The Other folder on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is one of the most mysterious to users, it can take anywhere from a few hundred megabytes to tens of gigabytes, but it doesn't open through a standard file manager. Many people mistakenly think it's system junk that can be easily removed. In fact, it's more complicated: it stores app cache, temporary files, update data, and even fragments of deleted programs.
If your Redmi Note 10 Pro, Redmi 9A or other model shows that your memory is full of unknown files, don't rush to drop your phone before the factory settings. In 90% of cases, the problem can be solved without drastic measures. In this article, we will analyze what is hidden in the Other folder, which files can be deleted without risk and which should not be touched, and we will show 5 proven cleaning methods, from manual to automated.
What is the “Other” folder on Xiaomi and why it grows
The Other folder (or Other in the English version of MIUI) 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 for fast operation (for example, video thumbnails in TikTok or browser previews of articles).
- 🔄 Remnant applications – not all programs clean folders after uninstallation.
- 📥 Update files MIUI — downloaded but not installed firmware packages.
- 🗑️ System logs – error logs, memory dumps and crash reports (especially many of them accumulate after application crashes).
- 🎮 Game data – saves, textures and cache (e.g. Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile can take up gigabytes).
The main reason for the folder growth is the incorrect operation of MIUI. The system does not always sort files correctly, especially after updates. For example, after switching from MIUI 12 to MIUI 13, many users noticed that the Other suddenly takes 3-5 GB more.
- 📲 Cleaning applications (such as Clean Master) that create duplicate files instead of cleaning.
- 🔗 Sync with the cloud (such as Mi Cloud or Google Drive) when temporary files are not deleted.
- 🛠️ root rights and custom firmware – after manual intervention, the system loses control over some files.
Fun fact: Redmi with Snapdragon chipsets, the Other folder is growing faster than MediaTek models, because of the way the processor handles the cache.
⚠️ Attention: If the Other folder is more than 10 GB, it is not normal.Perhaps there is a virus or file system failure on the phone.Prepare the device with an antivirus (e.g. Malwarebytes) before cleaning).
How to Check How Much Space Does The Other Take Up on Your Redmi
Before you clean it, you need to understand the scale of the problem. There are two ways to look at the size of the Other folder on Xiaomi:
Method 1: Through phone settings
- Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
- Click on “Other”** in the category list.
- The system will show the exact size and percentage of the total memory.
Method 2: Through the File Manager (Hidden Method)
The standard Xiaomi Files does not show the “Other” folder, but you can bypass this limitation:
- Install a third-party manager, such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer.
- Enable the display of hidden files in the application settings.
- Go to the root folder /storage/emulated/0/.
- Find the.thumbnails,.cache, Android/obb folders – their content is often referred to as “Other.”
If you see that the Other takes up more than 30 percent of the memory after checking, it's time to act, but first, let's figure out which files can be deleted without risk.
| Type of file | Can I remove it? | Risks. |
|---|---|---|
| App cache (.cache) | ✅ Yes. | Applications will be loaded longer at the first run. |
| System logs (.log,.dmp) | ✅ Yes. | No consequences, but may be needed to diagnose failures. |
| Remnants of Remote Applications | ✅ Yes. | It will free up space, but some settings may reset. |
| Update files MIUI (MIUI_update) | ⚠️ Partially. | Remove only if you do not plan to update. |
| Game data (Android/obb) | ❌ No. | The games will stop working or require re-downloading. |
Method 1: Cleaning the application cache (the safest method)
Cache is the main reason for the Other folder to inflate, and can be cleared in two ways: selectively (for individual applications) or globally (for all programs at once).
Selective cache cleaning
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Choose an app that takes up a lot of space (like YouTube, Facebook, or TikTok).
- Click “Clear Cache”** (not to be confused with “Clear Data”!).
Global cache cleanup
If you are lazy to clean each application separately:
- Open Settings → Memory → Cleaning.
- Click “Clear Cache”** at the bottom of the screen.
- Confirm the action.
This method will free up from 500 MB to 2-3 GB of storage, depending on the number of applications installed, and the main advantage is security: you do not delete important data, only temporary files.
⚠️ Warning: After clearing the cache, some apps (like Google Maps or Instagram) will load longer when they first run.
