How to Clean Up Xiaomi’s “Other” Memory: A Complete Guide to Removing Hidden Garbage

Why Xiaomi’s memory is crammed with “Others” and how to fix it

You regularly delete photos, clear the app cache, and the Xiaomi smartphone still shows the message "Memory is full"? the culprit is the mysterious "Other" section that can take up 5 to 30 GB for no apparent reason. Unlike media files or apps, this garbage does not appear in the standard file manager, but it is the one that most often causes brakes and errors when installing updates.

The problem is common to all MIUI devices (from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra), regardless of the firmware version, because the system automatically creates temporary files, error logs, backups and cache of Google and Mi Account services, but does not always delete them correctly. For example, after updating MIUI 14 → MIUI 14.0.5, up to 2-3 GB of unnecessary data can remain in memory that is not visible to the user.

In this article, we're going to look at step-by-step cleaning techniques, including hidden folders, system tools, and third-party utilities, and we're going to look at which files can be deleted without risking your smartphone, and which ones shouldn't be touched. If you've tried standard methods (like Settings → Memory → Cleaning) and they haven't worked, you'll find deep cleaning solutions here.

What’s hidden under the “Other” section in Xiaomi’s memory

The Other section is a collection of files that the system cannot categorize as Applications, Media, or Documents.

• 📁 System application cache (com.android.systemui, com.miui.home) – can weigh up to 1-2 GB.
• 🔄 Temporary update files (/cache, /data/ota_package) – remain after installing firmware.
• 📊 Logs and error dumps (/data/anr, /data/tombstones) are created when applications fail.
• 🔒 Encrypted data from Mi Account and Google Play Services is up to 500MB.
• 🗑️ Remnants of remote applications are the lib and odex folders in /data/app.
• 📱 Backups from Mi Cloud and Google Drive can be duplicated.

A lot of garbage is accumulated after:

• ⚙️ Updates MIUI (even minor patches leave a trail).
• 📱 Reset to factory settings without formatting internal memory.
• 🔄 Frequent firmware changes (e.g., from Global to EU).
• 🎮 Using emulators (PPSSPP, Dolphin) – they create virtual disks.

Critical information: On devices with /data 64GB or less, the Other can take up to 40% of the memory, as the system reserves space for updates and cache. This is not a bug, but a feature of MIUI, but it can be bypassed.

Method 1: Cleaning through built-in MIUI tools

Start with the standard methods - they're secure and don't require root rights. MIUI 12-14 has hidden features that aren't visible in the main menu.

Step 1: Deep Cleaning Through “Safety”

1. Open Settings → Applications → Security.
2. Go to the "Cleaning" section (Broom icon).
3. Click on “Deep Clean” (bottom of the screen).
4. Select 🗑️ Unnecessary APK Files (installer residues). 📁 Application cache (including system ones). 🔄 Temporary files (folder /cache).

Confirm the cleanup and restart the device.

Step 2: Removing duplicate media files

The system automatically creates thumbnails and copies of photos/videos that take up to 1-2 GB.

1. Open the gallery → Albums → Device.
2. Slip three dots in the top right corner of → Memory Management.
3. Select “Dublicates” and “Blurred Photos”.
4. Delete all files found (check first if they are important).

Step 3: Clearing the Google Play Services cache

This service can take up to 1 GB of cache, which is not visible in the standard manager:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google Play Services (an icon with a multi-colored triangle).
3. Open Memory → to Clear the cache.
4. Repeat to Google Play Store and Services Framework.

Make a backup copy of important data|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Connect to Wi-Fi (for downloading updates)|Remember passwords from accounts (after cleaning, you may need to re-enter)-->

Method 2: Manually remove hidden folders (without root)

Some system folders can be cleared through standard Explorer or Mi File Manager if you enable the display of hidden files.

How to turn on the display of hidden folders:

1. Open the Mi File Manager (or any other conductor).
2. Slip on three lines in the upper left corner → “Settings”.
3. Activate the option “Show hidden files”.

What folders can be cleaned:

How to clean the Android/data folder:

1. Open /storage/emulated/0/Android/data.
2. Delete the folders of applications that you have deleted long ago (for example, com.tencent.mm for WeChat, if you do not use it).
3. For active applications, only clear the cache folder inside their directories.

⚠️ Warning: Don't delete your system application folders (com.android, com.miui, com.google) -- this can cause crashes. If you're not sure if the folder is secure, skip it.

