Xiaomi’s “Storage Place is Different”: 7 Ways to Clean Memory When Your System Lies About Free Space

Have you ever encountered a situation where your Xiaomi stubbornly signals a memory shortage, even though it is calculated that space should be enough? In the storage settings, the mysterious line “Storage space is different” appears – it takes up gigabytes, but it is not clear what these files are and how to delete them. This problem is typical for smartphones on MIUI (especially versions 12-14) and is associated with the features of the system with cache, temporary files and backups.

In this article, we will look at what is hidden under the “other” item in Xiaomi’s storage, why the system does not show these files in the standard manager, and how to safely clean them. ADB) And it's important that some methods require super-user rights, but most solutions work without them.

We warn you that not all files in the “other” section can be deleted without risk, for example, it can store application data that is not transferred to the cloud, or system log files that are critical for diagnosis, we will show you how to distinguish garbage from important data and clean up memory without losing functionality of the smartphone.

What is “Storage Place Different” on Xiaomi and Why Does It Appear?

The line "Place in storage is different"** in the Settings menu → Storage is a collective name for files that the system cannot categorize as standard (photos, videos, apps, etc:

• 📁 Application cache and system cache are temporary files that have not been deleted after updates or closing programs.
• 🔄 Residual data of remote applications – folders and files left over after uninstallation of programs (especially relevant for games).
• 📊 Log files and memory dumps – error reports that create MIUI diagnostic.
• 🔒 Encrypted data – files protected by the system (e.g., backups of Mi Accounts).
• 🗑️ Update debris – old firmware versions that weren’t cleaned after upgrade.

At Xiaomi, this problem is compounded by the fact that MIUI It uses caching to speed up work, for example, after updating the system through OTA Old firmware files can stay in memory for months, taking up to 3-5 GB. In addition, some applications (for example, Mi Video or Gallery) create hidden folders with thumbnails that are not visible to the user.

Interesting fact: on smartphones with MIUI 13+ Some files in the “other” section may be virtual memory (RAM If you have activated this feature, the system reserves space on the drive for RAM, and it is displayed as “other».

How to check what exactly occupies the place in the “other” section

Before you clear the memory, you need to understand which files are taking up space. MIUI (Files) don’t show everything, so you’ll have to use third-party tools or hidden system features.

Method 1: Analysis through "Storage" in settings

Open the Settings. → Storage and tap on the line "Seat in storage is different." In some versions MIUI This shows a breakdown by file type (cache, logs, backups). If this item is inactive, move to the next method.

Method 2: Third-party memory analyzers

Install one of these apps from Google Play:

• 🔍 Files by Google – Shows Hidden Files and Offers Cleanup.
• 📊 DiskUsage – visualizes occupied space by folders.
• 🛠️ SD Maid (requires root) – deep analysis of system debris.

Example: in DiskUsage, folders are shown as a diagram, if you see a large block called com.miui or Android/data, It is likely that there are unnecessary files hidden there.

Method 3: Viewing hidden folders through PC

Connect your smartphone to your computer in file transfer mode (MTP) and enable the display of hidden files (in Windows: View) → Hidden items. Look for folders:

• 📂.thumbnails – thumbnails of images and videos.
• 📂 Android/data — application residual.
• 📂 MIUI/backup — backup.
• 📂 lost+found – recovered files after failures.

💡

If you connect Xiaomi to a Mac, install Android File Transfer – the standard Finder won’t show hidden folders.

Safe Ways to Clean “Other” Storage Without Root

If you do not have superuser rights, you can release them to the 2–4 GB of memory using standard and third-party tools, the main rule is: do not manually delete files from system folders (for example, /system or /vendor), unless they are sure of their appointment.

Method 1: Cleaning cache and debris through MIUI

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Sort by size."
3. Open each major app (especially messengers and social networks) and click Clear cache.
4. Back to Settings → Warehouse → Clean and run a deep cleaning.

Method 2: Deletion of residual application data

Even after deleting the application, its files may remain in the Android/data or Android/obb. To clean them up:

1. Install Files by Google.
2. Go to the Cleanup section. → Unnecessary application files.
3. Select all folders with the names of remote programs and click Delete.

Method 3: Remove old updates OTA

MIUI Stores firmware files after updates, and they can take up to 1-2 GB:

1. Open the files. → Categories → Installations.
2. Find the folder. Downloaded_rom or files with a name update.zip.
3. Remove all content (except the current firmware, if you are not sure).

Method 4: Reset the partition cache (does not delete data)

This method resets the system cache without affecting user files:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
3. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

⚠️ Warning: Do not choose Wipe Data – this will lead to a complete reset of the smartphone!

