How to Clean the Other Section in Xiaomi Phone: The Complete 2026 Guide

The Other section of Xiaomi’s smartphone memory is a real black hole for free space, which can take up 5 to 30 GB, but users do not understand what is stored there and how to delete it. Unlike photos or apps, the content of The Other does not appear in the standard file manager, and the system insists that the memory is “not enough”, even though you did not download anything.

The problem is compounded by the fact that MIUI (Xiaomi firmware) actively caches data, creates backups and hidden files to speed up work, and as a result, even after removing unnecessary applications, the Other section continues to grow. In this article, we will analyze 5 proven cleaning methods - from simple (no root rights) to advanced (using ADB), and explain which files can be deleted without risk to the system.

We warn you right away: not all methods are equally safe. Some actions can cause individual applications to crash or even crash the system into the bootloop. So make sure to back up important data through Settings → Google → Backup or manually copy files to your PC before cleaning.

1.What is the Other section of Xiaomi and why is it growing?

In MIUI, the Other section is a dump for files that the system cannot categorize as standard (photos, videos, apps, etc.) and includes:

• 🗃️ App cache (including Google Play Services cache, which can weigh several gigabytes).
• 📁 Temporary files from the installer APK, System updates and backups.
• 🔄 Logs and dumps (debugging files that are created when crashes).
• 📱 Migration data (remains after transferring data from another phone).
• 🔒 Encrypted files (e.g. data from Secure Folder or Mi Cloud).

The main reason for the growth of the Other is the malfunctioning of the cache cleaning mechanism, for example, after deleting the application, its cache must be erased, but sometimes it remains in the system as an orphan file.

• 🔄 Frequent updates MIUI (Each update leaves traces of old versions of files).
• 📱 Smart Cleanup (sometimes misses large files).
• 🛠️ Errors in the file system (for example, after incorrect extraction) SD-map).

Fun fact: Xiaomi with Qualcomm chipsets (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro) is growing the Other section faster than MediaTek devices, which is due to the way the cache is handled by the processor.

⚠️ Note: If the Other is larger than 15GB, it may indicate a virus infection or file system corruption, in which case it is recommended to check the phone with an antivirus (e.g. Malwarebytes) before cleaning and check the disk through the file system. ADB.

Method 2: Cleaning through built-in MIUI tools

The safest method is to use standard MIUI features. It does not require root rights and is suitable for beginners.

Step 1. Smart cleaning.

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Click on “Clean” (usually prompted automatically).
3. Select “Deep Clean” and confirm the action.

This method removes application cache, temporary files, and debris from downloads, but often leaves the system files from Other intact.

Step 2: Manually clean the cache of individual applications

• Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
• Sort the apps by size (click on the three dots in the upper right corner).
• Select apps with a large cache (e.g. YouTube, Telegram, Google Play Services).
• Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – this will remove the app settings!).

Step 3: Delete Unnecessary Files through Files

Open the Files app (from Xiaomi) and check the following folders:

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Download — browser-loading.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails — photo miniatures.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data — cache of games and applications (remove folders of remote programs).

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete files from folders /system, /data or /vendor — Also, don't touch files with.odex,.vdex or.oat extensions - they are critical for Android.

Method 2: Using cleaning applications (without root)

If the built-in tools didn't help, you can use third-party utilities.

1. SD Maid (recommended)

• 🔍 Finds “orphan” files (remains after deleting applications).
• 🗑️ Clears Dalvik cache (accelerates the system operation).
• 🛠️ It has a function of searching for duplicates.

How to use:

1. Install SD Maid from Google Play.
2. Run the “Basket” (CorpseFinder) – it will find the remnants of remote applications.
3. Perform System Cleanup (ADB rights are required, but not root).

2. Files by Google

• 📁 Shows "unused files" (including hidden files).
• 🔍 Analyze memory and suggest removing garbage.
• 🆓 Free and no advertising.

3. CCleaner (with caution!)

This app can delete too much data, including useful files. Use only the cache cleanup function and turn off automatic optimization.

