How to Remove “Other” on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Cleaning Hidden Garbage

The Other section of Xiaomi’s smartphone storage is one of the most puzzling and annoying issues for users, which can take anywhere from a few gigabytes to tens, but it doesn’t show which files are getting there. Many people mistakenly think it’s an app cache or remnants of deleted programs, but in fact, The Other hides system logs, temporary MIUI files, virtual memory data, and even update fragments that have not been properly deleted.

In this article, we’ll look at what’s stored in the Other section on Xiaomi, why it grows to incredible sizes, and most importantly, how to clean it safely without risking damage to the system. You’ll learn about the built-in MIUI tools, hidden settings, and third-party utilities that will help you recover precious gigabytes of memory, especially the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5 and Xiaomi flagships 12/13/14, where the problem is most common.

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

The Other section is a collective name for files that the system cannot categorize as standard (photos, videos, apps, etc.) and includes:

• 📁 System Logs and Dumps – Error Files, Failure Reports (/data/tombstones, /data/anr), which are created when applications or drivers fail.
• 🔄 Temporary files MIUI — cache of design themes, widget data, preloaded interface elements (/data/system/theme).
• 🔗 Symbolic links and empty folders – remnants from deleted apps or updates that have not been cleaned.
• 📦 Firmware fragments - undeleted parts of updates OTA, scalable /cache or /data/ota_package.
• 🧹 Garbage from Google Services – cache of Google Play Services, Android System WebView data that is not cleaned by standard means.

On devices with MIUI 12/13/14, the problem is exacerbated by the virtual memory extension (RAM Expansion) feature, which creates additional paging files in the “Other” section. For example, on POCO F4 with 8 GB of RAM and an activated 3 GB extension, the system can reserve up to 5-7 GB for swap files that are displayed as “unknown data.”

Interestingly, on newer models (Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Redmi K60 Pro) the cleaning algorithm has become more aggressive, but still can not cope with the garbage from third-party launchers (for example, Nova Launcher or HyperOS Launcher), which create their cache folders in non-obvious places.

Is it dangerous to delete the “Other” and what files can not be touched?

Deleting files from the Other section can lead to unstable system operation if critical virtual memory data or MIUI configuration files are touched. However, most of the debris (up to 70-80%) is safe to delete temporary files.

• 🚫 folder /data/dalvik-cache — It contains optimized versions of applications for fast download, and deletion will lead to a long recompilation on the next run.
• 🚫 Files in /data/system with the extension.db or.xml - these are databases of settings Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, accounts.
• 🚫 folder /data/misc — Stores data on superuser rights (root), certificates and encryption keys.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) Some of the files in Other may be related to Memory Fusion's new memory management system, and deleting them will cause background processes to malfunction.

Safe to clean:

• ✅ Folders. /data/log, /data/tombstones — mistake.
• ✅ Files with.tmp,.bak,.old extension in root folders.
• ✅ Cash theme in the decor /data/system/theme (except for the default folder).

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

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi added a hidden deep cleaning tool that doesn’t appear in the standard menu.

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version until the notification “You became a developer” appears.
3. Return to the main settings menu and go to Additional → For developers.
4. Activate the option to Show hidden storage settings.
5. Now in Settings → Warehouse will appear a new section Deep Clean.

In this menu, select Clean System Garbage and wait for analysis.

• 🗑️ Outdated. APK-update-file (/data/app-lib).
• 📊 Failure memory dumps (/data/tombstones).
• 🔄 Fragments of failed updates OTA (/cache/ota).

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI EU or xiaomi.eu) the option "Deep cleaning" may not be available, in which case use alternative methods from the following sections.

Once cleaned, restart the device, the system automatically restores the necessary files and deletes the unnecessary data, which allows you to release from 1 to 5 GB, depending on the degree of contamination.

Make a backup copy of important data|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Connect to a stable Wi-Fi|Close all background applications-->

Method 2: Manually remove garbage through file manager (with root rights)

If the built-in tools don’t work, you can manually delete unnecessary files, which requires a file manager with access to system folders like MiXplorer or Solid Explorer, and root rights (this won’t work on unblocked devices).

Instructions:

1. Install MiXplorer and enable the option to Show Hidden Files in the settings.
2. Go to the /data root folder and find the following directories:

If the phone hangs on the MIUI logo for longer than 5 minutes, reset via Recovery (hold Power + Volume Up when turned on).

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Before manually cleaning, back up your /data folder via TWRP or ADB, which will help restore the system if something goes wrong.

Method 3: Using ADB to clean without root rights

If you don’t have root access but you do have a computer, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) to clean up some of the garbage, a method that works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi 9A or POCO M4 Pro, where unlocking the bootloader is officially prohibited.

Steps:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack into any folder on your PC.
2. On your phone, activate USB Debugging in Settings → For Developers.
3. Connect the device to the computer and enter in the command line:

adb shell


su -c "find /data -name '*.log' -delete"




su -c "find /data -name '*.tmp' -delete"




su -c "rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*"




su -c "rm -rf /data/ota_package/*"

These commands delete:

• 📜 All log files (.log) in the section /data.
• 🗑️ Temporary files (.tmp).
• 📦 Remains of updates in /data/ota_package.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global Stable) commands with su won't work without root. In this case, use an alternative command without superuser rights: adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.media It will reset the media cache, which can free up to 1-2 GB.

Method 4: Recovery Mode cache reset (without data loss)

If previous methods didn’t work, try resetting the cache through Recovery mode, which doesn’t affect user data, but clears the system cache, which often takes several gigabytes in the Other section.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up until the Mi Recovery logo appears.
3. Choose a language (if required).
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
6. Reboot the device (Reboot → System)

This method is especially effective after major MIUI updates, when the system stores older versions of libraries in cache, for example, after upgrading from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14, the cache can inflate to 3-5 GB.

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Recovery cache resetting is the safest way, as it does not affect user data, but cleans system debris, including firmware fragments and outdated libraries.

Method 5: Third-party utilities to clean the “Other” (without root)

If you don't want to mess with manual methods, you can use specialized applications.

For maximum effect, combine Files by Google (for custom files) and SD Maid (for system debris). For example, on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+, this combination allows you to free up to 4-6 GB.

Beware of apps like Clean Master or DU Speed Booster – they often show false “optimizations” and can delete important files.

How to prevent the re-accumulation of garbage in the “Other”

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

• 🔄 Turn off automatic theme loading in Settings → Screen. → Topics. It'll reduce the amount of cache in /data/system/theme.
• 📥 Remove unnecessary system applications through ADB: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.weather2 (substitute com.miui.weather2 packet).
• 🔄 Limit background activity for Google Play Services in Settings → Annexes → Permit management.
• 📦 Clean up the update cache regularly through Settings → Warehouse → Clear the update cache.

On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14), enable Autoclean in Settings → Storage → Storage settings. It automatically deletes unnecessary files once a week.

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If you often install custom firmware, use a script magisk_module_cleaner.zip It automatically cleans the garbage after installing modules.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's "Other" section