How to Clean Other Files on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: Safe Ways to Free Your Memory

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (codenamed Mido) is still a popular smartphone due to the reliability and ability to upgrade to modern firmware. However, over time, owners face a problem: internal memory is clogged with mysterious “other files” that take up gigabytes, but are not deleted by standard methods. In this article, we will discuss what “other files” on Xiaomi, why they appear and how to clean them safely without risking damage to the system.

We'll warn you right away that not all files in this category can be deleted without consequences, some of them are critical components of MIUI or remnants of applications that the system failed to properly uninstall, we'll show you how to separate garbage from important data using both built-in tools and third-party utilities, and you'll learn what actions can cause a smartphone to crash and how to avoid it.

What are the “Other Files” on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 and why do they take up so much space?

In the MIUI storage menu, the "Other files" category is the "junk box" of the operating system, and it includes anything that can't be classified as a photo, video, audio or document.

• 📁 Application cache – temporary files that programs create to speed up work, but are not always deleted after closing.
• 🗑️ Remnants of Remote Applications – Folders and Files Leftover After Uninstallation via Settings → Annexes.
• 🔄 System logs are error reporting files (.log,.dump) that MIUI diagnostics.
• 📱 Firmware files – backup copies of updates (OTA), which are automatically downloaded but not removed.
• 🎮 Game data – saves, texture packs, and other resources that games store outside of standard folders.

On the Redmi Note 4 with 16/32 GB of memory, “other files” can take up to 5-8 GB, a record among Xiaomi’s budget smartphones. The reason is the architecture of MIUI versions 8-10, where the system is not optimized for automatic cleaning. For example, after updating through Updater, old firmware files remain in the /cache folder, and the cache of Google Play Services can grow to 1+ GB.

⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to delete all files from the Other category through the file manager! this can result in a cyclical restart (bootloop) or a work failure. MIUI. For example, deleting a folder /data/dalvik-cache Make the smartphone unusable before flashing.

How to check which files are in the “Other” section

Before you clean it, you have to figure out what's stored, and standard memory analysis in MIUI doesn't give you any details, so you'll have to use third-party tools.

The most reliable way to do this is to analyze it through DiskUsage or Files by Google, and these apps scan memory and show which folders take up the most space, for example, if there is 2 GB of garbage in /data/app-lib, these are the remnants of old versions of applications that can be safely removed.

Download DiskUsage from Google Play|Grant the application the right to access memory|Scanning internal memory (not the internal memory) SD-map!)|Write down paths to large folders (>500MB)|Check the list of safe files for deleting-->

Pay special attention to the following folders (sizes are indicated for Redmi Note 4 after 2-3 years of use):

If you find a folder called /data/app-asec or /data/app-private, don't touch it! This is encrypted application data, deleting which will lead to "App Stopped" errors.

Once a month | Once every 3-6 months |Only when the place ends |Never cleared-->

Method 1: Cleaning through built-in MIUI tools (no root)

The MIUI on the Redmi Note 4 has hidden cleaning features that you can't see on the main menu.

1. Clean the system cache: Go to Settings → Additional → Storage → Clean. Click Clear Cache (this will delete temporary files of all applications except system ones).
2. Remove unnecessary APKs: In the same storage menu, tap on Other Files → APK Files. There are install packages of applications that you can safely delete (unless you plan to reinstall them).
3. Clean up downloads: The /sdcard/Download folder often contains outdated files. Open Files → Downloads and delete the unnecessary.

For deep cleaning, use the Recovery mode:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery.
3. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (this won’t affect personal data, only system cache).

⚠️ Warning: Don’t choose Wipe Data in Recovery – this will lead to a complete reset of the smartphone! on Redmi Note 4 after such an operation, you will need to reset your Mi Account.

💡

If the applications are slower after cleaning the cache, it is normal, and the system will restore the necessary files after 1-2 days of use.

Method 2: Manually remove garbage through file manager (for power users)

If the built-in tools don't work, you can manually delete files that you don't need, and any file manager with access to root folders (like Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer) will do.

