How to remove the “Other” in the memory of Xiaomi Redmi: from cache to system files

Why is the Other partition taking up gigabytes of memory on Redmi — and can it be safely cleaned?

If you've ever looked into your Xiaomi Redmi or POCO storage settings, you've probably come across a mysterious "Other" section that takes 5 to 20 GB of storage -- without any explanation. The system doesn't allow you to delete it in one click, and the standard cache cleanup barely frees up more than a couple hundred megabytes. So what's underneath that label -- and why is MIUI so stubbornly cloaking that data?

In fact, the Other is a mixture of system files, app cache, logs, temporary data, and even remnants of deleted programs. Xiaomi doesn't disclose details, but our analysis shows that up to 60% of this volume can be freed without risking smartphone stability. The main thing is to know which files can not be touched and which can be safely sent to the basket. In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, including hidden MIUI functions, commands via ADB and even manual cleaning through the file manager.

We warn you that not all methods are equally safe, for example, deleting files from the /data/log folder can cause sensors to crash, and cleaning Dalvik-cache without rebooting can cause applications to crash, so we will not only give instructions, but also indicate which actions require backup and which can be performed on the go.

What exactly is hidden under the "Other" in Redmi's vault?

To effectively combat a problem, you need to understand its nature: The Other section of MIUI is a container for files that the system cannot categorize as standard (photos, videos, apps, etc.) and includes:

• 📁 App cache and system cache are temporary files that are created to speed up programs, for example, Facebook or TikTok can store gigabytes of junk here».
• 🗃️ Logs and dumps are error reporting files (.log,.dmp) that are created when crashes occur, and many of them accumulate after updates. MIUI.
• 🔄 Remnants of remote applications are not completely erased data from programs you have long since uninstalled.
• 🛠️ System files MIUI — For example, backups of settings or files for recovery after reset.
• 📱 Android and Google Services files – Google Play cache, machine learning data, etc.

Fun fact: On the Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 14, the Other section averages 12-15 GB, while on newer models (like the Redmi 12), this volume has been reduced to 5-8 GB due to system optimization. However, even on flagships like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, the Other can grow to 10+ GB – especially if you are actively using social networks or games.

Method 1: Standard cleaning through MIUI settings (the safest method)

To start with, the basics are built-in MIUI tools, which won’t remove all of the Other completely, but will help you free up 1 to 3 GB without risking the system.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Tap on the “Other” section (may be called “Other Files” in some versions of MIUI).
3. The system will scan the files and suggest cleaning options: 🧹 Application cache – securely deletes temporary files. 🗑️ Uploaded files – check if there are any important documents. 📊 Logs and reports - you can safely clean.

Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from the System Data or Android Files categories through this menu – this may cause malfunctions. MIUI.

Clear the app cache |Delete logs and reports |Check the Downloads folder for unnecessary files |Reboot the phone after cleaning-->

Method 2: Manual cleaning through file manager (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can manually delete some files from the Other, which requires a file manager with root rights or access to system folders (such as MiXplorer or Solid Explorer).

Key folders for cleaning:

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /data/dalvik-cache This will automatically reboot the smartphone and recompile the cache, which can take a long time. 5–10 minutes - don't interrupt it!

If you don't have root permissions, some folders will be unavailable, in which case you can use ADB (which we'll talk about in the next section).

Method 3: Cleaning through ADB (without root but with PC)

If manual cleaning seems complicated, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that allows you to manage your smartphone files via a computer, which does not require root rights, but requires you to turn on the developer mode.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on USB Debugging.

Platform Tools

ADB

cmd

ADB

adb devices

Make sure your Redmi is listed.

adb shell pm trim-caches -f 1000


adb shell cmd package bg-dexopt-job

The first command clears the cache of all applications, the second - optimizes Dalvik-cache.

💡 Useful tip: If you have little space left after completing commands, try removing the cache of specific applications. For example, use Facebook to clean your cache:

adb shell pm clear com.facebook.katana

Replace com.facebook.katana with the application package you want (you can find it through the App Inspector in Google Play).

💡

Before working with ADB, back up your important data. Commands like pm clear can reset your application settings!

Method 4: Recovery Cache Reset (Radical Method)

If the Other takes more than 10 GB and is not cleared by other means, you can use Recovery mode. This method will reset the entire cache of the system, including Dalvik-cache, but will not affect user data (photos, videos, messages).

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the MIUI logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu (English or Chinese), select Wipe Cache Partition (or similar).

Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 1-2 minutes).

Reboot System

⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option will completely reset the smartphone to factory settings, deleting all your data.

After a reboot, the system can run slower for the first 5-10 minutes, which is normal as Android recovers the app cache.

💡

Recovery cache reset is the most effective way to clean the Other without losing data, but it requires caution: do not choose the option with the word “Data” or “Factory Reset”.

Method 5: Use third-party apps (with caution!)

There are dozens of apps on Google Play that promise to magically clean up The Other, but most of them are either useless or dangerous. We tested a few tools and identified only two reliable options:

• 🛡️ SD Maid (requires root) - deep scans the system and finds the remnants of deleted applications, empty folders and duplicate files. Can free up 2-5 GB.

❌ Blacklist applications: Avoid Clean Master, CCleaner, and similar "optimizers:

• 🕵️‍♂️ Collecting your data.
• 🔄 Initiate unnecessary processes in the background.
• 💣 Can delete important system files.

If you do decide to use third-party tools, first create a backup via adb backup or manually copy important files to your PC.

How can we prevent the “Other” from growing in the future?

Cleaning up your memory is good, but it's even better to keep it from clogging. Here are some tips for prevention:

• 📱 Clean the cache regularly – at least once a month, go to Settings → Memory. → Other and delete unnecessary files.
• 🗑️ Remove unused applications – even uninstalled programs can leave up to 500MB of garbage behind.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI — In newer versions of firmware, memory management is often optimized. MIUI 14 The Other takes up 30% less space than the MIUI 12.
• 📁 Use cloud storage – transfer rarely used files to Google Drive or Mi Cloud.
• 🛠️ Turn off automatic download of media in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram). These files often fall into "Other».

💡 Useful Lifehack: If you install/remove games frequently, use the App Cloning feature in the app app app. MIUI (Settings → Annexes → This will allow you to test programs in the sandbox without clogging the main memory.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the “Other” section on Xiaomi Redmi