Xiaomi’s “Other Files”: What They Are and How to Delete Them Without Risking Your Phone

Why Other Files Take So Much Space on Xiaomi and What to Do About Them

Have you ever looked into your Xiaomi store and found that the Other Files section is taking up gigabytes of memory? This is a common problem among smartphone users on MIUI, the brand’s brand shell. Unlike the clearly structured categories (Photos, Videos, Apps), Other Files look like a black box: it’s unclear what it includes, whether it can be deleted and whether cleaning the phone will harm your operation.

In fact, this category hides residual application data, system process cache, temporary update files, and fragments of deleted programs that have not been cleaned properly. For example, after uninstalling a game through Settings → Its save applications or configuration files may remain in memory as “other”; the same applies to download scraps, system logs, and even duplicate media files that MIUI could not automatically categorize as standard categories.

In this article, we will understand which files can be deleted without risk and which should not be touched, and also show hidden cleaning methods that the standard MIUI menu does not offer. You will learn how to free from 1 to 10 GB of memory on models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra without resorting to resetting.

What is “Other files” on Xiaomi: we analyze the composition

Before we start cleaning, it's important to understand what this mysterious category is made of. In MIUI, "Other Files" means:

• 📁 Application cache and systems are temporary data that are created to speed up programs, such as thumbnails of images in a gallery or preloaded Facebook interface elements.
• 🗑️ Residual files of remote programs are “tails” that remain after uninstallation of applications (setups, saves, databases).
• 🔄 Update files – Firmware or app update packages that were not deleted after installation.
• 📄 Logs and dumps of the system – records of operating system, errors and failures (useful for diagnosis, but rarely needed by the average user).
• 🎵 Media files without tags – photos, videos or audio that MIUI I was not automatically classified as a "Gallery" or "Music».
• 🔗 Symbolic links and empty folders are file system artifacts that take up little space but accumulate over time.

Interestingly, the composition of the Other Files may differ from Xiaomi to another model, such as the POCO F5 with pure Android (without a heavy shell), which is usually smaller than the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with full MIUI, due to the fact that the brand shell is more active in caching and background processes.

⚠️ Note: Not all files in this category are safe to delete! for example, deletion of system logs (/data/log/) It can lead to errors in the work MIUI, a cleaning the cache of some applications - to data loss (for example, unsaved drafts in messengers).

Method 1: Standard cleaning through the "Storage" in MIUI

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tool. It does not require root rights and is suitable for all models, from the Redmi 9A to the Xiaomi 13T Pro.

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Tap on the category "Other files" (may be called "Other" or "Other" in English firmware).
3. Wait for the analysis (it can take up to 1-2 minutes).
4. Click on “Clean” or “Delete” (depending on the MIUI version).

However, this method has limitations:

• 🔍 It only deletes cache and temporary files without affecting deep system data.
• 🚫 Does not clean residual files of remote applications.
• ⏳ It can be “hang-in” if there are too many small files in memory.

If the volume of the "Other Files" has not decreased after cleaning, proceed to the following methods.

Make a backup copy of important data|Close all applications|Connect your phone to charge.|Check the vacant space (at least 10% of the total volume is required)-->

Method 2: Manual cleaning through File Manager

The built-in MIUI Explorer (Files app) allows you to manually find and delete unnecessary data, which is more effective than standard cleaning, but requires caution.

1. Open the Files app (folder icon).
2. Go to the "Category" section» → «Others. This will show files that the system failed to classify.
3. Sort files by size (shoot three dots in the top right corner → “Sort”).
4. Delete large files that you recognize (e.g. old ones) APK-installer).

Pay special attention to the folders:

• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Download/ — There are often unnecessary downloads.
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ — residual data of remote applications.
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/ — cache of the shell (you can clean the folder) backup/ and debug_log/).

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from folders /system/, /vendor/ or /data/app/ — it could cause a failure. MIUI! Also avoid folders with names com.android. and com.xiaomi..

If you’re not sure if you can delete a specific file, use the FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer app, which shows you details about the files (including the date of creation and app affiliation).

