How to Clean the “Other” folder on Xiaomi Phone: Safe Ways and Hidden Nuances

The Other folder in Xiaomi smartphones is a real black hole for free space, which can take up 5 to 30 GB of memory, and users rarely understand what is stored there. The system includes app cache, temporary files, remnants of deleted programs, error logs and even hidden messenger data. Unlike the Images or Video folders, the content of the Other does not appear in the gallery, but it is often the cause of the message “Memory is filled.”

Many Redmi owners, POCO Or Mi try to clean this folder through the standard settings, but they find that after the reboot, the volume of The Other grows again. MIUI It automatically restores some files (such as the cache of frequently used applications) to be effective, you need to combine built-in tools, manual methods and even third-party utilities - but do it competently so as not to disrupt the phone.

In this article, we will discuss:

• 🔍 What is stored in the “Other” folder and why it can’t be simply deleted;
• 🛠️ Step-by-step cleaning methods – from standard to advanced;
• ⚠️ What files can not be touched so as not to break the system;
• 📱 Features for different models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi Note 11, POCO F5 etc.).

What is the “Other” folder and why does it take up so much space?

The Other folder is a collection of all files that the system cannot categorize as standard (photos, videos, music, etc.) and it includes:

• 🗑️ App cache – temporary data that programs save for fast work (for example, thumbnails on Instagram or stories on Telegram);
• 📄 Logs and dumps – files with information about system errors (useful for diagnosis, but rarely necessary for the user);
• 🔄 Remnants of Remote Applications – Not all programs are deleted completely, leaving behind folders with settings;
• 📁 Hidden messenger files – for example, WhatsApp or Viber store backups of chats here;
• 🖼️ Miniatures and previews – reduced copies of images for quick upload in the gallery.

On Xiaomi with firmware MIUI The 12-14 folder “Other” can grow especially fast for two reasons:

1. Aggressive caching – the system stores data even for rarely used applications.
2. Background optimization — MIUI creates duplicate files to “speed up” work (for example, copies of wallpaper or themes for design).

It is interesting that on some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi). K50) The volume of "Other" can reach 40-50 GB if the user actively uses social networks, games or streaming services. MIUI Deletes only a small portion of these files.

⚠️ Warning: Do not try to delete the Other folder completely through a file manager (e.g. Total Commander) and this will cause the system to crash, the phone may stop loading or lose access to settings.

How to see what exactly takes up space in the folder “Other”

Before you clean it, you need to understand which files take up the most space, and there are several ways to do this:

Method 1: Built-in memory analyzer MIUI

The easiest way is to use a standard tool:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory;
2. Click on “Other” – the system will show the distribution by category (cache, logs, downloads, etc.);
3. Tap on any category to see the list of apps that fill it.

The disadvantage of this method: MIUI Does not show hidden system files and often understates the actual cache volume.

Method 2: DiskUsage (Files by Google)

For more detailed analysis, install the DiskUsage or Files by Google app:

• 📊 DiskUsage – shows graphical memory distribution by folder (including hidden folders);
• 🔎 Files by Google – sorts files by size and suggests removing unnecessary files.

Example: POCO X5 Pro using DiskUsage, the user found that 12 GB takes up Android logs (/data/log), which can be safely removed.

⚠️ Note: If the analyzer shows the folder /data/app or /system — Don't delete the contents. These are system files that make it impossible for the phone to boot.

Safe Ways to Clean the “Other” Folder on Xiaomi

Now, let's move on to the practice. Below are the step-by-step methods, from the simplest to the most advanced, start with the first and move on to the next one if the space doesn't vacate.

Method 1: Clearing the cache through settings MIUI

This is the safest way, but it only removes a portion of the temporary files:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management;
2. Select an app (such as Facebook or TikTok);
3. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – it will delete accounts!)
4. Repeat for all programs that are occupied by >100MB.

To speed up the process:

• 📱 Use sorting by size (tap on "Size" in the top panel);
• 🔄 Clear the cache of Google Play Services and MIUI Systems – They often accumulate gigabytes of data.

Method 2: Delete Unnecessary Files via Google Files

Files by Google (formerly Files Go) can find:

• 🗑️ Duplicate files (e.g., same photos in different folders);
• 📁 Large files (>100 MB) that has not been opened for a long time;
• 📥 Unnecessary downloads (APK, paperwork).

