You open memory settings on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, And suddenly you see gigabytes are occupied by mysterious "Other Files." No photos, no videos, no apps, just a gray block that eats up precious space. Where do they come from? Can they be removed without risking the system? And most importantly – how to do it correctly, so as not to turn a smartphone into a “brick»?
The problem of "other files" is familiar to every second owner of Xiaomi devices, according to internal statistics. MIUI, Up to 40% of users experience that these files take up from 5 to 20 GB of memory, even though the user has never created them. In this article, we will explore what lies beneath this category, why the system doesn’t show its contents, and what cleaning methods actually work (and which are myths).
Spoiler: Not all "other files" can be deleted without consequences. MIUI, And some are just garbage that's been accumulating in the system for years, and we'll teach you how to tell the difference between the two and share exclusive ways that you won't find in standard instructions (including hidden commands). ADB and work with the cache of Google Play Services).
What are Xiaomi’s “Other Files” and Why Do They Appear?
«Other files are a generalized category in which MIUI Resets everything that does not fit the standard labels: “Apps”, “Images”, “Video”, etc. In fact, this is the garbage can of the operating system, where they get:
🔹 Cache of system applications (including Google Play Services, MIUI Launcher, Security App).
🔹 Logs and error dumps (files with extension.log,.dmp,.tmp).
🔹 Remnants of Remote Applications (Folders) /data/app-lib/, /data/dalvik-cache/).
🔹 Update files (downloaded but not installed packets) OTA).
🔹 Hidden messenger files (cache of stickers in Telegram, media from WhatsApp that did not get into the gallery).
🔹 Automatically generated archives and backups (e.g., Mi Cloud backups).
The main problem — MIUI It doesn't show the detailed composition of this category. Unlike Android Stock, where you can see folder distribution, you only see the total volume here. This is due to Xiaomi's policy of "simplifying the interface," which often plays against the user.
🔍 Interesting fact: On devices with MIUI 12+ The share of “other files” is on average 15% higher than on earlier versions, due to aggressive caching of animations and system processes that Xiaomi has added for “smooth interface».
How to Check What’s in the “Other Files”
Before you delete something, you need to understand what's stored in the system, and there are several methods for doing this, from standard tools to third-party utilities.
📌 Method 1: Built-in utility "Storage»
1. Open Settings. → The phone. → Warehouse.
2. Slip on the memory usage schedule.
3. Find the category "Other files" and click on it.
⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global for Redmi Note 10) this item may not be available.
📌 Method 2: Viewing through Files by Google)
1. Install the official annex [Files by Google](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.nbu.files).
2. Go to the section "Cleaning up» → «Analysis of the vault».
3. Scroll through to the Other Files block and click on View Details.
💡 Useful advice: The app will show the top-5 The largest folders in this category. /data/log/, /cache/ or /android/obb/ remote.
📌 Method 3: Analysis through ADB (advanced)
If you’re ready to dive deeper, connect your phone to your PC and follow the command:
adb shell du -h -d 1 /data | sort -hThis command will show the folder size in /data, Look for suspiciously large directories like /data/log/ or /data/system/dropbox/.
Top.-5 How to Clean Up Other Files on Xiaomi
Now, let's get to the point. We've selected the most effective methods that work on most Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO (from MIUI 11 MIUI Start with the safest and move to the more radical if the result is unsatisfactory.
🔹 Method 1: Cleaning the cache of system applications
This is the most secure way, and it doesn't affect user data.
1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2.Slip on three dots in top right corner → «Show all the processes».
3. Find and open:
- Google Play Services
- MIUI System Launcher
Security (or "Security")
- Download Manager
4. In each of them, click "Clear Cache" (not data!).
⚠️ Warning: Do not clear data from Google Play Services – this may result in loss of Google account and sync issues.
🔹 Method 2: Removing logs and dumps through Engineering Mode
This way, you can delete the debugging files that the system creates when it crashes, which can weigh up to 1-2 GB, but they're not needed by the average user.
1. Open the Phone app and enter the code:
##4636##2. Go to Usage Statistics» → «Storage».
3. Find a point «Dumpstate/logcat» And press "Clear».
🔹 Method 3: Cleaning through Safe Mode (Safe Mode)
If “other files” appear after installing third-party apps, try downloading to Safe Mode and removing debris:
1. Press the power button. → Hold “Switch off” until the “Reboot in Safe Mode” window appears».
2. After downloading, check the memory – if the volume of “other files” has decreased, one of the installed applications is to blame.
3. Remove suspicious programs (most often these are optimizers, cleaners or pirated ones) APK).
🔹 Method 4: Resetting partition cache (wipe cache partition)
It is a radical but effective method that cleans all temporary system files, including update cache and application residues.
