How to Delete Other Files on Xiaomi Redmi 3: 7 Proven Ways

Xiaomi Redmi 3, released in 2016, is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliability and ability to upgrade to MIUI 11 (based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow). However, owners of the device often face the problem of memory shortage: even after removing photos and applications, the system shows gigabytes occupied in the category “Other files”, what is this data, why it takes up so much space and how to safely delete it – we will examine in this guide.

Unlike modern smartphones with 128+ GB of memory, Redmi. 3 offered 16/32 GB of built-in storage, of which no more is available to the user 12-28 Over time, “other files” — app cache, log files, update residues, and temporary data — can “eat” up to a point. 50% In this article, you will find current cleaning methods, including hidden methods that are not described in the official documentation of Xiaomi.

What are the “Other Files” on Xiaomi Redmi 3 and Why Do They Take Up Memory?

The category “Others” in the MIUI storage menu is the “junk bin” of the system, which includes:

• 📁 Application cache – temporary files that programs create to speed up work (for example, thumbnails of images in a gallery or map data in Google Maps).
• 🔄 Update residues – firmware packages (.zip) that remain after installation OTA-updates.
• 📜 Log files – system and application error logs (extensions.log,.txt).
• 🗑️ Deleted files – data that has not been completely erased from memory (for example, after “soft” deletion through the gallery).
• 🔒 Hidden files MIUI — Service data of theme, widgets and system utilities (folders.miui,.thumbnails).

On Redmi 3, the problem is compounded by the fact that the device uses 5.0 eMMC memory with a limited number of write cycles. When free space runs out, the system automatically deletes the cache of critical applications (such as Google Play Services), which leads to crashes and lags. So it is better to clean “other files” regularly (every 1-2 months), rather than waiting for notifications about a memory shortage.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse "other files" with system data (System section in the storage menu). The latter can't be deleted, it will lead to a device blink (breakdown.

Method 1: Cleaning through the built-in MIUI storage menu

The easiest method is to use standard MIUI tools, which are suitable for deleting cache and temporary files without risking damage to the system.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Memory of the device.
2. Tap on the “Other Files” section (may be called “Other” in older versions of MIUI).
3. Wait for the analysis (it will take 10-30 seconds).
4. Click “Clean” next to the categories “Cash” and “Downloads”.
5. For deep cleaning, tap “More details” and manually select unnecessary files (e.g..apk,.tmp).

This method removes up to 1-3 GB of garbage, but does not affect hidden system folders.

Method 2: Remove the cache of all applications at the same time

App cache is the main memory eater on Redmi 3. For example, Facebook or Instagram can store up to 500 MB of temporary data. Clear cache for all programs immediately through the recovery mode (Recovery Mode).

Step-by-step:

Charge your phone at least 50%

Make a backup copy of important data

Close all applications

Disable your Mi Account (if used)-->

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up for 10 seconds at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select “Wipe Cache Partition”.
4. Confirm the action with the power button.
5. After cleaning, select “Reboot System Now”.

This method only removes the cache without affecting personal data, but after a reboot, some applications (such as Google Maps) may run slower until the cache is restored again.

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse "Wipe Cache Partition" with "Wipe" Data/Factory The second option will completely reset the phone to factory settings, deleting all your files!

Method 3: Manually remove hidden folders through file manager

Many “other files” are stored in hidden folders that are not displayed by default, and you’ll need a root file manager (such as Root Explorer) or a standard MI File Manager with hidden file mode enabled to delete them.

Which folders can be deleted:

How to enable the display of hidden files in MI File Manager:

1. Open the Files app.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → “Settings”.
3. Activate the option “Show hidden files”.
4. Go to the root folder /sdcard/ and delete unnecessary directories.

💡

Before you delete the MIUI folder, check if you are using custom themes or fonts. You will have to download them again.

Method 4: Cleaning through PC with ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can remove garbage through Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📦 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools.
• 🔓 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Cleanup commands:

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


adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.media # Cleaning up media cache




adb shell rm -rf /sdcard/.thumbnails/* # Removal of thumbnails




adb shell rm -rf /sdcard/log/* # Deletion of logs

To remove update residues, do:

adb shell rm -rf /cache/*

⚠️ Attention: Rm teams -rf They delete files permanently. Don't use them for folders. /system or /data — This will cause the phone to break down!

Method 5: Using third-party applications for deep cleaning

If you are uncomfortable with ADB or file manager, you can use specialized utilities. Redmi 3 will suit:

• 🧹 SD Maid – removes the remnants of remote applications, empty folders and duplicates.
• 🗑️ CCleaner – clears cache, browser history and temporary files.
• 🔍 Files by Google – Finds large, unnecessary files and suggests removing them.
• 📊 Storage Analyzer – Visualizes which files occupy the most space.

Example of working with SD Maid:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Start and grant root rights (if any).
3. Select the "CorpseFinder" tab and it will find the remnants of the deleted programs.
4. Go to SystemCleaner to clean logs and temporary files.
5. Press "Run" and confirm the removal.

Third-party utilities can remove up to 4-5 GB of garbage, but be careful: some of them (for example, Clean Master) contain aggressive advertising and can slow down the phone. SD Maid.

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Third-party cleaners are not a substitute for manual checks, but always analyze which files are proposed to be deleted so as not to erase important data.

Method 6: Reset partition cache (without data loss)

If previous methods didn’t work, try resetting the cache partition via Recovery Mode.This won’t delete your files or apps, but will clear the system cache, which can take up to 1-2 GB.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery.
3. Select "Wipe & Reset» → «Wipe Cache».
4. Confirm the action.
5. Restart the device ("Reboot").

After this procedure, the first load of the phone can take 5-10 minutes – this is normal, since the system restores the cache of applications. If after resetting the phone is stuck on the logo for longer than 15 minutes, perform a forced reboot (press Power for 20 seconds).

Method 7: Complete reset to factory settings (last resort)

If the “other files” take up more than 8-10 GB and the cleanup doesn’t help, it may be that the system has accumulated corrupted data or viruses, in which case only hard reset – a complete reset of the phone to a factory state – will help.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select "Settings Reset."
4. Mark “Clear your internal memory” (optional if you want to erase everything).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 5-15 minutes).

After resetting, the phone will be clean, just like after you buy it.

• 🔄 You will need to reset your Google and Mi accounts.
• 📱 All apps will be removed (but can be restored from Google Play) → «My apps»).
• 📂 Photos and videos will stay if you don’t select the option to clean internal memory.

⚠️ Warning: On Redmi 3 with an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware, a reset can result in a breeze (loss of performance).Be sure that the phone is officially on the phone before the procedure. MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about deleting files on Xiaomi Redmi 3