How to completely remove the “Other” on Xiaomi Poco M3: 7 proven ways

Xiaomi Poco M3 is one of the most popular budget smartphones with excellent price-performance ratio. However, many users face a problem: the “Other” section in storage takes up gigabytes of memory, although there are no explicit files there. It’s not just garbage – it’s a combination of cache system applications, logs, temporary MIUI files and hidden data that the operating system does not show in the standard file manager.

In this article, we will discuss 7 working methods to clear the Other on the Poco M3 without losing important data. From simple actions in settings to hidden commands through ADB, choose the method to suit your level of training. All instructions are tested on MIUI 12.5-14 and do not require root rights unless otherwise indicated.

Important: Before you start cleaning, check how much space the Other takes up. Go to Settings → About Phone → Storage. If the volume is greater than 5-10 GB, the problem is critical and requires a comprehensive approach.

1.What is the “Other” in Xiaomi’s storage and why is it growing

The Other section** in MIUI is the garbage bin of the operating system, where:

• 📁 Cache of system applications (e.g. com.miui.home, com.android.systemui)
• 📜 Logs and dumps (.log,.dmp files after crashes)
• 🗑️ Temporary files from updates MIUI Google Play
• 🔄 Remnants of Remote Applications (Folders) /data/app-lib/)
• 📱 Virtual machine data (if you use Dual Apps)

On the Poco M3, this problem is exacerbated by:

• 🔋 Small amount of internal memory (64/128 GB in basic versions)
• 🤖 Aggressive optimization MIUI, It creates a lot of temporary files.
• 🔄 Frequent background updates (especially if Auto Update is enabled)

The critical feature of the Poco M3 is that it reserves up to 3 to 5 GB of “Other” even on a clean out-of-the-box device, which is fine, but if the volume is greater than 10 GB, it needs cleaning.

Method 2: Cleaning the cache of system applications (without root)

The safest method is to manually remove the cache, which requires no special knowledge and works on any version of MIUI.

1. Select large cache apps (usually Google Play Services, MIUI Launcher, Gallery) and click Clear Cache.**

Top.-5 The apps that most often “clog” the “Other” on Poco M3:

Important: Do not clean the data (“Clean all data”**) from system applications – this can lead to crashes!

3. Method 2: Using a built-in MIUI cleaner

MIUI has a built-in garbage cleaner, but it often skips hidden files to make the most of it on the Poco M3:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Storage → Clean.
2. Click on “Deep Clean”** (if available).
3. Select all categories: “Cash”, “Unused Files”, “Advertising Files”**.
4. Confirm the cleanup and restart the device.

If the option "Deep Cleaning" is not available:

• 🔍 Check for updates MIUI In Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📱 Install the official “Security” app from the Mi App Store – there are advanced cleaning options.

💡

After deep cleaning, turn off automatic downloading of updates for system applications in Settings → Apps → App Management → Google Play Market → Auto Update. This will reduce the growth of the Other in the future.

Method 3: Delete temporary MIUI update files

Xiaomi often leaves weight packages after updates 1–3 GB that is not automatically deleted. On Poco M3 They're stored in a folder. /data/ota_package/ or /cache/.

To remove them:

1. Install a file manager with access to root folders (e.g., FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
3. Cross the path. /storage/emulated/0/Download/ota/ or /data/ota_package/.
4. Delete all files with the.zip extension or names like miui_*.zip.

If /data/ is not in the manager:

• 🔧 Use it. ADB (method).
• 📲 Try to clean through the settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Remove the downloaded service pack.

5. Method 4: Cleaning through Safe Mode

If the Other takes up more than 8-10 GB and standard methods don’t help, try running your phone in Safe Mode, which disables all third-party apps, and you can delete files that are normally locked.

How to Sign in to Safe Mode on Poco M3:

1. Press the power button** before the off menu appears.
2. Press and hold the “Switch off” option** (a suggestion to go to Safe Mode will appear).
3. Confirm the transition and wait for the reboot (the screen will read “Safe Mode”**).

In Safe Mode:

• 🧹 Repeat cleaning the cache of system applications.
• 🗑️ Delete the folders. /Android/data/ and /Android/obb/ For previously deleted applications (they can weigh gigabytes).
• 🔄 Restart your phone to normal mode.

⚠️ Warning: Safe Mode does not have Google services and some system features, and do not delete folders of current applications, this will cause them to crash!

6. Method 5: ADB-Teams for experienced users

If previous methods didn’t work, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) for deep cleaning.This requires connecting your phone to your PC, but allows you to delete files that aren’t available through standard menus.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
2. Turn on Poco M3 USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times click on version, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
4. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB and type:

adb shell


pm clear com.miui.home




pm clear com.google.android.gms




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*




rm -rf /cache/*




exit




adb reboot

These teams:

• 🧹 Clear the cache. MIUI Launcher and Google Play Services.
• 🗑️ Delete temporary files from /data/local/tmp/ and /cache/.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Do not use the rm command. -rf /data/* — This will completely erase all user data and lead to the need to reset to factory settings!

💡

ADB is the most powerful tool to clean the Other, but it requires care. One wrong command can damage the system. Always check the paths before you delete!

7. Method 6: Reset to factory settings (last chance)

If the Other takes 15+GB and other methods don't work, then all that remains is Hard Reset, which is a radical way, but it's guaranteed to clear all the hidden files.

How to reset the Poco M3:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” and confirm.
4. After restarting, set your phone as new.

What will be removed:

• 📂 All user files in internal memory.
• 📱 System and application settings.
• 🔑 Accounts (Google, Mi Account).
• 📁 All the contents of the folders /data/ and /cache/, including “The Other».

What's left:

• 📁 Files on SD-map (if it is installed).
• 🔄 Updates MIUI (The phone will be restored to the current version).

8 How to Prevent the Growth of the Other in the Future

To prevent the Other from taking up gigabytes of memory on the Poco M3, follow these tips:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic app updates in Google Play Market.
• 📥 Remove unnecessary system applications through ADB (for example, pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop for Mi Drop).
• 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly (once every 1-2 weeks).
• 📁 Use cloud storage (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) for photos and videos.
• 🔋 Don’t fill up more than 80% of your memory, which will make your garbage grow faster.

It is also useful to disable unnecessary MIUI functions:

• 🎨 Animations and transitions (Settings) → Additionally. → For developers → Scale of window/transition animation → No animation).
• 📊 Statistics collection (Settings) → Additionally. → Confidentiality → Send an error report → Shut down).
• 🔍 Application search (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Search → Clear the data).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the "Other" on the Poco M3