How to Clean the “Other” folder on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: 7 working ways

The Other folder on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro is one of the most mysterious to users, which can take up gigabytes of memory, but does not display specific content in a standard file manager. Unlike downloads, DCIM or WhatsApp folders, system caches, temporary application files, error logs and deleted data residues accumulate here. If your smartphone starts to slow down and the memory ends with “unknown why”, this folder is most often the culprit.

In this article, we’ll explore why the Other folder is growing, how to clean it safely without risk to the system, and what tools will help automate the process. We’ll focus on the Redmi 8 Pro, a 128GB model where the problem is especially relevant due to the features of MIUI 11/12 firmware. You’ll learn which files can be deleted manually and which ones should not be touched so as not to disrupt the smartphone.

What is the “Other” folder and why is it filled

The Other folder (or Other in English) is a collective repository for files that the system cannot categorize as standard: photos, videos, audio or documents.

• 📁 Application cache – temporary data that programs save to speed up work (for example, thumbnails in a gallery or map data in Google Maps).
• 🗑️ Remains of deleted files are fragments of data that were not completely erased during cleaning (typical for the purpose of the deletion). MIUI Due to the features of the file system F2FS).
• 📜 System logs – records of Android operation, application errors and events (stored in the /data/log).
• 🔄 Temporary update files – firmware packages that have downloaded but have not been installed (often remain after the update). OTA-updates).
• 🎮 Game data – saves, textures and cache (e.g, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact can take up gigabytes).

On the Redmi 8 Pro, the problem is exacerbated by the MIUI 11/12 firmware feature: the system reserves up to 5-7 GB for stable operation, but does not always correctly free up this space after use. For example, after upgrading to MIUI 12.5, many users noticed that the folder grows to 10+ GB for no apparent reason.

Another nuance is the hidden folders. MIUI Some files are marked as system files and not displayed in standard Explorer, but can only be seen through a Root Explorer or ADB-For example, a folder. /data/app-lib It can weigh a few gigabytes, but the user does not even suspect its existence.

How to check what is in the “Other” folder

Before you clean, you need to understand which files are taking up space, and there are several ways to do this, from standard MIUI tools to third-party utilities.

Method 1: Built-in memory analyzer

Open Settings → About Phone → Memory. Here you will see a memory distribution diagram. Click on the Other section, and the system will show approximate composition (cache, logs, temporary files).

Method 2: File Manager with Root rights

If you have Root access, use Root Explorer or Solid Explorer (with the "Show Hidden Files" option enabled). Go to the root directory and check the following folders:

/data/log – system logs (can weigh up to 1-2 GB)


/data/dalvik-cache – Dalvik cache (remains from remote applications)




/data/app-lib – Application libraries (often duplicated)




/cache – update cache (can be manually cleaned)

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /system or /vendor Don't touch folders with root:root permissions or immutable tags.

Method 3: Analyzer applications

Third-party utilities like Files by Google, SD Maid or DiskUsage provide more detailed analysis, such as SD Maid, which shows:

• 🗃️ Duplicate files (including application cache).
• 🧹 Orphans – files left over after uninstallation of programs.
• 📊 Large files (more than 100 MB) that can be deleted.

💡

Before using the analyzers, turn off memory optimization in MIUI: go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Optimize memory and turn it off. This will allow applications to scan system folders deeper.

7 Ways to Clean the Other folder on Redmi 8 Pro

Now, let's get to the practice. Here are 7 proven methods, from the safest to the most advanced (requires Root or ADB). Start with the first and move on to the next one if the space does not vacate.

Method 1: Cleaning the application cache

The easiest and safest method is to go to Settings → Apps → App management. Sort programs by size and clear the cache for the hardest (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Google Play Services).

For mass cleaning:

1. Open Settings → Memory → Clear the cache.
2. Confirm the action (the system will remove the cache of all applications).

🔹 Releases 1-3 GB, but the cache will start filling again in a few days.

