How to Clean the Other in Xiaomi Redmi Memory: A Complete Guide to Hidden Methods

The “Other” section in Xiaomi Redmi’s memory is a real black hole for free space, it can take anywhere from 5 to 20 GB, but the system does not show what is stored there. Users often face a situation where the phone says “Memory is full” even though the gallery does not have a photo and the applications weigh little. In this article, we will examine all possible ways to clean this section, from standard MIUI tools to hidden methods that are not written in the official documentation.

The problem is compounded by the fact that Xiaomi actively uses caching to speed up the system, but does not always correctly clean temporary files. For example, after updating MIUI in the “Other” section, old firmware versions that occupy up to 3-4 GB may remain in the “Other” section.

It’s important to understand that 90% of the time, the Other section is not filled with user files, but with system debris – logs, dumps, temporary update files and Google/Mi cache services. So standard deleting photos or videos won’t help. Below we’ll look at the methods that really work, including little-known tricks with ADB and manual folder cleaning.

What is the Other in Xiaomi Redmi memory and why does it take up so much space?

In MIUI (as in pure Android), the Other section is a collection of files that do not fall into the standard categories of apps, photos, videos or music.

• 🗃️ Application cache and systems are temporary files that must be deleted automatically but often remain dead weight».
• 📁 Logs and dumps are error reporting files (.dmp,.log) that are created when crashes occur.
• 🔄 Remains of updates - old versions MIUI Security patches that are not removed after installation.
• 🧹 System backups – automatic backups of settings and data created by Xiaomi Cloud.
• 🔗 Symbolic links and empty folders – artifacts from remote applications or files.

For example, after updating MIUI 14 → MIUI 15, the /cache/ota folder with files up to 2 GB may remain in memory. Or the Google Play Services app can accumulate up to 1 GB of cache that is not cleared through standard settings, all of which falls into the “Other” section and eats up precious space.

Another reason for this partition to grow is memory fragmentation, where when you delete files, the system doesn't always free clusters completely, and they're labeled as "other data," which is especially noticeable on smartphones with eMMC memory (unlike UFS), where fragmentation is faster.

Method 1: Cleaning through built-in MIUI tools (no root)

The first and most secure method is to use standard MIUI features, which require no additional knowledge and are suitable for users who do not want to risk data.

Open the Security app and go to Cleanup, where the system will scan the device and show how much space it takes up:

• 🗑️ Unnecessary files (cache, temporary data).
• 📥 Uploaded files (remainders from the browser, messengers).
• 🔍 Duplicate photos (if the function of searching duplicates is enabled).

Click Clean to remove garbage. However, this method does not affect deep system files, so often releases no more than 500 MB-1 GB. For a more serious cleaning, move to the next step.

MIUI also has a hidden Deep Clean function to activate it:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times on the MIUI version to enable the developer mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find the item Deep Memory Cleanup and turn it on.

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If the place is quickly over again after cleaning, check the apps in Settings → Apps → App Management. Some programs (like Facebook or TikTok) can create cache sizes up to 500 MB per week.

Method 2: Manually remove cache applications (including system)

Many apps (especially social media and instant messengers) accumulate gigabytes of cache that is not visible in the standard file manager to delete it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort the list by size (click on the three dots in the upper right corner).
3. Select the app (e.g. Google Play Services, Mi Video, Gallery) and click Clear Cache.

Pay special attention to the following applications (they often “clog” the memory):

⚠️ Warning: Do not clear cache for system applications like com.android.systemui or com.miui.home, which can cause interface failures.

Make a backup copy of important data|Close all background applications|Connect your phone to charge (in case of long cleaning)|Do not interrupt the cleaning process-->

Method 3: Delete hidden folders through the file manager (for experienced ones)

Xiaomi Redmi has hidden folders in memory that don’t appear in standard Explorer, but can take gigabytes. To see them, you’ll need a root-enabled file manager (like Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer) or ADB.

The most “glutty” hidden folders:

• 📂 /data/log/ — Logic of the system (can weigh up to) 500 MB).
• 📂 /cache/ — Temporary update files and recovery cache.
• 📂 /data/dalvik-cache/ — Android Virtual Machine cache (clean only if there are performance issues!).
• 📂 /data/media/0/MIUI/ — backups and temporary files MIUI.
• 📂 /data/data/com.xiaomi.market/ — Mi App Store cache (sometimes up to) 1 GB).

To access these folders without root:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI → 7 taps → For developers → USB debugging).
2. Install ADB on your computer (instruction below).
3. Follow the command: adb shell su rm -rf /data/log/* rm -rf /cache/* exit

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /data/dalvik-cache/ This can lead to a looped restart of the system, only if you are confident in your actions or if the phone is already unstable.

Method 4: Cleaning through ADB (advanced method)

If the standard methods didn't work and you don't want to root, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) for deep cleaning, which allows you to delete files that are not available through the normal interface.

Here are the teams that will help make room:

1. Clearing the cache of all applications: adb shell pm trim-caches 1G (where 1G is the maximum cache size that can be left; set 500M if you want to clear more aggressively).
2. Delete temporary update files: adb shell rm -rf /cache/ota/* adb shell rm -rf /data/ota_package/*
3. Log cleanup: adb shell logcat -c adb shell rm -rf /data/anr/* adb shell rm -rf /data/tombstones/*

Once you have completed the commands, restart your phone. This method can free up to 3 to 5 GB if you have a lot of garbage in your system. However, beware: some commands (e.g., cleaning /data/dalvik-cache/) may disrupt your applications.

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The adb shell pm trim-caches command is secure and doesn't delete important data, but requires connecting the phone to a PC. This is one of the most effective ways to clean up without root.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of these methods worked, and the Other section is still 10+GB, the last option is a complete reset, which will delete all data, including system debris, but also delete:

• 📸 Photos and videos (if you don't have a backup).
• 📱 Installed applications and their data.
• 🔑 Accounts and passwords (all services will have to be logged in again).
• ⚙️ System settings (wallpaper, sounds, allowed notifications).

To make the discharge:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Confirm the action (a password may be required).

⚠️ Note: On some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) the bootloader may be blocked after reset if you previously turned on the bootloader. OEM Unlock in the developer settings. To avoid problems, before resetting:

1. Turn off OEM Unlock (Settings → For developers).
2. Make sure that your phone has a Mi Account attached (otherwise, you will need to enter your old password after resetting).

How to prevent the “Other” section from being refilled?

To prevent the “Other” section from growing again, follow these recommendations:

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly (once every 1-2 weeks) through Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
• 🚫 Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play (or limit it to Wi-Fi only).
• 📱 Use lightweight versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).
• 🔍 Check the “Heavy” applications in Settings → Battery → Battery use (those that consume a lot of energy, usually and take up a lot of space).
• 🔗 Move the files to SD-card (if the phone supports memory expansion).

You can also limit the background activity of applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Instagram) and click Limit Background Activity.
3. Turn off Auto Start and Background data transmission.

This will reduce the amount of cache created and prolong battery life.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up the “Other” in Xiaomi Redmi