Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the mysterious situation when the device’s internal memory is running out, and detailed analysis through system settings reveals that the lion’s share of space is occupied by a section called “Other”, which is puzzling, since the user has not downloaded as many movies or photos, and apps, judging by the list, should not take up tens of gigabytes.
The MIUI or HyperOS system memory analyzer classifies files by type, but the huge gray area of the Other remains a mystery to many. What exactly is stored there: messenger cache, remnants of remote games or system errors? Understanding the structure of this partition is critical for the normal operation of the gadget.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the nature of hidden files, explain why the system hides them from standard deletion, and provide step-by-step instructions for safe cleaning.
The Nature of the Other in Android
The Other section (sometimes referred to as System or Miss) is not one particular file, but a collection of disparate data that the Android operating system failed to categorize as standard categories like Photos, Videos or Apps. Streaming cache data, temporary update files and error logs all fall into the basket.
The main reason for this expansion is the aggressive caching policy of modern applications: Social networks and instant messengers store copies of the images and videos viewed on the device to speed up their re-upload, over time, this data accumulates, taking up gigabytes, but in the list of applications it can be displayed at least occupying space.
Also in this category are often residual files after deleting programs. Even if you deleted a heavy game, its folder with additional data (OBB-The system sees these files as orphaned and places them in the "Other" section, since they are not tied to an active process.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to delete files from system folders manually through root-righted file managers without understanding their purpose.This can result in a cyclical device reboot or loss of system startup capability.
It's important to understand that the partition itself is not a virus. It's a regular file system mechanism that just requires periodic user review, and ignoring overflows in this partition can cause the interface to slow down.
The main reasons for filling memory
There are several key factors that affect the rate of filling in the “Other” section: the first and most obvious is the user’s activity in multimedia applications. Viewing the feed on TikTok, Instagram or YouTube generates a huge amount of temporary data that the system does not always have time to correctly classify.
The second reason is a failed or interrupted system and application update. If the download process of a new version of MIUI is interrupted, the installation package can remain in memory, taking up space, but not having the status of an executable file.
The third reason is navigation and mapping, where applications like Yandex.Maps or Google Maps cache massive amounts of map data for offline use, and if the cache is not automatically cleared, it becomes "Other."
- 📱 Telegram and WhatsApp store all the media files viewed in hidden folders, which are often not counted in the total weight of the application.
- 🎮 Files. OBB: Game data left over after deleting the application itself.
- 🔄 Update Logs: Temporary files left over from a failed attempt to update a system or applications.
- 🗑️ Gallery Recycle Bin: Deleted photos that have been formally deleted by the user but are still physically occupied before the expiration of the storage period.
Memory analysis through smartphone settings
Before you start taking drastic measures, you need to conduct a diagnosis. Xiaomi shells have a powerful analysis tool built in, which allows you to see the detail of the occupied space. To access it, go to Settings → Memory (or Storage).
Here, the system will suggest doing a Cleanup, but often the tool is superficial. A deeper analysis is available through the Apps menu. Sort the list by memory size. Look at applications that are technically lightweight but have a huge amount of data.
💡
Use the built-in Security app → Cleanup → trash icon. Click on it and select Analysis to see hidden temporary files that are not visible in normal mode.
The data section inside the properties of a particular application should be given special attention, and that is where the bulk of the Other is hidden, for example, in Telegram you can clear the cache without deleting correspondence, which will instantly free up several gigabytes.
If you can't find the source of the problem with standard tools, you can use third-party memory visualization tools like DiskUsage or Storage Analyzer, and they build a graphics card that shows you which folder has grown to a giant size.
Methods of safe cleaning of the section
The safest way to free up space is to use built-in cache cleaning tools. You don't have to delete apps completely, just clear their data. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, select a heavy app (like a browser or social network) and click Clear cache.
You can use Recovery Mode for deeper cleaning, but this requires caution, but for most users, it will be enough to clean through the developer menu or special ADB commands if access to the file system is limited.
☑️ Checklist for safe cleaning
An effective method is to clean the MIUI folder at the root of internal memory, which often accumulates voice recorder logs, screenshots of remote applications and error reports, and files with the.log extension can be deleted without fear.
⚠️ Attention: Before cleaning the section Android/data manually make sure to back up important data. Deleting folders with the names of installed applications can lead to resetting their settings or loss of progress in games.
It’s also worth checking the Bluetooth folder at the root of the storage, which often automatically stores files that the user may have forgotten and that have been lying dead for years.
Use of Developer Tools and ADB
For advanced users who don’t have root rights but need deep cleaning, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is a great tool, which allows you to delete files that are hidden from ordinary file managers.
To start, you need to activate the developer mode. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version in the About Phone menu. Then in the advanced settings, turn on USB Debugging. Connect the smartphone to your computer and execute the command to enter the shell:
adb shellOnce you enter shell mode, you can go to analysis. -h /sdcard/Android/data It will show the size of the folders with the application data, which will allow you to accurately identify the culprit of the overflow.
A command to force cache cleansing of all applications
Using ADB also allows you to remove system applications that are preinstalled by the manufacturer and take up space in the System section, which is also often masqueraded as “Other” in general reports.
Comparison of methods of cleaning the storage
The choice of cleaning method depends on your technical training and the amount of space to be vacated, and the following is a table comparing the effectiveness and risks of different approaches.
| Method | Efficiency | Risk of data loss | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in cleaning (Security) | Low. | Absent. | Minimum |
| Cleaning up the app cache | Medium | Minimum (cache only) | Low. |
| Manual File Deletion (File Manager) | Tall. | Medium (can be removed extra) | Medium |
| Using ADB teams | Maximum | High (in case of errors) | Tall. |
| Reset to factory settings | Complete. | Critical (all data) | Low. |
As you can see from the table, manual control gives you a better balance between safety and outcome. Complete cleaning through ADB is effective but requires knowledge, and factory reset is a last resort when other methods have failed.
💡
Regular cleaning of messenger cache and deleting the folder.thumbnails in hidden directories allows you to free up to 30% of occupied space without installing third-party software.
Prevention of memory overflow
To prevent the problem of the Other from returning, you need to change your smartphone usage habits. First of all, set up automatic cache cleaning in messengers. In Telegram, for example, you can set a restriction on media storage: Settings → Data and memory → Use the mobile network → Save in the gallery (off).
Check the Download folder regularly. Browsers often save APK installation files there after updating applications. These files are no longer needed and can be safely deleted.
Use cloud storage for photos and videos. Set up automatic sync with Google Photos or Yandex.Disk with the function “Free space” will store the originals in the cloud, leaving only compressed copies on the device or completely removing them from local memory.