Deep Cleaning with Root Rights: Risks and Instructions

If the standard methods did not help, and the "other" section still takes 5+ GB may need superuser rights.Root allows you to remove system debris, but strips of warranties and can disrupt the operation MIUI. Use this method only if:

• 🔧 You have experience working with ADB magisk.
• 📱 You've done a full backup of data.
• 🔄 You are prepared for possible crashes (such as camera or Wi-Fi failure).

Step 1: Getting root rights

For Xiaomi, the easiest way to use Magisk is to:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account binding and wait 7 days).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP) for your model.
3. Run Magisk through TWRP.

Step 2: Cleaning through ADB

Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the commands:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*




rm -rf /cache/*




rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*




rm -rf /data/system/package_cache/*

These commands delete:

• 🗑️ Temporary system files (/data/local/tmp).
• 🔄 Dalvik cache (accelerates work after cleaning).
• 📦 Application packet cache.

Step 3: Delete log files

Logs take up to 1-3 GB and are usually useless to the user.

rm -rf /data/log/*

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files in /data/data — This will cause the application settings to reset!

How to prevent the “other” storage from being refilled

Memory cleaning is a half-measure. To keep the problem from coming back, set up Xiaomi to follow these rules:

1. Disable automatic miniature creation

The.thumbnails folder can weigh up to 500MB to clean it and prevent growth.

1. Open the gallery. → Settings → Additionally.
2. Turn off "Create miniatures."
3. Delete the.thumbnails folder manually (via Files by Google).

2.Tune in to autoclean the cache

V MIUI It's built-in:

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Cleaning.
2. Activate Auto Cleanup and set a schedule (e.g. once a week).

3. Move the applications to SD-map

If your Xiaomi supports memory cards, move the heavy apps:

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Select an app (like Facebook or Netflix).
3. Press Warehouse. → Change. → SD-map.

4. Limit the background activity of applications

Many programs (especially Chinese ones) create cache even when not in use.

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Select “Limit background activity”** for unnecessary applications.

💡

Regular cleaning of the cache and turning off self-creating thumbnails can prevent the accumulation of debris in the “other” section by 70-80%.

Frequent errors in cleaning storage on Xiaomi

Many users compound the problem by following questionable advice from the Internet.

1. Delete the Android folder indiscriminately

V Android/data and Android/obb Not only are the garbage files stored, but:

• 🎮 Preserve games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG).
• 📥 Uploaded files from messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp).
• 🔑 Authorization data for some applications.

Remove only the remote application folders!

2.Using "cleaners" like Clean Master

Applications like Clean Master, CCleaner, or 360 Security are often:

• 🚫 Delete useful files (e.g. Google Play Services cache, which leads to sync errors).
• 📊 False memory release (remove cache that recovers after an hour).
• 🛡️ Collecting user data (many of them are Chinese apps with questionable privacy policies).

3. Formatting internal memory

Some "gurus" advise formatting an internal drive through Recovery.

• 🔥 Delete all data (photos, videos, applications).
• 🔧 Does not guarantee the “other” partition will be cleaned (system files will remain).
• 📱 Could cause a failure. MIUI, if formatting is interrupted.

4. Deletion of files from /system manually

folder /system It contains critical firmware files, and changing it without rooting or knowledge will lead to a:

• 💥 Brick device (smartphone will not turn on).
• 🔄 Infinite Reboots (Bootloop).
• 📵 Poose. IMEI Serial number (on some models).

💡

If you are not sure about the purpose of the file, do not delete it. It is better to lose 1 GB of memory than to "brick" the smartphone.

Alternative solutions: when cleaning does not help

If after all the manipulations, the “other” section still takes up a lot of space, the problem may be deeper:

1.Reset to factory settings

This is an extreme measure, but it is guaranteed to clear all unnecessary files.

• 📤 Backup photos and videos (e.g. in Google Photos).
• 🔐 Save passwords (use Mi Account or Google Smart Lock).
• 📱 Write it down. IMEI (dial *#06#).

For discharge:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Delete all data”**.
3. Confirm the action (you will need to enter a pattern lock or password).

2. Updating or flashing MIUI

Sometimes the "other" section gets inflated because of bugs in the firmware.

• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → Updating the system.
• 📥 If there are no updates, install the firmware manually through Recovery (download the official fastboot-rom from the Xiaomi website).

3. Replacement of internal memory (for advanced)

On older models (for example, Redmi Note) 4/5) internal memory (eMMC) can degrade, which leads to improper display of free space, in which case only the replacement of the memory chip will help, which requires the replacement of the memory chip:

• 🔧 Salting station and experience of repair.
• 💰 Purchase of a new chip (cost – from 1,500 to 5,000) ₽).
• 📱 Loss of warranty (if it is still valid).

4. Use of cloud storage

If the cleanup doesn’t work, move some of the data to the cloud.

• 📷 Google Photos for photos and videos (up to 15 GB free).
• 🎵 Mi Cloud – for backups (Xiaomi gives 5GB for free).
• 📄 Yandex Disk or Mega for documents.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions