How to Clean the Others section on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: The Complete Guide

The “Other” section of Xiaomi Redmi 4X storage is a real headache for the owners of this smartphone. Over time, it takes up tens of gigabytes, although the user did not install as many apps or files. Unlike modern Xiaomi models with MIUI 12+, where the system itself optimizes memory, on Redmi 4X (codename santoni) with MIUI 8-11, this problem requires manual intervention.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to clean Others, from standard MIUI tools to hidden features and third-party utilities, which system caches and logs can be safely removed and which ones should not be touched so as not to break your smartphone, and we’ll focus on stealth applications that fill up memory without your knowledge.

What is the “Other” section and why is it filled?

In MIUI, the Other section (Other in English) is a dump for all files that the system cannot categorize (photos, videos, audio, documents, applications).

• 📁 Application cache (including system cache, such as com.android.systemui)
• 📜 Logs and dumps (files with error reports, for example) /data/tombstones/)
• 🔄 Remnants of remote applications (folders lib, cache in) /data/app/)
• 🤖 Dalvik virtual machine files (.dex,.oat)
• 📱 Hidden data MIUI (Topics, widgets, system updates)

On the Redmi 4X, the problem is exacerbated by the small amount of internal memory (16/32 GB) and the outdated version of Android (7.1 Nougat).The system does not automatically clean the cache, and many applications (especially Chinese) create.log files of gigabyte size, for example, Mi Video or Mi Community can “eat” up to 5 GB per month of active use.

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse the "Other" section with the system partitions (/system, /vendor). Cleaning them without root rights will lead to a brik (breakdown) of the phone!

Before you start cleaning, check what exactly takes up space.

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Click on the memory usage schedule.
3. See what percentage of the "Other" is (usually from 30% to 70%).

Method 1: Clearing the cache through standard MIUI settings

The safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which do not require root rights and is suitable for beginners.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Open the first app on the list (usually Google Play Services, Mi Video or Facebook).
4. Click Clear Cache (not data!).
5. Repeat for all applications with a cache > 100MB.

Pay particular attention to:

• 🎥 Mi Video - caching video in /Android/data/com.miui.video/.
• 📱 Google Play Services – can take up to 1 GB.
• 💬 Telegram/WhatsApp — media-store /Android/media/.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear your data from system applications (e.g. com.android.phone or com.miui.home) – this may result in loss of communication or reset of the desktop.

This method will free up 1-3 GB, but it won't solve the problem completely. For deep cleaning, move on to the following methods.

Method 2: Remove unnecessary APKs and application residues

When you delete applications through MIUI, you often have tails left – folders in /data/app/ or /Android/obb/.

Instructions:

1. Get Redmi on board. 4X PC-only USB-cable (in file transfer mode).
2. Open the internal memory folder → Android → data.
3. Delete folders with the names of remote applications (for example, com.tencent.mm for WeChat).
4. Go to Android → obb and delete files with the.obb extension (this is the game cache).

Check the Download folder too – there may be old folders in there. APK-files (application installation packages) Delete everything except the current ones.

If you can’t determine which folder to delete, use Files by Google (available on the Play Market) to highlight unnecessary files and suggest that you clean them.

💡

Before you delete folders, take a screenshot of their content so you can recover important data if something goes wrong.

Method 3: Cleaning Logs and Dumps Through ADB

For power users, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to delete hidden system files that are not visible through the Explorer, a method that requires debugging over USB and a computer.

Steps:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Redmi 4X: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

ADB Tools

Google's official package

command-line

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/tombstones/*




rm -rf /data/anr/*




rm -rf /data/log/*




rm -rf /cache/*

These commands delete:

• 📜 Logs of error (/data/tombstones/)
• 🛑 Dumps ANR (hanging-up, /data/anr/)
• 🗃️ Cash system (/cache/)

⚠️ Attention: Su command requires root rights. If you don't have any, skip it and execute the rest of the commands without su. The effect is weaker, but safer.

Once cleaned, reboot your phone. This method will free up 500MB to 2GB, depending on the number of logs accumulated.

Method 4: Use of third-party utilities (without root)

If you don't want to mess with ADB, install specialized cleaning apps. The best options for Redmi 4X are:

Recommendations for use:

• 🔍 In Files by Google, select the Cleanup tab and delete unnecessary files and app cache.
• 🧹 V SD Maid Launch CorpseFinder – It Will Find Remnants of Remote Applications.
• 🚫 Do not use acceleration features in cleaners – they close the background processes, which can disrupt the work. MIUI.

These applications will release up to 1-1.5 GB, but will not replace manual cleaning.

💡

Side cleaners do not remove system logs and MIUI cache – this requires ADB or root.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If nothing works, and the Other takes up more than 10GB, then Hard Reset will delete all data, including accounts, photos and apps, but return the phone to its "clean" state.

Instructions:

1. Back up important data (photos, contacts, SMS) through Settings → Additional → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select Settings Reset.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• 📱 Do not restore backup through Mi Cloud – it can return garbage.
• 🔄 Install applications selectively, avoiding unnecessary ones.
• 🛡️ Turn off automatic app updates in the Play Market.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4X After the reset, it may hang on the logo MI. If that happens, press the power. + Volume Up for 10 seconds for forced reboot.

This method is guaranteed to clean the Others, but only use it if other methods have not worked.

How to prevent the “Other” from being filled in in the future?

To prevent the problem from returning, follow these tips:

• 📵 Turn off automatic download of media in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
• 🗑️ Clean the cache once a week through Settings → Memory.
• 🚫 Do not install apps from unknown sources – they often leave debris behind.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI (If available, newer versions will improve memory optimization.
• 📁 Use a memory card to store photos/video (but not for applications!).

You can also limit the background activity of applications:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Select Background Limitation for Unnecessary Applications.

These measures will reduce the memory load and prolong the life of your Redmi 4X.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning "Other" on Redmi 4X