Owners of Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 8T line of smartphones often face the unpleasant situation of internal memory being overflowed with the mysterious “Other” section. Android system does not always correctly classify files, creating huge repositories of temporary data that do not appear in standard memory analysis, which leads to device slowdown, inability to update applications and system errors.
In this article, we will discuss proven methods of freeing up space: you will learn where the debugging logs hide, how to clean the messenger cache and whether you should use third-party utilities. Competent cleaning will help to extend the life of your gadget without losing personal photos or contacts.
The Nature of the Other Section in MIUI
The “Other” section of MIUI is not a virus or bug, but a system mechanism for storing temporary files, including update cache, remnants of deleted applications, error logs and data that the system could not recognize as photos, videos or music. On the Redmi Note 8T, this partition can grow to tens of gigabytes.
The main problem is that standard Explorer often hides the real volume of folders inside system directories. Anonymous data can take up space even after you have removed an application if it leaves behind tails. Understanding the file structure is the first step to a successful cleanup.
Remember to ignore overflows, as this critically affects the rate of writing new data. When the free space runs out, Android starts to work in a highly fragmented mode, which significantly slows down the interface. The system partition often contains debugging logs of several gigabytes, which can be safely deleted.
Why does memory fill up on its own?
Xiaomi’s Standard Cleaning Tools
The first and safest way to free up space is to use Xiaomi’s built-in tools, which already have powerful garbage-search algorithms that don’t require additional software, starting with the Security app that’s pre-installed on every Redmi Note 8T.
Run the app and select Clean up, and the system will scan and suggest that you delete temporary files, but for a deeper cleanup, you need to go to the storage settings, where you will find the details by file category and you can manually select what to delete.
It's important to do this regularly to prevent debris from accumulating, because the built-in analyzer can find duplicate photos and large files you might have forgotten in downloads, which is a basic level of maintenance that should become a habit.
☑️ Daily Memory Prevention
Manual cleaning through the conductor
For more advanced users, manual sorting through standard Explorer is a way to see the real folder structure and delete the specific files that take up the most space.
Open the Explorer app and go to the root folder of the device. You are interested in the Android/data and Android/obb directories where the application data is stored. It is also worth checking the MIUI/Gallery/cloud folder, where thumbnails of deleted photos can remain.
Pay special attention to messenger folders. In Telegram and WhatsApp, media files are often stored in separate directories, which the system considers part of the “Other” section. By removing the contents of video or image folders inside the messenger folders, you can free up gigabytes of space.
When working with a file system, always check the date of the file change. Old logs and error reports created a few months ago are likely no longer necessary.
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Use size sorting in Explorer to instantly find the heaviest files hiding deep in the folders.
Cleaning the cache of applications and messengers
The most active users of memory are social networks and instant messengers. Viber, Telegram, Instagram and TikTok accumulate a huge amount of temporary data, cleaning the cache of these applications is the fastest way to return free space on the Redmi Note 8T.
Go to Settings → Applications → All apps. Select a heavy app and click on Storage. There you will see the Clear Cache button. It is important not to confuse it with the Clear Everything button, as the second action will delete your logins and settings.
There are also cleaning tools inside the messengers themselves. For example, Telegram can set up automatic cache deletion. Go to Settings → Data and Memory → Memory Use and set a self-deletion timer for, for example, 3 days or a week.
Not only does regular cache cleaning free up space, it can also fix applications' errors. If the program isn't working properly, cleaning the cache often solves the problem without having to reinstall.
Use of Developer Mode and ADB
If standard methods don't work, you can use more powerful tools, the developer mode allows you to access hidden system functions, and on Xiaomi, it also includes the ability to more detailed process management.
To turn on the developer mode, click 7 times on the build number in the About Phone section, and then a new "Developers" item will appear in the menu, where you can find options to limit background processes, which indirectly affects the amount of garbage created.
For the most experienced users, there is a method of cleaning through ADB (Android Debug Bridge). By connecting the phone to a computer, you can execute a command to delete system logs. the adb shell logcat -c team clears the log buffer in real time, and file manager commands are used through the ADB shell to delete old log files.
adb shell rm -rf /data/log/*Use of the command prompt requires caution. Incorrect command entry can lead to the deletion of important system files. Always double-check paths before pressing Enter. This method is recommended only if you are confident in your actions.
Is it safe to delete the.thumbnails folder?
Analysis of storage by third-party utilities
When built-in tools are scarce, specialized analytics applications come to the rescue, like Files by Google or DiskUsage, which visualizes memory by showing which files are taking up space, and helps to find forgotten downloads or remnants of deleted games.
DiskUsage builds a memory card in blocks. Large blocks are immediately visible, allowing you to quickly identify the source of the problem. Often, it turns out that the Other is one large memory dump file or a forgotten movie in a hidden folder.
Using third-party cleaners like SD Maid is also effective, and they can find files left over after deleting applications, but be careful with aggressive cleaners who can delete the data they want.
| Cleaning method | Efficiency | Risk of data loss | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in cleaning | Medium | Low. | Low. |
| Manual removal in the Conductor | Tall. | Medium. | Medium |
| Cleaning up the app cache | Tall. | Low. | Low. |
| ADB teams | Maximum | High-pitched | Tall. |
Prevention and outcome recommendations
To have a problem with the “Other” section on the Redmi Note 8T If you have not returned, you must maintain digital hygiene, check your download folder regularly and delete unnecessary downloads. APK-Do not store files on your phone that are already in the cloud or on your computer.
Set up automatic cleaning in messengers and limit auto-save media from chats. This will prevent thousands of stealthy images and videos from accumulating. It is also useful to reboot your smartphone once a month so that the system can complete background processes and clear temporary buffers.
If nothing helps and the memory is refilled an hour after cleaning, the system may have crashed or damaged the file table, in which case a complete factory reset may be required with a pre-backup of important data.
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Regularly cleaning the cache and monitoring application permissions is the best protection against the growth of the Other section.