How to completely remove the “Other” in memory Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: instruction 2026

The “Other” section in Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 8 memory is a real headache for smartphone owners, taking up gigabytes of precious space, but not telling you what’s stored inside and how to safely delete it. MIUI hides residual application files, cache, temporary data and even fragments of deleted updates under this category — all things that don’t fall into the standard categories of Photo, Video or Audio.

The problem is compounded by the fact that standard cleaning methods (via Settings) → Storage often doesn't work: after you press "Clean" the volume of "Other" is reduced by only a few megabytes, and then comes back again a day later. 5 working methods, including hidden functions MIUI, team ADB and even hand-cleaning through TWRP — Considering the specifics of the Redmi Note firmware 8 (model ginkgo/willow). All methods tested on current versions MIUI 14 Android 12/13.

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

Under the category "Other" in MIUI hide:

• 📁 Residual application files: Undeleted data after uninstallation of programs (for example, folders) Android/obb or Android/data play-off).
• 🗑️ System cache: temporary files MIUI, Dalvik-cache, ART-Optimization (especially after updates).
• 🔄 Logs and dumps: debugging files (/data/tombstones), which are created when applications fail.
• 📦 Update fragments: undeleted packages OTA (/cache or /data/ota_package).
• 🔒 Encrypted data: files that MIUI cannot classify (e.g., Mi Cloud backups or data from external drives).

On the Redmi Note 8, the problem is exacerbated by the eMMC 5.1 memory architecture, which over time fragments data more than modern UFS. As a result, “garbage” accumulates faster, and the system can not always remove it correctly. For example, after upgrading from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14, up to 3-5 GB of unnecessary files associated with older versions of the firmware can remain in the “Other” section.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to delete files from the Other section manually through the file manager unless you know their purpose. /data/dalvik-cache) It can lead to a cyclical reboot of the smartphone.

Method 1: Cleaning through hidden MIUI menu (no root)

MIUI hides advanced cleaning tools that are not available in the standard interface to activate them:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to About Phone → click 7 times on the MIUI version to turn on Developer Mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate the option debugging over USB and Allow debugging in the background.
5. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command in ADB: adb shell pm trim-caches 1000G This command forcibly clears the cache of all applications, including system ones.

The Redmi Note 8 also has a hidden combination:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleanup. → tap the icon ⚙️ (settings) in upper right corner.
3. Select Deep Clean → tick System cache and Residual files.
4. Click Clean and confirm the action.

Battery charge over 50%|Background applications disabled|Backup of important data is made|A stable power supply is connected (if cleaning is long)-->

This method allows you to delete up to 1-2 GB of unnecessary files, but does not affect deep system data.

Method 2: Remove via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can manually delete unnecessary files through ADB Shell, which requires a PC connection and basic command line knowledge.

First, install ADB Tools on your computer and connect the Redmi Note 8 in debugging mode. Then follow the following instructions in turn:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*




rm -rf /cache/*




rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*




rm -rf /data/tombstones/*




rm -rf /data/log/*

These commands are deleted:

• 🗃️ Temporary files (/data/local/tmp).
• 🧹 Cache of updates and system processes (/cache).
• 🔄 Application optimization files (dalvik-cache).
• 📜 Error logs (tombstones and /data/log).

⚠️ Attention: Command rm -rf It deletes files irrevocably. Don't run it for folders like this. /data/app or /system — This will result in data loss or a brick of the device.

After completing the commands, restart the smartphone. The volume of the Other should be reduced by 2-4 GB, depending on the degree of memory contamination.

💡

If after cleaning through ADB, the smartphone began to brake, execute the command adb shell cmd package bg-dexopt-job - this will reassemble the cache of applications and speed up the system.

Method 3: Resetting cache via Recovery Mode

If you don't want to use ADB, you can clear the system cache through the Restore mode, which is secure and doesn't affect user data.

1. Turn off the Redmi Note 8.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time and hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
3. Use volume buttons to navigate and select Wipe & Reset.
4. Next, choose Wipe Cache (not to be confused with Wipe Data – it’s a complete reset!).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.
6. Restart your smartphone via Reboot.

This method cleanses:

• 🔄 Application cache and systems (/cache).
• 📦 Temporary update files.
• 🗑️ Residual data from old firmware.

After you reboot, check the "Other" section in Settings → Storage. Usually this method frees up 500 MB – 1.5 GB of memory. If the result is unsatisfactory, move to more radical methods.

Method 4: Manually delete files via TWRP (for advanced)

If previous methods didn’t work, and the Other is over 5GB, it’s likely that old firmware fragments or corrupted data have accumulated in memory, in which case custom Recovery — TWRP — will help.

Warning: This method requires unlocking the bootloader and installing TWRP, which voids the warranty and can lead to a brick in error, but allows you to manually delete unnecessary files that MIUI hides from the user.

Steps:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account and wait 7 days).
2. Install TWRP for Redmi Note 8 (model ginkgo) via fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
3. In TWRP, go to Advanced → File Manager.
4. Delete the following folders (if they exist): /data/ota_package — remains OTA-update. /data/miui — cache of themes and system applications. /data/system/package_cache — cache of installed packages. /data/app-lib — obsolete application libraries.

Reboot to the system.

⚠️ Note: Delete folders like /data/data or /system You'll lose all your data or your smartphone will not work!

After cleaning through TWRP, the volume of the Other can be reduced by 3-7 GB, but this method is recommended only for advanced users.

💡

Use TWRP only if other methods have not worked. Incorrect actions can lead to the need for a complete flashing of the smartphone.

Method 5: Complete reset to factory settings (last chance)

If neither method worked and the Other still takes up gigabytes of memory, the last resort is factory reset, which is guaranteed to clean up all unnecessary files, but also delete:

• 📸 All photos, videos and documents (unless backup is made).
• 📱 Installed applications and their data.
• 🔑 System settings, accounts and Wi-Fi passwords.

How to perform the reset:

1. Back up important data via Settings → Google → Backup or Mi Cloud.
2. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data.
4. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.

After resetting, the smartphone will return to the state “out of the box”, and the “Other” partition will be reduced to 200-500 MB (this is a normal volume for system files).

To avoid the re-accumulation of garbage:

• 🚫 Do not install applications from unknown sources.
• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Warehouse.
• 📥 Use it. SD-media card.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Only through official channels.

How to Prevent the Re-Accumulation of the Other

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

1. Turn off MIUI Automatic Optimization: Go to Settings → Battery & Performance → Optimize and turn off Auto Optimization. It creates unnecessary temporary files.
2. Use light firmware: If your Redmi Note 8 supports custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS), it takes up less space due to the lack of duplicate system applications.
3. Limit the background activity of applications: In Settings → Applications → Permissions → Autorun disable autorun for unnecessary programs. This will reduce the number of temporary files they create.
4. Regularly check storage: Install Files by Google or SD Maid to scan garbage. They are better than the standard MIUI file manager at detecting unnecessary data.

It is also helpful to disable automatic backups in Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud if you are not using this feature. Backups often duplicate data and take up space in the Other section.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the “Other” section on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8