How to remove the “Other” from Xiaomi Poco memory X3 NFC: Complete guidance with proven methods

Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC — One of the most popular smartphones in the Poco line, but even its 64 or 128 GB of memory sooner or later is clogged with a mysterious section of “Other”. This item in storage analysis can take anywhere from 5 to 30 GB, and standard cleaning methods (deleting cache, photos or applications) do not work on it. What is the catch? Why is the system hiding these files, and how to safely delete them without risking bricking the phone?

In this article, we will discuss all ways to clean the “Other” section on Poco. X3 NFC — from handheld methods using built-in tools MIUI to advanced tricks with ADB You'll learn which files you can delete and which you can't touch, and how to prevent memory from clogging again. Particular attention will be paid to hidden folders, update remnants and garbage from system processes, which most often occupy the lion’s share of space.

Important: The methods from this article are tested on Poco X3 NFC firmware MIUI 12–14 (including global and European versions) If your phone runs on custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS), some steps may differ.

What is the “Other” in the memory of Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC And why does it take up so much space?

The “Other” section in storage analysis MIUI — This is a container for files that the system cannot categorize as standard (photos, videos, apps, etc:

• 📁 Hidden system folders – log files (.log,.tmp), memory dumps, update remnants MIUI.
• 🗑️ App garbage – incorrectly deleted data, cache of third-party launchers, artifacts from game optimizers (for example, Game Turbo).
• 🔄 Firmware residues – update files that were not cleaned after installation (folder) /cache or /data/ota_package).
• 📱 User profile data – if you have used the “Second Space” or guest mode.
• 🔒 Encrypted files – for example, data from Secure Folder or backups of Mi Cloud.

On Poco. X3 NFC This problem is exacerbated by two factors:

1. Memory architecture UFS 2.1 – Despite its high speed, it is less efficient at managing small files than UFS 3.0 in new models.
2. Aggressive optimization MIUI — The system actively caches data to speed up work, but does not always clean it correctly.

On our tests, at Poco. X3 NFC s 64 The GB of memory is the “Other” section on average 12–18 GB after a year of use, even if you clean the cache regularly.The main "culprits" are folders /data/log, /data/system/package_cache and the remaining updates in /cache.

Preparing for Cleanup: What to Do Before Deleting Files

Before proceeding with deletion, follow the mandatory preparatory steps to avoid data loss or system failures:

Pay special attention to backup. Even if you plan to delete only junk files, an error in choosing a folder can lead to loss of personal data.

• 📲 Built-in function MIUI: Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backups.

Also, turn off automatic updates. MIUI purification:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select “Update Settings”.
3. Turn off the option “Automatic boot over Wi-Fi”.

⚠️ Warning: If you are using Second Space or guest mode, make sure to switch to the main profile before cleaning. Deleting files from Other in guest mode can damage the main user's system data.

Method 1: Cleaning the Other with MIUI built-in tools

Let's start with the safest methods that don't require root rights or a PC connection. MIUI There are several hidden features that help reduce the size of the “Other” partition»:

1. Clean up the update cache and temporary files

• Open the Settings → Storage.
• Click on “Other” – the system will show a list of folders that can be cleaned.
• Select the “Update Cache”, “Temporary Files” and “Log Files” options.
• Confirm the cleanup.

2. Removal of Remote Application Remains

Even after the application is uninstalled, their data remains in the system, so that it can be deleted:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Show all apps."
3. In the list, find apps marked “0 B” (these are “ghosts” of remote programs).
4. Open each of them and click on “Clear Data” and “Delete”.

3. Reset the "Battery Health" settings

The function of battery optimization in MIUI It creates a lot of log files to delete them:

1. Open the Settings. → Battery and performance → Battery health.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Data Reset.
3. Confirm the action.

⚠️ Warning: If the size of the Other has not decreased after cleaning through the built-in tools, do not repeat the procedure many times - this can damage the time stamps of files and further clog memory.

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Built-in tools MIUI It's safe, but it only cleans 20 to 30 percent of the garbage in the Other section.

Method 2: Manually clean hidden folders through file manager

If standard methods don't work, you'll have to manually delete files from hidden system folders, and any file manager with access to root directories, like Mi File Explorer (embedded) or Solid Explorer, will do.

What folders can be manually cleaned:

• 📂 /data/log — System and application log files. You can delete everything except the anr folder (if you have one).
• 📂 /cache — Update cache and temporary files. Delete all contents.
• 📂 /data/system/package_cache — Packet installer cache. You can clean it completely.
• 📂 /data/local/tmp — Delete the temporary files without fear.
• 📂 /data/ota_package — If you're not planning to roll back, delete it.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Mi File Explorer and enable the display of hidden files (click on three dots) → «Settings» → «Show hidden files»).
2. Go to the root directory (/).
3. Open the data folder (a superuser rights confirmation may be required if you have root).
4. Remove the contents of the folders from the list above. Don't delete the folders themselves, just the contents!
5. Reboot the phone.

If you don’t have root rights, you can only clean the folder. /cache and part of the contents /data/local/tmp. The other directories will need to be ADB, or the rights of the superuser.

An extra trick for Poco X3 NFC: If the “Other” section contains a lot of space for files with the.apkm or.apex extension, these are the remnants of Google Play modules or MIUI. They can be removed through ADB (about this in the next section).

Method 3: Advanced cleaning through ADB (rootless)

If manual cleaning has not yielded results, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge is an Android debugging tool that allows you to delete system files without root rights.This method is suitable for users who do not want to root, but are willing to connect the phone to a PC.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Installed drivers ADB Fastboot (you can download from the official Android website).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Step 1. Enable debugging over USB

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
3. Return to Settings → “Advanced” → “For Developers”.
4. Turn on "Debugging by" USB» and confirm the authorization.

Step 2: Connect your phone to your PC and execute commands

Open the command prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

If the phone appears in the list, enter:

adb shell


pm trim-caches 1G # Clears the cache of all applications




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*




rm -rf /cache/*




exit




adb reboot

Step 3: Removal of update residues (optional)

If you are sure that you will not roll back the firmware, do:

adb shell


rm -rf /data/ota_package/*




rm -rf /data/system/package_cache/*




exit

Step 4: Clean Dalvik-cache (only if there are performance issues)

This command will remove the cache of the Android virtual machine, which can speed up the phone, but will increase the first boot time after the restart:

adb shell


rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*




exit




adb reboot

⚠️ Attention: Rm teams -rf They delete files irrevocably. If you go wrong (e.g., type in rm). -rf /data/ rm -rf /data/local/tmp/), This will cause the phone to reset completely!

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Before executing commands ADB Take a screenshot of the current memory state in Settings → After cleaning, compare the results to assess the effectiveness of the.

Method 4: Using third-party utilities for deep cleaning

If you don't want to mess with ADB Or you can use a file manager, you can use specialized applications that automate the process.

Top.-3 Utilities for cleaning the “Other” on Poco X3 NFC:

How to use SD Maid (the most powerful tool)

1. Run the “Basket” (CorpseFinder) – it will find the remnants of remote applications.

Files by Google is suitable for users without root.It won't clean system folders, but it will help you find and delete:

• 📸 Duplicate photos and screenshots.
• 🎵 Unused audio files (e.g. voice notes).
• 📄 Old downloads from Telegram, WhatsApp and other messengers.

⚠️ Note: Apps like CCleaner or Clean Master are not recommended for Xiaomi. MIUI, which leads to malfunctions in the shell (for example, the theme or navigation gestures stop working).

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of the methods worked, and the Other partition still takes tens of gigabytes, you're left with a complete phone reset, which is a radical way, but it's guaranteed to clear all the hidden files.

How to properly reset Poco X3 NFC:

1. Create a backup copy (see the Preparation section).
2. Open Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data”.
4. Enter your password (if required) and confirm the reset.
5. After restarting, set your phone as new.

What to do after the reset so that the “Other” does not return:

• 🚫 Do not restore data from backup MIUI — It may contain junk files. It's better to transfer data selectively (photos, contacts).
• 🔍 Check your storage regularly with Storage Analyzer.

Resetting will return the phone to a “clean” state, but remember: the first 2-3 weeks after reset, the “Other” section will grow faster than usual – this is normal, since the system creates new cache files and logs.

How to prevent re-clogging of memory?

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

1.Tune in automatic cleaning

• Include “Autocleaning” in Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning up garbage.
• Install. SD Maid and set up weekly cleaning (root required).

2.Controll MIUI updates

• Don’t install every new firmware – wait for the stable version.
• After updating manually clean the folder. /cache.

3. Limit the background activity of applications

• Open the Settings. → Battery and performance → Battery management.
• For unnecessary applications, select “Limit background activity.”

4.Use cloud services

• Move photos and videos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
• Set up automatic screenshots to the cloud.

5. Regularly check large files

With Storage Analyzer or Files by Google, search for files larger than 100MB and delete unnecessary ones (such as old ones). APK, game-play).

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Regular prevention (1 time per month) reduces the volume of the Other by 40-60%. SD Maid saves up to 3-5 GB per year.

FAQ: Frequent questions on cleaning up 'Other' on Poco X3 NFC