How to Delete “Other Files” on Xiaomi Smartphone: The Complete 2026 Guide

Have you ever looked into your Xiaomi vault and seen the mysterious category of "Other Files" occupying gigabytes of memory? 30-50% The total volume, especially on devices with 64 or 128 GB: Unlike photos or apps, they can't be erased with just one tap, and yet they're often the ones that cause space shortages, slow work, and inability to install updates.

In this article, we’ll take a look at what Xiaomi’s Other Files are, why they accumulate, and how to safely delete them – both manually and with hidden features. MIUI. You will learn which of these files can be cleaned and which can not be touched in any case (risk of damage to the system.

What are Xiaomi’s “Other Files” and Why Do They Take So Much Space?

Category "Others" in the store menu MIUI — It's a collection of system and user data that the shell can't uniquely attribute to photos, videos or applications:

• 📁 Application and system process cache – temporary files that should have been deleted automatically but are “forgotten” in memory.
• 🔄 Remnants of remote programs are fragments of data from applications that you have long uninstalled, but their tails are left.
• 📄 Logs and dumps are error reporting files (.log,.dmp) that MIUI diagnostics.
• 🎮 Game saving is especially important for heavy projects like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile.
• 📥 Downloads from messengers – files received via Telegram, WhatsApp or Viber that did not get into the gallery.
• 🔧 System Updates – Downloaded but not installed packets MIUI or security patches.

On Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-14 The problem is compounded by the fact that the system doesn't always sort files correctly, for example, screenshots or screen recordings can be placed in "Other" instead of "Images" or "Video" categories, and if you're actively using Google Drive or Mi Cloud, synchronized data is often "lost" here, too.

In our experience, more 60% These files are safe garbage that can be removed without consequences, but there are also critical data (for example, for example, the data, /data/dalvik-cache), If you remove them, they'll crash the system, so before you clean them, it's important to understand what you're dealing with.

How to see what is stored in the “Other files” on Xiaomi

Before you delete something, you need to analyze the content. MIUI There is no built-in tool to view this category in detail, but there are workarounds:

Method 1: Through built-in "Storage Analysis"

This method works on all Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and others.):

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Slip on the "Other Files" section.
3. The system will show a detailed report broken down by type (cache, downloads, logs, etc.).

Pay attention to the points:

• 🗑️ «Cash – can be cleaned completely.
• 📥 «Downloads – Check manually if there are important documents.
• 🔧 «System data – Touch only if you are confident in your actions.

Method 2: File Manager (for experienced users)

If the built-in analysis isn’t enough, use Mi File Manager or a third-party explorer (such as Solid Explorer):

1. Open the file manager and enable the display of hidden files (in the settings).
2. Go to the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/).
3. Look for the folders: Android/data — remnants of remote applications; Android/obb — cache of games; Download - downloads from the browser; MIUI/debug_log — logistic; DCIM/.thumbnails — photo and video miniatures.

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Don't delete the folders. Android/obb For the games that are installed, it's going to reset the progress. It's better to clean them up through the game settings.

For deep analysis, you can connect your smartphone to your PC and use DiskUsage Analyzer (Linux) or WinDirStat (Windows), which programs visualize which files take up the most space.

Safe Ways to Delete “Other Files” on Xiaomi

Now, to the basics of how to clean up this garbage without breaking the phone, we've collected methods from the simplest (automatic cleaning) to the most advanced (manual removal through the phone). ADB).

Method 1: Integrated cleaning in MIUI

The safest way that is suitable for beginners:

1. Go to Settings → Storage → Cleaning.
2. Click "Clean" next to the items: 🗑️ «Cash app»; 📥 «Downloads (pre-check the Download folder); 🔄 «Residual files».

Confirm the action.

This method removes the 2-3 GB of garbage, but it doesn't touch deep system data.

Method 2: Cleaning with Security App

Security appendix (shield icon) in MIUI has extended instruments:

1. Open up "Security» → «Cleanup» → «Deep cleaning».
2. Select “Other Files” and click “Clear”.
3. For maximum effect, tap "Optimize" after cleaning.

Method 3: Manual Deletion through File Manager

For users who are ready to dig into the file system:

1. Open Mi File Manager (or Solid Explorer with root permissions).
2. Go to the folders from the list below and delete their contents: Folder / file What stores Can I delete /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/*Cache and Remote Application Data Yes (except for current application folders) /storage/emulated/0/DownloadDownloads from the browser and messengers Yes (check for important files) /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/debug_logSystem Error Logs Yes (except for the latter) 1-2 file) /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnailsPhotos and videos Yes (restore automatically) /storage/emulated/0/BluetoothBluetooth Cash.

Warning: Do not delete folders Android/obb and Android/data And that's going to cause them to crash.

Method 4: Removal through ADB (advanced)

If the previous methods did not help, and the “Other Files” still take gigabytes, you can use the “Other Files” method. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method requires enabled debugging. USB team knowledge.