How to use:

1. Install Files by Google from the Play Market
2. Open the "Cleaning" tab;
3. Select categories to delete (for example, “Unnecessary Files”);
4. Confirm removal.

On the Redmi Note 10 Pro, this method helped to free up 8 GB due to the old ones. APK-Files and duplicate screenshots.

Method 3: Manual cleaning through file manager (for experienced)

If the first two methods don't work, you can manually delete the files you don't need.

1. Install. FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer (they show hidden folders);
2. Turn on the display of hidden files in the manager settings;
3. Go to the folders: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data — cache and application data; /storage/emulated/0/Download — arch-load; /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails — photo-picture.

Delete unnecessary files (see the list of secure folders below).

⚠️ Note: Do not delete folders called com.android., com.xiaomi. or miui are system data. Also avoid files with the.odex or.vdex extension.

Method 4: Recovery Mode Cache Reset (Advanced)

If the folder "Other" takes >20GB and not cleared, cache resetting through recovery mode will help.This won't delete your data, but will reset all temporary system files.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone;
2. Press the power button. + Loudness up before the appearance of the Mi logo;
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

Xiaomi. 11T This method freed up 14 GB after six months of use without cleaning.

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Recovery cache resetting is the most effective way to remove system debris, but it doesn’t affect the cache of custom applications (it needs to be cleaned separately).

What can not be deleted in the folder “Other” (critical files)

Some files in Other are necessary for the system to work, and deleting them will lead to:

• 🔄 Cyclical phone reboot;
• 📵 Network loss (mobile internet or Wi-Fi will not work);
• 🔒 Blocking access to settings or applications.

Never delete:

If you accidentally delete a critical file, don’t restart your phone – restore it from the file manager’s basket or through a backup.

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Before manual cleaning, back up important data via Settings → Additionally. → Backup or with Mi Cloud.

How to prevent the clogging of the “Other” folder in the future

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

1.Tune in to automatic cache cleanup

V MIUI There is a function of “cleaning according to the schedule»:

1. Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity → Cleanup;
2. Enable the option "Autocleaning";
3. Select frequency (e.g., “Every week”).

2. Limit cache for individual applications

Some programs (like YouTube or Netflix) can cache gigabytes of data to limit this:

• 📺 On YouTube: Settings → History and confidentiality → Clear your browsing and search history;
• 🎬 On Netflix: App settings → Remove all downloads.

3.Use cloud services for backups

Messengers (like WhatsApp or Viber) store backups of chats in the Other. Move them to the cloud:

• 💬 On WhatsApp: Settings → chat → Backup copy → Google Drive;
• ☁️ In Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Autoboot media → Never.

4. Regularly check your memory

Set a reminder in Google Calendar or use the Files by Google widget to check your occupied space once a month.

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The most common reason for the growth of "The Other" is the cache of streaming services (YouTube, TikTok, Netflix), clean it manually or limit it in the settings of the applications.

Features of cleaning for different models Xiaomi

Depending on the model and version MIUI The cleaning methods may vary. Here are the key nuances:

Nana POCO-devices (e.g., devices, POCO X5 Pro) the “Other” folder often contains duplicates APK-files because of the firmware features, to delete them:

1. Move to the /storage/emulated/0/Download;
2. Delete all files with the.apk extension except those you need.
3. Check the folder. /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/backup/AllBackup — There may be old backups here.

Frequent cleaning errors and how to avoid them

Many users make mistakes that cause data loss or unstable phone performance, and these are the most common:

• 🚫 Deleting the entire Android folder will lead to the collapse of all applications;
• 🚫 Cleaning up (not cache!) system applications – for example, Google Play Services will stop updating;
• 🚫 Using cleaners like Clean Master – they often delete the right files;

If after cleaning the phone began to brake or overheat, follow the following steps:

1. Restart the device;
2. Check the free space in the Settings → Memory;
3. If the problem remains, reset the settings through Settings. → Resetting settings (without deleting data).

⚠️ Note: If after cleaning the “Other” folder volume grew again a day later, check the phone for viruses using Malwarebytes or Dr.Web. Some malware masquerades as system files and generate garbage.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions