The Other folder on Xiaomi smartphones is a real memory black hole, which takes up gigabytes, but it remains a mystery to most users, you try to make space, delete photos, clean the app cache, and the volume of Others is only growing. Why is this happening? The fact is that under this name hides system files, temporary data, remnants of deleted applications and even hidden backups. Unlike regular folders, the content of Other does not appear in the standard file manager, which makes it difficult to clean.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to clean the Other folder, from basic to advanced, including working with ADB and hidden memory partitions, which files can be deleted without risk and which ones should not be touched, even if they take up a lot of space, and we’ll also uncover the myths about the Other — for example, why the folder can grow again after a factory reset.
Warning: Some methods require superuser rights or system partitioning. Mistakes can cause firmware failure or data loss. If you are unsure of your skills, use only the safe ways in the first three sections of this article.
1.What is the “Other” folder on Xiaomi and why it grows
The Other folder (or Other in the English version of MIUI) is a collective name for files that the system cannot categorize as standard: photos, videos, music or documents.
- 📁 Cache of system applications (for example, Mi Video, Gallery, Security)
- 🔄 Temporary update files (remainders of firmware, Google Play updates)
- 🗑️ Remnants of Remote Applications (Folders) /data/app-lib, /data/dalvik-cache)
- 🔒 Hidden backups (such as Mi Cloud backups or Google Drive)
- 📊 Logs and dumps (.log,.dumpstate files after crashes)
The main problem is that MIUI doesn't provide tools for analyzing the "other" in detail. In a standard file manager, you will only see the total volume, but you will not be able to understand which files occupy it, and in fact, some of the data is hidden even from root users, since it is stored in secure partitions (/system, /vendor).
Why does the folder grow with time?
- 🔄 Automatic updates: MIUI Downloads firmware in the background, even if you have not confirmed the installation.
- 📱 Application Remains: When programs are deleted, their data often remains in folders /data/data.
- 🔍 Diagnostic Logs: The system generates performance reports (especially after a failure or overheating).
- ☁️ Cloud syncs: Mi Cloud and Google Photos can leave temporary files.
2.Safe ways to clean the “Other” without root rights
If you don't have superuser rights, start with these methods. They don't require deep technical knowledge, and they don't risk the stability of the system.
Method 1: Cleaning the cache of system applications
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show System.
- Sort the applications by cache size (click on Size).
- Clean the cache from the following applications (they most often clog “Others»): 🎬 Mi Video (miniature cache and temporary files) 📷 Gallery (preview and metadata of photos) 🛡️ Security (Scanning Logs and Quarantine) 📱 Launcher (cache icons and widgets)
Method 2: Delete temporary update files
MIUI stores the downloaded firmware in the /cache folder, but doesn't always clean it after installation.
- Open Files (standard manager from Xiaomi)
- Go to Categories → Memory of the device → Cache.
- Delete all files with the.zip extension or names like update.zip, miui_*.zip.
Method 3: Resetting data from unnecessary applications
Some applications (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Music) create large databases that are not cleared when the cache is removed.
- In Settings → Applications, select the unnecessary application.
- Click Warehouse → Clear the data (no cache!).
- If the application is system and is not removed - Disable it.
How to clean:
- Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
- Go to /data and manually delete unnecessary folders (see list above).
- To automate, use the script in Termux: su rm -rf /data/app-lib/* rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/* rm -rf /cache/*
What can't be removed:
- 🚫 Folders of current applications in /data/data (e.g. com.android.settings).
- 🚫 Files in /system or /vendor.
- 🚫 Databases *.db in /data/system (It'll cause a breakdown. MIUI).
⚠️ Warning: After cleaning with root, be sure to restart your smartphone to recovery and run the Wipe Cache Partition.This will prevent errors on your next run.
5. Hidden backups and cloud data
Often, Others grows because of hidden backups that create Mi Cloud, Google Drive, and even some apps (like WhatsApp or Viber) that are not visible in the standard manager, but take up gigabytes.
How to find and delete:
- Mi Cloud: Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud → Backup. Remove old backups or turn off automatic backups.
Google Drive:
- Open the Google Drive → Menu → Backups.
- Remove backups of devices you no longer use.
- Local Backups: Some applications (e.g. Titanium Backup) save copies to /sdcard/TitaniumBackup or /sdcard/MIUI/Backup.
2. Limit backups
- 🔄 In Mi Cloud, disable automatic backup for unnecessary data (e.g. Call Records, SMS).
- ☁️ In Google Drive, remove old backups of devices (drive.google.com/drive/backups).
3. Use lightweight alternatives to standard applications
Some Xiaomi system apps (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) create a large cache.
- 🎵 Music: VLC BlackPlayer (no metadata caching).
- 🎬 Video: MX Player or Kodi.
- 📷 Gallery: Simple Gallery or QuickPic.
4. Clean the cache regularly through ADB
Create a.bat file on your computer with the following commands and run it once a month:
adb shell pm clear com.miui.gallery
adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.media
adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*
adb shell rm -rf /cache/*💡
The most effective way to prevent the growth of “Other” is to disable automatic backups and updates, and use third-party applications instead of system ones.