How to remove the “Other” in Xiaomi memory: cleaning the cache, hidden files and system tricks

The “Other” section in Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones is one of the most mysterious folders in MIUI. Users often face a situation where this partition takes up 10-30 GB of storage, but it is not clear what exactly is stored there and how to delete it. The manufacturer explains that system caches, temporary application files, update data and backups fall into this, but in practice cleaning through standard means often does not work.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to reduce or completely remove the Other, from simple root-free techniques to advanced system tricks. All instructions tested on MIUI 12-14 (including HyperOS) and are relevant for 2020-2026 models. Importantly, some methods require caution - wrong actions can lead to system failures.

1.What is the “Other” in Xiaomi’s memory and why it grows

The Other section (Other in the English version of MIUI) is a container for files that the system cannot categorize as standard categories (Applications, Media, Documents).

• 🗑️ Application cache (including Google system services and MIUI)
• 🔄 Temporary update files (firmware residues, packages) OTA)
• 📦 Backup data (created through Settings) → Additionally. → Backup)
• 🔍 Logs and dumps of the system (debugging files that are created when crashes)
• 📱 Virtual machine files (for example, for Google Play Services or for Google Play Services) MIUI Optimization)

The main reason for the growth of this section is the incorrect cleaning of the cache by Android and MIUI. For example, after updating the firmware, temporary files can remain in memory for months, and some applications (especially Facebook, TikTok, MIUI Gallery) create hidden folders with duplicate media files.

🔹 How to check the volume of the "Other»:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
2. Click on the memory usage schedule.
3. Find the "Other" section (or "Other").

⚠️ Note: If the Other takes up more than 15GB on a device with 64-128GB of memory, this may indicate a system failure or virus.

2. Method 1: Clearing cache and temporary files without root

The safest method is to manually clean the cache for all applications and system services, which won’t remove the Other completely, but it can free up 2 to 8 GB of storage.

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select “Sort by size”**.
3. Open each app from the top of the list (starting with the “heavy ones”) and click Clear Cache.
4. For system applications (e.g. MIUI System, Google Play Services) click Storage → Clear Cache.

💡 Additional action:

• 🧹 Delete the Galery cache and Files by Google – they often duplicate media files in the “Other».
• 🔄 Restart your phone after cleaning (this will remove temporary files from RAM).
• 🗑️ Use the built-in memory optimizer (Settings) → Memory. → Optimize).

⚠️ Note: Do not click Clear Data for System Applications (e.g, MIUI Home or Security - this can cause the interface to crash.

3. Method 2: Delete hidden folders through the file manager

Some files in the Other section are stored in hidden folders that are not displayed by default, and can be found using Files by Google or MI File Manager (with hidden file mode enabled).

🔍 What folders are looking for:

📌 How to enable the display of hidden files:

1. Open Files by Google.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ (Settings) → Show hidden files.
3. Go to the root folder (/storage/emulated/0/) and delete the unnecessary files.

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Before you delete hidden folders, back up important data, such as copying the DCIM folder to your computer, sometimes when you clean the Other, the thumbnails of the photos disappear and the gallery stops displaying them correctly.

Method 3: Reset the partition cache (wipe cache partition)

If standard methods don’t work, try resetting the Wipe cache partition, which will delete temporary system files, including update residues and error dumps.

⚙️ Instructions for Xiaomi with MIUI Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the recovery menu, select the language (if required).
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 1-3 minutes).
6. Restart the device (Reboot) → Reboot to System).

📊 What does this method do:

• ✅ Removes the remnants of failed updates (files with the.zip or.tmp extension).
• ✅ Clears Dalwick Cache (accelerates the system operation).
• ✅ Resets error logs that take up to 1-2 GB.

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Resetting the partition cache does not delete user data (photos, contacts, messages), but it can reset some application settings, such as WhatsApp or Telegram, you will have to re-sign in to your account.

5. Method 4: Using ADB for deep cleaning (without root)

For power users, there is a way to remove a portion of the Other via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This does not require root rights, but you need to connect the phone to your computer.

🖥️ What's the matter:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

📜 Cleanup commands:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.gallery #Cleaning up Gallery's cache


adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.media # Media storage reset




adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files




adb shell rm -rf /cache/* # Clearing partition cache (analogue to wipe cache)

🔹 Explanation of teams:

• pm clear – resets the cache and data of the specified application (analogue of manual cleaning in the settings).
• rm -rf - deletes files in specified folders (/data/local/tmp and /cache are safe to clean).

⚠️ Warning:

⚠️ Note: Do not use the rm command. -rf /data/data/ — This will delete all user data and cause the phone to reset to factory settings. /system or /vendor — It could damage the firmware.

6. Method 5: Completely remove the “Other” with root rights

If previous methods didn’t work, and the Other takes more than 10GB, you can resort to manual root-access cleaning, a risky method, but it can even delete system temporary files.

🛠️ What needs to be done:

1. Get root rights through Magisk (see XDA Developers for instructions for your model).
2. Install Root Explorer or FX File Explorer with root support.
3. Go to the folders: /data/log — logistic; /data/dalvik-cache — Dalvik's cache; /data/system/package_cache — packet-cache; /data/media/0/MIUI/backup — backup.

Delete unnecessary files (pre-return!).

📊 Results after cleaning with root:

⚠️ It's important:

• Do not delete files in /data/data/, this will result in resetting of application settings.
• After cleaning the dalvik-cache, the phone can take longer to boot (the system will recover the cache automatically).
• If the phone stopped turning on after deleting the files, try reflashing it through Fastboot.

7 How to Prevent the Reappearance of the Other

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

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly (once every 1-2 weeks through Settings) → Memory. → Clean up).
• 🚫 Turn off automatic backup in Settings → Additionally. → Backup.
• 📱 Use lightweight alternatives to standard apps (e.g. Simple Gallery instead of the standard ones). MIUI Gallery).
• 🔄 Update the firmware through MIUI Updater, not manually (this reduces the number of temporary files).
• 🛡️ Install antivirus (e.g. Bitdefender) – some viruses create hidden files in the “Other».

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If you install and delete applications frequently, use SD Maid (requires root).This utility finds and deletes junk files that remain after uninstallation of programs.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's "Other" section