Close all background applications
Connect your phone to charge (if the memory is almost full)
Backup of important data
Check the vacant space after cleaning-->
Method 2: Delete unnecessary MIUI update files
Xiaomi likes to download updates in advance, but doesn't always install them. These files can take 1GB to 5GB and lie in the Other folder for years to delete.
- Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
- Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select “Delete downloaded package”**.
- Confirm removal.
If this item is inactive, it means there are no updates, but the files could have been left manually.
- Open any file manager with root permissions (such as Root Explorer).
- Go to the folder. /cache/ or /data/MIUI_update/.
- Delete files with the.zip extension or names like update.zip.
Important: If you delete a file from a current update that hasn't been installed yet, the system will download it again the next time you check, so this is only a good option if you don't plan to update anytime soon.
What if the phone stopped updating after the updates were deleted?
Method 3: Manually delete temporary files via ADB (for advanced)
If standard methods don't work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a deep-cleaning tool that requires a computer and a little bit of technical skill, but allows you to delete files that aren't visible through the normal interface.
Preparation
- Download ADB Tools from Google’s official website.
- Turn on USB debugging on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Press 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers. Activate USB Debugging.**
Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
Cleaning through ADB teams
Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) in the ADB folder and type in turns:
adb shell
su
rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*
rm -rf /cache/*
rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*
exit
exitThese commands delete:
- 🗃️ Temporary system files (/data/local/tmp).
- 🔄 Update cache and Dalvik cache (accelerates application operation).
⚠️ Note: Do not use the rm command. -rf /data/* — It will delete all user data and cause the phone to reset, and don't clean the folder. /system — It'll hurt the firmware.
Once you have completed the commands, restart the phone, a method that can free up to 4-6 GB if the Other folder has been heavily clogged.
- Change. USB-cable (original or high quality cable required).
- Install Mi USB Driver drivers from Xiaomi’s official website.
- Switch the connection mode from Charging to File Transfer.
Method 4: Using Deep Cleaning Applications
If you don't want to go through the settings or use ADB, you can use specialized applications that automatically find and delete unnecessary files from the "Other" folder.
- 🧹 SD Maid scans the system deeply, finds remnants of deleted applications and duplicate files. There's a CorpseFinder feature that looks for dead files.
- 🔍 Files by Google is a simple tool from Google with the “Clean up” feature**, which removes cache and unnecessary items. APK.
- 🛡️ CCleaner is a classic of the genre, but beware: not all features are useful (e.g., cleaning a Dalvik cache can slow down a phone).
How to use SD Maid (Step-by-step):
- Download the app from Google Play (there is a free version).
- Start the scan ("Analysis").
- Go to the CorpseFinder tab** – here will be the remnants of remote programs.
- Click "Execute"** to clean up.
Warning: Some applications (such as Clean Master) can delete files or show false virus warnings.
💡
Cleaning apps aren't wizards -- they won't delete files that are occupied by the system or protected by rights. If SD Maid doesn't find anything superfluous, try manual methods.
Method 5: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)
If the Other folder takes up more than 10GB and previous methods didn’t work, it will leave a hard reset, which will remove all data from your phone, including photos, contacts and apps, so make sure to back up:
- Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
- Select "Settings Reset"**.
- Mark “Clear everything” (including internal memory).
- Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.
After discharge:
- 📱 The phone will be like new, without any files.
- 🔄 The “Other” folder will shrink to 200-500 MB (normal size).
- ⚠️ You will have to reconfigure all applications and restore data from the backup.
⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro) may miss the Internal Storage section after reset. SD-card (if used as internal memory).
How to prevent the “Other” folder from growing again
Cleaning is good, but it's even better to keep the folder from clogging again.
- 📵 Limit the background activity of applications: Go to Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery management. Select "Limit background activity"** for unnecessary programs.
- 🔄 Turn off automatic app updates: Go to Settings on Google Play → Auto-Update Apps. Select "Never" or "Only via Wi-Fi».
- 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly (once every 1-2 months).
- 📥 Don't download. APK Unknown sources – they often leave behind garbage.
Also worth keeping an eye out for MIUI updates: Newer versions (starting with MIUI 14) have improved processing of temporary files, so the Other folder may shrink by itself after the upgrade.