Xiaomi’s “Other”: What it is, why it grows and how to clean up without harming the system

Why does Xiaomi have a mysterious “Other” section and should it be touched?

Have you ever looked into your Xiaomi memory settings and seen a strange section called "Other"? It can take anywhere from a few hundred megabytes to tens of gigabytes -- and it doesn't give you any clues about what it is. Unlike the obvious categories like "Photos," "Video" or "Apps," the "Other" section is like a black box: it's unclear if it can be cleaned and if it will harm your smartphone.

The other is not really a garbage or a system bug, it's a backup file, cache, temporary data and remnants of deleted applications that MIUI doesn't classify as standard, and the problem is that over time, this partition grows, eating up precious space, especially on budget Redmi or POCO models with 64-128 GB of memory, where every gigabyte counts, but even on flagships like Xiaomi 13 Ultra, the other can take 10-15 GB — and this is especially true on the fact that the user has not installed new programs for a long time.

In this article, we will understand:

• 🔍 What exactly is hidden under the “Other” and why this section grows like leaps and bounds.
• ⚠️ What files can be deleted without risk, and which can not be touched categorically.
• 🛠️ 7 Proven Cleaning Methods – From Built-in Tools MIUI Up to Manual Methods for Experienced Users.
• 📱 Features for different versions MIUI (12, 13, 14 and Xiaomi models.

Spoiler: In 80% of cases, the Other can be reduced by 30-50% without root rights and special programs – the main thing is to know where to look.

What is “Other” in Xiaomi memory: we analyze the composition of the section

If you think that Other is just garbage that you can clean up, you're wrong. This section includes several types of files, some of which are critical to the system.

The biggest problem is that MIUI doesn't show the detailed composition of "The Other" -- unlike Huawei's Android Stock or EMUI -- and the user can only wonder why the partition is 20GB on a practically new smartphone, most often to blame:

• 🗑️ Uncleaned cache from long-deleted apps (such as games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile, which leave behind gigabytes of junk»).
• 📁 Duplicate files created by the system when transferring data or updating data.
• 🔄 File system errors when MIUI miscalculating the occupied space.
• 📦 Hidden backups created by Xiaomi Cloud or third-party apps like Titanium Backup.

Interesting fact: on some models (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro), the Other section can be inflated by a bug in MIUI 13, when the system duplicates cache files every time it restarts, and this can only be fixed by a firmware update or manual cleaning.

⚠️ Note: If the Other takes up more than 30% of the total memory, this is an occasion to check the smartphone for viruses or file system errors%.

Method 1: Cleaning through built-in MIUI tools (no root)

Before you get into the wilds of the file system, try standard methods. MIUI has built-in tools for cleaning cache and debris that users often ignore.

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Memory. Here you will see a diagram of occupied space. Tap the other section.
2. The system will say Clear -- click this button -- usually deletes the app cache and temporary files, but doesn't affect critical data.
3. Go to Settings → Apps → App Management. Sort the list by size and select the heaviest programs (e.g. Facebook, Telegram, Google Play Services). Tap each and click Clear Cache and Clear Data (if you don’t fear losing settings).

This method works on all Xiaomi models, including the POCO F3, Redmi 9A and Mi 11. However, it only cleans surface debris.

Make a backup copy of important data|Close all applications|Connect the charger|Check the vacant space (needs at least 1 GB)-->

If the Other section didn't shrink after cleaning, it means the problem is deeper.

• 📂 Hidden folders, like, /data/data or /system/cache.
• 🔄 Partition mounting errors (often after a failed update).
• 📱 Viruses or malware masquerading as system files.

⚠️ Note: Do not use applications like Clean Master or CCleaner to clean the Other. MIUI, which leads to failures in the interface or a complete reboot of the smartphone.

Method 2: Manual cleaning through file manager (for experienced)

If the built-in tools don't work, you'll have to dig deeper, and MIUI hides many of the system folders, but you can open them through a root file manager or a special application.

1. Install a root-enabled file manager (like Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer). If root-enabled, use MiXplorer, which can show hidden folders without root.
2. Go to the root directory (/) and open the following folders: /data/log /data/local/tmp /cache /data/dalvik-cache Delete all the contents of these folders (except files with the.odex extension - they are needed by the system).
3. Check the /data/app-lib folder, which often leaves tails from remote applications, and remove anything that is associated with long-uninstalled programs.
4. If you have a /sdcard/MIUI/backup folder, delete its contents – these are old backups that the system does not clean automatically.

Be careful: Deleting the wrong files can cause a system crash or loss of functionality. For example, if you accidentally erase files from /data/data/com.android.providers.settings, your smartphone may stop saving Wi-Fi settings or screen brightness.

If you are not sure about your actions, you should use alternative methods (see the following sections). Also remember that on some models (for example, Xiaomi 12T), the /data folder can be encrypted and not open it without root permissions.

Method 3: Using ADB for deep cleaning (no root)

If manual cleaning seems too risky, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), an Android debugging tool that allows you to remove system debris without superuser rights.

