How to Remove the Other folder on Xiaomi: The Complete 2026 Guide

The Other folder on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is one of the most mysterious to users, it takes up gigabytes of memory but doesn't show up in the standard file manager, and attempts to delete it often end in errors or file returns. Why is that? Because that name hides system caches, temporary application files, update data, and even the remnants of deleted programs that MIUI can't automatically classify as garbage.

Many people mistakenly think that it is enough to click “Clean” in the storage settings, but this only works with surface files. In fact, deep cleaning of the “Other” folder requires a comprehensive approach: from manual removal through hidden menus to the use of specialized utilities. In this article, we will analyze all working methods (including those that are not mentioned in the official documentation of Xiaomi), and also explain which files can be deleted without risk to the system and which should not be touched.

What is the “Other” folder on Xiaomi and why it takes up so much space

The Other folder is a collective name for files that MIUI cannot categorize as standard categories like Photos, Videos, or Audio.

• 📁 Application cache – temporary data that programs create to speed up work (for example, thumbnails of images in a gallery or data messengers).
• 🔄 Remote Application Remains – files that remain after uninstallation of programs (for example, settings or databases).
• 📥 Update files – firmware packages that are downloaded but not installed (especially for beta testers) MIUI).
• 🗑️ System Logs and Dumps – Error Reports that Android creates for diagnostics (can weigh hundreds of megabytes).
• 🔒 Encrypted data – files that are restricted (e.g., protected application data) Android/obb).

The main problem is that MIUI does not always correctly recognize these files as garbage. For example, the cache of Google Play Services or Mi Video can take up to 1-2 GB, but the system will not prompt it to be cleaned automatically. Moreover, some files from the Other folder are restored after rebooting if they are associated with active processes (for example, the cache of running applications).

According to Xiaomi Community user analysis, the average folder “Other” takes from 3 to 10 GB on devices with 64-128 GB of memory. On older models (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi 9), this volume can reach 15-20 GB due to the accumulated over the years of use of files.

How to see what is stored in the folder “Other”

Before you delete files, you need to figure out what exactly takes up space. The standard MIUI Storage Analysis only shows the total volume, but it doesn't detail the content. Here's how to get the full picture:

Method 1: Through the built-in file manager (hidden folders)

1. Open the Files app (folder icon).
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner → Settings → turn on Show Hidden Files.
3. Go to the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/) and find folders: Android/data – this is where app data (including cache is stored); Android/obb – files of games and heavy applications (for example, maps for Google Maps); MIUI – system firmware files, including log files; Download – sometimes unrecognized downloads fall here.

Method 2: ADB (for advanced users)

If you need a full diagnosis, connect your smartphone to your PC and follow the command:

adb shell du -h -d 1 /storage/emulated/0 | sort -hr

This command will show the largest folders in descending order, for example, you may find that the /Android/data/com.xiaomi.midrop folder takes up 2 GB, even though you haven’t used the app in a long time.

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If the Android/obb folder takes up a lot of space but you don’t play games, you can clean it completely – these are the game cache files that will automatically recover the next time you run (if necessary).

Safe Ways to Clean the “Other” Folder Without Root Rights

If you don't have root access, you can still free up a significant amount of memory. Here are proven methods:

1. Cleaning up the app cache

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Sort programs by size (tap on "Size»).
• 🧹 For each major app (e.g. Facebook, TikTok, Mi Video) click Clear Cache and Clear Data (if you’re not afraid to lose your settings).

2. Delete unnecessary update files

Firmware files can weigh 1-3 GB and remain in memory even after installation.

1. Open Files → go to /MIUI/OTA/ or /Download/rom/.
2. Delete all files with the.zip extension (e.g, miui_HMNote9ProGlobal_V12.0.1.0.QFZMIXM_...).

3.Using the built-in utility "Cleaning"

MIUI has a hidden deep cleaning function:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Slip on "Cleaning" (or "Freeing Place").
3. Select “Deep Clean” and wait for analysis.
4. Delete everything except “Important Data” (such as contacts or messages).

Backup important data | Check free space before and after |Do not delete folders with unknown extensions (.db,.xml)|Reboot phone after cleaning-->

Cleaning the Other folder with root rights (for power users)

If you have root access, you can remove system debris that is not normally available, but it is risky because doing the wrong thing can cause MIUI to crash.

Step 1: Installation of Root Explorer

Download a root-enabled file manager like Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer and give it super-user rights.

Step 2: Remove the system cache

Go to the following folders and delete their contents (but not the folders themselves!):

• /data/log/ - logs of the system.
• /data/tombstones/ - error dumps.
• /data/dalvik-cache/ – Dalvik cache (deleted automatically when restarted).
• /cache/ - Temporary update files.

Step 3: Cleaning through Magisk (alternative)

If you have Magisk installed, use the Universal Storage Cleaner module from the repository, which automatically finds and deletes:

• 🗑️ Remains of uninstalled applications.
• 📦 Duplicate APK-file.
• 🔄 Unnecessary files MIUI (Like old themes).

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Even with root rights, do not delete /system or /vendor folders – this will cause your phone to fail!

What files in the “Other” folder cannot be deleted

Not all files in the Other folder are safe to delete.

Be especially careful with files with extensions:

• .db – databases (e.g. WhatsApp message history)
• .xml – configuration files (application settings).
• .dex – executable Dalvik files (deletion will lead to application errors).

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If you're not sure if you can delete a file, take it to the cloud (like Google Drive) or to your PC, and then check the phone's health. If it's okay, take it easy.

Why the “Other” folder returns after cleaning

Many users complain that after cleaning the folder, the Other folder grows back in a few days.

1. Automatic cache recovery – some apps (like Facebook or Instagram) actively cache data and recover it the next time they run.
2. MIUI Background Processes: The system creates logs and temporary files for diagnostics (e.g. /data/anr/ for error reports).
3. Background Updates – MIUI can download firmware or app update packages without your knowledge.
4. Remains of cloud services – Mi Cloud or Google Drive – can leave temporary files for synchronization.

To minimize the re-accumulation of garbage:

• 🛑 Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play.
• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.
• 🚫 Remove or freeze unnecessary system applications (e.g. Mi Music, Mi Browser).

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If the Other folder is growing too fast (over 500MB per week), check your phone for viruses – some malware masquerades as system files.

Alternative ways to free up memory on Xiaomi

If cleaning the Other folder didn’t have enough effect, try these methods:

1. Transfer applications to a memory card

Not all apps support this feature, but for some (such as instant messengers or games) it will help:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application → “Storage” → “Change” → “Memory Map”.

2. Use of cloud services

Move photos and videos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud, and then delete local copies:

• 📸 In Google Photos: Enable “Free Space” in Settings.
• ☁️ In Mi Cloud: Upload files, then delete them from your device via Files».

3. factory reset (extreme case)

If the garbage has been accumulated for years and other methods do not help, perform a hard reset:

1. Make a backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select “Reset” → “Delete all data”.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the folder “Other” on Xiaomi