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Before using any cleaners, check which files they suggest you delete. If you have folders called com.android. or miui. on the list, you should skip them, which is system data.

Method 3: Cleaning through ADB (for advanced users)

If previous methods have failed, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a low-level tool that requires no root rights, but requires accuracy.

Step 1: Installation of ADB

• 🖥️ Download Platform Tools from Android.
• 📂 Unpack the archive in a folder. C:\adb (Windows).
• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC in File Transfer mode.

Step 2: Enable debugging over USB

1. On the phone go to Settings → About the phone.
2. Click on MIUI Version 7 times to activate Developer Mode.
3. Return to “Additional Settings” and turn on “Debugging by” USB».

Step 3: Cleaning commands

Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB and enter in turn:

adb devices

(The name of your device should appear.)

adb shell pm trim-caches 1000G

This command clears the cache of all applications (the 1000G figure means the maximum cache size that can be cleaned).

adb shell cmd package bg-dexopt-job

Optimizes background processes (can release up to 1-2 GB).

⚠️ Note: Do not use the adb shell pm clear command for system applications (e.g. com.android.settings) – this will cause your phone to reset!

5. Method 4: Recovery cache reset (radical-method)

If the Other takes more than 10GB and isn’t cleared in other ways, you can try resetting the cache via Recovery Mode.This won’t delete your data, but will reset all temporary system files.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. Choose your language (if required).
4. Go to "Wipe & Reset» → «Wipe Cache».
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
6. Restart the phone (Reboot).

This method removes:

• 🗑️ Cache of all applications.
• 🔄 Temporary update files.
• 📁 Logs of system and dumps.

After a reboot, the phone can run slower for the first 5-10 minutes – which is normal as the system recovers cache.

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Resetting the cache via Recovery is the most effective way to clean the Other without losing data, but it should not be used more than 1 time every 2-3 months.

6. Method 5: Manual cleaning through Root (for experienced)

If you have root rights, you can manually delete unnecessary files from Another, a method that is risky - wrong actions can cause the phone to fail.

What files can be deleted:

• 📁 /data/log — Logs of the system (can be deleted completely).
• 📁 /data/tombstones — debugging files when applications crash.
• 📁 /data/dalvik-cache — Dalvik cache (deleted automatically when restarted).
• 📁 /data/media/0/Android/obb — cache of games (remove only remote game folders).

How to delete:

1. Install Root Explorer or Solid Explorer (with support for root).
2. Go to the specified folders and delete their contents.
3. Reboot the phone.

What NOT to delete:

• 🚫 Files in /system, /vendor, /boot.
• 🚫 Folders with names com.android.providers*.
• 🚫 Files build.prop, vold.fstab.

⚠️ Note: If after cleaning the phone stopped turning on or got stuck on the Mi logo, try reflashing it through Fastboot (instructions are on the forum). 4PDA in the section of your model).

7.How to prevent the “Other” from being refilled?

To prevent the “Other” section from growing again, follow these tips:

1.Tune in automatic cleaning

• 🔄 Include “Autocleaning” in Settings → Memory.
• 📅 Install cache cleaning once a week.

2. Limit cache for individual applications

Some apps (like Telegram or YouTube) can cache gigabytes of data.

1. For Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Cache size (set ≤ 500 MB).
2. For YouTube: Settings → History and Cache → Clear the cache (do it once a month).

3. Turn off unnecessary diagnostics

MIUI collects a lot of data for analysis, to reduce the log size:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reviews and analytics.
2. Turn off “Send Error Reports” and “Participate in the MIUI Improvement Program.”

4.Use cloud storage

Move photos and videos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud so they don’t take up space on your device.

5. Check the Download folder regularly

Many files are downloaded and forgotten. Delete unnecessary files every 2 weeks.

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If you install and remove games frequently, use the “Lite Version” feature on Google Play or install games on the site. SD-card (if supported).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up the "Other" in Xiaomi