Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face a mysterious problem: internal memory fills up, even though the number of applications and personal files remains the same. In the system analyzer of storage, a section appears that is called “Other” or “System Data” in different versions of the MIUI or HyperOS shell, which can take up tens of gigabytes, making it impossible to install new programs or shoot high-quality video.
The sprawl phenomenon of this section is related to the peculiarities of the Android operating system and the manufacturer's proprietary add-on: cache data, error logs, remnants of deleted applications and temporary messenger files accumulate and cease to be indexed correctly, the system considers them important system files, so standard cleaning is often powerless in front of this digital garbage.
In this guide, we will discuss proven methods to safely reduce space. You will learn to use built-in diagnostic tools, clean through Recovery mode and third-party deep cleaning utilities. The most effective way to deal with the sprawling Other section is to completely reset the settings with Dalvik/ART cache pre-clearance. However, there are less radical methods that are worth trying first.
The Nature of the Other in Android
To effectively combat this problem, you need to understand what exactly is behind this label. The file system of a smartphone gets a lot of temporary data that is necessary for fast application operation. For example, Telegram or WhatsApp saves the images and videos viewed in the cache so that they do not re-upload them from the Internet. Over time, this cache ceases to be deleted automatically and begins to be classified by the system as “Other”.
In addition, the partition is inflated by system logs and error reports. If an application often crashes or malfunctions, it can create many crash reports. Updates that were not deleted after installing a new version of the software also take up space. Sometimes files from remote games get here, because the installer does not always clean the paths to the data correctly.
Another reason is the media server, and when you delete a photo or video, it can disappear from the gallery, but the ghost copies of it remain in the media database, and the system sees the records, but it can't determine their type, so it's classified as System Data, and the constant recording and deletion of the files leads to fragmentation, which also visually increases the amount of data it takes.
Basic cleaning through MIUI staff funds
The first step should always be to try to solve the problem with built-in tools. The MIUI shell and the new HyperOS have a powerful built-in cleaner. Go to the Security app and select Cleanup. The system will analyze the device and suggest removing obvious debris. However, the standard mode often skips hidden files.
For a deeper cleanup, go to Settings, then select About Phone and click on Warehouse. Here, the system will show you the details by category. Click on "Other" or "System Data" if it is clickable. In some versions of the software, a "Clean" button is available that deletes temporary files without losing personal data. App cache can be cleaned selectively in the "Applications" section.
It is important to clean the trash bin regularly in the gallery and in the file manager. Deleted files are stored there for 30 days, taking up space. It is also worth checking the settings of the offline cleaning in the Security menu. Enable automatic garbage removal when the memory is more than 80% full, which will help prevent critical partition growth in the future.
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Use the “Accelerate” function in the notification curtain before starting the memory analysis – this will free up RAM and allow the system to more accurately estimate the volume of temporary files.
Deep cleaning of the cache of applications and messengers
The main culprits for filling in the “Other” section are most often social networks and instant messengers. Apps like Telegram, Viber and Instagram aggressively cache content. To delete this data, you need to go to Settings → Apps → All applications. Find a “heavy” application, such as Telegram.
In the app menu, select Memory or Storage, and you'll see two buttons: Clear cache and Clear everything. The first one deletes temporary files, the second one resets the app to a state immediately after installation (re-entering your account is required), and clearing the cache is safe for your correspondence, but can temporarily slow down the download of media files on the first opening.
Pay special attention to the browser. Chrome or the built-in Mi Browser browser accumulate gigabytes of web page data. In your browser settings, find the Privacy section and select Clear History. Make sure you select the option to delete cached images and files. This often frees up 1 to 5 GB of space instantly.
☑️ Checklist of cleaning messengers
Using Recovery Mode to Reset Cache
If the software doesn't work, you can use Recovery Recovery mode, which allows you to clear the system cache that is not deleted through the Android settings. To enter this mode, turn off the smartphone completely. Then press the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time.
Hold the buttons until the Mi logo or recovery menu appears. The menu uses volume buttons and power buttons to navigate. Find Wipe Data. Attention: some versions of Recovery have a Wipe Cache option that is data-safe. If you don't have one, be careful not to choose a full reset.
Once you have selected the cleaning command, the system will alert you to the consequences. If you are sure you have chosen to clear the cache, confirm the action. The process will take a few seconds. Once completed, select Reboot → Reboot to System. When you first boot, the system will generate new cache files, which may take longer than usual.
⚠️ Note: In modern versions MIUI The option of separate cache cleaning in Recovery is often hidden or replaced with a full reset.If you only see "Wipe All Data," don't proceed unless you're ready to lose all files on your phone.
Memory analysis by third-party utilities
The Mi file manager sometimes doesn't show the real folder structure. For detailed analysis, it's recommended to use specialized applications like DiskUsage or Files by Google. These utilities build a visual memory card, showing which folders inflated the "Other" partition.
Install the app from Google Play and give it the permissions you need. After scanning, you'll see a diagram where the largest blocks correspond to the largest files. Android/data or Android/obb old game or streaming service data (e.g. uploaded movies to Netflix or YouTube).
Using these analyzers, you can find and delete files with the extension.log,.tmp or orphan files. Be careful: delete only those files whose origin you understand.
Why the folder Android/data grow so much?
Radical method: Complete resetting of settings
When accumulated system debris cannot be removed by any means, the last and most effective option is a full reset to factory settings (Factory Reset), which is guaranteed to delete the "Other" section, as the entire file system is recreated. Before starting the procedure, make sure to back up important data.
Go to Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset. Select Erase All Data. The system will ask you to enter the unlock password and password from your Mi or Google account for confirmation. Once you reboot, you will get a clean smartphone, like from the store. The size of the System Data section will be minimal.
After a reset, take your time to restore all applications from the backup, install only the necessary programs and monitor the memory for a few days, which will help identify the application that caused the problem. Often the culprit is one particular program, which, when recovered from the backup, again “gains” gigabytes of garbage.
⚠️ Warning: Full reset deletes all data, including photos, contacts and correspondence. Make sure that sync with the Mi Cloud or Google Photos cloud is successful before starting the procedure.
Table of comparison of cleaning methods
Below is a comparison table that will help you choose the best way to solve the problem depending on your situation and level of preparation.
| Cleaning method | Efficiency | Risk of data loss | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard cleaning | Low (1-5GB) | No. | Low. |
| Cleaning up the app cache | Medium (5-15 GB) | No (re-entry required) | Medium |
| Third-party analyzers | High (depends on garbage) | Medium (can be removed extra) | Medium |
| Full reset (Hard Reset) | Maximum (up to 99%) | Tall (no backup) | Tall. |
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Regular prevention (once a month) takes less time than critical memory deficits, and don't get it to 100 percent.
Preventing filling of system storage
To prevent the problem from returning in a month, change your smartphone usage habits. Turn off auto-save media files in the messaging gallery. In Telegram settings, set automatic cache cleanup: Data and memory → Memory Use → Cash → Auto-clean (select 3 days or 1 week).
Don’t store files on your device that you don’t need right now. Use cloud storage or external drives that support OTG. Check the Downloads folder regularly, as it often gets.apk installation files that are no longer needed after installing programs.
Keep an eye out for system updates. Xiaomi engineers periodically release patches that fix memory management errors. If you notice that the Other section has started to grow faster after the software update, it makes sense to wait for the next patch or, in extreme cases, reset the settings immediately after the update so that the system builds the file spreadsheet again.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use questionable accelerator apps from banner ads. They are often the source of advertising and viruses that clog up the smartphone memory even more.