How to completely remove the folder “Other” on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones: a step-by-step guide

Why does the Other folder take up so much space on Xiaomi Redmi?

If you’ve ever looked into your Xiaomi Redmi’s storage through Settings → Memory, you’ve probably noticed a mysterious “Other” folder that can take anywhere from 5 to 30GB — and sometimes more. Unlike the clearly structured categories (“Photos,” “Video,” “Apps”), this section doesn’t reveal its content, which raises a lot of questions: Why is the system hiding these files? Can they be deleted without harming the phone?

In fact, the Other is a collection of service data that MIUI (the Xiaomi shell) does not categorize as standard, including system app cache, temporary update files, log files, backups, and remnants of remote programs. Some of them can indeed be safely cleaned, but some files are critical to Android. The main problem is that MIUI does not provide built-in tools for detailed analysis of this section, so users have to act manually.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to reduce the size of the Other folder, from simple (cache cleaning) to advanced (manual deletion via ADB). Each method has been tested on Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/9A/9C and POCO X3/X4, but is also suitable for other devices on MIUI 12-14.

Method 1: Clearing cache and unnecessary data through settings

Let's start with the safest method, which doesn't require a super-user or PC connection. MIUI has a built-in garbage cleaner, but it often skips deep system files. Here's how to do it better:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Slip on “Clean” at the bottom of the screen (this will delete temporary application files).
3. Return to the main settings menu and select “Applications” → “Application Management”.
4. Sort the list by size (click on the three dots in the top right corner) and manually clear the cache for each major app (e.g. Facebook, Telegram, Google Play Services).

Pay special attention to system applications:

• 📱 Mi Video – often accumulates video cache in the background.
• 🎵 Music – Stores album covers and metadata.
• 📡 Download Manager – there may be fragments of downloaded files.
• 🔄 Updater - Update Packages MIUI, which did not leave after installation.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear data (Erase data) for system applications such as Mi Account or Security – this can cause malfunctions in the phone.

Clear the cache of all applications|Remove downloads from Download Manager|Check the folder. DCIM/thumbnails|Remove the old ones APK-files from the Download folder

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Method 2: Manually delete files through a conductor

If the internal cleanup didn't work, you'll have to dig deeper, and many of the files in the Other section are stored in hidden folders that don't show up in the standard Explorer.

1. Install a file manager with root access (such as FX Explorer or Solid Explorer) and enable hidden files in the settings.
2. Go to the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/) and check the following folders: 🗃️.thumbnails – thumbnails of images and videos (can be removed without consequences). 🗃️ Android/data — This is where you store game and application data. Only delete folders of programs that have already been deleted. 🗃️ MIUI/backup — backups of system settings (if you do not use backups, you can clean up). 🗃️ Download – Old.apk and unnecessary files are often accumulated here.

For convenience, use date sorting – files older than 6 months are probably unnecessary. For example, the Android/obb folder may contain heavy caches of games you deleted long ago (such as PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty).

💡

Before deleting folders, back up your important data to your PC or cloud, connect your phone to your computer in file transfer (MTP) mode and copy critical directories.

Method 3: Using ADB for deep cleaning

If the first two methods didn't work, it's time to connect heavy artillery, Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to control your phone through the PC command line and delete files that are not available in normal mode.

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack into any folder.
2. On your phone, turn on Developer Mode (go to Settings → About Phone and tap on MIUI Version 7 times) and then in Settings → Additional → For developers, activate Debugging by USB.
3. Connect Redmi to your PC, open the command prompt in the ADB folder and type: adb devices If the device is displayed, execute: adb shell pm trim-caches 256m This command will forcefully clear the cache of all applications.

To delete specific files, use:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /storage/emulated/0/.thumbnails/*




rm -rf /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.example.app/*

com.example.app

⚠️ Attention: Rm teams -rf They delete files permanently. A mistake in the way can lead to the loss of important data. Always double-check the path!

Method 4: Reset the partition cache via Recovery

If the Other folder has grown to 10+GB and is not cleaned by standard methods, a Wipe Cache Partition reset will help, which does not affect user data, but requires a reboot in Recovery mode.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power button + volume up until the MI logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu (manage volume buttons, choose the power button) select: Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and wait until it's done. Then restart.

This method is especially effective after major MIUI updates, where the system leaves temporary files in the /cache partition.After the procedure, the phone can boot longer than usual - that's normal.

Once a week.|Once a month|Only when memory ends|Never cleaned.-->

Method 5: Remove via TWRP (for advanced users)

If you’ve already unlocked the bootloader and installed custom recovery (TWRP), you have access to advanced cleanup features, which allows you to delete files directly from the /data partition, where the lion’s share of the Other folder hides.

Instructions:

• 🔧 Reboot to TWRP (power-button + volume).
• 📁 Select "Advanced» → «File Manager».
• 🗑️ Move to the /data and delete: folders of the type com.android.* (cache of system services). lost+Found (remains after file system failures). system_app (If there are files of remote updates).
• 🔄 After cleaning, perform Wipe → Dalvik / ART Cache and reboot.

⚠️ Note: Delete files in /data without backup can cause loss of accounts, messages and other data.Always do backup through TWRP → Backup before manipulation!

💡

TWRP is the most powerful tool to clean the Other, but it requires an unlocked bootloader and risks data. Use only if other methods have not worked.

How to prevent the “Other” folder from being refilled?

Cleaning is good, but it's even better to keep the garbage out of the way. Here are 5 rules to keep your memory in check:

1. Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play (or limit it to Wi-Fi only) and this will reduce the number of temporary files.
2. Regularly clean the cache for messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and social networks – they actively accumulate garbage.
3. Use cloud-based services to store photos/video (e.g. Google Photos with automatic download).
4. Remove unnecessary system applications via ADB (e.g. Mi Browser or Mi Music if you are not using it).
5. Check the Download folder periodically – forgotten files are often accumulated here.

It is also worth disabling the “Flashing notifications” function in MIUI (it creates temporary files for animation) and limiting the background activity of applications in Settings → Battery → Battery Consumption Management.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the folder “Other” on Xiaomi