1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power button + volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select "Wipe & Reset» → «Wipe Cache».
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.
⚠️ Note: Not to be confused with “Wipe Data” which will erase all your files!
🔹 Method 5: Manual removal through Root/PM (skilled)
If you have root rights, you can manually scan folders:
cd /data/data/
du -sh * | grep -i "log\|cache\|tmp"Delete the folders found by the rm command -rf, But be careful, a mistake can break the system.
☑️ Checklist before cleaning "Other Files»
What NOT to do when cleaning “Other Files”
Some “tips” from the internet can hurt your Xiaomi more than help.-3 Dangerous myths that should be ignored:
🚫 Myth 1: «Delete the folder. /data/log fully»
This folder stores critical system logs, including data on bootloader unlocks and updates. MIUI. If you remove it completely, the phone can:
- Stop loading (bootloop).
-Lost Communication with Xiaomi servers (Mi Cloud, themes, updates will not work).
Start "switching" with notifications.
✅ What to do instead: Only delete files older than 7 days (use) ADB or a root explorer).
🚫 Myth 2: Cleaning up Dalvik-cache will speed up your phone»
folder /data/dalvik-cache/ It contains optimized versions of applications for fast download:
The first launch of any application will be longer by 30-50%.
The system will begin to heat up intensively during the day (until the cache recovers).
✅ What to do instead: Clean only the cache of specific apps that slow down.
🚫 Myth 3: Formation of internal memory as SD-map»
Some gurus advise formatting internal memory as a portable storage (via settings put global). storage_manager_force_adoptable It will lead to:
Loss of warranty (if the device is warranty).
- Impossibility of installing updates MIUI airborne.
Problems with Google Pay and other secure applications.
✅ What to do instead: Use the external SD-media-card.
💡
If after cleaning, "other files" reappear after a couple of days, check the sync settings of Mi Cloud. SMS The notes can create hidden files in /data/com.miui.cloudservice/.
Xiaomi’s Hidden Folders That Take Place
V MIUI There are some secret folders that you can't see through standard conductor, but they can weigh gigabytes:
| folder | What it keeps. | Can I remove it? | How to clean up |
|---|---|---|---|
| /data/log/ | System logs, error dumps, crash reports | Partially (files older than 7 days) | Aided by ADB or Root Explorer |
| /data/system/dropbox/ | Reports on app drops (for Xiaomi and Google) | Yeah, totally. | Adb shell rm command -rf /data/system/dropbox/* |
| /data/app-lib/ | Remains of Remote Applications (Libraries) | Yeah, totally. | Through SD Maid or manually |
| /data/misc/ | Temporary file system services | No (risk of failure) | Cleaning only through Wipe Cache in Recovery |
| /android/obb/ | Cash games (e.g. PUBG, Call of Duty) | Yes, if the games are deleted | Through any conductor |
💡 Secret Life Hack: Folder /data/media/0/MIUI/ It often contains duplicates of wallpaper, themes and fonts that the system automatically downloads, and you can easily delete them, and they will recover the next time you connect to the Internet.
Why Other Files Are Returned After Cleaning
You cleared the cache, deleted the logs, but after a week, the "other files" took up several gigabytes again?
🔄 1. Automatic backup of Mi Cloud
Xiaomi by default includes reservations:
- SMS and call history (files in) /data/com.miui.cloudservice/backup/).
System settings (themes, wallpaper, sounds).
- Notes and calendar.
🔹 Solution: Open Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Backup and disable unnecessary items.
🔄 2. Aggressive caching of Google Play Services
This app can generate up to 500MB of cache per day if you actively use:
- Google Maps.
- YouTube (video preloading).
- Google Photos.
🔹 Solution: Limit background activity in Settings → Annexes → Google Play Services → Battery → Background restriction.
🔄 Remains of updates MIUI
Every update MIUI leaves behind a folder with an installation package (/cache/ota/). If there were a lot of updates, it was easy. 1–2 GB.
🔹 Solution: Remove old packages through ADB:
adb shell rm -rf /cache/ota/*🔄 4. Hidden downloads from browsers
Files downloaded through Chrome or Mi Browser may not be included in the Downloads folder, but saved to:
- /data/media/0/Download/.com.android.chrome/
- /data/media/0/Download/.com.mi.browser/
🔹 Solution: Check these folders through Files by Google or Root Explorer.
💡
If "other files" take up more than 5GB and come back after being cleaned, it's likely the system app is to blame.Check Google Play Services, MIUI System and Security App: Their cache is growing fastest.