How to delete other files on Xiaomi Redmi 5: 5 proven ways

Why Xiaomi Redmi 5 is running out of memory and what to do about it

Xiaomi Redmi 5 owners often face a lack of space, despite the fact that the smartphone is equipped with 16 or 32 GB of internal memory, the reason lies not only in user data, but also in system files, app cache and so-called “other files” – a category that in MIUI storage analytics is shown as a mysterious gray segment. These files can take up from 2 to 10 GB, but their origin is rarely obvious.

Unlike modern Xiaomi models, where the Cleanup feature is built into the system, Redmi 5 (released in 2017) requires manual intervention. A system based on Android 7.1 Nougat and the MIUI 9/10 shell does not always correctly classify files, which makes users see the Others section in the storage without the ability to clean it with standard means.

What are the “Other Files” in Xiaomi Redmi 5?

The term "other files" in MIUI combines everything that the system failed to categorize as standard: photo, video, audio or documents.

• 🗑️ Residual files after deleting applications (for example, folders lib or cache in the app) /data/data).
• 📁 Logs and dumps of the system (files with the extension.log,.dmp), which are created when crashes.
• 🔄 Temporary files from messengers (such as Telegram or WhatsApp) that were not deleted after sending.
• 📱 Update files left over after installing firmware through Updater.
• 🎮 Game data stored in non-standard folders (e.g, Android/obb or Android/data).

The Redmi 5 feature is that it doesn't automatically clean these files, and unlike the new models, where MIUI offers Deep Clean, you have to do it manually, but not all files in the Other category can be deleted, some of them are critical to the system or applications.

⚠️ Attention: Delete files from folders /system or /vendor rooting without a root license can cause a warranty to be lost or a smartphone to fail.This section only deals with safe cleaning methods.

Method 1: Cleaning through the built-in file manager

The easiest method is to use Xiaomi's standard File Manager, which allows you to delete some of the data you don't need without additional tools.

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the Category section → Others.
3. Sort files by size by clicking on three dots in the upper right corner → Sort by → Size.
4. Select unnecessary files (e.g., with extensions.tmp,.log,.apk) and click Delete.

Notice the folders:

• 📂 Download – Old ones are often gathered here APK-file.
• 📂 Android/data — residual data of remote games.
• 📂 MIUI/Backup — backup copies created by the system.

If the file manager does not show hidden folders, turn them on: Settings → Show hidden files.

Outdated. APK-file in the Download folder

Logs (.log) older than 30 days

Remote application folders in Android/data

Cache of messengers in Android/media/com.whatsapp

-->

Method 2: Use of the "Cleaning" application

MIUI for Redmi 5 includes a built-in Cleaner app that helps to free up space by removing cache and debris, but it doesn't always handle "other files" to maximize the effect:

1. Open the Cleanup (Broom Icon).
2. Press Deep Cleaning → Scan.
3. After analysis, select Cash categories, Residual Files, and Large Files.
4. Click Clean and confirm the action.

The app may not show all the “other files” but will remove up to 1-2 GB of unnecessary data.

Built-in "Clean-up"

File manager.

Third-party applications

Through the PC.

Not cleansing.-->

Method 3: Third-party cleaning applications

If the built-in tools don't help, use third-party utilities.The best options for Redmi 5 are:

• 🛠️ SD Maid - deletes residual files and cache even without root rights. Download from Google Play.
• 🧹 Files by Google – Offers Cleanup with recommendations for removing duplicates and large files.
• 🔍 CCleaner – a classic tool for cleaning cache and temporary files.

Instructions for SD Maid:

1. Install and open the application.
2. Pick a basket. → Scan.
3. After analysis, press Start Cleaning.
4. Go to Explorer and manually check the Android/obb and Android/data folders.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as CCleaner) may offer to delete files that are critical to work. MIUI. Always check the list before cleaning!

💡

Before using third-party cleaners, back up important data, such as copying DCIM and Download folders to your PC or cloud.

Method 4: Cleaning through PC (ADB)

For advanced users, there is a method of cleaning through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to delete files that are not available through standard tools, which requires caution: the wrong commands can disrupt the system.

Steps to clean through ADB:

1. Install. ADB-PC drivers.
2. Enable USB Debugging on Redmi 5: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode), then Settings → Additional → Developer → Debugging on USB.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute in the command line: adb shell pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster # Clear the cache of the Cleanup app rm -rf /sdcard/Android/obb/* # Removal OBB-files (game data)

List of safe folders to delete through ADB:

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If none of the methods worked, and the "other files" take up a critically large amount of space (over 5 GB), consider a complete reset. This will delete ALL data, including system debris, but return the smartphone to the "out of the box" state.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset → Resetting.
3. Select Reset all settings and confirm.
4. After the reboot, set up your smartphone as new.

⚠️ Attention: Reset will remove: 📸 All photos and videos in the folder DCIM. 📱 Installed applications and their data. 🔑 Save Wi-Fi passwords and accounts. Use this method only if other methods have failed.

💡

Resetting to factory settings is the only way to remove system debris that is not visible to the user, but after the procedure you will have to reconfigure the smartphone and restore data from the backup.

How to Prevent the Accumulation of Other Files in the Future

To avoid the problem recurring, follow simple rules:

• 📱 Regularly (once a month) clear the cache through Settings → Annexes → Select the application → Clear the cache.
• 🗑️ Delete. APK-files after installing applications.
• 🔄 Use cloud services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) to store photos and videos.
• 🛡️ Turn off automatic saving of media files in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
• 🔧 Update. MIUI Up to the latest available version for Redmi 5 (e.g, MIUI 12 through unofficial firmware).

It’s also helpful to track which apps consume the most memory. Go to Settings → Memory and analyze the list.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up Redmi 5