Connect the phone to the PC, open the command line and type:

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep -E '([^/]+/)?[^.]+' | sed 's/package://g' | awk '{print $2}' | xargs -I '{}' adb shell pm clear '{}'

This command clears the cache of all applications, including system ones, and be careful when you run it.

• You will have to re-enter your accounts.
• Some application settings will reset;
• Games can lose progress (if they are not synced to the cloud).

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ADB-Cleaning is an extreme method. Use it only if other methods have failed and you have a backup of the data.

What to do if the “Other Files” are returned

Cleaning up the memory is good, but if the garbage accumulates again in a week, you need to find and fix the cause.

• 🤖 Social networks and instant messengers (Telegram, VK, TikTok – They aggressively cache media files.
• 🎮 Games - especially Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile, Free Fire.
• 📱 Updates MIUI — system downloads them in the background.
• 🔄 Background synchronization (Google Photos, Mi Cloud, Dropbox).

Decisions:

1. Limit the cache for apps: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management. Select an application (e.g. Telegram) → «Warehouse» → «Clear the cache. for games, disable "Background Data Download" in their settings.
2. Turn off automatic download of media in messengers: Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Autoboot media → Select "Never." On WhatsApp: Settings → Warehouse → Autoboot media → disconnect for mobile data.

Set up cloud synchronization

• In Google Photos, turn on “Free space” after downloading.
• In Mi Cloud, turn off synchronization of unnecessary data (Settings) → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud).

We also recommend checking the storage regularly (once in a week). 1-2 Weeks) and clear the cache through "Security" to prevent the accumulation of garbage.

Dangerous mistakes when deleting “Other Files” on Xiaomi

Some actions can permanently break your smartphone or lead to the loss of important data.

⚠️ Attention, deletion of folders /data/dalvik-cache, /system Files with the.odex extension will crash. MIUI. The phone will stop turning on or will be constantly restarted.

Other risky activities:

• 🚫 Delete files from /data/app — This will result in the removal of installed applications.
• 🚫 Clean the folder. Android/obb For active games, progress will be lost.
• 🚫 Use programs like Clean Master or CCleaner – they often delete critical system files.
• 🚫 Format a section /data through TWRP Without backup, it will erase all data, including accounts.

If you've been cleaning your phone, and it's slowing down, or it's overheating, or it's making errors, you've deleted something important.

1. Reset the device.
2. If the problem remains, reset to factory settings (Settings → About phone → Reset settings).
3. In extreme cases, reflash the phone through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions are on the official website of Xiaomi).

Special tools for deep cleaning Xiaomi

If the built-in methods don't work, we can use third-party utilities, and we tested a few and selected the most effective and safe ones.

1. SD Maid (Root)

SD Maid is one of the best garbage cleaners, but it requires root rights:

• 🧹 Delete residual files of remote applications;
• 🗑️ Clear Dalvik's cache;
• 🔍 Find and delete duplicate files;
• 📁 Analyze large files.

How to use:

1. Install SD Maid from Google Play.
2. Give root access.
3. Run CorpseFinder (search for residual files) and SystemCleaner.
4. Remove anything that the program has marked as safe.

2. Files by Google

A free app from Google that doesn't require root rights.

• 📊 Show which files take up the most space;
• 🗑️ Remove cache and duplicates;
• 📁 Clean the download folder».

The “Cleanup” function is especially useful, which automatically finds:

• 🎬 Large video files;
• 📸 Repeated photographs;
• 📄 Unnecessary APK-file.

3. Mi PC Suite (official utility from Xiaomi)

If you do not want to install third-party programs, use Mi. PC Suite:

1. Download the utility from the official website.
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
3. Select "Dumpster Cleanup» → «Deep cleaning».
4. Confirm the removal of unnecessary files.

The advantage of Mi PC Suite doesn’t delete critical system data, unlike many Play Market cleaners.

How to Prevent the Accumulation of Other Files in the Future

To avoid having to clear your memory every few weeks, follow these tips:

• 📵 Limit the background activity of applications: Go to Settings → Battery → Power saving mode. Select "Limit background activity».
• 🔄 Set up automatic cleaning: Enable Auto Cleaning in “Safety” (weekly or monthly).
• 📁 Use cloud storage: Enable “Free space” in Google Photos. Sync important files with Mi Cloud or Dropbox.
• 🎮 Control games: Clean the cache of games regularly through their settings. Remove unused games (they can weigh by weight). 5-10 GB).

We also recommend checking the storage once a month through Settings. → Warehouse → Analyze and delete unnecessary files manually, it will take 5 minutes, but save you hours to fight memory clogs in the future.

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Prevention is always better than cure. Regular cleaning of cache and monitoring of downloads will save you from the need for radical measures.

FAQ: Frequent Questions About Xiaomi's "Other Files"