How to Clean Up “Other” on Xiaomi: A Complete Memory Freeing Guide

The Other section of Xiaomi’s smartphone memory is a real black hole for free space. Even after removing photos, videos and apps, this mysterious section continues to take up gigabytes, not telling you what it stores. Unlike the obvious DCIM or Downloads folders, The Other hides system files, app cache, log files and remnants of deleted programs that MIUI is in no hurry to clean automatically.

Compounding the problem, Xiaomi’s standard tools (like the built-in Cleanup utility) often ignore these files, leaving users with the feeling that memory “disappears of itself.” This is especially true for devices with 64–128 GB of memory, where every gigabyte counts. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to clean the Other partition, including hidden MIUI settings, manual methods and third-party tools – taking into account the features of MIUI 12–14 firmware.

What is the Other in Xiaomi’s Memory and Why Does It Take So Much Space?

The Other section is a collective name for files that the system cannot categorize as standard (photo, video, audio, documents).

• 🗑️ Application cache and system cache are temporary files that are created to speed up programs, but often are not deleted after closing.
• 📄 Log files and dumps - error reports, system log (/data/log), which can weigh hundreds of megabytes.
• 🧹 Remnants of remote applications – folders and files left over after uninstallation of programs (for example, in the /data/data).
• 🔄 Update files – Update packs that are downloaded but not installed MIUI or.
• 📁 Hidden folders – for example,.thumbnails (image miniatures),.estrongs (file manager remnants).

On devices with MIUI 13/14, the Other can reach 30-50% of total memory, especially if the smartphone has been used for a long time without a factory reset, the reason is aggressive caching of the system and the lack of automatic log cleaning. For example, after updating the firmware “over the air” (OTA) in memory can remain old versions of files that take up to 1-2 GB.

⚠️ Attention: Some files in the Other section are critical to the system's operation. /system or /vendor It will cause a smartphone to break and require a reflash.

Method 1: Cleaning through the built-in security utility

The safest method is to use Xiaomi’s standard tool, which won’t delete all of the Other, but will help you get rid of some of the files you don’t need:

1. Open the Security app** (Shield icon).
2. Go to Cleanup (or Accelerate in older versions of MIUI).
3. In the Unnecessary Files section, mark the items: 🗑️ Cash app. 📁 Residual files (residues after deleting programs) 📄 Log files

Clean up

This method removes up to 500MB-1GB of garbage, but leaves system caches and hidden folders intact.

Application cache (does not affect data)

Log files (error logs)

Residual files (remote application folders)

Uploaded files (if not needed)

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Method 2: Manually remove cache and application data

Many apps (especially social media and instant messengers) accumulate gigabytes of cache that is not automatically cleared, to manually delete it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort programs by size (click on three dots in the upper right corner → Sort by size).
3. Select an app (e.g. Facebook, Telegram, Google Play Services) and click Storage.
4. Tap Clear cache and Clear data (Warning: this will reset the program settings!).

Top.-5 «Cache eaters on Xiaomi:

⚠️ Note: Clearing Google Play Services or Services Framework data may result in loss of your Google account on your device, and only do this if you are ready to re-sign in!

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Before clearing the app’s data, check if it has a backup in the cloud (e.g. Telegram syncs chats, and WhatsApp only with a manual backup).

Method 3: Delete hidden folders through the file manager

Some of the files of "Other" are hidden from the user, so that they can be seen and deleted:

1. Install a file manager with root access support (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Enable the display of hidden files (in the manager settings: Show hidden files).
3. Go to the root folder of the storage (/storage/emulated/0/) and remove: 📁.thumbnails folder – thumbnails of images (you can delete them, they will be rearranged). 📁.estrongs folder – Remains from the file manager ES Conductor. 📄 Files with.log,.tmp,.bak extension in folders Android/data.

For advanced users: If you have root access, you can clear the system folders:

/data/log/# Log files of the system (up to 1 GB)


/data/dalvik-cache/ # Cash Dalvik (requires reboot)




/cache/# Update cache (up to 500MB)

Method 4: Resetting cache via Recovery Mode

If standard methods don't work, you can clear the cache through Recovery mode, which won't delete personal data, but will reset temporary system files:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option will completely reset the smartphone to factory settings, removing all data.

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when memory ends

Never clean.

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Method 5: Using ADB for deep cleaning

For power users, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) can delete files that are not available through standard methods, and you'll need a computer and USB debugging enabled.

Steps:

1. Turn on the Developer Mode on your smartphone: go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC, install ADB and execute commands: adb shell pm clear com.miui.gallery # Clean gallery pm clear com.android.providers.media # Reset media cache rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files

Advantages of the method:

• 🛠️ Removes system debris that is not available through MIUI.
• 🔍 Allows you to clean specific applications purposefully.

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ADB is the most powerful cleaning tool, but it requires caution. Wrong commands can disrupt the system. Always check the syntax before executing.

How to Prevent the Accumulation of the Other in the Future

To prevent the “Other” section from growing again:

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly through “Security” (once every 1-2 weeks).
• 📱 Turn off automatic download of media in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
• 🗑️ Use cloud-based services to store photos/video (e.g. Google Photos with automatic cleaning).
• 🔄 Update the firmware - in new versions MIUI optimized work with cache.
• 🛠️ Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) that doesn’t caching wallpaper and widgets aggressively.

On devices with MIUI 14 and later, the Smart Clean function works better, but it needs to be activated manually: Settings → Memory → Auto Clean → turn on the option.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up the "Other" on Xiaomi