How to delete “Other Files” on Xiaomi: a complete guide to debriefing the causes and safe methods

Why are Xiaomi’s “Other Files” Cumulating and Why Are They Dangerous?

If you've ever looked into the Warehouse section on your Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO, you've probably noticed a mysterious category called "Other Files" (or Other Files in English firmware) that can take anywhere from a few hundred megabytes to tens of gigabytes -- and yet doesn't give you any information about its contents. What are these files? Why can't the system classify them? And most importantly, how to delete them without breaking your smartphone?

“Other files” is an Android trash can that includes:

• 🗑️ Application cache that has not been properly cleaned (for example, after the program is forced to close).
• 📄 Temporary files from installers APK, system updates or messengers (such as Telegram or WhatsApp).
• 🔄 Remnants of remote applications – configuration files, logs, databases that were not erased with the program.
• 📁 The hidden system data that MIUI Cannot be classified as “Photos”, “Video” or “Documents».

The danger of such files is not only that they take up precious space on the internal drive (especially critical for models with 32-64 GB of memory), but over time they can:

• 🐢 Slow down the smartphone – the system spends resources on indexing unnecessary data.
• 🔋 Increase battery consumption – background processes attempt to handle broken or outdated files.
• 🚨 Failures – for example, errors in the update MIUI installing applications.

In this article, we will look at 5 proven ways to clean up Other Files, from standard MIUI tools to advanced methods for power users, and answer the key question: can you delete them completely without risking system stability?

Method 1: Cleaning through the built-in MIUI storage

The easiest and safest method is to use Xiaomi’s full-time file manager, which does not require superuser rights and is suitable for all models, from the Redmi Note 10 to the Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

Instructions:

1. Open the Files app (folder icon).
2. Go to the Warehouse tab (or Cleaner in global firmware).
3. Click on the Other Files category (can be called Other or Uncategorized).
4. The system will scan the memory and show you a list of unnecessary data, tick all points and click Clear.

What exactly does this method remove:

Method limitations: The built-in cleaner does not see system “Other Files”** (e.g. MIUI cache or debugging data).

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If the space is not free after cleaning, restart the smartphone - sometimes MIUI does not immediately update the data about the free space.

Method 2: Manual cleaning through File Manager (for experienced)

If a standard cleaner fails, you can manually find and remove garbage. This method requires caution: deleting system files can cause crashes!

How to proceed:

1. Install a file manager with access to root folders, for example: Solid Explorer (there is a free version), FX File Explorer (with support for root) MiXplorer (popular among Xiaomi users)

hidden-file

/

/data/local/tmp


/sdcard/Android/data/*/cache




/sdcard/Download (Old APKs)




/sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails




/sdcard/.trash (MIUI basket)

What can be removed without risk:

• 📂 Cache folders are inside /sdcard/Android/data/ (cache).
• 🗑️ Files with extensions.tmp,.temp,.bak.
• 📦 Archives (.zip,.rar) left over after updates.

/sdcard/Android/obb (game-cash)|/sdcard/Download (arch-load)|/sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails (thumbnail)|/sdcard/.trash (basket MIUI)-->

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files in folders /system, /vendor or /data/app — If you're in doubt, you'd better skip the file.

Method 3: Using cleaner applications

Third-party utilities like CCleaner, SD Maid, or Files by Google can find more trash than the built-in MIUI cleaner. However, not all of them are equally effective for Xiaomi.

Ranking of the best applications for cleaning “Other files”:

How to use SD Maid (recommended option):

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Start the scan (Scan button).
3. Go to the CorpseFinder tab – here you will see the remnants of remote applications.
4. In the AppCleaner tab, you can clear the cache of all programs at once.
5. Press Run for confirmation.

⚠️ Attention: SD Maid is a SystemCleaner feature, but it requires root rights to work. Don't use this option without it, you can damage the system!

Method 4: Resetting cache via Recovery Mode (for advanced)

If the “Other Files” take up more than 5 GB and are not deleted by standard methods, cache resetting via recovery mode will help. This method does not require root, but resets some settings (for example, Wi-Fi data or accounts in applications).

Step-by-step:

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 you have a choice).
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
6. Reboot the device (Reboot).

What this method does:

• 🧹 Clears Dalvik cache (accelerates Android work).
• 🗃️ Deletes temporary update files MIUI.
• 🔄 Resets the cache of system applications (e.g. Gallery or Music).

Important: This method does not delete personal data (photos, contacts, messages), but may require re-entry into some applications (for example, VK or Banking Apps).

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Recovery cache resetting is the only way to remove system debris without root rights, but it does not clear user “Other Files” (such as game or messenger residues).

Method 5: Complete reset (last chance)

If all previous methods failed and Other Files still take up gigabytes of memory, hard reset remains, a last resort, as it completely erases all data on the phone, returning it to factory settings.

When to apply:

• 📉 «Other files take up more than 10 GB and do not decrease after cleaning.
• 🚨 Smartphone slows down, overheats or gives errors when installing applications.
• 🔄 You plan to sell or transfer your phone to another person.

How to reset:

1. Back up important data (photos, contacts, chats) through Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, the phone will look like new.

⚠️ Note: on some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro or POCO X3) After the reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account. Make sure you remember your login and password!

What to do after the discharge:

• 🔄 Restore data from backup (but don’t restore apps – they’ll clog up memory again!).
• 📥 Install programs only from Google Play (not through Google Play) APK).
• 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Warehouse.

How to prevent the accumulation of other files in the future?

To avoid the problem again, follow the following simple rules:

1. Set up automatic cleaning:

• 🤖 Enable the Auto Cleanup function in Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
• 📅 Set a schedule (for example, once a week).

2. Control the installation of applications:

• 🚫 Avoid. APK Unverified sources – they often leave behind garbage.
• 🔍 Before removing the program, check whether its data remains in the /sdcard/Android/data/.

3. Use cloud services:

• ☁️ Transfer photos and videos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
• 📎 Store documents in Google Drive or Yandex Disk.

4. Check the storage facility regularly:

• 🔍 Once a month, go to the settings. → The storage room and see what takes up the most space.
• 📊 Use applications like DiskUsage to visualize occupied space.

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If you install and delete games frequently, create a separate folder for their cache (e.g. /sdcard/GameCache) and manually clean it regularly.

FAQ: Frequent questions about “Other Files” on Xiaomi