How to remove the “Other” on Xiaomi: 5 working ways

The “Other” section in Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO is a real black hole for free space, it can take anywhere from 5 to 30 GB, but the system does not show which files are stored there. Users often face a situation where memory is running out, and in the “Other” section there are tens of gigabytes of unknown data. Why is this happening?

The fact is that MIUI defines “Other” as app cache, temporary files, remnants of deleted programs, system logs, Dalvik/ART data, and even update fragments. Unlike visible folders (photos, videos, music), these files do not have a clear structure and are often duplicated. For example, after updating MIUI, old versions of app stores can remain in memory like garbage, and the messenger cache (for example, Telegram or WhatsApp) grows to giant sizes. In this article, we will discuss how to safely clean “Other” on Xiaomi without breaking the system and losing important data.

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

In MIUI (and its Redmi/POCO versions), the Others section is a collection category for files that don’t fall into the standard folders (Images, Videos, Audio, etc.).

• 🗑️ Application cache – temporary files that create programs to speed up work (for example, YouTube cache, TikTok or games).
• 📦 Remnants of remote applications are not completely erased data from apps that you have long uninstalled.
• 🔄 Update files - packages OTA-update MIUI, which remain after installation.
• 📜 System logs – error logs, crash reports, and diagnostic information (e.g. files) /data/log).
• 🤖 Dalvik/ART-cache – optimized data to speed up application launch (located in /data/dalvik-cache).

The main problem is that MIUI doesn't provide tools to analyze this partition in detail, like in Samsung or Google Pixel, you can see which apps occupy the most cache space, and here it is only the total volume, and in fact, some files in the "Proch" are locked to the user and not deleted by standard means.

In our experience, the most garbage accumulates in users who:

• 📱 Frequently install/delete apps (especially games).
• 📹 Actively use messengers and social networks (Telegram, VK, Instagram).
• 🔄 Updated regularly MIUI through OTA.
• 🎮 They use emulators (PPSSPP, Dolphin) or modified appas.

Method 1: Clear cache of all applications (without root)

The easiest and safest method is mass cache cleaning. It doesn't require superuser rights and is suitable for all models, including the Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12 and POCO X5. Cache are temporary files that apps create to speed up work. Deleting them won't hurt data, but can slow down the first start of app's after cleaning.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Sort by size."
3. In the list, find applications with a large cache (usually Telegram, Google Play Services, MIUI System, games).
4. Put it on the app → Warehouse → Clean the cache.

To speed up the process, you can use mass cleaning:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Click Deep Clean → select “Cash”.
3. Confirm the action (the system will show how much space will be vacated).

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Clear cache and Clear data! The second action will delete all settings and application files (e.g. WhatsApp chats or saves in games).

💡

Cleaning the cache is the safest way to release 1-5 GB in the Other section. Repeat the procedure every 1-2 weeks to maintain performance.

Method 2: Remove Remnants of Remote Applications

When you uninstall an app through Settings or Google Play, MIUI doesn’t always delete all the files associated with it.

• 📁 Folders in /Android/data and /Android/obb (particularly).
• 🔧 Settings and cache in /data/data (requires root to be completely cleaned).
• 📂 Temporary files in /sdcard/.thumbnails (picture-size).

To remove these residues:

1. Install a file manager with support for hidden folders (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /storage/emulated/0/Android and delete the data and obb folders for unnecessary applications.
3. Check the /sdcard/.thumbnails folder – it can be completely cleaned (this is the thumbnail cache).

For advanced users:

adb shell pm list packages -u

This command will show you a list of apps with the -u flag (remote but with data leftovers) and use:

adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.example.app

(Replace com.example.app with the app ID from the list).

⚠️ Attention: Removal of folders in /Android/obb This can cause game crashes if they use additional files (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile.

Method 3: Cleanup Dalvik/ART-cache and temporary files MIUI

System system MIUI use Dalvik/ART-cache to speed up application launches. These files are stored in /data/dalvik-cache and can borrow from 500 MB to 2 Cleaning this cache will not damage the system, but after the restart, the smartphone will work slower first. 5–10 minutes (until the cache recovers).

How to clean:

1. Install SD Maid (root required) or use ADB.
2. In SD Maid, go to SystemCleaner → Dalvik Cache → press Run.
3. After cleaning, be sure to restart the device.

Without root, you can use ADB:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*




reboot

It is also useful to clear temporary MIUI files:

• 📂 /data/local/tmp — time-file.
• 📂 /cache — recovery and update cache.

To do this, do the following in ADB:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*




rm -rf /cache/*




reboot

💡

If the smartphone takes longer to load after cleaning the Dalvik cache (more than 5 minutes), don’t panic – that’s okay. wait for the full load, even if the screen is black.

Method 4: Delete logs and debugging files

MIUI actively maintains system logs that help diagnose crashes, but take up a lot of space.

• 📜 /data/log — basic.
• 📜 /data/anr — app-hang reports (ANR).
• 📜 /data/tombstones — dams.

To remove them:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and use ADB:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/log/*




rm -rf /data/anr/*




rm -rf /data/tombstones/*




reboot

If you don’t have root, you can try clearing logs through Restore mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery.
3. Choose Advanced → Wipe Dalvik/ART Cache.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Deleting logs can make it harder to diagnose problems if you go to Xiaomi's service center.If you plan warranty repairs, it's best to leave them intact.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If all previous methods failed, and the Others section is still 10+GB, it's a radical method that will delete all data, including apps, photos and settings. Use it only if:

• 🔄 The smartphone is slowing down a lot.
• 📉 Free space is critically small (less than 1 GB).
• 🔧 Other methods have failed to produce results.

Instructions:

1. Make a backup copy of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm.
4. After resetting, set up the phone as new.

To minimize waste after discharge:

• 🚫 Do not restore data from backup MIUI — It may contain old temporary files.
• 📥 Install only the necessary applications.
• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly (once a week).

💡

Factory reset is the only way to completely clean up Other if it takes up more than 15-20% of total memory.

Table: What can and can not be removed in the “Other”

How to Prevent the Spread of “Other” in the Future

To the “Other” section does not take up gigabytes of memory, follow these recommendations:

• 📵 Limit the background activity of applications: go to Settings → Battery → Manage power consumption and disable autostart for unnecessary appreciators.
• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly: use the built-in Memory utility → Cleaning once a week.
• 🚫 Avoid Play Market cleaners: Most of them are useless or even harmful (e.g. Clean Master).
• 📥 Delete. APK After installation: installer files remain in the folder /Download take up space.
• 🔧 Turn off automatic download of media in instant messengers: in Telegram and WhatsApp, configure download only over Wi-Fi or manually.

For users with root rights, it is useful to establish:

• 🛠️ SD Maid – for automatic garbage cleaning.
• 📊 DiskUsage – to visualize the occupied place.
• 🔍 Root Explorer – for manual removal of system files.

If you don't want to get root, use ADB for periodic cleanup, for example, this script deletes the main temporary files:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*




rm -rf /cache/*




rm -rf /data/log/*




reboot

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