How to Clean the “Other” folder on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: the full guide

Why does the “Other” folder on the Redmi Note 8 Pro take up so much space?

If you own Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro (codename begonia), you’ve probably experienced a situation where the internal memory of a smartphone suddenly fills up, and analysis of the storage shows that the lion’s share is occupied by the mysterious folder “Other”. Unlike photos, videos or applications, the contents of this section are not displayed explicitly, which raises questions: what are these files and can they be deleted without harming the system?

In fact, the Other is a collection section where MIUI lists all files that don’t fall into the standard categories (media, documents, APK), which includes app cache, temporary update files, residual data from remote programs, system logs, and even hidden folders of some messengers. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, with its 64/128 GB of memory, this partition can grow to 10-20 GB — especially if you’ve been using your smartphone for 1-2 years.

The main problem is that MIUI does not provide built-in tools for cleaning the Other in detail. The standard Cleanup feature in settings removes only the tip of the iceberg, leaving deeply hidden files intact. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to reduce the size of the Other folder on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, including manual methods and automated tools.

Method 1: Cleaning the application cache through settings

The safest and easiest method is to remove the cache of installed applications. The cache accumulates over time and can take several gigabytes, especially in instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), social networks (TikTok, Instagram) and games. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, this is done like this:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Sort by size.
3. View the list and select applications with a large cache volume (500 MB and above).
4. On the application page, click Warehouse → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse Clear cache with Clear data! The second action will delete all settings and files of the application (for example, saved games or chats), which is equivalent to reinstallation.

📱 Telegram (cache of stickers, media)

🎵 Spotify/Yandex Music (uploaded tracks)

🎮 Games (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile)

📺 TikTok/Instagram (preloaded)

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To speed up the process, you can use the function of group cache cleaning:

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Cleaning.
2. Click the App Cache and select Clean.

This method will remove the cache of all applications at once, but will not affect user data. After cleaning, it is recommended to restart the smartphone.

Method 2: Removing Residual Files from Remote Applications

When you delete an application through MIUI, the system doesn't always completely erase all the files associated with it, but it leaves folders with settings, logs and temporary data that accumulate over time in the "Other" section to find and delete:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 8 Pro to the PC USB-cable (in file transfer mode).
2. Open the internal memory of the smartphone and go to the Android → data folder.
3. Here you will see folders with names in com.example.app format – these are the residual data of remote programs.
4. Delete the folders of apps you have long since uninstalled (check the name in Google Play).

⚠️ Warning: Don't delete the folders of current applications! This can cause malfunctions in their work. Also, don't touch the system folders with names com.miui, com.android and the like.

For deeper cleaning, you can use a root file manager (such as Root Explorer), but this requires unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom recap, which deprives you of warranty and can lead to a device blink if you make an error.

Method 3: Clean Download folder and hidden messenger folders

Many users are unaware that the Download folder (or Downloads) can take up several gigabytes due to automatically stored files from the browser, messengers and mail, and apps like Telegram or WhatsApp create hidden folders for storing media that are not displayed in the standard file manager.

To clean them up:

• 📁 Open a file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
• 🔍 Go to the Inner Memory → Download and delete unnecessary files.
• 🕵️ Enable the display of hidden folders (in Solid Explorer: Settings) → Show hidden files).
• 🗑️ Find the.Telegram,.WhatsApp,.Viber folders and clean their contents (especially the cache and media folders).

In Telegram, you can additionally clear the cache directly in the application: Settings → Data and memory → Clear the cache of Telegram.

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If you often receive media files in instant messengers, set up automatic saving only for important chats. Telegram does this in Settings → Data and memory → Auto-save media

Method 4: Using third-party utilities for deep cleaning

If manual methods do not help, you can use specialized applications for cleaning garbage.

The most effective for the Redmi Note 8 Pro will be SD Maid – the utility finds and removes:

- Residual files (orphaned files),

- Empty folders,

- Unnecessary APK-file,

- Duplicate photos.

⚠️ Warning: Even proven utilities can mistakenly label system files as junk. Before mass deletion, always check what exactly will be erased. SD Maid is a CorpseFinder feature that looks for residual files – use it with caution.

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Third-party utilities speed up the cleaning process, but do not replace manual verification.Always analyze which files are suggested to be deleted so as not to damage the system.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If the Other folder has grown to critical sizes (e.g., it takes more than 15 to 20 GB) and other methods have failed, the radical solution is factory reset, which will remove all data from the smartphone, including:

- Installed annexes,

- Photos and videos (if not saved on the SD-map),

- Accounts and settings.

Before discharge, it is mandatory:

1. back up important data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset or manually copy files to your PC.

2. Make sure you have access to your Mi Account (required to unlock after reset if the device was tied).

3. Remember passwords from Wi-Fi and apps.

Resetting instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting.

2. Select Erase all data (reset to factory settings).

3. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Once reset, the Other folder will shrink to a minimal size (usually 1-3 GB), but you will have to reconfigure your smartphone, a method that should only be used as a last resort when other methods have been exhausted.

How to prevent the growth of the “Other” folder in the future?

To prevent the Other folder from taking up gigabytes of memory on your Redmi Note 8 Pro, follow the simple recommendations:

• 🔄 Regularly (every 1-2 months) clean the app cache through Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary files from the Download folder and hidden messenger folders.
• 📦 Use Google Drive (Mi Cloud) to back up photos and documents.
• 🚫 Avoid installing apps from unverified sources – they often leave debris behind.
• 🔧 Periodically check the list of installed applications and remove those that you do not use.

It is also useful to disable the automatic saving of media files in messengers:

WhatsApp: Settings → Data and Storage → Autoupload Media (turn off for mobile data).

In Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Auto-save media (configure by chat).

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If you install and delete games frequently, use the Light feature on Google Play or cloud services like Xbox Cloud Gaming to keep your memory clogged.

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