💡

Before removing folders from Android/data, check their size: often there are downloaded files from instant messengers (for example, com.whatsapp can weigh several gigabytes).

Method 3: Using ADB for deep cleaning (advanced)

If standard methods didn’t work, and the Other section still takes 10+GB, it’s time to connect ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a computer but allows you to remove debris that is not available through the conductor.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📥 Google's Platform Tools utility.
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Step 1. Enable debugging over USB

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
3. Return to “Settings → Additional → For Developers”.
4. Activate "Debugging by" USB» and confirm the authorization.

Step 2: Connect your phone to your PC and execute commands

Open the command prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the Platform Tools folder and type:

adb devices

(Your device should show up. If not, check the driver and cable.)

adb shell

Now you're in the phone.

su


rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*




rm -rf /cache/*




rm -rf /data/log/*




rm -rf /data/tombstones/*




rm -rf /data/anr/*




exit




exit

Step 3. Reset the device

After completing the commands, enter:

adb reboot

⚠️ Warning: The rm -rf commands permanently delete files. If you make a mistake with the path (e.g., type in rm -rf /data/*), it will cause the system to crash. Follow the instructions exactly!

Method 4: Third-party cleaning utilities (TOP-3 verified)

If you don't want to mess with ADB, you can use specialized applications, and we tested dozens of utilities and selected those that actually work on MIUI without root.

1. Files by Google (formerly Files Go)

• 🔍 Finds duplicates, large files, and unnecessary APK.
• 📊 Shows detailed memory analysis.
• ⚠️ Does not delete the system cache, but does clear user data.

How to use: Open the app → Clean up → Unnecessary Files → delete everything except Download (it’s best to check manually).

2. SD Maid (requires root for full functionality)

• 🧹 Removes the remnants of remote applications (lib, odex).
• 🗑️ Clears folders /cache and /data/local.
• 📉 Shows the heavy folders as a diagram.

How to use: Run CorpseFinder and SystemCleaner, without root, some of the functions will be blocked.

3. Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools (for PC)

• 🖥️ Works through a computer, does not require root.
• 🔧 Deletes cache, dumps and temporary files with one click.
• ⚠️ Dangerous for beginners – can delete the data you want.

Download: Official thread on XDA.

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SD Maid is the best choice for root users, and Files by Google is for those who don’t want to take risks. Xiaomi ADB Tools gives maximum control, but requires caution.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last chance)

If none of these methods worked, and the memory is still clogged with the Others, the radical solution is to completely reset, which will remove everything, including system debris, but require you to set up your phone from scratch.

How to reset correctly:

1. Back up: 📱 Contacts, SMS, calls: Settings → Google → Backup. 📷 Photo/video: copy to PC or cloud. 🎮 Game data: use Google Play Games or Mi Account accounts.

Settings → About the phone → Resetting settings

Erase all data

Resetting settings

Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

What to do after the discharge:

• 🔧 Do not restore backup through Mi Cloud – it can return garbage.
• 📥 Install applications selectively (not all at once).
• 🔄 Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play.

⚠️ Warning: On some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO X3) it may remain up to 1-2 GB of Another after a reset — that's OK. If the garbage comes back in a week, the problem is in the particular application (most often messaging apps or games are to blame).

How to prevent refilling of memory

To prevent the “Other” section from growing again, follow these rules:

• 📵 Limit background activity: Open Settings → Apps → Permissions → Autorun. Turn off autorun for unnecessary apps (especially instant messengers and social media).
• 🔄 Set up automatic cleaning: In Settings → Memory → Cleanup, activate Auto Cleanup. Set a schedule (e.g., once a week).
• 📥 Control downloads: Clean Download regularly. Use Google Drive, Mi Cloud instead of local storage.
• 🔧 Update your firmware: Newer versions MIUI optimize your cache. Check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.

The apps that “clog” memory the most:

• 📱 Facebook and Instagram caching videos and stories (up to 1GB per month).
• 🎮 PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact – create a cache of maps and textures (3-5 GB).
• 💬 Telegram, WhatsApp — store media files in /Android/media.
• 🗺️ Google Maps, Yandex.Maps – download offline maps (up to 2 GB).

How to reduce their impact:

• In the settings of messengers, turn off “Autoloading media”.
• For games, use the “Low Quality” graphics settings.
• Clean the card cache once a month in Settings → Apps → Google Maps → Memory.

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Regularly cleaning up the messenger cache and games can free up to 3-5 GB per month without data loss.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi memory cleanup