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Before deleting an unknown file, check its name in Google. Often, by expanding it (.log,.tmp,.bak) you can see if it is safe to erase it.

Method 3: Cleaning through Safe Mode

If the “Other Files” take up more than 5 GB and are not cleaned by standard methods, the problem may be in the background or viruses, in which case Safe Mode, which disables all third-party applications, will help.

How to start:

1. Press the off button before the menu appears.
2. Slip and hold the “Switch off” (or “Switch off power”) option.
3. Confirm the transition to Safe Mode (the screen will appear the inscription “Safe Mode”).

In safe mode:

1. Repeat cleaning through Settings → Storage → Other files.
2. Delete suspicious applications (if the volume of the “Other files” decreased, one of them was to blame).
3. Reset the phone to normal mode.

If the problem comes back after you left Safe Mode, it's one of the user apps that's to blame to find it:

• 🔍 Remove newly installed programs.
• 🛡️ Check your phone for viruses (for example, via Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light).
• 📊 Sort applications by cache size in Settings → Annexes → All applications.

Method 4: Using ADB for deep cleaning (for advanced)

If you are willing to go further than standard settings, ADB (Android Debug Bridge will help remove system debris that is not available through the interface. USB-Debugging and suitable for users who are not afraid of the command line.

Steps:

1. Turn it on. USB-debugging → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and install it. ADB-Drivers (you can download from the site) XDA Developers).
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell


pm clear --user 0 com.android.providers.media # Cleaning up media cache




pm clear --user 0 com.miui.gallery # Gallery reset (remove thumbnails)




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files




rm -rf /data/log/* # Clearing logs (only if not needed for diagnosis!)

Once you have completed the commands, restart your phone, which can free up up to 2-3 GB of space, but has risks:

• 🚨 Deletion of dens (/data/log/) It may make it difficult to diagnose problems in the future.
• 🔄 Cleaning up the media cache (com.android.providers.media) will result in file re-indexing (the gallery will take longer to load).

⚠️ Note: Do not follow the rm command. -rf /data/* — This will completely erase all user data, including photos and apps.

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ADB is a powerful tool, but it requires caution, and if you’re not sure about the team, check it out on forums (like 4PDA or XDA) first.

Method 5: Resetting cache via Recovery Mode

If the “Other Files” take up more than 10 GB and are not cleared by other methods, cache resetting via Recovery Mode will help. This method does not delete user data (photos, contacts), but resets the system cache, which can inflate due to MIUI errors.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power button + volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (if you have a choice).
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
6. Restart the phone (Reboot).

This method is particularly effective after:

• 🔄Major updates MIUI (For example, from 13th to 14th version).
• 📱Installation of custom firmware or modifications.
• 🤖Failures in the system (hangs, overheating).

After resetting the cache, the phone can boot longer than usual (up to 5-10 minutes) – this is normal, since MIUI reassembles the cache again.

How to Prevent the Accumulation of Other Files in the Future

To avoid the problem of bloated “Other Files” again, follow these tips:

• 🗑️ Clean the app cache regularly (every 1-2 months). → Annexes → All apps, select the program and tap "Clear Cache" and pay special attention to instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and social networks.
• 📥 Delete. APK Installation files (.apk) often stay in the Download folder and take up space.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI. Newer versions of the shell optimized cache. Check the updates in Settings → The phone. → Update MIUI.
• 🛡️ Use lightweight alternatives to heavy apps, such as Facebook Lite instead of Facebook, and Brave or Firefox Focus instead of Chrome.
• ⚙️ Turn off automatic download of media in instant messengers. in Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Autoboot media.

It is also useful to install a memory monitoring app, for example:

• Files by Google – Shows junk files and suggests that they be deleted.
• SD Maid – Deep cleaning of cache and residual files (requires root for full functionality).
• CCleaner is a user-friendly interface for beginners.

If you install and uninstall applications frequently, consider using ADB AppControl – this app allows you to completely remove programs along with their data and cache without leaving tails.

FAQ: Frequent questions about “Other Files” on Xiaomi