How to remove the “Other” on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: the full guide

Owners of the popular Redmi Note 8T smartphone often face a situation where internal storage suddenly overflows, especially the “Other” section, which can take up tens of gigabytes and does not lend itself to standard cleaning through standard tools, is a collection of cache applications, residual files of remote programs, temporary data messengers and system logs.

Understanding the nature of these files is the first step to a successful cleanup. The MIUI system installed on your device tends to accumulate data to speed up applications, but over time this has the opposite effect. In this article, we will discuss safe and advanced methods of freeing up space.

It’s important to act consistently to avoid damaging your operating system or personal data. We’ll look at both built-in features and third-party utilities that will help your Xiaomi get back to speed.

Anatomy of the "Other" section in the MIUI vault

Before we start radical action, we need to figure out what exactly is behind the mysterious tag. In the Android operating system that runs the Redmi Note 8T, the Other (or System Data) section is not clearly classified, and these include files that the system cannot uniquely attribute to photos, videos, music or documents.

The bulk of this garbage is made up of temporary update files, streaming cache services and instant messenger data, for example, if you actively use Telegram or WhatsApp, they can save media files in hidden folders, not displaying them in a shared gallery, but taking up space in the system.

In addition, there may be residual files after deleting games or heavy applications, and even after uninstallation of the program, configuration files and libraries remain in memory, which continue to consume valuable storage space.

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to delete files manually through root directories unless you know their exact purpose.Deleting system libraries can lead to a cyclical smartphone reboot.

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Before you start a deep cleaning, be sure to back up important contacts and photos in cloud storage or on your computer.

Basic cleaning through the standard “Safety” application

The easiest and safest way to start fighting overcrowded memory is to use Xiaomi’s built-in tools.Security is already pre-installed on the Redmi Note 8T and has access to all the necessary system cleaning functions.

Launch the app and select "Clean Up" and the system will scan and suggest removing obvious debris: advertising files, APK installer packages and image sketches. However, to work with the "Other" section, click on the "Deep Cleanup" button.

In this mode, the analyzer checks the messenger folders and the system cache in more detail, you will see a list of applications that take up the most space. Be careful: cleaning the data here can reset the authorization in some programs or delete saved dialogs.

  • 🧹 Click on the broom icon for quick cleaning of visible debris.
  • 📱 Select a specific application from the list for detailed analysis of its cache.
  • 🗑️ Use the Big File Analysis feature to find forgotten videos.
  • ⚙️ Check the autodelete settings in the Security app menu».

Regular use of this method allows you to keep the system in good shape, but if the Other section continues to grow, deeper interventions will be needed.

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Standard cleaning is safe, but often does not affect the hidden cache of system processes and some messengers.

Manual management of cache and application data

When the automatics are powerless, you have to move to manual control. On the Redmi Note 8T, this is done through the settings menu. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Here you will see the full list of installed software.

Sort the list by memory size. Often, social media and browsers are the leaders, and when you go into the properties of a particular application, you'll see two important buttons: Clear cache and Clear data.

The first option is secure and only deletes temporary files, speeding up the program. The second option returns the application to state immediately after installation, removing logins, passwords and settings. Use it wisely only if you are ready to reconfigure the program.

☑️ Verification of the leading applications

Done: 0 / 1

Pay special attention to Google Play Services and Google Play Services, whose bloated cache is often disguised as “Other,” and clearing the cache of these services is safe and often frees up several gigabytes of space.

Using a Storage Analyzer and Finding Hidden Files

For more detailed analysis, you can use built-in Explorer or third-party utilities such as Files by Google or Total Commander, which allow you to see the real folder structure on the Redmi Note 8T.

Often, folders from long-deleted games remain at the root of internal memory or in the Android/data folder, they can weigh 2-3 GB each, and manually deleting such folders is an effective way to combat the “Other” partition.

Also check the MIUI folder at the root of the storage, which may contain bugreports logs and voice recorder backups that you may have forgotten to delete.

Type of folderLocation.Can I remove it?Weight (approximate)
Cash Telegram.Android/data/org.telegram.messengerYes (via app settings)1-10 GB
Logs of the systemMIUI/debug_logYes.100-500 MB
The game remnantsAndroid/obb or dataYes (if game is deleted)1-5 GB
Temperature dataMIUI/thermalNo (systemic)Minimum

Visual analysis helps you understand where the memory is going. Some files may be hidden, so turn on the hidden files in the Explorer settings.

Why the folder Android/data protected?
Starting with Android 11, access to this folder is restricted to third-party apps for security purposes.Use Xiaomi's built-in file manager to access.

Radical methods: Resetting and flashing

If none of the above methods helped reduce the volume of the Other partition, there may have been a file system error or a critical amount of system debris accumulated. In this case, a full reset can help on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T.

There are two ways: reset the recovery menu and reflash it through the computer. Resetting the menu (Settings → About Phone → Reset) will delete all the data, but leave the firmware version unchanged. This often solves the problem of logical errors.

A more complex method is to cleanly install firmware through Fastboot with partition pre-cleaning, a method that is guaranteed to clean up all the “garbage”, but requires an unlocked bootloader and PC skills.

⚠️ Warning: Wipe Data permanently deletes all photos, contacts and apps. Be sure to backup before starting the procedure.

Once reset, the phone will be like new, and the Other section will be reduced to the minimum values (several hundred megabytes) required for the system to work.

📊 What cleaning method you plan to use?
Standard Cleanup → Manual File Deletion → Reset to Factory Settings → Not Doing Anything So far

Preventing memory overflow at Redmi

To prevent the problem from returning in a month, you should change your smartphone usage habits, first of all set up automatic cache cleaning in the Security app.

In instant messengers like WhatsApp and Viber, disable auto-save media files to the gallery.This will prevent data duplication: files will only be stored inside the chat, not take up space in the shared storage.

Check Downloads regularly. Browsers and apps often download installation files and documents that you no longer need, but which the system classifies as "Other."

  • 📅 Set up a weekly reminder about vault inspection.
  • ☁️ Transfer photos and videos to the cloud (Google Photos, Yandex.Disk).
  • 🚫 Turn off the preloading of videos on social media.
  • 🔄 Update apps regularly through the Play Market, as newer versions often optimize data storage.

Following these simple rules will allow your Redmi Note 8T to run fast and stable over time.

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Use the 1-touch clean-up feature in the notification curtain every evening to avoid accumulating debris for a week.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it safe to delete files from your Android/data folder manually?
You can only delete folders from apps you've already deleted, or cache specific programs if you know what you're doing. Deleting system files can cause errors in your smartphone.
Why is the “Other” section growing on its own?
This is normal system behavior. Apps create temporary files to quickly load content, and over time, this cache grows if it is not cleaned automatically or manually.
Will removing photos help reduce the “Other” section?
No, the photos are in a separate section, and the "Other" section is system debris, cache, and hidden files that are not related to your media gallery.
Could a virus be causing memory bloating?
In theory, yes, malware can generate garbage. However, on Xiaomi with a security scanner on, it's rare. Most often, the cause is in conventional applications.
Do I need to reset after each MIUI update?
Not necessarily, but after a major update (for example, from MIUI 12 to 13) it is recommended to do a complete reset to avoid conflicts with the old files with the new system.