How to Remove the Other from Xiaomi Storage: Reasons and Solutions

The Other section in Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone storage is one of the most mysterious folders for users, which can take anywhere from a few hundred megabytes to tens of gigabytes, but does not display specific files in a standard file manager. Why is this happening? The fact is that under the Other category, the system combines app cache, temporary files, user profile data, remnants of deleted programs, and even fragments of MIUI updates. Unlike garbage in the Download folder or duplicate photos, this data can not always be deleted manually.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 proven ways to clean the Other section, including hidden settings. MIUI, utilization ADB-Special attention will be paid to the unique method of resetting cache through recovery mode (Recovery), which the official documentation of Xiaomi does not advertise. You will also learn which actions can lead to data loss and which are safe to use even on root-enabled devices.If your smartphone shows that your memory is 90% full, but you can’t find the culprit, this guide is for you.

What is the Other in Xiaomi’s storage and why does it take up so much space?

In MIUI (and its forks for POCO/Redmi), the Other section is a container for files that don’t fall into the standard categories of Apps, Images, Video or Audio.

• 🗑️ Application cache (including Google Play Services, Mi Account and system services data).
• 🔄 Residual files after deleting programs (e.g. settings or databases).
• 📁 Temporary update files MIUI and security patches.
• 👤 User profile data (for example, desktop settings or widgets).
• 🔒 Encrypted files of some applications (such as WhatsApp or bank customers).

The main problem is that MIUI does not provide tools for detailed analysis of this section. For example, in Samsung or Google Pixel, similar data is distributed to /data/data or /cache folders, which can be viewed through ADB. In Xiaomi, most of the Other is hidden from the user, which creates the illusion of “invisible” debris. Moreover, after upgrading to MIUI 14+, many users noticed that the volume of this partition grew by 20-30% - this is due to a change in the cache mechanism of system applications.

Interesting fact: on devices with Qualcomm chipsets (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or Xiaomi 13), the “Other” section often takes up less space than on devices with MediaTek processors (for example, POCO M5 or Redmi 10C), this is due to the peculiarities of the F2FS file system, which Xiaomi optimized for “qualcom” chips.

Method 1: Clear cache via MIUI settings (without root)

The safest method, which requires no additional tools, is suitable for devices on MIUI 12-14 and does not affect user data. Importantly, cleaning the cache of applications can temporarily slow down some programs (for example, Instagram or TikTok), as they will have to download data again.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Sort by size."
3. Scroll down the list – the heaviest apps (with a cache of >500MB) are usually at the end.
4. Slip on the app (like Google Chrome or Mi Video) → Storage → Clear cache.

For mass cleaning:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Click on Deep Clean (confirmation via Mi Account may be required).
3. Select all items except “Download” and “Images” and confirm the action.

🧹 Google Play Services Cash (often used) >1GB)

🎬 Cash Mi Video or Gallery (stores thumbnails)

📱 Lawnchair Cash (if you use an alternative launcher)

🔍 Cache Browser or Chrome (history, cookies, temporary files)

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⚠️ Warning: Do not clear the cache of system applications like com.miui.home or com.android.systemui, which can cause interface failures.

Method 2: Delete temporary files via File Manager (hidden folders)

Xiaomi’s standard File Manager doesn’t show all the hidden folders, but you can open them through settings, and these folders often accumulate gigabytes of unnecessary data, especially if you’re actively using instant messengers or streaming services.

How to enable the display of hidden files:

1. Open File Manager (Folder icon on the desktop).
2. Slip on three horizontal lines in the upper left corner → “Settings”.
3. Activate the “Show hidden files” switch.

What folders to clean:

⚠️ Note: Do not delete folders with the names com.xiaomi.* or android.secure – this can disrupt the system services. If you are not sure about the purpose of the file, transfer it to a separate folder (for example, Temp) and check the stability of the smartphone throughout the day.

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the place ends.

Never cleaned.

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Method 3: Recovery Mode Cache Reset (Advanced Method)

This method allows you to clear the system cache, which is not visible in the standard MIUI interface. It is useful if after the system update, the "Other" section suddenly grew by several gigabytes.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the power and volume button up simultaneously for 5-10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select a language (e.g. English).
4. Go to the section "Wipe & Reset» → «Wipe Cache».
5. Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (usually takes 1-2 minutes).
6. Select "Reboot» → «Reboot to System».

After the reboot, check the Other partition size in Settings → Memory. In most cases, it will decrease by 1-3 GB. This method is especially effective after major MIUI updates (for example, from the 13th to the 14th version) when the system leaves old files for rollback.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse "Wipe Cache" with "Wipe Data"! The second option will delete all your files, photos and apps. If the Recovery menu doesn't have "Wipe Cache" option, then your device is using the "Wipe Cache" option. A/B-sections (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or Redmi K50), The cache is automatically cleared when updated.

Method 4: Using ADB for deep cleaning (for power users)

If previous methods have failed, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for low-level device management, which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and basic command line knowledge, but allows you to delete files that are not available through the standard interface.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Installed drivers ADB Fastboot (you can download from Google website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap the version number → return to "Additional» → «For developers» → insert “Debugging by USB»).

Cleanup commands:

adb shell


su (if there is root rights)




pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster (cleaning a standard cleaner)




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* (delete temporary files)




rm -rf /cache/* (cleaning the system cache)




exit




adb reboot

For users without root rights, safer commands are available:

adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.media (cleaning media cache)


adb shell pm clear com.google.android.gms (clearing Google Services cache)

⚠️ Attention: Rm teams -rf If you don't specify the right path, you can lose data or crash your system. Make sure you understand the consequences before you do it. -rf /data/data Delete all user applications!

1. reconnect the cable to another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

2.In Windows Device Manager, update the driver for Android Composite ADB Interface.

3. On the smartphone, in the developer settings, enable “Debugging over USB (security options)” and allow debugging for your PC.

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Method 5: Third-party utilities for storage analysis

If you don't want to mess with ADB or Recovery, you can use specialized applications that scan the device's memory and show you which files are in the Other section. Importantly, many utilities require root rights to work properly.

Top.-3 apps:

Example of working with SD Maid:

1. Install the application and give access to the storage.
2. Go to the section "CorpseFinder"
3. In the SystemCleaner section, click Run and find unnecessary.log,.tmp and other temporary files.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as CCleaner) may aggressively delete files, which will cause malfunctions. MIUI. Avoid “optimizers” that promise to “speed up your smartphone by 300%” – they often delete important system data.

What if the “Other” is filled again?

If a week after cleaning the “Other” section again takes several gigabytes, the problem may lie in:

• 🔄 Auto-Updates (especially Google Play Services and Mi App Store).
• 📱 Background activity of messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp cache media files).
• 🔄 System logs (on devices with MIUI Globally, they take up more space than on MIUI China).
• 📁 File system errors (for example, after incorrect extraction) SD-map).

Decisions:

1. Turn off auto-update apps in Google Play: Settings → Auto-Update → Never.
2. In the settings of messengers, limit media caching: in Telegram it is Settings → Data and memory → Multimedia Storage.
3. Regularly reboot the smartphone – this clears RAM and temporary files.
4. If the problem repeats, reset to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Resetting), but save the data beforehand.

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