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

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones often face a problem: the device’s memory is filled with unknown “other files” that take up gigabytes of space but do not appear in standard folders. These files can include app cache, temporary data, remnants of deleted programs, system log files and even hidden backups, which not only reduce available space, but can slow down the phone.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 effective ways to clean up “other files” on Redmi, from built-in MIUI tools to third-party utilities and manual methods. You’ll learn which files can be deleted without risk and which should not be touched so as not to disturb the stability of the system.

Before you start deleting, it's important to understand that "other files" are not garbage in the usual sense. Some of them are critical to the work of Android and MIUI. For example, Dalvik-cache files speed up the launch of applications, and the /data/log folder contains debugging information to diagnose crashes. Deleting such data indiscriminately can lead to freezes, errors or even a "bricket" of the device. So each method we will accompany warnings and security recommendations.

If your Redmi shows that your memory is 90%+ full of unknown files, but you haven't installed major games or apps, that's a sure sign that it's time to do a cleanup, start with the safest and easiest ways, and then move on to the more advanced ones.

1. Cleaning through the built-in utility "Storage" in MIUI

The most obvious and safe way to do this is to use the standard MIUI memory analysis tool, which does not require a superuser’s permission (root) and is suitable for all Redmi models, from the Redmi Note 10 to the Redmi 12.

To open the utility, go to:

Settings → Storage → Cleaning

Here, the system automatically scans the device and breaks up the occupied space into categories: "Apps", "Images", "Video" and "Other files", the latter category contains exactly the same "invisible" data.

Here is what can be done at this stage:

• 🧹 Delete the app cache: Click on the "Cash" category and select "Clean" This will delete the temporary files that apps create to speed up. note: after cleaning, some programs may run longer when first opened.
• 🗑️ Clean Downloads: The Download folder often contains outdated files (APK, PDF, Check it manually, and it may have accumulated gigabytes of unnecessary data.
• 🔍 View Other Files: Click on this category to see a detailed report. The system will show which files are taking up space (e.g.,.log,.tmp or.bak).

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files with.db (database) or.odex (optimized executables) extensions – this can disrupt the application.

If you see a MIUI or Xiaomi folder with a volume of several gigabytes in the Other Files section, don’t rush to clean it. It contains data from the company shell, and its deletion can lead to disruptions in the work of themes, animations or system sounds.

2. manually delete unnecessary files through the file manager

The built-in MIUI utility doesn’t always show the full picture. To find and delete hidden “other files,” you’ll need a file manager with access to system folders. We recommend using Mi File Manager (preinstalled on all Redmis) or Solid Explorer (available on Google Play).

Follow this instruction:

1. Open Mi File Manager and enable the display of hidden files (click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings → Show hidden files).
2. Go to the root folder of the device (it is denoted as / or “Inner Memory”).
3. Check the following directories (delete their contents if files are not used): 📁 /sdcard/Download — browser-loading. 📁 /sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo and video miniatures (you can delete them, they will be restored automatically). 📁 /sdcard/Android/data — Cache and application data. Careful: Deleting folders of specific applications will cause them to reset their settings! 📁 /sdcard/MIUI → Backup – Old Backups.

Pay special attention to /sdcard/Android/obb. This is where you store additional game files (such as graphics packages for Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile). If you haven’t played a game in a long time, but it takes several gigabytes, safely delete its folder from obb, and then uninstall the application itself.

Empty folder Download|Cash in /sdcard/Android/data (selectively)| Miniatures in.thumbnails|Old ones. APK-file|Backup copies in /MIUI/backup-->

If you use Solid Explorer, turn on Root Access (if you have root rights) mode to view system folders such as /data/log (system logs) or /cache (update cache). Deleting /cache content is secure, but requires rebooting the device.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from folders /system, /vendor or /data/app It can lead to the inability to boot the system!