Here's what can be safely cleaned:

• 🗃️ folder /sdcard/MIUI/backup — backups MIUI (if not).
• 📱 folder /sdcard/Android/obb — game cache (e.g, PUBG Call of Duty can leave gigabytes of data here).
• 📄 Files with.log,.tmp,.bak extension in folders /data/log and /cache.
• 🔄 folder /sdcard/Download — especially files with names update.zip or rom_*.zip (old firmware).

Deleting system files (such as the Google Play Services cache) requires root rights, without which you can only clear user data, and if you are not sure about your actions, use specialized utilities like SD Maid (which we will discuss later).

Method 3: Using SD Maid for deep cleaning (without root or with root)

SD Maid is one of the best Android cleaning apps that can find and remove garbage that is not available with standard tools. Redmi Note 4 will suit both the free and Pro version (with advanced features).

Instructions for use:

1. Download SD Maid from Google Play (or from the official website if you do not have access to Google services).
2. Run the scan (CorpseFinder looks for remnants of remote applications, SystemCleaner - system garbage).
3. In the scan results, pay attention to: 🧹 Application Remains (Orphaned Files) – You can delete. 🗑️ Empty folders – Safe to delete. 📁 Duplicate files – check manually before deleting.

Press “Run” to clean the selected files.

If you have root access, SD Maid will be able to clear:

• 🔧 Google Play Services cache (can take up to 1GB).
• 📦 Remains of updates MIUI into /cache.
• 🗃️ Unnecessary.apk in /data/app (if the application has been removed incorrectly).

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 4 with firmware MIUI 9–10 SD Maid may not see some system folders due to SELinux limitations, in which case only manual cleaning through the system will help. ADB flash-flash.

💡

SD Maid is the safest way to clean up for beginners, as the app automatically filters critical files and prevents them from being deleted.

Method 4: Cleaning through ADB (for advanced users)

If previous methods have failed, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for low-level smartphone management, which requires a connection to a computer, but allows you to delete files that are not available even through root managers.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB on PC (you can download from the official website).
2. Turn on USB Debugging on Redmi Note 4: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode), then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute it in the terminal (CMD or PowerShell):

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed).

adb shell


su




cd /data




du -sh * | sort -n

This command will show folder sizes in /data, sorted by volume. Notice folders >100 MB in size.

To delete, for example, the cache of Google Play Services, use:

rm -rf /data/data/com.google.android.gms/cache/*

Be very careful: Deleting the wrong files via ADB can make your smartphone inoperable! For example, an rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache command will lead to a bootloop.

Method 5: Flashing as a radical cleaning method

If the "other files" take >10 GB and are not deleted by any means, you just have to reflash the smartphone. This is an extreme measure, but it is guaranteed to clear all unnecessary data. On the Redmi Note 4 there are two options:

• 🔄 Update via Updater: Download the latest stable firmware for Mido on the official website, place.zip in the root of memory and update via Settings → Updating the system → Select a firmware file.
• 🛠️ Clean installation via Fastboot: Completely erases all data but removes all debris.Requires Mi Flash Tool and unlocked bootloader.

Advantages of flashing:

• ✅ All system “tails” and remnants of applications are removed.
• ✅ Correcting errors MIUI, which may have caused the debris to accumulate.
• ✅ The ability to install custom firmware (such as LineageOS) where memory control is better.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Losing all data (do backup through Settings) → Additionally. → Backup).
• ❌ Risk of “bricking” when the firmware is incorrect (especially through Fastboot).

If you're a beginner, choose the first option (Update via Updater) which saves user data but clears the system partition.

How to Prevent the Accumulation of Other Files in the Future

To avoid recurring problems, follow these tips:

• 📵 Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play (or limit updates to Wi-Fi only).
• 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning (just 1 time per month).
• 🚫 Do not use cleaners like Clean Master – they often delete useful files and show false warnings.
• 📁 Transferring heavy files to SD-The card (if supported) can be done on Redmi Note 4 via Settings → Warehouse → By default, write down SD-map.

Redmi Note 4 is particularly critical in turning off the background activity of unwanted apps, such as Facebook and Instagram can create up to 500MB of cache per week to limit them:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook).
3. Click on “Battery” → “Limit background activity”.
4. In the "Storage" section, click "Clear the cache."

💡

Regular cache cleaning and background control can reduce the volume of “other files” by 30-50% in a month.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleaning on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4