How to remove the “Other” on Xiaomi Mi 3: complete cleaning of system garbage

Why does the “Other” take up gigabytes of memory on Xiaomi Mi 3?

Owners of Xiaomi Mi 3 often encounter a mysterious section “Other” in the memory settings, which “eats” from 5 to 20 GB for no apparent reason. This phenomenon is especially relevant for devices released in 2013-2015, where the amount of internal memory is limited to 16 or 64 GB. Unlike modern smartphones, the Mi 3 does not have automatic storage optimization, and the MIUI system (even in current versions) tends to accumulate service data.

What's hidden under the term "other"? It's not just an app cache, it's a whole layer of system files: log files (.log), temporary update data (OTA), Remnants of deleted apps, backups of settings, and even fragmented files from Google Play Services. MIUI 5 → MIUI 6 on Mi 3 Often there were duplicate libraries that the system did not automatically delete, and then hidden folders with messenger data were added (for example, for example, the system did not delete them automatically, /Android/data/com.tencent.mm/MicroMsg/), which can weigh several gigabytes even after deleting the application.

It’s important to understand that simply clicking Clear Cache in your settings won’t solve the problem. It requires a comprehensive approach, from manually cleaning hidden folders to resetting /data and /cache partition cache via Recovery. Below, we’ll discuss all the methods, from the safest to the radical, with the risks and nuances for Xiaomi Mi 3.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of applications and system data

Let's start with the most innocuous way, which doesn't require root rights or special knowledge. MIUI for the Mi 3 has a built-in cleaning tool, but it only removes surface debris. To get to the deep layers of Other, follow these steps:

1. Cache cleansing of all applications: Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Tap three dots in the top right corner and select Sort by size. Scroll down the list — apps with a cache >100 MB (e.g. YouTube, Chrome, Facebook) should be manually cleaned. Pay attention to system services like Google Play Services or MIUI Daemon — their cache can take up to 1-2 GB.
2. Delete system applications: Some pre-installed apps (Mi Video, Mi Music, Browser) store data even if you don't use them. Go to the settings of each and click Clear Data (not cache!) to delete downloaded thumbnails, history and temporary files.

• 📱 Cleaning apps: Utilities like SD Maid or Files by Google can find up to 500MB-1GB of garbage, but require root for deep cleaning.
• 🔍 Manual search for large files: Use a file manager (such as Solid Explorer) with the option to show hidden folders enabled. >50 MB in folders /data/data/ and /sdcard/Android/.
• ⚠️ Exceptions: Do not delete files with.odex,.apk or com.android folders.* – this can lead to system failure.

⚠️ Warning: Cleaning up system applications (e.g. com.miui.gallery) will reset their settings and remove downloaded updates. After the procedure, you may need to reconfigure the themes or widgets.

Method 2: Delete Temporary Update Files (OTA)

Xiaomi Mi 3 received updates MIUI through OTA (Over-the-Air, and each update pack weighs from 500 MB to 1.5 GB: The system was supposed to automatically delete old files after installation, but in practice they often stayed in the folder. /cache or /data/ota_package. Here's how to find and remove them:

1. Through Recovery: Turn off the phone, then press Volume Up + Power to log in to Recovery Mode. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache. This will delete all temporary files, including OTA residues.
2. Through ADB (for advanced users: Connect your phone to your PC, enable debugging USB In the developer settings and execute the command: adb shell rm -rf /cache/ota_package/* This will remove all undeleted update packs.

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After removal OTA-Phone has stopped seeing updates, go to Settings → The phone. → Update the system and click on the three dots in the top right corner, then select Clear Data.

Method 3: Clean /data/app-lib folder (for root users)

On Xiaomi Mi 3 with MIUI version 5-7, the /data/app-lib folder often grows to several gigabytes. It stores separate libraries for applications that the system does not clean when uninstalled. For example, after PUBG Mobile is deleted, its.so libraries can remain in this folder for years.

To clean the app-lib:

1. Get root access (for example, via Magisk or SuperSU).
2. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
3. Go to /data/app-lib/ and delete the folders of applications that are no longer in the system. Focus on the packet names (e.g., com.tencent.ig is PUBG Mobile).

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /data/app-lib/ If you're not sure about the folder names, don't touch them! SD Maid with CorpseFinder option that automatically finds remnants of remote programs.

Method 4: Reset the /data partition cache (without data loss)

If previous methods didn’t help and Other still takes >5GB, try resetting the /data partition cache without deleting user files.This method works through Recovery and doesn’t require root, but has nuances:

1. Turn off your phone and go to Recovery Mode (Loud up + Power buttons).
2. Choose Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache.
3. Then go back and select the Wipe Cache Partition.
4. Reset the device.

This procedure cleanses:

• 🗑️ Dalvik Virtual Machine Cache (accelerates the system operation).
• 📦 Temporary application files that are not deleted by standard means.
• 🔄 Remains from old versions MIUI post-update.

After a reset, it can take up to 10 minutes to start the system, which is normal, and your photos, videos, and documents will remain intact, but you will have to log in again and configure some settings (such as Wi-Fi).

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Dalvik Cache reset is the most efficient way to clean Others without the risk of data loss, suitable for rootless devices and requires no special knowledge.

Method 5: Radical cleaning – reset to factory settings

If the Other takes >10GB and other methods have failed, it leaves a hard reset that deletes all data, including apps, accounts and settings, but returns the phone to a clean state. On the Xiaomi Mi 3, the reset is done in two ways:

• 🔄 Through Settings: Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge → Resetting settings.
• 🛠️ From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data.

Before discharge, it is mandatory:

1. Back up your photos and videos (for example, via Google Photos or on PC).
2. Export contacts to a.vcf file or sync with your Google Account.
3. Write down usernames/passwords from apps (for example, WhatsApp or banking services).

⚠️ Attention: On Mi 3 s MIUI 5/6 After reset, you may need to re-activate the device via Mi Account.If you forget the password from your Xiaomi account, the phone may lock.

Method 6: Optimize Memory After Cleaning

After removing the Other, it is important to prevent it from accumulating again. Here are some tips specifically for the Xiaomi Mi 3:

• 📵 Turn off automatic app updates: Go to Google Play, click on profile avatar → Settings → Network → Auto Update Apps and select Do Not Update Automatically.
• 🗃️ Move the applications to SD-Map: In Settings → Select a heavy app (like Facebook) and click Move to SD. It will free up the internal memory.
• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly: Use the Desktop Cleanup widget MIUI or utility CCleaner (without root).
• 🚫 Avoid "heavy" launchers: Replace the standard launcher MIUI Nova Launcher or Lawnchair to reduce memory load.

You should also disable unnecessary system services:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Select App Selection and disable AutoRun for unnecessary services (e.g. Mi Drop, Mi Remote).

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If after all the manipulations, the Other grows again, check the phone for viruses using Malwarebytes. Some Trojans (for example, Android.Triada) masquerade as system files and generate garbage.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning “Other” on Xiaomi Mi 3