Xiaomi Redmi: what it is and how to clean without harming the phone

Have you ever looked into your Xiaomi Redmi memory settings and were surprised to find that the mysterious Other section is the lion's share? The screen can show that of 128 GB only 10 GB is free, with photos taking up 5 GB, apps 15 GB, and the remaining 50+ GB are written off to a foggy Other. In this article, we'll look at what exactly is hidden under this category, why the system doesn't show these files directly, and most importantly, how to safely delete them without disrupting MIUI.

The problem of invisible files is especially relevant for the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/13C and other MIUI 12-14 devices, because the manufacturer hides some of the system data under the category “Other” to protect against accidental deletion. However, over time, this section grows to a giant size, eating precious space. We tested all the cleaning methods on real devices and selected only those that are guaranteed to work without the risk of “bricking” the phone.

It's important to understand that not all files in the Other section can be deleted. Some are critical to Android and MIUI. Our job is to identify unnecessary debris (caches, app residues, duplicates) and get rid of it without affecting system data. If you're willing to get back a few gigabytes of memory, read on.

What is the “Other” in Xiaomi Redmi memory and why it takes up so much space

The “Other” section of MIUI is a container for files that the system cannot categorize as standard (photos, videos, apps, etc.) and includes:

• 🗑️ Application cache and system cache are temporary files that are created to speed up the operation of programs. Over time, they accumulate and can take up to 5-15 GB.
• 📁 Remnants of remote applications — not all files are erased when uninstalled, often leaving configuration data, logs, and even media files behind.
• 🔄 Duplicates and fragmented files – for example, multiple copies of one photo after editing in a gallery.
• 🛠️ System Logs and Dumps – Debugging files that are created when crashes or updates occur MIUI.
• 📱 Hidden files MIUI — topics, wallpapers, backups of settings and other data that the system does not show the user.

Why doesn't Xiaomi give you direct access to these files? It's simple: the manufacturer fears that users will accidentally delete something important and disrupt the phone, for example, in "Other" can store:

• 🔑 Encryption keys for secure folders.
• 📡 Configuration files for communication modules (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC).
• 🎨 Resources MIUI, interface-decorators.

But up to 70 percent of the content of The Other is garbage that can be safely removed, and the key is knowing where to look and what not to touch, and in the following sections we'll show you how to do that.

Method 1: Cleaning the cache of applications and systems through settings

The easiest and safest method is cache removal, which requires no root rights and is suitable even for beginners. Cash takes the lion's share of The Other, especially if you actively use social networks, instant messengers and games.

How to clear the cache:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Scroll down the list, and the heaviest apps are at the top, usually Facebook, Telegram, YouTube, TikTok and games.
4. Select the application → Storage → Clean the cache.

For deep cleaning, use the built-in MIUI utility:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Slip on the Cleanup (the broom icon in the upper right corner).
3. Select Deep Cleanup and wait for the analysis to be completed.
4. Delete all files found (usually 1-3 GB of garbage).

Clear the messenger cache (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber)

Delete the cache of social networks (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)

Scan games for unnecessary files

Clear the browser cache (Chrome, Mi Browser)

Run a deep cleanup in MIUI-->

⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the application data (Clear Data button) unless you want to lose logins, settings and saves!

Method 2: Remove the residues of applications using Files by Google

The built-in MIUI tools don't always do the job of finding garbage. For a more thorough cleaning, we recommend using Files by Google (formerly Files Go), which is free, advertising-free and great at finding hidden files.

Instructions:

1. Install Files by Google from the Play Market.
2. Open the app and go to the Cleanup tab.
3. Slip the free space and wait for the scan to be completed.
4. In the Unnecessary Files section, select:

• 🗑️ Temporary application files (cache).
• 📁 Duplicate files (especially relevant for photos and videos).
• 🎬 Large files that have not been used in a long time.
• 📥 Downloads (often unnecessary ones accumulate here) APK, PDF archives).

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from Android folders, MIUI Or a system if you're not sure what they're doing, and that could cause a phone malfunction.

💡

Before you delete files, back up your important data, using the built-in MIUI Backup or the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) app.

After cleaning, restart the phone – this will help the system to correctly update the data about the free space.

Method 3: Manually delete hidden files through file manager

If you're prepared for more radical measures, you can manually scan your phone's folders for unnecessary files, and any file manager with access to root folders, like Mi File Manager (embedded) or Solid Explorer, will do.

Which folders are worth checking:

• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data — This is where the application data is stored. Once you delete the program, you often have folders of garbage.
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb — game cache files (e.g, PUBG, Call of Duty: You can delete them if the games are long gone.
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Download — Downloaded files that you may have forgotten.
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo and video miniatures that can be safely removed.
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/backup — Old backups that the system automatically creates.

⚠️ Attention: Don't touch the folders /system, /vendor or /data (You can't see it without root rights, and deleting files from there can cause your phone to break.

If you find a folder with the name of the remote application (for example, com.facebook.katana for Facebook), it can be safely deleted - these are residual files.

Method 4: Cleaning with Recovery Mode (for power users)

If previous methods have failed, and the Other section still takes tens of gigabytes, you can try cleaning through Recovery Mode, a riskier but more effective way of removing the Dalvik-cache, which often inflates the Other.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Volume Up + Power buttons and hold them for 10-15 seconds until the MI logo appears.
3. You'll be taken to Recovery Mode. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
4. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
6. Reboot the phone (Reboot) → Reboot to System).

This method doesn't delete personal data, but it resets the cache of the system, which can free up up to 2-3 GB of space.

• ✅ After cleaning, the phone can work faster.
• ⚠️ The first load after the cache reset will take longer (up to 5-10 minutes).
• ❌ Some applications may require re-authorization.

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Cleaning with Recovery Mode is the only way to remove a Dalvik-cache that is not visible in normal mode, which accumulates after MIUI updates and can take up gigabytes of memory.

Method 5: Using ADB for deep cleaning (advanced method)

For the most experienced users, there is a way to clean up through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to delete files that are not available through standard methods, but this method requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Cleanup commands:

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


adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.media # Cleaning up media cache




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




adb shell rm -rf /cache/* # Cleaning system cache

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause data loss or system failure. Do not execute commands unless you understand their purpose.

Once you have completed the commands, restart your phone.This method can free up to 5-7 GB, but is only suitable for users who are willing to take risks.

How to prevent the re-accumulation of garbage in the “Other”

Cleaning up the memory is good, but it's even better to keep it from clogging, and here are some tips on how to keep the Other section under control:

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly (once every 1-2 weeks).
• 🚫 Do not install apps from unknown sources – they often leave garbage behind.
• 📱 Use lightweight versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).
• 🔍 Scan your memory periodically using Files by Google or SD Maid.
• 📲 Turn off automatic backup in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud if you are not using this feature.

Also worth keeping an eye out for MIUI updates: In new firmware versions, Xiaomi is optimizing memory management, and the problem with the bloated "Other" becomes less relevant.

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If you install and delete games frequently, use the Game Acceleration feature in MIUI, which creates a sandbox for game files that are easier to clean after uninstallation.

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