Many Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone users face the unfortunate situation of a device’s internal memory being overwhelmed by a mysterious section called “Other” that can take up tens of gigabytes, significantly slowing down the MIUI or HyperOS operating system. Standard cleaning methods are often powerless, as the system considers these files to be important for its work, when in fact it is just accumulated digital garbage.
In this article, we will discuss what lies behind this designation and how to remove others on Xiaomi in safe ways without losing personal data. You will learn how to find hidden caches, clean messaging files and use system utilities for deep cleaning. Understanding the structure of the file system will help you keep your smartphone in excellent condition.
There are several proven methods of solving the problem, ranging from simple settings to more complex manipulations through the computer. It is important to act consistently so as not to disrupt the installed applications. In some cases, the problem lies in specific update logs or residual files of remote programs.
What is hidden in the “Other” section
The Other section (sometimes referred to as System or simply an unnamed block in the memory analyzer) is a collection of files that the system cannot classify as photos, videos, music or documents, primarily an application cache that grows to huge sizes over time, especially social networks and instant messengers that store thousands of temporary files.
Also in this category fall residual files after deleting programs, logs of system errors and temporary files of Android updates. Sometimes the user unconsciously uploads heavy files downloaded from the browser, but not distributed to folders. MIUI It can block direct access to this data, considering it to be system-wide.
⚠️ Warning: Do not manually delete files through the file manager unless you are sure of their purpose.Removing critical system libraries can lead to a cyclical smartphone reboot.
To understand the scale of the problem, it is worth noting that in some cases, the “Other” partition can take up to 40-50% of all available memory, this is especially true for devices with a storage capacity of 64 or 128 GB. Regular cleaning of this partition is the only way to extend the comfortable use of the gadget without buying a new one.
Why does memory fill up on its own?
Cleaning the cache and application data
The most efficient and safe way to free up space is to work with a repository of specific applications, which are the main culprits in filling out the “Other” section, and you need to manually check the most “heavy” programs, such as Telegram, WhatsApp, YouTube and browsers.
To start, go to the settings menu and find the Apps section, which shows you a list of all the software installed, sort it by the size of the space you occupy, and you'll be surprised to find that a regular messenger can take 10-15 GB. Click on the app and select Storage.
Inside, you'll see two buttons: Clear Cache and Clear Everything (or Reset) and use them wisely:
- 🧹 Cache Clearing – Deletes temporary files without affecting your logins, passwords and correspondence.
- 🗑️ Cleaning up the data completely resets the application to the post-installation state. You lose your correspondence history (if there is no backup) and authorization. Use only if you are ready to reconfigure the application.
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Before clearing the messenger data, be sure to back up the chats in the settings of the application itself (for example, in Google Drive or iCloud) so as not to lose important information.
You should pay special attention to browsers. They accumulate a huge number of temporary files of web pages. Go to the browser settings (Chrome, Mi Browser) and look for the item "Privacy" or "History", where you can select "Clean data" and make sure that the tick is next to the item "Images and other files saved in cache".
Use of built-in memory analyzer
The MIUI shell and the new HyperOS have a powerful built-in memory management tool that users often ignore, which can find duplicate files, large unused applications and system debris. To access it, go to Settings → Memory.
Here you'll see a visualization of the occupied space, and the system will suggest "Clean up" any errors or debris found, but to clean the "Other" section in depth, you'll need to click on the "Clean up" button at the bottom of the screen or start the "Security" app from the menu.
In the Security app, select the Cleanup tool. The system will scan and prompt you to delete:
- 📦 Installation packages APK — Old installer files that are no longer needed after installing the software.
- 📸 Miniature sketches – gallery cache that can weigh several gigabytes.
- 📰 Advertising files – remnants of banner ads from apps and games.
☑️ Weekly Memory Prevention
This section also often has a Deep Clean feature hidden in it, which analyzes files in more detail to check their relevance, for example, the system may suggest that screenshots older than a year or videos that you have already sent to the cloud be careful when confirming, so as not to delete the desired one.
Working with Download folder and hidden files
Often users forget about files they downloaded from the Internet. The Download folder is part of the Other section if the files in it are not recognized as media, and may contain old documents, game installers, or archives that you opened once.
Open the standard file manager (Conductor) and go to Downloads or Documents. Sort files by size. Large.zip or.rar archives, and.apk files, can be safely deleted if you don't plan to re-install them.
There are also hidden folders created by apps, which you can see by turning on hidden files in your Explorer settings, and looking for folders with app names (like com.whatsapp, Instagram) that often have a cache or temp folder inside them.
| File type | Where to find | Can I remove it? | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| .apk | Download / MIUI/Gms folder | Yes, if the app is installed | No influence. |
| .log | The root of internal memory | Yes. | Clear the error logs. |
| .tmp | Different application folders | Yes. | Delete temporary data |
| thumbnails | DCIM/.thumbnails | Yeah (recover) | Slow down the first opening of the photo |
Deleting these files makes space instantly, but remember that the.thumbnails folder will be recreated as soon as you open the gallery, but it will take time and processor resources, so it's best to delete it rarely when the memory is critically full.
Resetting and flashing as a last resort
If none of the above methods helped reduce the Other partition and it continues to grow, there may be critical errors or fragmentation in the file system, which helps to completely reset the settings to the factory (Hard Reset).
Before this procedure, be sure to save all important data to your computer or to the cloud, as the internal memory will be fully formatted. Go to Settings → About Phone → Reset → Erase all data.
⚠️ Note: After resetting the settings, the “Other” section should disappear or decrease to a minimum. 2-3 GB. If immediately after reset and without installing applications, it grows again - the problem may be in the hardware part of the drive.
In rare cases, flashing the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility and clean global firmware helps, which is guaranteed to clear all memory parts, including hidden system areas where software debris may have penetrated.
For advanced users, there is a possibility of cleaning through Recovery mode, and by pressing the volume and power button, you can go to the recovery menu and select Wipe Data, which is analogous to resetting through settings, but more reliable, since it eliminates the impact of a damaged operating system.
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A full factory reset is the only 100% way to remove the Other if the cause is deep file system errors.
Preventing the Filling of Memory in the Future
To keep the Other problem from coming back in a month, you need to develop a memory-watching habit. Modern smartphones require maintenance, especially models with a small amount of built-in storage. Regularity is the key to success.
Use cloud storage for photos and videos. Google Photos or Yandex.Disk can automatically download media files and delete them from the device, freeing up space. Set up automatic cache clearing in the application settings, if such a feature is available.
Also, try not to store files on your device that you don't need right now, and it's best to keep documents, music, and movies in the cloud or on a microSD card if your smartphone supports installation, which will relieve the main partition of memory.
Don't install dubious apps from unverified sources. Often they create many hidden folders and files that clog the system. Use only the official Google Play store or GetApps.