Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 often encounter a mysterious section “Other” in the memory settings, which takes up gigabytes of space for no apparent reason. In forums and comments, users complain that even after deleting all apps and media files, this section continues to bloat, eating up to 30% of internal memory. What is the reason? Most often the system cache, residual files of remote applications, error logs and hidden data are to blame. MIUI.
In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to clean the Other on the Redmi Note 8, from safe to radical (like factory resets), which files can be deleted without risk to the system and which shouldn’t be touched, and explain why standard tips like “clear the cache” often don’t work, and what to do if memory is clogged again in a week.
⚠️ Warning: Some methods require root rights or unlock the bootloader.If you are unsure of your actions, skip these steps - improper manipulations can lead to data loss or device blink.
Why is the Other taking up so much space on the Redmi Note 8?
On the Redmi Note 8, the Other section is a collection of files that the system cannot categorize as a specific category.
What exactly is stored in the “Other” section?
The main problem is that MIUI does not always clean these files correctly in the standard procedure, for example, after deleting an application, its data can remain in /data/data/or /data/media/0/Android/obb/ folders. And error logs (.log,.trace) accumulate for years if you do not clean them manually.
Another memory eater is system updates. MIUI downloads firmware in the background and stores it in /cache/ota, even if you don't install updates. On the Redmi Note 8, such files can take up to 3-5 GB!
Method 1: Cleaning up cache and debris through standard settings
Start with the safest method, the built-in MIUI tools, which don't require root rights and are suitable for beginners.
1. Open Settings → About Phone → Memory. Here you will see a memory usage chart. Tap on the Other section.
2. The system will prompt you to clear "Unnecessary Files." Click "Clean" - this will delete temporary data, cache and thumbnails.
3. Go back to Memory and select Clean. Here MIUI will show you a list of large cache apps, tick off unnecessary ones (e.g. Gallery, Browser) and click Clear.
⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the cache of system applications like Settings or Phone – this can cause interface freezes or sensor malfunctions.
📂 Cache of user applications (YouTube, Chrome, Telegram)
🖼️ Miniatures and sketches from the Gallery
📥 Downloads (folder) /Download)
🗑️ Basket (in) MIUI files are stored for 30 days)
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If the Other section has barely shrunk after cleaning, move on to the next method – standard MIUI tools often “don’t see” deep system files.
Method 2: Delete logs and temporary files via Recovery
This method does not require root, but it will require a reboot to Recovery mode, which helps remove error logs and update cache that take up to 3-5 GB.
1. Turn off the phone. Press the power button + volume up until the Mi logo and the Recovery menu appear.
2. Select a language (if required), then go to "Wipe & Reset" → "Wipe Cache." Confirm the action.
3. Go back to the main menu and select Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache. This will clear the cache of optimized applications (system-safe).
4. Reboot your phone via Reboot → System.
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If you don’t have a Wipe Dalvik Cache option in Recovery, use Wipe Cache Partition instead, and the effect will be similar.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t choose “Wipe Data” or “Factory Reset” from this menu, this will result in a complete phone reset!
| Action in Recovery | What cleanses | How much does it free (note) |
|---|---|---|
| Wipe Cache | Temporary system and application files | 500 MB - 1.5 GB |
| Wipe Dalvik Cache | Cache of optimized applications (ART/Dalvik) | 1-3 GB |
| Delete OTA Package (if any) | Downloaded but not installed MIUI updates | 2–5 GB |
Method 3: Manually delete files through the file manager (with or without root)
If previous methods didn’t work, you’ll need to dig deeper, and you’ll need a file manager with access to system folders (such as MiXplorer or Solid Explorer).
No root rights:
1. Install MiXplorer from XDA Developers (a stripped-down version in Google Play).
2. Enable "Show hidden files" in the manager settings.
3. Go to the folders where the most common garbage accumulates:
- 🗃️ /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/ — Residual game files (you can delete everything except the folders of current games).
- 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ — Remote application data (folders with names like com.example.uninstalledapp).
- 📄 /storage/emulated/0/Download/ — arch-load.
- 🖼️ /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails/ — photo and video miniatures.
With root rights:
If you have root, you can delete system logs and update cache:
- 📜 /data/log/ — Error logs (you can delete everything).
- 🔄 /cache/ota/ — firmware.
- 🗑️ /data/dalvik-cache/ — Dalvik cache (remove if ready to reboot).
Do not delete files in /system/, /vendor/ or /boot/ folders, which will cause your phone to fail.
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Even without root, you can free up 2–5 GB by clearing /Android/obb/ and /Android/data/ folders. But beware: Deleting current applications files can break their work.
Method 4: Using ADB for deep cleaning
If you’re not afraid of the command line, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) will help you remove debris that is not available through standard methods.
1. Install ADB and Fastboot on PC.
2. Connect Redmi Note 8 via USB, enable “Debugging by USB” (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times) → Additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:
adb shell
pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster # Cleaning the built-in cleaner (if it glitches)
rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files
rm -rf /cache/* # Cache cleaning (requires root rights)To remove error logs (requires root):
su
rm -rf /data/log/*
rm -rf /data/anr/*
rm -rf /data/tombstones/*⚠️ Attention: Command rm -rf Removes files permanently. Mistakes on the way (e.g., rm) -rf /data/ instead /data/log/) It can erase all user data!
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If ADB doesn’t see the device, try reinstalling the drivers or using the adb kill-server command, followed by adb start-server.
Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last resort)
If nothing works, and the Other still takes 10+GB, it's a radical method, but it's guaranteed to clear all the hidden files.
1. back up important data (photos, contacts, messages) via Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset → Erase All Data.
3. Select “Clean All” and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).
After discharge:
- 📱 Don’t restore data from a backup right away – first check how much the Other takes on a clean system.
- 🔄 Install only the necessary applications (excess programs will quickly clog up memory again).
- 🛡️ Turn off automatic updates MIUI In Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
Important! On the Redmi Note 8, the “Other” section should take up no more than 1-2 GB after the reset. If it grows again, the problem is a system failure (you may need to flash it again).
How to prevent the “Other” from being refilled?
To prevent the “Other” section from growing again, follow these tips:
🚫 Turn off automatic download of updates MIUI (Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Downloading)
📵 Limit the background activity of applications (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start)
🗑️ Clean the Download folder regularly and DCIM/.thumbnails
🔄 Clean the cache once a month through Settings → Memory. → Cleanup
🛡️ Install an alternative cleaner (for example, SD Maid) for deep cleaning
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You should also disable MIUI backup if you don’t use it:
Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup → Turn off unnecessary options.
If you install/delete games frequently, use an external memory card for your Android/obb folder.
- Connect. SD-card (formatted as internal memory).
- Move the obb folder to the card via the file manager.
- Create a symbolic link (requires root): ln -s /storage/XXXX-XXXX/Android/obb /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb