How to completely remove the “Other” from Xiaomi storage: deal with system debris

The Other section of Xiaomi’s storage is a real headache for smartphone owners, which can take up tens of gigabytes, but doesn’t tell you what it’s storing, and the system stubbornly hides the contents of that partition, and standard cleaning methods (such as through Settings → Storage) often don’t work. Why is this happening?

The fact is that MIUI masks the Other as a cache of system applications, temporary update files, log files, remnants of deleted programs and even firmware fragments, some of which are critical to the system, but the lion's share is useless garbage that can be safely removed, and the main thing is to know how to do this without risking bricking the device.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 working ways to clean the Other section, including hidden MIUI settings, ADB commands, and even manually deleting files via TWRP. You’ll learn which data can be touched and which is best left behind, and how to prevent re-clogging of memory.

What is the Other in Xiaomi’s Storage and Why Does It Take So Much Space?

The “Other” section is a container for all files that the system cannot categorize as standard (Applications, Photos, Videos, etc.) and includes:

• 📁 System application cache (Mi Browser, Mi Video, Security, etc.) – can weigh 5-15 GB when used actively.
• 🔄 Update residues – firmware files that have not been deleted after installation (.zip,.tmp).
• 📝 Log files and dumps – report errors that the system automatically creates (folders) /data/log, /data/anr).
• 🗑️ Discard from remote applications - undeleted folders in /data/data or /sdcard/Android/obb.
• 🔒 Encrypted data – for example, Mi Cloud or Google Drive files that are not recognized as “Cloud».

The main problem is that MIUI doesn't show the detailed composition of this partition. At best, you'll see the total volume, but you won't be able to understand what exactly takes up space. In fact, even after you reset to factory settings, some of the files from the Other may remain, stored in protected partitions of memory.

Another nuance: on devices with dynamic memory (for example, Xiaomi 12T or Redmi Note 11 Pro+), the “Other” section can be artificially inflated due to the peculiarities of UFS 3.1. The system reserves space for future updates, but does not always free it up after installation.

⚠️ Warning: If the Other is larger than 20 to 25 GB on a 128 GB device, it’s a reason for deep cleaning. On 64 GB models, the critical threshold is 10 to 12 GB.

Method 1: Cleaning the cache of system applications through settings

The safest method is to manually clean the cache for pre-installed Xiaomi apps, many of which (such as Mi Browser or Mi Video) actively cache data but do not automatically delete it.

How to do this:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Show all processes."
3. Sort the applications by size (click on "Size").
4. Select apps with a large cache (usually Browser, Video, Security, Gallery) and click Clear Cache.

Pay special attention to the following applications (they most often clog the “Other”):

• 🌐 Mi Browser – web cache can reach 3-5 GB.
• 🎥 Mi Video - stores thumbnails and video buffer (up to 2-4 GB).
• 🛡️ Security – scans files and creates temporary copies (up to 1-2 GB).
• 📷 Gallery – caches previews of photos (especially if you use Google Photos).

Mi Browser|Mi Video|Security|Gallery|Download Manager|Mi Share-->

Once cleaned, restart the device to help the system recalculate the space correctly, and if the volume of the Other hasn't decreased, move on to the next method.

⚠️ Note: Do not click Clear Data for system applications (such as Settings or Mi Account) – this can cause disruptions MIUI.

Method 2: Manually Delete Temporary Update Files

Xiaomi often leaves undeleted firmware files in folders after updates /data/ota_package or /cache. They can weigh. 1–3 GB and not displayed in the standard file manager.

To find and remove them:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and activate “Debugging by USB” (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times click on the version, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Use an ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or a root file manager (such as Root Explorer or Mixplorer).
3. Go to the folders: /data/ota_package/ /cache/ /data/local/tmp/ Delete all files with extensions.zip,.tmp,.bak.

If you do not have root rights, you can try to delete files via ADB:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/ota_package/*




rm -rf /cache/*

Once removed, restart the device and check the volume of Other in Settings → Storage. If the changes are minor, the problem lies deeper in system logs or application residues.

Method 3: Cleaning Log Files and Dumps Through ADB

MIUI actively maintains logcats, which can take up gigabytes of memory, which are stored in hidden folders and are not deleted automatically.

To clean them up:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux).
2. Enter the commands in turn: adb shell su rm -rf /data/log/* rm -rf /data/anr/* rm -rf /data/tombstones/* rm -rf /data/system/dropbox/*
3. Reset the device.

If you see a "Permission denied" error after you run the commands, you don't have root rights, and then you can try an alternative method:

• 📱 Install the app SD Maid (requires root) or Files by Google (works without rights).
• 🔍 In Files by Google, select “Cleanup» → «Unnecessary files» → «Log files».
• 🗑️ Remove everything the app finds.

⚠️ Attention: Deleting log files can make it harder to diagnose problems if you go to Xiaomi service center.

💡

Cleaning logs through ADB is the most effective way to reduce the Other if you have root rights. Without them, only SD Maid or Files by Google will help.

Method 4: Removing Remnants of Remote Applications

When you uninstall an app through Settings or Google Play, MIUI doesn’t always clean up folders with data in /data/data or /sdcard/Android/obb. These tails can weigh hundreds of megabytes and accumulate for years.

How to find and remove them:

• 🔍 Use a file manager with access to system folders (e.g., Mixplorer with root mode enabled).
• 📂 Move to the: /data/data/ /sdcard/Android/obb/ /sdcard/Android/data/ Look for folders with names of remote applications (for example, com.tencent.mm for WeChat or com.facebook.katana for Facebook).
• 🗑️ Remove these folders manually.

If you don’t have root, you can try the following trick:

1. Install an app that has been previously removed (like Facebook).
2. Open it, then delete it through Settings → Apps → Delete.
3. Select the “Clear Data” option before deleting – this sometimes causes the system to delete the remaining files.

App Cleaner (available on Google Play) can automate the process, scanning the system for junk folders and prompting you to delete them.

Method 5: Deep Cleaning with TWRP (for advanced users)

If previous methods failed and the Other still takes tens of gigabytes, the last option is Custom Recovery (TWRP) – a method that requires an unlocked bootloader and a TWRP installed, but allows you to delete all unnecessary system files, including hidden partitions.

Step-by-step:

1. Install TWRP for your Xiaomi model (instructions are available on 4PDA or XDA Developers).
2. Boot to TWRP (usually by clamping Power + Volume up).
3. Go to the "Advanced" section» → «File Manager».
4. Delete the contents of the following folders: /data/log/ /data/tombstones/ /data/anr/ /data/system/dropbox/ /cache/
5. Return to the main menu and select "Wipe" → "Advanced Wipe." Check the boxes: Dalvik / ART Cache Cache System (only if you plan to re-follow!)
6. Confirm the swipe and restart the device.

After this procedure, the Other should be reduced to 1-3 GB (normal volume for MIUI).

⚠️ Attention: Deletion of folder /system If you don't have any firmware, it will cause the device to fail!

💡

Before clearing through TWRP, back up the /data partition in the recovery section itself, which will save your data if something goes wrong.

How to prevent the “Other” from clogging again

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

• 🔄 Clean the cache of system applications regularly (once every 1-2 weeks).
• 🚫 Turn off automatic firmware updates in Settings → The phone. → Update the system (or manually update it).
• 📱 Use lightweight alternatives to standard Xiaomi apps: Chrome instead of Mi Browser; VLC Mi Video instead of the standard Gallery.
• 🗑️ Set up automatic cleaning via Files by Google or SD Maid.
• 🔧 Turn off log collection (power users only): adb shell su setprop log.tag. # disables logging for all tags Attention: This can make it harder to diagnose errors.

If you install and remove games/applications frequently, use an external storage card to store your games/applications. OBB-- For this purpose:

1. Insert microSD (A2 or UHS-I class is recommended).
2. In Files by Google, move the Android/obb folder to the map.
3. Or use the FolderMount app to redirect folders.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi’s “Other” section