delete files that are not available through the file manager.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original)
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB Tools by Google
• 📱 Included debugging by USB smartphone

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times)
2. Enable USB Debugging: Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB
3. Connect your phone to your PC and run a cmd (or Terminal on Mac/Linux).
4. Enter the commands in turn: adb devices (you should see your device) adb shell su -c "find /data -name '*.log' -delete" su -c "find /data -name '*.tmp' -delete" exit

These commands delete logs and temporary files from the system folders, and if you don't have root rights, some of the files may not be deleted, which is normal.

After cleaning through ADB, the “Other” section should decrease by 2-5 GB. If the changes are minor, the problem may be:

• 📱 Residual firmware files (after update) MIUI)
• 🎮 Cache games (especially if you play Genshin Impact, Honkai Star Rail)
• 🗑️ Previous Previous post: Junk files from Xiaomi Cloud (if synchronization is enabled)

Method 4: Resetting cache via Recovery Mode

If standard methods don’t work and ADB seems too complicated, try resetting your cache via Recovery Mode. This won’t delete your data (photos, contacts, messages), but will clean up your system debris.

Instructions:

1. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.

This method removes:

• 🗃️ Cache of all applications (including system)
• 📜 Temporary update files
• 🔄 Logs and memory dumps

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option (Factory Reset) will remove all data from the phone, including photos and apps.

After the cache is dumped:

• 🔄 The first download can take 5-10 minutes – this is normal.

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Resetting cache through Recovery is one of the most effective ways, but it should not be used more than 1 time in 2-3 months.

Method 5: Remove the remnants of MIUI updates manually

One of the main memory eaters in the Other section is the firmware residue. MIUI The system saves old versions in a folder /cache or /download_rom, But they don't always get it removed.

How to find and delete:

1. Open the files. → Internal memory.
2. Go to the folder. download_rom (If it's not there, check it out. MIUI → download).
3. Delete all files with the extension:.zip (firmware archives).md5 (checksums).log (update logs)

/cache

On some devices (such as Redmi Note) 11 or POCO X3 Pro) folder download_rom It can be hidden even when you turn on the hidden files:

We also recommend disabling unnecessary system applications that create garbage:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → System → Select the unnecessary (for example, Mi Video or Mi Music) → Disable

If you are actively playing Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail or other heavy games, clean their cache regularly through:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Game → Clear the cache

This can free up to 5-10 GB at a time!

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To speed up cleaning, use the SD Maid app (available on Google Play), which finds and removes garbage better than standard MIUI tools.

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