Why Xiaomi’s memory is clogged with unknown “Other” files?
Have you ever encountered a situation where your Xiaomi on MIUI 12 suddenly shows that the memory is almost full, even though you have not installed new applications or downloaded large files? The culprit is often the mysterious "Other" section in memory analysis, which can take from a few gigabytes to half of all storage, a problem especially relevant for devices with 32 or 64 GB of memory, where every megabyte counts.
The Other section of MIUI 12 is a sort of garbage box that gets cached data, temporary application files, remnants of deleted programs, log files, and even hidden updates. Unlike Android 13+, where Google has tightened control over storage, MIUI 12 (especially on older devices like the Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi 9T) often doesn’t automatically optimize this partition, the result is that the phone slows down, apps fly out, and the system offers to free up space by deleting your photos.
In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to clean the Other without root rights, including hidden MIUI features that aren’t documented in the official reference, and why standard cleaning in the Storage menu only removes 10-15% of the garbage, and how to get around this restriction.
What exactly is hidden in the “Other” section?
Before you start cleaning, it is important to understand what this section consists of. In MIUI 12, "Other" includes:
- 📁 Application cache – temporary files that should be deleted automatically, but often remain due to crashes.
- 🗑️ Remnants of Remote Applications – Folders and Program Settings You Uninstalled Long Ago.
- 📜 Log files of the system - error logs, crash reports (/data/log/), weighable 1-2 GB.
- 🔄 Updates MIUI — Downloaded but not installed update packages (/cache/).
- 🎭 AR- and VR-Cache - data for augmented reality (if you used Mi) AR or AR).
- 📡 Geolocation data – cache of Google Maps, Yandex.Navigator or Mi Location maps.
A lot of garbage is accumulated if you:
- 🔁 Frequently update apps through Google Play or Mi App Store.
- 🎮 Install and delete games (especially with cache like this) PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).
- 📱 Use themed shells (Mi Themes) or live wallpaper.
- 🔧 Regularly testing beta versions MIUI.
Method 1: Standard cleaning through the "Storage" (minimum effect)
The most obvious, but least effective, method is to use the built-in MIUI utility, which is suitable for novice users, but only removes surface debris.
- Open the Settings → Storage.
- Slip on "Clean" in the "Other" section.
- Confirm the deletion of temporary files.
🔴 Problem: This feature only clears app cache and some log files, but doesn't touch:
- 🗃️ Remote application folders in /data/data/.
- 📦 Remains of updates in /cache/.
- 📊 Usage statistics (/data/system/usagestats/).
💡
If the “Other” section is filled again after a day or two, then one of the applications is to blame. Check Settings → Applications → Application Management → Storage and sort by cache size.
Method 2: Manually cleansing through Files (hidden folders)
Deeper cleaning requires access to system folders, using the standard Files app (not third-party file managers!).
Enable the display of hidden files in the "Files"
Make a backup copy of important data
Charge your phone at least 50%
Close all background applications-->
Instructions:
- Open the Files app.
- Go to Categories → Local Storage → Device.
- Slip on three dots in the top right corner and select “Show hidden files”.
- Go to /data/log/ /cache/ /data/local/tmp/ /data/system/usagestats/ Delete all of their contents (except for the lost+found folders).
- Go back to the root of the storage and check the Android/data/ folder – files from remote games can remain here (for example, com.tencent.ig for PUBG Mobile).
⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders /data/data/ It's completely, and it'll crash applications. Only delete the contents of folders that are already remote.
| folder | What can be removed | Risks. |
|---|---|---|
| /data/log/ | All files with the.log,.txt extension | No (log files are automatically restored) |
| /cache/ | All files except the folder recovery/ | May slow down the first on-set after rebooting |
| /data/local/tmp/ | All temporary files | No. |
| Android/obb/ | Game files you don't use | You will have to re-download the game when you start. |
Method 3: Cleaning with Safe Mode (to remove viruses and hidden processes)
If the “Other” section is self-filled (for example, at night or when connecting to Wi-Fi), malware or a system process may be to blame, in which case Safe Mode (Safe Mode) will help.
How to start:
- Press the power button until the shutdown menu appears.
- Press the “Switch off” point with your finger – a suggestion will appear to go to Safe Mode.
- Confirm and wait for the reboot (the screen will be marked "Safe Mode").
In Safe Mode:
- 🛡️ Check the “Other” section – if it has decreased, the third-party app is to blame.
- 🔍 Go to Settings. → Apps and sort by "Cache size».
- 🗑️ Remove suspicious programs (such as those with names like com.system.cleaner or android.secure.wifi).
⚠️ Warning: Safe Mode has disabled all third-party applications, but system processes (such as Mi Cloud or Security) continue to work. MIUI 12, not in viruses.
How do I get out of Safe Mode?
Method 4: Recovery Cache Reset (for power users)
If the first three methods didn’t work, try resetting the cache partition through Recovery.This won’t delete your data, but will clear up system debris that isn’t visible in the file manager.
Instructions:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the power button + volume button until the Mi logo appears.
- In the Recovery menu, select “Wipe & Reset”.
- Tap on "Wipe Cache" (Do not select "Wipe Data!").
- Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
- Reboot the phone ("Reboot» → «Reboot to System»).
🔹 What does it mean:
- 🧹 Remove updates residues MIUI.
- 🔧 Resets the kernel cache and Dalvik (accelerates the system operation).
- 📉 Can I release you before? 1-3 GB under “Other».
💡
Recovery cache resetting is the only way to remove debris that is not visible even through root access, a technique that is particularly effective after failed MIUI updates.
Method 5: Using ADB for deep cleaning (advanced level)
For users willing to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), there is a way to remove garbage that standard methods do not touch. It requires a computer and a little technical skill.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
- 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
Cleanup commands:
adb shell
su
rm -rf /data/log/*
rm -rf /cache/*
rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*
rm -rf /data/system/usagestats/*
exit
exit⚠️ Warning: These commands require root rights.If your Xiaomi isn't rooted, use an alternative method instead of su:
adb shell pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster # Cleaning up a standard cleaner
adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.media # Reset media cache📌 Result: This method can free up to 5GB in the "Other" section, but requires caution.A mistake in commands can cause system failure.
How to prevent the “Other” from being refilled?
Cleaning is good, but it's even better to keep the garbage from accumulating. Here are some tips:
- 🔄 Turn off automatic app updates in Google Play and Mi App Store. manually update once in a while. 1-2 weekdays.
- 📱 Use lightweight versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).
- 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Cash.
- 🚫 Avoid Google Play’s “optimizers” and “cleaners” – they often create more trash than they remove.
- 📁 Transferring heavy files to SD-map (if supported). Use the settings for this → Warehouse → Data portability.
🔹 For Poco owners F1, Redmi Note 7 and other devices MIUI 12 Android 10-based: These firmwares are particularly heavily accumulating debris from Mi Video and Mi Music.The solution is to disable these apps through the use of the app. ADB:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.player