How to Clean the Other folder on Xiaomi smartphones: The Complete Guide 2026

Xiaomi’s Other folder is a real black hole for free space, which can take up 5 to 30 GB, but users rarely understand what is stored there. The MIUI system takes app cache, temporary files, remnants of deleted programs, log files and even hidden messenger data. Unlike the Photo, Video or Audio folders, the content of The Other does not appear in the gallery and does not respond to standard cleaning through Cleanup in the settings.

Compounding the problem, Xiaomi is using caching to speed up interfaces and applications. For example, after updating MIUI or installing large games, gigabytes of unnecessary data may remain in the folder. But you can’t just delete everything: these files can include critical elements for the system or personal data. In this article, we will discuss how to safely clean the Other on Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi without risking a smartphone breakdown.

There is no one-size-fits-all method. The methods depend on the version of MIUI (12, 13 or 14), the device model, and even what applications you use. For example, POCO F5 and Redmi Note 12 users may have different folder structures due to different chipsets and firmware, so we've put together 5 proven methods that work on most devices in 2020-2026.

1.What is the Other folder hiding on Xiaomi?

Before you clean, you need to understand what exactly takes up space. In the folder "Other" Xiaomi store:

• 📁 Application cache – temporary files that create programs to run quickly (for example, thumbnails in a gallery or map data in Google Maps).
• 🗃️ Remnants of Remote Apps – Not all files are erased when uninstalled (especially for games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile).
• 📜 Log files of the system - journals about work MIUI, Errors and events (may weigh up to 1-2 GB).
• 🔄 Temporary update files – after installing the new version MIUI Archives weighing 500 MB-1 GB.
• 📱 Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber data store media files that did not get into the gallery.

Interestingly, on devices with MIUI 14, the Other folder can take up 20 to 30% more space than on MIUI 12, due to changes in the caching mechanism. For example, after upgrading from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14, many Xiaomi 12T users complained about the sudden disappearance of 5-7 GB of free space due to temporary update files.

How do you check what exactly takes place?

1. Open “Settings” → “About Phone” → “Storage”.
2. Click on “Other” – the system will show the distribution by category (if supported).
3. Use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer) to manually analyze /data and /cache folders.

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete files from folders /system or /vendor — This can cause a device to break down, and only clean up the data you're sure of.

2. Method 1: Clearing the cache through MIUI settings

The safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which are suitable for beginners and do not require root rights.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the top menu, select “Cleaning”.
3. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – this will remove the app settings!).
4. For deep cleaning, tap "Deep cleaning" and confirm the action.

This method removes up to 1-3 GB of garbage, but does not touch system log files and remnants of deleted programs.

Close all background applications

Connect the charger (in case of a long procedure)

Backup of important data

Check the vacant space before and after cleaning-->

Method 2: Manually Delete Temporary Files via Recovery

If standard cleaning didn’t work, try erasing the cache through Recovery mode, which works even on locked downloaders and doesn’t require superuser rights.

How to get to Recovery on Xiaomi:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the buttons "Power" + "Loudness up" before the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select “Wipe & Reset” → “Wipe Cache”.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

This method deletes all temporary system files, including update residues and log files, but it does not affect the cache of user applications (for example, Instagram or TikTok).

⚠️ Warning: Do not select the option “Wipe Data” in Recovery – this will result in a complete reset and deletion of all your data!

Method 3: Using ADB for deep cleaning

For advanced users, there is a method with Android Debug Bridge (ADB) that allows you to delete files that are not visible through the standard MIUI interface.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB («Settings» → «The phone» → 7 times tap on "Version" MIUI» → Go back to "Settings» → «Additionally» → «For developers» → Turn on "Debugging by" USB»).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).

Cleanup commands:

adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.miui.cleanmaster # Cleaning the built-in cleaner


adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files




adb shell rm -rf /cache/* # Cleaning the cache system

These commands are removed before 2–5 GB of garbage, but you need to be careful. -rf /data/* (without specifying the folder, delete all user data!

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Before using ADB, backup your application via adb backup -apk -shared -all -f backup.ab. This will save all applications and settings in case of an error.

5. Method 4: Applications for cleaning the "Other"

If you don't want to mess with ADB or Recovery, you can use third-party tools.

• 🧹 SD Maid - finds and deletes the remnants of remote applications, empty folders and duplicate files. MIUI 12–14.
• 🗑️ Files by Google – Built-in Cleanup Tool Analyzes ‘Other’ and Offers Safe Removal Options.
• 🔍 Storage Analyzer – shows which files occupy space in the Other folder (requires root for full access).

Example of SD Maid:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Run Recycle Bin (for deleted files) and System Cleaner.
3. Click "Start" and wait for analysis.
4. Delete unnecessary files (e.g..thumbnails,.log,.tmp).

On devices with MIUI 14, some applications (such as SD Maid) may not see system folders due to new security restrictions, in which case only ADB or manual cleaning through TWRP will help.

6. Method 5: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If the Other folder takes up more than 10GB and other methods have not worked, it will completely reset, which will delete all data, including photos, messages and apps, but return the smartphone to a “clean” state.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup through Settings → System → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting Settings.
3. Select “Erase all data”.
4. Enter your password (if required) and confirm.

Once reset, the Other folder will shrink to 500MB-1GB (a normal size for a clean system), but this method should only be used as a last resort, as data recovery can take several hours.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with the bootloader unlocked, the reset may result in re-blocking. To avoid this, link your Mi Account to ** Settings before resetting» → «Xiaomi account».

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Factory reset is the most radical, but also the most effective way, and only use it if other methods have failed and you have a backup of the data.

7. How to prevent the “Other” folder from being filled in in the future?

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

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly (once every 1-2 weeks through Settings» → «Warehouse» → «Cleanup»).
• 🚫 Remove unnecessary applications through “Settings» → «Apps" rather than just dragging the icon to "Delete" (this leaves residual files behind).
• 📱 Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play (or limit it to Wi-Fi only).
• 📁 Use cloud storage (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) to automatically download media files.
• 🔧 Update. MIUI — in new versions optimized work with cache (for example, in the MIUI 14 added the tool "Deep cleaning»).

Also, you should watch for messengers: on Telegram and WhatsApp, set up automatic deletion of media files after viewing.

1. In Telegram: “Settings” → “Data and memory” → “Stealing media”.
2. On WhatsApp: “Settings” → “Storage” → “Storage management”.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the folder “Other” on Xiaomi