How to completely remove the folder “Other” on Xiaomi smartphones: from cache to system files

Xiaomi's Other folder is one of the most puzzling and annoying features of MIUI, which can take anywhere from a few hundred megabytes to tens of gigabytes, and it doesn't give a clear explanation of what's stored there. Users often find themselves running out of space on a device and that folder is the fault of the memory analysis, but why does it appear and can it be safely deleted?

Unlike standard categories like Photos, Videos or Apps, the content of Other includes system process cache, temporary update files, remnants of deleted apps, and even data from Google Play Services. Xiaomi doesn’t provide built-in tools to clean it completely, but there are several working methods – from manually cleaning through Files to using ADB and hidden MIUI features. It’s important to understand that not everything from this folder can be removed without risking system stability. In this article, we’ll understand which files are safe to clean and which ones are not to touch.

What is the “Other” folder and why is it growing?

The Other folder is a container for all files that MIUI cannot categorize as standard.

• 📁 Cache of system applications (e.g. com.miui.home or com.android.systemui)
• 🔄 Temporary update files (firmware residues, packages) OTA)
• 🗑️ Remains of remote programs (incomplete uninstallation through the MIUI)
• 🔒 Encrypted data (e.g. from Google Play Protect or Mi Cloud)
• 📊 Logs and dumps of the system (created in case of failures or diagnosis)

The main reason for folder sprawl is the inefficient cache cleaning mechanism in MIUI. For example, after updating the firmware, temporary files often remain in the system, although they must be deleted automatically. Apps that are not optimized for Xiaomi are also to blame: they can create redundant logs or not clean their cache correctly. This is especially noticeable on devices with MIUI 12-14, where background optimization works worse than in earlier versions.

Interesting fact: on some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro), the Other folder can take up to 15-20 GB after a year of use, due to the features of Dynamic RAM Expansion and MIUI background processes that actively caches data.

Method 1: Cleaning through the built-in MIUI storage

The easiest and safest method is to use built-in memory analysis, which won't delete all the contents of the folder, but will help get rid of unnecessary cache and temporary files.

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Click on “Clean”** at the top of the screen (near the memory usage schedule).
3. Select the category "Other" and wait for the analysis.
4. Check all items except “System Data”** (deletion may cause failures).
5. Click “Clear” and confirm the action.

This method will remove:

• 🧹 Cache of user and system applications (except critical ones)
• 📥 Downloaded files from browsers and messengers (unless they were transferred to other folders)
• 🗃️ Temporary installer files APK

⚠️ Note: Do not delete the category "System Data"** through this section! MIUI Launcher or loss of Mi Account data.

Method 2: Manual removal through the Files app

Files by Google, or Files by Google, can manually find and delete some of the contents of the Other folder, a method that requires caution but allows more data to be cleared than standard analysis.

1. Open the Files app** (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Category section → Other.
3. Sort files by size (click on three dots in the upper right corner → Sort by → Size).
4. Delete large files with extensions:.tmp – temporary files.log – logs of the.apk system – remnants of.bak installers – backups
5. Do not touch files with the names: com.xiaomi.* – MIUI android.sec.* – encrypted data

Pay special attention to the folders:

• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data — This is where the application data is stored. You can delete the remote folders.
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Download — Often unnecessary files are collected here.
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/backup — backup MIUI, which can be removed if they are old.

💡

Before you manually delete files, back up important data, such as copying the DCIM folder to your computer or the cloud.

Method 3: Using ADB for deep cleaning

If the first two methods didn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for advanced users, which allows you to delete the system cache and unnecessary files that are not available through the standard interface.

This will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB)
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Delete the cache of all applications (safe): adb shell pm trim-caches -f 1000
5. Clear the cache of system applications (caution!): adb shell pm clear com.miui.home adb shell pm clear com.android.systemui
6. Delete temporary update files (if any): adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* adb shell rm -rf /cache/*

⚠️ Note: pm clear commands for system applications (com.miui., com.android.) can reset the launcher or interface settings.

💡

ADB It allows you to delete files that are not available through the standard interface, but requires accuracy. -rf /data/ rm -rf /system/ — This will cause the device to break down!

Method 4: Resetting cache via Recovery Mode

If the Other folder* is more than 5GB and is not cleared by other methods, you can try resetting the cache through Recovery Mode, which will not delete your data, but will clear the system cache, which can take up a significant amount of space.

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the 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 removes:

• 🗃️ Cache of all applications (including system)
• 🔄 Temporary update files MIUI
• 📜 System logs and memory dumps

After a reboot, the system can run slower for the first 10-15 minutes – this is normal as the cache is rebuilt.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option (reset to factory settings) will delete all your data, including photos and apps.

Method 5: Remove via Root Access (for experienced)

If none of the previous methods worked, and the Other folder takes up a critically large amount of space (e.g. 10+GB), you can try removing its contents via Root access, which is an extreme measure, since it requires unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk, which deprives you of warranty and increases the risk of device failure.

This will require:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (official instructions Xiaomi)
• 📱 Installed by Magisk (for Root Rights Management)
• 🛠️ Root-access file manager (e.g., Root Explorer or Solid Explorer)

Instructions:

1. Open a file manager with Root rights.
2. Go to /data and find folders: /data/log – system logs /data/local/tmp – temporary files /data/dalvik-cache – Dalvik cache (remove only if you are sure!)

Delete the contents of these folders, but not the folders themselves!

Reset the device.

Warnings:

• 🚨 Deletion of files from /data/dalvik-cache This can lead to a long reset (up to the end). 10 minute).
• 🚨 Don't touch the folders. /data/data — This is the user data of the applications.
• 🚨 After cleaning. /data/log Some system features (such as Mi Cloud) may temporarily not work.

💡

If you are not sure about your actions, make a full backup via TWRP or OrangeFox Recovery before deleting files via Root.

How to prevent the “Other” folder from growing again?

To prevent the Other folder from taking up gigabytes of memory again, follow these recommendations:

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Warehouse → Clean (once in) 1-2 weekdays).
• 📵 Turn off automatic update downloads in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙️) → Auto-downloading updates.
• 🗑️ Use alternative launchers (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) that don’t create excess cache.
• 🚫 Remove unused applications through Settings → Apps, not just from the desktop.
• 🔒 Turn off background activity for unnecessary programs in Settings → Battery → Choice of applications.

Alternative firmware is also worth looking at: Xiaomi.eu or Pixel Experience, for example, are optimized better than standard MIUI and do not suffer from the problem of proliferation of the Other folder**.

If you install and delete applications frequently, use SD Maid or Files by Google to automatically clean up residues, which can find and delete unnecessary files that MIUI misses.

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