Xiaomi’s ‘Other’ Storage: What It Is, Why It Takes Gigabytes, and How to Clean Up Without Risk

Have you ever looked into your Xiaomi memory settings and found that the Other is tens of gigabytes long? Neither photos, apps, nor cache explain that appetite. This mysterious category is one of the most talked-about topics on the boards of Redmi, POCO, and Mi smartphone owners. Unlike the obvious Media Files or Apps, it hides data that the system doesn’t classify as standard categories — and that’s why it’s so hard to control.

In this article, we will not only explain what is in Xiaomi’s Other Storage, but also show you how to analyze it, which files can be deleted without consequences, and which cannot be touched categorically. You will learn about hidden logs, update remnants, temporary MIUI files, and even how some memory cleaners are cheated, and at the end, step-by-step instructions with visual examples for different versions of the firmware.

What is the “Other” partition in Xiaomi’s storage and why is it growing?

The Other section (or "Other" in the English version of MIUI) is a container for all files that the system cannot categorize as standard, and it includes everything that is not:

• 📷 Media files (photos, videos, music)
• 📱 Annexes (APK-files)
• 🗑️ Cash (temporary program files)
• 📄 Documented (PDF, Word, Excel, etc.)

In practice, this includes:

• 🔄 System and application logs (files with.log,.tmp extension)
• 🔄 Remains of updates MIUI (firmware)
• 🔄 Temporary installer files (for example, after updating via Fastboot)
• 🔄 Hidden application folders (for example, /Android/obb/ play-off)
• 🔄 Virtual machine data (if you use Dual Apps or Second Space)

Why is this section growing? The reason is because of MIUI.

1. Aggressive Logging: Xiaomi is actively collecting data about the system for debugging, and these logs can take up to 5-10 GB on old firmware.
2. Incomplete cleaning of updates. Once you install the new version of MIUI, you will be able to back up your old files.
3. Application errors: Some programs (especially games) create temporary files and forget to delete them.

What exactly occupies a place in the “Other”: analysis by file types

To effectively clean the Other, you need to understand which files are getting there. We analyzed the storage structure on several models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro, Mi 11) and made a table of typical memory eaters:

And the logs are a lot of space, for example, on the Redmi Note. 9 s MIUI 12.5 We found more. 7 GB logs in a folder /MIUI/debug_log/, Although the phone has been in use for less than a year, the standard memory cleaner didn't see it!

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files with the.odex or.vdex extension in the folder /system/ — These are the components of the firmware. If they're damaged, they'll lead to a bootloop).

How to see what exactly occupies a place in the “Other”: 3 working ways

The problem is that MIUI doesn't show the detailed composition of the "Other" section, but there are workarounds:

Method 1: Through the built-in memory analyzer

The safest, but least informative method is:

1. Open the Settings → Memory.
2. Slip on the "Other" section.
3. The system will show categories: “Temporary files”, “Downloads”, “Other files”.
4. Click Clear for temporary files (this is secure).

Cons: You can't see the hidden folders and logs.

Method 2: Using a file manager (without root)

Install FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer and enable the display of hidden files:

1. Open the manager and go to /storage/emulated/0/.
2. Enable the display of hidden folders (in the manager settings).
3. Check the following directories: 📁 /MIUI/debug_log/ — logistic 📁 /Android/data/ — remnants of remote applications 📁 /cache/ — time-file

Method 3: Analysis through ADB (for advanced)

If you have a PC, you can connect via ADB and execute a command to analyze:

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

This command will show the size of all the folders in the internal memory, sorted by volume.

💡

If the folder /MIUI/debug_log/ weighs more 1 GB, you can manually clean it, it won't hurt the system, but back up your sensitive data before you delete it.

How to Safely Clean the Other in Xiaomi Storage: Step-by-step instructions

Now, let's get to the practice. We've put together 5 proven methods, from the simplest to the most advanced, start with the first and move on to the next one if you don't have a seat.

Method 1: Clearing Temporary Files through Settings

This is the safest way to do this and does not require additional tools:

Select "Settings → Memory → Others"

Select "Temporary Files and Cache"

Press "Clear"

Reboot your phone (required!)

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Method 2: Remove MIUI Logs (without root)

If you don’t have a superuser rights, but you have a file manager:

1. Open up. FX File Explorer and go to the /MIUI/debug_log/.
2. Select all files with the extension.log,.txt,.tmp.
3. Delete them (if the folder doesn't open, skip this method).

Method 3: Clean Update Remains with ADB

This will require a PC with installed ADB-driver:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Open the command line and execute: adb shell su rm -rf /cache/ota/* rm -rf /data/ota_package/*
3. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Command rm -rf It deletes files irrevocably. If you go wrong (e.g., type in rm). -rf /data/), This will result in a complete reset of the phone.

Method 4: Resetting cache through Recovery

This method will help if the Other takes up space due to corrupted system files:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery.
3. Select Wipe Cache Partition (use volume buttons for navigation).
4. Confirm the action and restart.

Method 5: Complete reset (last resort)

If nothing worked, and the Other takes more than 10GB, it could be the file system that's damaged.

1. Make a backup copy of the data.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select "Delete everything."

⚠️ Note: If you are using Second Space, do not delete files in the folder. /data/user_de/0/. This will result in data loss in the second space.

Apps to clean the “Other”: what works and what does not

Many users try to clean the Other with third-party utilities like CCleaner, Files by Google or SD Maid, but not all of them are effective. We tested popular programs on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 with MIUI 13:

The best result was manual analysis through ADB or a file manager with root rights. Third-party cleaners often skip key folders because they do not have access to system partitions.

How to Prevent the Growth of the Other in the Future: 5 Prevention Measures

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

1. Turn off automatic logging (root required): adb shell su setprop persist.logd.size 1M This command will limit the log size to 1MB.
2. Clean the update cache regularly through Settings → Memory → Other → Temporary files.
3. Don't use Dual Apps unless you need to. Cloned apps create duplicate data.
4. Delete games correctly: first uninstall through Settings → Applications, then manually check the /Android/obb/ folder.
5. Update MIUI. The new versions (MIUI 14+) optimize log management.

It is also useful to turn off automatic diagnostics:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reviews and analytics.
2. Turn off the options for Automatic Reporting and Improve MIUI.

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If you are not ready for manual cleaning, check the Other section at least once a month through Settings → Memory. If it is over 3-4 GB, it is time to act.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi’s “Other” section