What is the “Other” in memory Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 and how to clean it without harming the system

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 sooner or later encounter a mysterious item "Other" in the "Storage" section, which takes up gigabytes of memory, but does not tell you what exactly is stored there. The system stubbornly refuses to show the contents of this folder, and standard cleaning methods - deleting cache or unnecessary files - do not help. Why does this happen?

The fact is that under the Other, MIUI hides system files, temporary application data, update remnants, and even fragments of deleted programs. On the Redmi Note 7 with its modest 64 GB of memory (of which about 50 GB is available to the user), this partition can grow to 10-15 GB, eating up precious space. Worse, forcibly removing files from the Other without preparation can lead to camera failures, messengers, or even a complete system reboot.

This article will explain what is stored in the Other, how to safely reduce its size and what hidden settings MIUI 10/11/12 will help regain control of memory. Spoiler: not all methods are equally useful, and some can harm - so we noted the riskiest steps with warnings.

Why the Other is taking up so much space on the Redmi Note 7

On Redmi Note 7, the Other section is not just garbage, but a system black box where MIUI dumps anything that doesn't fit under the Apps, Images or Video categories.

• 📁 Cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui or com.miui.home) that is not cleaned by standard means.
• 🔄 Update residues – temporary firmware files that have not been deleted after installation.
• 🗑️ Logs and dumps (files with error reports that the system creates when crashes).
• 📱 Remote application data – some programs leave behind tails in the form of configuration files.
• 🎵 Media files from instant messengers (for example, voice messages from WhatsApp or stickers from Telegram that did not get into the gallery).

The Redmi Note 7 features the 5.1 eMMC memory architecture, which over time gets contaminated with fragmented data. The longer you use your smartphone, the more garbage accumulates in the Other. For example, after a year of active use, this partition can take up 8-12 GB, even if you regularly clean the cache.

⚠️ Note: If the Other is larger than 15GB, it may indicate file system damage or viral activity, in which case it is best to back up and reset to factory settings.

How to see what is stored in the “Other”

By default, MIUI doesn’t show the contents of Other, but there are workarounds, and the easiest way is to use a root-enabled file manager (if any) or third-party utilities.

Method 1: Through "Storage Analysis"

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Slip on the item "Other" - the system will show the distribution by category (for example, "System data", "Other files").
3. If there is a “Clean” option, click on it – this will delete some temporary files.

The disadvantage of the method is that MIUI does not show specific files, but only general categories. For detailed analysis, you need a root access explorer (for example, Root Explorer or FX File Manager).

Method 2: Through ADB (for Advanced)

If you have a computer, you can connect to your smartphone via ADB and display a list of large files:

adb shell


su




du -h -d 1 /data | sort -h

This command will show the heaviest folders in the /data section, where garbage is usually hidden. Careful: Deleting files through ADB without understanding their purpose can bring the system down.

Safe Ways to Clean the Other Without Root

If you're not willing to risk the stability of the system, start with these methods. They don't require superuser rights and in most cases, they don't do harm.

1. Cleaning the cache of system applications

• 🧹 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Sort the list by size (tap on three dots at the top right).
• 🗑️ Select system applications (Themes, Security, Galery) and click “Clear Cache».

Note: Do not clear data (clean all data) from system applications – this can reset settings or delete important files.

2. Delete temporary update files

MIUI Often leaves behind firmware files in the folder /cache or /data/ota_package. To remove them:

1. Open a file manager (e.g. Files by Google).
2. Go to the Inner Memory → cache and remove all contents.
3. Check the Download folder for files with the.zip extension (for example, miui_HMNote7_V12.0.1.0.zip).

3. Reset the settings "Tem" and "Security"

Topics and Security are known for accumulating gigabytes of unnecessary data to reset:

• 🎨 For Them: Settings → Topics → Settings → Clear the data.
• 🛡️ For Security: Settings → Annexes → Security → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

Radical methods: cleaning with root access

If the Other is over 10GB and standard methods don't work, you'll have to use root rights, which is risky, but effective. The rule is, don't delete files you don't know what they're doing.

Step 1: Getting root rights

For Redmi Note 7, the method is suitable through Magisk:

1. Unlock the bootloader (fastboot oem unlock).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP).
3. Squeeze Magisk through recovery.

Warning: Unlocking the bootloader will reset all data on the phone!

Step 2: Cleaning up with Root Explorer

With root access, you can delete:

⚠️ Attention: Deletion of folder /data/system Or files with the.odex extension will crash the system! MIUI.

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Before you delete files through root, back them up to the cloud or PC, and you can use the Titanium Backup app (requires root).

How to Prevent the Spread of the Other in the Future

To prevent the Other from taking up gigabytes of memory again, follow these tips:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Settings → Auto-update (off).
• 📱 Set cache limit for applications: In Developer Settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Do not limit the background processes → Limit the cache).
• 🔒 Use the “Lite” versions of apps: For example, Facebook Lite or Messenger Lite take up less space and less often create garbage.

It’s also worth rebooting your phone once a month – this clears temporary files that aren’t deleted during normal use.

💡

The most effective way to deal with the “Other” is to combine regular cache cleaning + Turning off automatic updates, which will reduce the increase in garbage by 60 to 70%.

Alternative solutions: if nothing helps

If the "Other" persistently takes 10+ GB, and the cleaning does not give a result, radical measures remain:

1.Reset to factory settings

This will delete all the data, but it will return the phone to its original state.

• Save photos and contacts in Google Photos and Google Contacts.
• Write down logins/passwords from accounts (e.g. Mi Account).
• Make sure you have a backup of SMS and calls (via Mi Cloud).

Reset itself: Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset → Resetting.

2. Transition to custom firmware

Some custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) don’t have an issue with Other because they use a different file system.

• Unlocked bootloader.
• TWRP installations.
• Experience with firmware (the risk of “bricking” the phone).

⚠️ Note: After installing custom firmware, rolling back changes will be difficult - official updates MIUI stop installing.

FAQ: Frequent Questions About The Other on Redmi Note 7