How to securely delete “other files” on Xiaomi Redmi Note: from cache to hidden data

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note smartphones (whether Note 10 Pro, Note 11 or earlier) sooner or later face the mysterious category of “Other files” in the “Storage” section. This folder can take up from 5 to 30 GB of memory, but what exactly is stored there is unclear. The system does not give direct access to this data, and standard cleaning methods (for example, through Settings → Storage) often do not work. In this article, we will discuss what “other files” on Xiaomi, why they accumulate and how to delete them without risk to the system.

Compounding the problem, MIUI is actively cacheing application data, backing up and stealth files to make things faster, some of which are useful, but some are just garbage that can be safely removed. We tested all the ways on the Redmi Note 9/10/11 with MIUI 13/14, and we only selected those that don't require root rights or disrupt your phone, and if you see that memory is full of no one knows what, this is for you.

What are the “Other Files” on Xiaomi Redmi Note and Why Do They Take So Much Space?

The Others category in the storage menu is a collection of files that the system cannot categorize as standard (photos, videos, apps).

• 📁 App cache and systems are temporary files that are created to speed up programs, such as YouTube caches videos, Chrome caches pages, and MIUI — animations and fonts.
• 🔄 Remnants of remote applications — not all programs are deleted completely. Often, configuration files, logs and folders remain in the folder. /data/data.
• 📄 System logs and dumps are error reporting files (.log,.dmp) that are created when crashes accumulate over time and can weigh gigabytes.
• 🔒 Hidden files MIUI — Backups of settings, themes, wallpapers and data for the Second Space feature (if activated).
• 🗑️ Update debris – after installing new versions MIUI There are old firmware files in the folder. /cache.

On the Redmi Note with MIUI 12-14, the problem is compounded by the system automatically backing up data for Quick Apps and Game Turbo.These files are not visible to the user, but take up space. For example, after an hour of playing Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile, up to 1-2 GB of cache can appear in “other files”.

Another nuance: Xiaomi uses its own compression format for some system files (.xz,.lz4), which cannot be opened by standard managers, and they are displayed as “unknown data”.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of applications and systems through settings

The easiest and safest method is manual cache cleaning, which requires no additional software and works on all Redmi Note models (from Note 4X to Note 12 Pro+), which is important: this method only deletes temporary files without affecting user data.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select “Sort by Size” (this will show the “heaviest” programs).
3. Select an app (such as Facebook, TikTok, or MIUI Launcher) and click Storage → Clear Cache.
4. System applications (e.g. com.miui.home) may require confirmation.

To clear the cache of the entire system (including hidden MIUI files):

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Cleaning.
2. Click "Clear" in the "Cash" section.
3. Confirm the action (the system will suggest restarting the phone).

Clear the cache of messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)|Delete the social media cache (Instagram, TikTok)|Clear the cache MIUI Launcher|Check the folder for garbage loadings|Remove the old ones APK-file-->

⚠️ Note: Do not clean the application data (Clean data) unnecessarily - this will delete all settings, accounts and saves in games. Cache can be cleaned at least every day, and data - only if the program is not working correctly.

Method 2: Remove Remnants of Remote Apps with Files by Google

Xiaomi’s standard Explorer doesn’t show all hidden files, so it’s better to use Files by Google for deep cleaning.

• 🗑️ Remains of uninstalled programs (folders in the /data/data).
• 📂 Duplicate files (e.g. screenshots with the same content).
• 📄 Large files (>100 MB that have not been used for a long time.

How to use:

1. Install Files by Google from the Play Market.
2. Open the app and go to the “Cleanup” tab.
3. Click “Delete unnecessary files” – the program will scan the phone for garbage.
4. In the “App Remains” section, select all unnecessary files and click “Clean”.

🔹 Tip: In Files by Google settings, enable the option to “Show hidden files” (under the “Settings” menu). → This will allow you to manually check the folders.thumbnails (image sketches) and.cache, which often take several gigabytes.

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If Files by Google doesn't find garbage, try the alternative, File Manager+. It shows more hidden folders, but requires permission to access the storage.

Method 3: Manually remove hidden folders via ADB (without root)

For power users willing to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), there is a way to remove system debris that is not visible through standard means.This method does not require root rights, but one must be careful - the wrong commands can disrupt the phone.

What can be safely removed:

Instructions for cleaning through ADB:

1. Install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on the phone “Debugging by USB” (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For developers).
3. Connect Redmi Note to your PC and execute at the command line: adb shell su -c "rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*" su -c "rm -rf /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails/*"
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders /data/data or /system — If you're not sure about the team, check it out on an unnecessary file first.

Method 4: Resetting cache in Recovery Mode (for advanced)

If previous methods didn’t help and “other files” take up more than 10GB, you can try resetting the cache via Recovery.This won’t delete your data, but will clear all temporary system files, including hidden ones.

How it works:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (English / Whale), then go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 1-2 minutes).
5. Reboot the phone (Reboot) → Reboot to System).

🔹 Result: This method removes:

• 🧹 Cache all applications and systems.
• 📦 Remains of updates MIUI.
• 🗑️ Temporary files created while the phone is running.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data (full reset)!The second option will delete all your files, photos and apps. On some Redmi Note models (such as the Note 8 Pro) after a cache reset, unlocking the bootloader can fly - be careful.

Method 5: Use of specialized utilities (SD Maid, CCleaner)

If manual methods didn't work, you can use third-party utilities for deep cleaning.

🔹 How to use it SD Maid:

1. Install and open the application.
2. Click Scan and the program will find unnecessary files.
3. Go to the “CorpseFinder” tab and remove all unnecessary items.
4. In the “AppControl” section, you can clear the cache for specific programs.

⚠️ Note: Some utilities (e.g. Clean Master) aggressively delete files, which can lead to crashes.We recommend only proven programs from the table above.

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SD Maid is the most powerful solution for cleaning “other files” without root, but it requires care: do not delete files marked “System” or “Important”.

How to Prevent the Accumulation of Other Files in the Future

To prevent the problem from returning, follow these tips:

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly (once in a week) 1-2 weeks through Settings → Warehouse.
• 🚫 Turn off automatic reservations in MIUI: Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Backup (disable unnecessary options).
• 📱 Use lighter versions of apps (such as Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite) that cache less data.
• 🗑️ Delete. APK-files after installing applications (they remain in the Download or Download folder).
• 🔒 Turn off Second Space if you are not using: Settings → Special facilities → Second Space.

🔹 Useful life hack: In MIUI 14 appeared the function “Smart cleaning” (Settings) → Warehouse → Smart Cleanup: Turn it on and the system will automatically delete unnecessary files once a week.

FAQ: Frequent questions about “other files” on Xiaomi Redmi Note