How to Clean Up Other Files on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: 7 Ways to Work

Xiaomi Redmi 4X is a popular smartphone that is still used by many users due to its reliability and low price. However, over time, owners face a problem: the device’s memory is clogged with mysterious “Other Files” that can take up gigabytes of space, these files are not related to photos, videos or applications, but interfere with the installation of updates, downloading new programs and even normal operation of the system.

In this article, we will discuss what Other Files are on Redmi 4X, why they appear, and how to safely delete them. You will learn about system and manual cleaning methods, as well as what actions can harm the device. All instructions are adapted to MIUI 8/9/10, the firmware versions that are relevant to this model.

Before we start cleaning up, it's important to understand that not all files in this category can be deleted without consequences, some of which are critical to Android and MIUI, and we'll show you how to distinguish garbage from important data and avoid crashes.

What are “Other Files” and why do they take up space?

In the Xiaomi Redmi 4X storage menu, the “Other Files” category combines everything that does not apply to:

• 📷 Multimedia (photo, video, music);
• 📱 Annexes and their data;
• 📄 Documents (PDF, Word, Excel);
• 🔄 Downloads from the browser.

In fact, this category is hidden:

• 🗑️ Cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui or com.miui.home);
• 📁 Logs and dumps (Error Report Files Created by Android);
• 🔄 Residual data from remote programs;
• 📡 Update files (remainders of firmware or patches);
• 🎮 Save games (if the game does not use the cloud).

On the Redmi 4X with 16GB of memory, Other Files can take up to 3 to 5GB, which is normal for a long-life device, but if they are larger than 6 to 8GB, it's a clearing signal.

• 🔄 Frequent updates MIUI (temporary files remain);
• 📱 Delete applications without clearing their data;
• 🐞 System failures (e.g. incorrect shutdown);
• 📡 Use of Dual Apps or Second Space.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to delete “Other Files” through Root rights or file managers with access to system folders (e.g., file managers, /data or /system). This can lead to a “brick” of the device (complete inoperability) or malfunctions in operation. MIUI.

Method 1: Cleaning through built-in storage menu

The safest method is to use standard MIUI tools, which require no additional software and is suitable for users without technical skills.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Slip on the "Other Files" section.
3. Wait for the analysis (may take 1-2 minutes).
4. Click on “Clean” (or “Delete” for specific categories).

What can be removed without risk:

• 🗑️ Application cache (not to be confused with data!);
• 📄 Downloads (if not needed);
• 🔄 Temporary files (such as.tmp or.log).

What can't be removed:

• 📁 Android folders, MIUI, DCIM/.thumbnails;
• 🔧 Files with.odex,.apk extensions (if not in Download);
• 📡 Update files (update.zip memory-root).

Backup important data |Close all applications |Connect charger (if charge < 30%) |Do not interrupt the cleaning process-->

Method 2: Removing the cache of system applications

Many Other Files are cache of MIUI system services that are not automatically cleared, such as com.android.providers.downloads or com.miui.securitycenter can store hundreds of megabytes of unnecessary data.

How to clean:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Show system".
3. Find applications with large cache (sorting by size is available in some versions of MIUI).
4. Open the app card and click “Clear the cache”.

Top.-5 Applications that most often clog memory:

⚠️ Warning: Don't click "Clear Data" for system applications! MIUI (For example, the desktop will disappear or notifications will stop working).

💡

If after cleaning the cache, the application began to slow down, restart the smartphone. The system will restore the necessary temporary files automatically.

Method 3: Using a file manager (without Root)

The standard Explorer on Redmi 4X allows you to manually delete some unnecessary files, the main thing is not to climb into the system folders.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Explorer (or install Solid Explorer from Google Play).
2. Go to the root folder of internal memory (/storage/emulated/0/).
3. Please note the following directories:

• 📁 Download – Remove Unnecessary Downloads;
• 📁 Bluetooth – Temporary files transmitted over Bluetooth;
• 📁 Pictures/Screenshots — snippet;
• 📁 DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo miniatures (can be removed, they will be restored);
• 📁 Android/data — cache of games and applications (remove folders of remote programs).

What can't be touched:

• 🚫 Folders. Android/obb (game-play);
• 🚫 MIUI, Xiaomi (system files);
• 🚫 Files with names.odex,.vdex.

Method 4: Cleaning through Safe Mode

If the Other Files are caused by a third-party app malfunction, Safe Mode will help, only system services are loaded in it, which allows you to identify the culprit.

How to log in to Safe Mode:

1. Press the power button before the off menu appears.
2. Slip and hold the "Switch off" item (a suggestion will appear to go to safe mode).
3. Confirm the transition.

In Safe Mode:

• 🔍 Check the volume of “Other Files” in Settings → Warehouse;
• 📱 If it has decreased, the problem is in one of the installed applications;
• 🗑️ Remove suspicious programs (the ones installed before the problem occurred).

To exit Safe Mode, simply restart your smartphone.

Once a week | Once a month | Only when the place ends |Never-->

Method 5: Resetting cache via Recovery Mode

If standard methods didn’t work, try clearing the partition cache through the Recovery mode.This won’t delete your data, but will reset temporary system files.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the Redmi 4X.
2. Press the power button + volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
5. Restart the device (Reboot) → Reboot to System).

This method helps if:

• 🔄 «Other files appear after update MIUI;
• 🐞 The smartphone began to slow down or spontaneously reboot;
• 📡 Memory is filled with no apparent reason.

⚠️ Warning: Don't choose Wipe Data (full reset)! this will delete all your files, photos and apps. cache is only cleared via Wipe Cache.

💡

Clearing the cache through Recovery is the only way to remove temporary MIUI update files that are not visible in normal mode.

Method 6: Delete unnecessary APKs and residual files

When you delete Android apps, they often leave their.apk files and data folders, and they rank in the Other Files category, but they don't show up in the installed program list.

How to find and remove them:

1. Install a file manager with search support (such as FX File Explorer).
2. Enter *.apk (without quotes) in search.
3. View the results and delete the files from the folders:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Download (loaded APK);
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data (residual);
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/backup/AllBackup (backups).

Also check the /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb folder, which may contain heavy files from games you deleted long ago, such as com.gameloft. or com.ea.game.

Important: Don't delete APK-file /system/app or /system/priv-app! These are system applications without which MIUI won't work.

Method 7: Complete reset (last resort)

If none of the methods worked, and the Other Files take up more than 8 to 10 GB, you have a complete reset, which is a radical way to bring the smartphone back to factory status.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select “Reset” → “Delete all data”.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• 🔄 «Other files will be reduced to 1-2 GB (normal for Redmi) 4X);
• 📱 The smartphone will work faster;
• 🔧 Factory settings will return MIUI.

⚠️ Warning: Do not reset if your smartphone has Mi Account binding and you don’t remember your password.

FAQ: Frequent Questions About “Other Files” on Redmi 4X