3.Use of deep cleaning applications

If manual methods didn't work, we've used specialized tools to scan the device deeper than standard MIUI tools and find files that usually go unnoticed. We've tested several apps and selected the three most effective ones for Xiaomi Redmi:

Let’s look at the SD Maid, one of the most powerful tools:

1. Install the app and give it access to the storage.
2. Start the Scan (start button in the main menu).
3. After analysis, go to the “CorpseFinder” section, where you will see files left over after you delete applications (for example, empty folders or unnecessary.nomedia files).
4. In the “AppCleaner” section, you can delete cache and unnecessary data for specific programs.
5. The “Duplicates” section will help you find and delete duplicate files (photos, videos, documents).

Files by Google is for those looking for a simple solution, and the app automatically offers to delete “Unnecessary Files” (including old screenshots, memes and duplicates) and “Large Files” that have not been opened for a long time. Its main advantage is the integration with Google Photos, which makes it easy to move media files to the cloud and free up space.

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Before using third-party cleaners, back up important data. Some applications (such as SD Maid) can delete files that seem unnecessary but are actually used by rare programs.

4. Cleaning the cache and data of system applications

Many of the “other files” on Xiaomi Redmi are accumulated due to system applications that cannot be deleted in standard ways, such as Google Play Services, Mi Account, Security and other MIUI services, which can take up hundreds of megabytes and sometimes gigabytes.

To clean them up:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the top menu, select “All Apps” (to see the system ones).
3. Find it on the list: 🔍 Google Play Services – cache can weigh up to 1-2 GB. 🔍 Mi Account – This is where synchronization data is stored. 🔍 Security (Security) - antivirus and scanner MIUI. 🔍 Download Manager – Download Manager.

"Storage"

"Clear the cache."

Do not click on “Clear Data”

Pay special attention to the Gallery app, which often creates duplicate thumbnails and caches videos even if you haven't watched them in a while, and clearing its cache can free up to 500MB of memory.

If the cache accumulates again quickly after cleaning, this may indicate an application problem. For example, Google Play Services actively uses memory if the device has games with online services (for example, Pokémon GO or Clash of Clans), In this case, only limiting background activity (in the application settings) will help.

5. factory reset (last resort)

If all previous methods failed, and the "other files" still take up the lion's share of memory, you'll have to completely reset your device, a radical way to delete all data, including apps, photos, videos and settings, and only use it if:

• 📉 Memory is 95 full%+ file-in-the-box.
• 🐢 The phone is slowing down despite cleaning.
• 🔄 You plan to sell or transfer the device.

Resetting instructions:

1. Back up your important data (photos, contacts, messages) and you can use Mi Cloud or Google Drive to do this.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” (may be called “Hard reset”).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Once reset, the device will return to factory status and the other files will disappear, but remember, this method won’t solve the problem forever if you start installing multiple applications again or don’t keep track of the cache.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (such as the Redmi Note 9 Pro or Redmi 10) may require re-assignment of the Mi Account after a reset.

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Factory reset is not a panacea; unless you change your phone usage habits (cleaning your cache regularly, deleting unnecessary files), the problem with “other files” will return in a few months.

6 How to prevent the accumulation of “other files” in the future

To avoid having to clean every few months, follow these guidelines:

• 📱 Limit the background activity of applications: Go to Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery management and disable auto-start for unnecessary programs.
• 🗑️ Set up automatic cleaning: Mi File Manager has a “Autoclean” feature that removes the cache once a week.
• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI: Newer versions of the shell optimized memory. Check the updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• ☁️ Use Cloud Storage: Move photos and videos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud to free up space on your device.

If you install and uninstall applications frequently, use lightweight alternatives to heavy software, such as:

• 🎵 Instead of Spotify (borrowing) ~100MB + cache - YouTube Music or VK Music.
• 📷 Instead of Instagram (caches gigabytes of stories) – Instagram Lite.
• 🎮 Instead of heavy games, for example, PUBG Mobile – their lightweight versions (PUBG Mobile Lite).

On Redmi models with a micro-memory card (for example, Redmi Note 11) you can transfer some applications to the memory card. SD-But remember, this will slow them down, because the read/write speed of the flash drive is lower than that of the internal memory.

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