Method 2: Delete temporary files via Recovery

If your smartphone is slowing down, try clearing the cache through Recovery mode:

1. Turn off the Redmi 8 Pro.
2. Press Power + Volume up until the MI logo appears.
3. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (use volume buttons for navigation).
4. Confirm the action and restart.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t choose Wipe Data – it will reset your phone to factory settings!

Backup of important data

Charge your phone at least 50%

Make sure you choose Wipe Cache over Wipe Data

Do not interrupt the process until it is completed-->

Method 3: Manual deletion of logs via ADB

For advanced users. Connect Redmi 8 Pro to your PC, enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version – press 7 times, then return to Additional Settings → For Developers) and execute commands:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/log/*




rm -rf /cache/*




exit




exit

🔹 Frees up to 1-2 GB, but requires superuser rights.

Method 4: Using SD Maid (without Root)

Install SD Maid from Google Play and start the scan:

1. Open the CorpseFinder tab, and the remnants of remote applications will be displayed here.
2. Go to SystemCleaner and clear any unnecessary files (do not touch the items marked! Dangerous).
3. In the AppCleaner section, remove the cache for all applications.

🔹 Effect: 2–5 GB (depending on the degree of pollution).

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If nothing works, and the Other folder takes 10+GB, you'll have to do a hard reset.

• 📱 Create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 🔒 Make sure you know the username and password from Mi Account (required to unlock after resetting).
• 📡 Connect to Wi-Fi – after reset, the phone will download updates.

For reset: Settings → About the phone → Resetting settings.

Method 6: Disabling Unnecessary System Applications

MIUI has a lot of pre-installed applications that run in the background and create cache.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all processes.
3. Find unnecessary services (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, Browser) and click Disable.

⚠️ Note: Do not disable system processes called com.android. or com.miui!

Method 7: Transfer of data to SD-card (for models with support)

Redmi 8 Pro supports memory cards up to 512 GB.

• 📷 Photos and videos (via Gallery) → Settings → Preservation site).
• 🎵 Music and downloads (in the settings of the respective applications).
• 🎮 Game data (e.g. in the PUBG Mobile can be selected SD-storage-card).

This will not clean the Other folder, but it will prevent it from growing further.

💡

Regularly cleaning the cache and disabling unnecessary applications is the most effective way to keep the Other folder under control. Reset to factory settings only as a last resort when other methods have not worked.

How to Prevent Filling in the “Other” Folder in the Future

To prevent the problem from returning, follow these tips:

• 🔄 Clean the cache every 1-2 weeks (via Settings) → Memory).
• 🚫 Do not install applications from unknown sources – they often leave garbage in system folders.
• 📥 Use the “Lite” versions of applications (for example, Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).
• 🔒 Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play (renew manually once a month).
• 📊 Monitor memory with Files by Google or SD Maid.

It is also useful to turn off background activity for unnecessary applications:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Select the application and set the Manual Control limit.
3. Turn off Auto Start and Background Activity.

For Redmi 8 Pro, it is especially important to disable MIUI optimization, which often creates unnecessary temporary files:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Memory Optimization.
2. Turn off the Autoclean option (it removes the cache aggressively, but not always correctly).

Frequent errors when cleaning the “Other” folder

Many users make mistakes that lead to data loss or system failures, and these are the most common:

• 🗑️ Deletion of files from /system — This will lead to bootloop (the phone will not turn on).
• 🔄 Using cleaners like Clean Master – they often delete files and show false warnings.
• 📱 Factory reset without backup – you’ll lose all data, including photos in internal memory.
• 🔧 Deletion of the folder /data/dalvik-cache This will slow down all applications.
• 🔒 Disabling system services (e.g. Google Play Services) – disrupting the app store.

⚠️ Warning: If the Other folder fills up quickly after cleaning, check your phone for viruses using Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light. Some malware masquerades as system files and generates garbage.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions