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

The Other folder in Xiaomi’s storage is a real headache for many users, it can take up 5 to 30 GB of storage, and the system does not show what is stored there, most often this folder accumulates app cache, temporary files, remnants of deleted programs, MIUI log files and other system data that is not related to media, documents or applications.

Unlike Images or Video folders, the content of Other cannot be deleted through a standard file manager. Moreover, improper cleaning can cause MIUI to crash, from app errors to a complete system reboot. In this article, we will discuss 5 safe ways to reduce the size of the Other folder on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, including hidden settings and third-party tools.

If your smartphone is constantly showing a notification "Memory is full" and there is a huge block "Other" in the "Storage" section, do not rush to reset your phone to factory settings. In 90% of cases, the problem can be solved without radical measures. The main thing is to understand which files can be deleted and which ones should not be touched.

What is the “Other” folder on Xiaomi and why is it growing?

The Other folder (or "Other" in the English version of MIUI) is a collection box for all files that the system cannot categorize as standard.

• 🗑️ App and system cache — temporary data that is created to speed up programs, such as Facebook, Instagram or Google Play Services can generate gigabytes of cache.
• 📄 Log files MIUI — Error logs, system and application reports, and a lot of them accumulate after updates.
• 🔄 Remnant applications – not all programs are completely deleted, leaving behind configuration files and databases.
• 📱 Data from the Android Virtual Machine (ART/Dalvik) — Optimized files to speed up application launches.
• 🔒 Encrypted files – some applications (such as banking or instant messengers) store data in encrypted form that the system cannot recognize.

The main reason for the growth of the folder “Other” is the automatic creation of cache and logs without their subsequent cleaning. For example, after updating MIUI, the system can leave old firmware files in the /cache folder, which take 1-3 GB. Social networks and messengers are also to blame: Telegram and WhatsApp cache media files, even if you do not save them to the gallery.

Another culprit is MIUI’s Adaptive Cleanup feature, which automatically deletes unnecessary files, but often works incorrectly, leaving debris in the Other folder.

⚠️ Note: If the Other folder takes up more than 10 GB, this may indicate a malfunction MIUI In this case, it is recommended to check the phone with an antivirus (Malwarebytes or Dr.Web) before cleaning.

Method 1: Clearing the application cache through settings

The easiest and safest method is to manually clean the cache for individual applications, which won’t delete important data (like WhatsApp messages or save in games), but will free up 500MB to 2-3GB of storage.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select “Sort by Size” – so you will see the most “gluttonous” programs.
3. Select an app (e.g. Facebook, Google, MIUI System) and click Clear Cache.
4. For complete cleaning, click on “Storage” and select “Clear Data» (⚠️ This will remove all application settings!).

Pay special attention to the following applications - they most often accumulate cache:

• 📱 Google Play Services – can be used for 1-2 GB.
• 💬 Facebook, Instagram, TikTok – up to 500 MB-1 GB each.
• 📱 MIUI System, Security, Theme Manager – System applications that are rarely cleaned automatically.
• 🎮 Games (PUBG, Genshin Impact, Call of Duty – Texture and Update Cache.

Google Play Services |Facebook |Instagram|MIUI System|Security |Theme Manager |Games with large cache-->

How much memory will be released? On average, 1-3 GB, but if you haven't cleaned it for a long time, maybe 5 GB+.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache for banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.) and messengers with important data (for example, Telegram with secret chats.

Method 2: Using a built-in MIUI cleaner

MIUI has a built-in garbage cleaner called the Cleaner, which deletes temporary files, application residues and cache, but often works inefficiently, and to maximize the result, you need to set it up correctly.

How to start a deep cleaning:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to the "Cleaner" section.
3. Click on “Deep Clean” (confirmation may be required).
4. Select “Clean” and wait for the process to be completed.

If standard cleaning doesn’t work, try an alternative method:

1. In the same section, "Cleaner" click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
2. Select “Settings” → “Autocleaning”.
3. Turn on the options: ✅ «Clear the cache after leaving the applications» ✅ «Delete unnecessary files APK» ✅ «Clean the basket»

Then run the cleaning again – now it will remove more debris.

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If the Other folder fills up quickly again after cleaning, disable the auto-update of apps in Google Play. Many updates are downloaded in the background and take up space in the cache.

Method 3: Delete unnecessary files through the file manager

Xiaomi’s standard Files doesn’t show hidden folders where the main debris is piling up, so you need to turn on the hidden files and manually check the key directories to see them.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root rights (e.g. Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
3. Go to the root folder of the storage and check the following directories: 📁 /cache — Temporary system files (you can clean up completely). 📁 /data/log — logic MIUI (Delete everything except the current files). 📁 /Android/data — cache and application data (remove remote program folders). 📁 /Android/obb — Cache of games (can be deleted if the games are not used). 📁 /MIUI/backup — backup MIUI (if not).

Critical: Do not delete folders /system, /vendor or files with the extension.odex,.vdex – this can lead to system failure!

If you're not sure if you can delete a file, check it with VirusTotal or search for a name on Google. For example, files like com.android..log are usually safe to delete, while lib.so is not.

Method 4: Dalvik/ART cache reset (for advanced users)

If the Other folder takes up more than 3GB and standard methods don't help, the problem may be in the cache of the Android Virtual Machine (Dalvik/ART). its reset does not delete user data, but requires a phone to restart and can take 5-10 minutes.

How to reset Dalvik cache:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Select the option "Wipe & Reset» → «Wipe Cache».
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
5. Reboot the phone.

After this procedure:

• ✅ Released 1-2 GB of memory.
• ✅ Applications will start slower when first opened (cache resets).
• ✅ Some app settings may reset.

⚠️ Warning: If after resetting the Dalvik cache, the phone is getting stuck on the boot (more than 15 minutes), perform a hard reboot (clip the power supply). + Volume down for 10 seconds. This won't delete the data, but it will return the system to a state of operation.

Method 5: Using ADB for deep cleaning (no root)

If previous methods didn’t work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), an Android debugging tool that allows you to delete unnecessary files without superuser permissions.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📥 ADB and Fastboot (download and unpack).

Instructions:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click on MIUI Version 7 times to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings, open Additional → Developer, and turn on USB Debugging.

Connect the phone to your computer and confirm access.

cmd

adb.exe

adb shell


pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster # Cleaning a standard cleaner




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




rm -rf /cache/* # Clearing the system cache

These commands will safely remove temporary MIUI files, cleaner cache, and debris from the /cache folder. If you need to clear the cache of a particular application (such as Google Play Services), use:

pm clear com.google.android.gms

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ADB is the most powerful root-free cleanup, but it requires caution. Do not delete files in /system or /data/data without understanding the consequences!

What if the “Other” folder is not reduced?

If after all the manipulations, the Other folder still takes up a lot of space, the problem may be one of the following factors:

• 🛠️ File system failure – check with fsck (required) TWRP root).
• 🦠 Viral software - some viruses masquerading as system files and taking up space in "The Other." Scan Malwarebytes phone.
• 📱 Mistake. MIUI — after major updates (e.g., with the MIUI 12 on MIUI 13) there may be duplicate files. Try resetting settings (but not data!).
• 🔄 Automatic backup – some applications (like Mi Cloud) create hidden backups. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.

If nothing works, the last thing you can do is reset to factory settings.

1. Make a backup copy of important data.
2. Record or take pictures of settings (Wi-Fi, accounts, etc.).
3. Make sure you have access to your Xiaomi account (autonomy will be required after the reset).

Reset is performed through Settings → About Phone → Resetting.

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