How to delete files from the folder Other on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a mysterious situation: the device’s memory is full, although photos and apps seem to be few, and a detailed analysis of the storage reveals that the lion’s share of gigabytes falls on the “Other” section, which can grow to 10, 20 and even 50 gigabytes, significantly slowing down the gadget.

The Other folder is not a single directory, but a collection of disparate data that MIUI or HyperOS cannot classify as standard photos, videos or applications, including remnants of remote programs, browser cache, temporary update files and error logs, and cleaning up this partition is a delicate process that requires understanding the structure of the file system.

In this article, we will discuss safe ways to free up space: you will learn how to find hidden files, which directories can be deleted without risk to the system, and whether you should use third-party utilities for deep cleaning.

What is hidden inside the system partition

Before we start radical action, we need to understand the nature of the accumulated garbage. Android on the shell of MIUI creates many temporary files to speed up applications. Over time, this data ceases to be useful, but continues to occupy space. Often in the "Other" section, there are messenger files that are not formally media content.

Special attention should be paid to the cache of streaming services and browsers. When you watch videos online or browse through social media feeds, the device stores copies of data. If the application is not optimized, it may not delete old data, creating a “dead load”, and it also stores navigation data and voice assistants.

It is important to distinguish between system files and user debris. Deleting critical libraries can lead to unstable smartphone operation. Therefore, before cleaning, you should always analyze the size and type of files. Some folders may contain authorization data or game settings, the loss of which will require re-installation of applications.

• 📁 Application cache: temporary data that speeds up program launches but grows over time.
• 📄 Residual files: Logs and configurations of previously deleted applications.
• 📦 Update Archives: Installation Firmware Packs that the system did not automatically remove.
• 🎵 Media files messengers: voice messages and stickers that did not get into the gallery.

⚠️ Warning: Never delete files from system folders /system or /android/data manually without understanding their purpose, this can lead to the device “bricking” or loss of application data.

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Use the built-in storage analyzer in your phone’s settings to see the memory distribution diagram by category before you start cleaning.

Basic cleaning with standard MIUI means

The safest way to start the fight for gigabytes is to use built-in optimization tools, which already have powerful memory mechanisms in the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS, which allow you to remove waste without risking damage to the system, a method that is suitable for most users who do not want to go deep into file managers.

To start, open the Security app and select the Cleanup section. The system will scan and suggest that temporary files be deleted. However, standard cleaning often only affects the tip of the iceberg. For more in-depth analysis, go to Settings → Memory (or Storage), and you will see a detailed breakdown by category.

Click on "Other" or "Other" and the system will prompt you to clear the cache or delete large files. If the partition volume is large, try the Deep Clean feature in the security application, which will scan the device for duplicates, rarely used applications, and large files hidden in various directories.

Don't just rely on automated recommendations. Manually check the downloads and documents section. Often users forget about downloaded installers. APK heavy PDF-Regular manual checks of these folders help keep the partition volume under control.

Using a File Manager for Deep Analysis

If standard methods don't free up enough space, you'll need to use "heavy artillery" file managers. A standard MIUI conductor can hide some system folders. To work properly, you'll need to install a dedicated file manager, such as Total Commander, Solid Explorer, or Files by Google.

Once you install the app, give it all the permissions you need to access the files. You need to find the Android/data and Android/obb folder. This is where gigabytes of game and app cache are most often hidden. Inside these directories, look for folders with the names of popular apps: Telegram, WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok.

Inside the app folders, look for cache, temp, or tmp directories. You can delete their contents safely. You can also look at the Download folder at the root of internal memory. Often, this is where files that are not formally photos or music, and therefore end up in "Other."

Cleaning up messengers and social networks

Leaders in memory clogging are traditionally messengers. Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber save every file viewed, sticker and other devices. GIF-In the "Other" category, this data often takes up tens of gigabytes, because the system does not always correctly recognize their format.

The most effective way is to use built-in cleaning tools inside the applications themselves. For example, on Telegram, you need to go to Settings → Data and memory → Memory Use. Here you can clear the cache and set up autodelete files. This is a safe action and will not delete your correspondence, since they are stored on the server.

WhatsApp is more complicated because the database is stored locally. In chat settings, look for "Store Data" and the app will show you which dialogs are the most spaced, delete media files from specific chats, not the entire cache, so you don't lose important documents. After cleaning the app, the "Other" section should decrease.

• 🗑️ Telegram: Clean the cache regularly through the app’s settings, not through the File Manager.
• 💬 WhatsApp: Use the Storage Management feature to remove large files from specific chats.
• 🎥 YouTube/TikTok: In the application settings, find the “Clear Cache” option to remove temporary video buffers.
• 📸 Instagram: Often accumulates a huge cache of viewed storis that needs to be cleaned manually in the phone settings.

⚠️ Attention: When cleaning messenger data through phone settings (Applications) → Memory. → Clear the data) you can delete all correspondence and authorization completely. Use only the option "Clear the cache».

Specialized cleaning utilities

When manual methods seem too complicated or time-consuming, specialized cleaning apps come to the rescue, but caution is important here. Many Google Play programs promise “one-click acceleration,” but in fact only show ads or remove secure system logs that are quickly recreated.

One of the tools that we've tested is SD Maid, which is the SE or Corp version, and it can find the "orphaned" files, the remnants of the remote applications that form the basis of the "Other" folder, and it does a deep analysis of the file system and suggests that you delete only what you really don't need.

Another powerful tool is Files by Google, which is the official app from the search giant that integrates perfectly with Android, automatically finds old screenshots, blurred photos, duplicate files and temporary data, the main advantage of which is the lack of intrusive advertising and high security.

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The best clinders do not require root rights and work in the background, but for deep cleaning of the folder “Other” it is better to use specialized tools like SD Maid.

When using third-party software, always check what the program is going to delete. Don't agree to clean "all at once." Avoid apps with names like "Super Cleaner Pro" or "Fast RAM Booster," which often contain malicious code. Trust only well-known developers with a good reputation.

Radical methods: resetting and flashing

If the volume of the Other folder continues to grow despite all cleanup attempts, and the device is unstable, there may have been a file system error, and in such cases, a radical but effective method, a complete factory reset, helps, guaranteed to remove all the debris, but it will take time to recover the data.

Before starting the procedure, be sure to back up important data to the Mi Cloud or your computer. Photos, contacts and documents should be saved. Once reset, the phone will be as new as possible, and the Other category will take up the minimum possible amount of system needs.

To perform the reset, go to Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset → Erase all data. The process will take a few minutes. Once the device is turned on, take your time to restore all applications at once. Install them gradually, watching the memory fill up to identify the “culprit” of the rapid growth of garbage.

• 🔄 Complete reset: Deletes absolutely all data, returning the phone to a state out of the box.
• 💾 Backup: A mandatory step before any radical action with the file system.
• 📲 Clean installation: After resetting, it is better not to restore the backup of applications completely, but to install them again.
• 🛡️ Safe Mode: Before resetting, you can try booting in Safe Mode and check if the problem is caused by a third-party app.