1. Install ADB Tools on your computer and turn on “Debugging by USB” on your smartphone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap the version number, then return to Settings → Additional → For developers).
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and type in the command line: adb shell pm clear com.miui.analytics # clear analytics MIUI pm clear com.xiaomi.midrop # clear cache Mi Drop rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # delete temporary files
3. To clean the cache of all applications, use: adb shell "su" -c 'echo 3 > /proc/sys/vm/drop_caches'" (It requires root, but it works without it on some firmware).

This method is especially useful for cleaning the Other on the POCO X3, Redmi Note 8 Pro and other models where MIUI aggressively caches data. After completing the commands, restart the smartphone - this will help the system recalculate the occupied space.

1. Reinstall Xiaomi USB Drivers drivers.

2. Use the original cable (not all) USB-cables support data transmission).

3. Enable the “File transfer” mode» (MTP) plug-in.-->

Note that some commands (e.g. pm clear) reset application settings, so back up important data (e.g., chats in Telegram or saves in games) before clearing.

Method 4: Resetting cache in Recovery Mode (radical method)

If the Other takes up an unnecessarily large amount of space (like 15+GB on a 128GB smartphone) and previous methods have not worked, you can try resetting the cache via Recovery.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (if required), then go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
5. Reboot your smartphone (Reboot → System)

This method often helps when the Other is inflated due to MIUI update errors or file system failures, for example, after a failed Airborne Update (OTA) update, undeleted firmware files that take up gigabytes may remain in the /cache folder.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option will completely reset the smartphone to factory settings by deleting all your data. If you accidentally chose the wrong item, immediately turn off the power (take out the battery if possible) - sometimes this helps interrupt the process.

After resetting the cache, check the "Other" section in the memory settings. If it has decreased, the problem is solved. If not, move on to more radical methods (see next section).

Once a week.|Once a month|Only when memory ends|Never clean.-->

Method 5: Complete reset to factory settings (last chance)

If all previous methods failed and the Other still takes up inadequate space, there is only a complete reset, a radical step, but it is guaranteed to clean up all unnecessary files, including hidden app residues and system debris.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Back up all your important data (photos, contacts, messages) and use Xiaomi Cloud, Google Drive or a physical drive.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” and confirm the action.
4. After reset, don't restore the data from the backup right away! First, check how much space the Other takes up. If the partition has shrunk, the problem was the accumulated debris. If not, it may be the firmware itself (see next section).

On some models (such as the Xiaomi Mi A2 or Mi A3 on pure Android), you can reset via Recovery: Wipe Data → Wipe All Data. This is a more reliable method, since it cleans even those files that may remain after resetting through settings.

- All installed applications and their data.

Accounts (Google, Mi Account, social networks)

System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sounds).

But it doesn't affect files on SD-card (if any).-->

If the Other started to grow again after the reset, it is a sign of a system problem - perhaps the firmware or hardware error of the drive is to blame, in which case only flashing or replacing memory (if the smartphone is warranty) will help.

Method 6: Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot (for advanced ones)

If the Other doesn't shrink even after the reset, it could be in damaged memory or firmware errors, in which case a full Fastboot flashing will help.

⚠️ This is a method for power users! - Mistakes can turn a smartphone into a 'brick».

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website. Choose the version of Fastboot (file with the extension.tgz).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder with Fastboot (for example, C:\platform-tools).
3. Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode: turn it off, then press the Power button + Volume down.
4. In the command line, run fastboot flash all fastboot reboot (this completely rewrites all partitions, including system, data and cache).

After flashing, the Other should shrink to a minimum size (1-3 GB). If the problem persists, this may indicate:

• 🛠️ Hardware memory defect (wear and tear of the flash drive).
• 🔄 Conflict with custom recaveri (for example, TWRP).
• 📱 Unofficial firmware with bugs.

If you are not sure of your abilities, it is better to contact the Xiaomi service center – especially if the smartphone is warranty.

Method 7: Replacement of memory (extreme case)

If neither method worked, and the Other still takes 20+GB, it may be a problem with physical memory wear, because flash drives (eMMC or UFS) eventually get "broken" cells that the system flags as busy, but in fact they're not available, which leads to:

• 📉 Memory is “leaked” for no apparent reason.
• 🐢 Smartphone starts to slow down when writing files.
• 🔄 Apps suddenly close with an error.

You can check memory health with applications like AIDA64 or DiskInfo, and if they show a lot of bad blocks, it's time to change the drive.

Unfortunately, most Xiaomi models have memory sealed on the board, and you can only replace it in the service center, with the exception of some flagships (for example, Xiaomi Mix 4 or Black Shark 5), where capacity can be increased by a memory card slot (if any).

⚠️ Warning: If the smartphone is warranty, don’t try to disassemble it yourself! Opening the case will void the warranty, and replacing memory in informal services can lead to even more problems.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the “Other” in the memory of Xiaomi