What if the “Other” section of Xiaomi phone takes up too much space?

You opened the settings of the Xiaomi phone to check the free space, and found that the mysterious “Other” section takes 10, 20, or even 30 GB? MIUI — Unlike obvious categories like Photos or Applications, the Other section does not disclose its content, which raises legitimate questions: what are these files, can they be deleted and how to free memory without harming the system?

In this article, we will not just list the standard tips like “clean the cache”, but understand the nature of the “Other” at the level of the Android file system. MIUI They do not show them clearly, and how to safely reduce the volume of this section. 40–70% No root rights, we will pay special attention to the Redmi Note models. 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4 and flagships Xiaomi 13/14, where the problem is most often.

What is the Other section of Xiaomi?

Section “Other” in MIUI — It's a dumping ground for files that the system can't categorize as standard:

• 📁 Cache of system applications (including com.miui.gallery, com.android.providers.media)
• 🔄 Temporary update files (firmware residues, packages) OTA)
• 📱 Virtual machine data ART (Optimized files.odex,.oat)
• 🗑️ Remains of remote applications (incomplete uninstallation leaves garbage in the /data/app-lib)

In the models with MIUI 13/14 Other also includes game mode optimization files (Game Turbo) and Xiaomi Cloud data that didn’t sync correctly. 12 Pro+ Users often find that the section is inflated to 15–20 GB due to failed attempts to update via MIUI Updater – the system downloads the firmware, but does not remove it after a failure.

Interesting fact: POCO F4 Xiaomi 12T The other one may be in the 5 GB files from Google Play Services that the system does not classify as "Apps" are due to the peculiarities of Android. 12/13 on these devices.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to manually delete files from folders /data or /system This can lead to a cyclical bootloop or loss of access to the Mi Account.

How do you check what is in the “Other”?

Before you clean, you need to understand which files are inflating the partition. There are several ways to do this:

1. Built-in MIUI analyzer

Go to Settings. → Memory. → Memory analysis: Here, the system will show the space allocation by category, but the Other will remain undecrypted. However, if you click on it, sometimes a list of folders will open (for example, a list of folders will be opened, Android/obb Download, which the system considered to be “other».

2. Files by Google application

Install an official Google app and follow the following steps:

1. Open Files by Google and go to the Cleanup tab.
2. Press "Free the seat» → «Other files».
3. The app will show large files (e.g..apk,.zip,.log) that can be deleted.

3. ADB for advanced users

If you are ready to work with the command line, connect the phone to the PC and do:

adb shell du -h -d 1 /data | sort -h

This team will show the largest folders in the section /data, which is often responsible for inflating "The Other." /data/dalvik-cache It can weigh a few gigabytes.

Top.-5 How to Clean Up the Other Without Root Rights

If you don’t want to risk your data, start with these safe methods:

1. Cleaning the cache of system applications

Many applications MIUI (So, for example, Gallery, Music, Notes, they accumulate gigabytes of cache that go into "The Other:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort by size and select apps with a large cache (e.g. com.miui.gallery).
3. Click on “Clear Cache” (not data!).

Select cache-based applications >500MB

Do not clean the data (cache only)

Restart the phone after cleaning

Repeat for system applications (Gallery, Music, Downloads)

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2. Delete temporary update files

After updating MIUI Firmware files often remain in the folder /cache or /data/ota_package. To remove them:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🗑️ Click on three dots in the upper right corner → «Remove the downloaded package».
• 🔄 If the option is not available, use Files by Google to search for files with the.zip extension in the Download folder.

3. Resetting optimization ART

.odex and.oat files in folder /data/dalvik-cache can occupy up 3 GB. They can be dropped:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. 7 times press on "Version" MIUI», activate the developer mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find the option “Reset optimization” MIUI» (Or “Clean Dalvik” and confirm.

⚠️ Warning: After resetting, the phone will restart longer than usual (up to 5-10 minutes!

4. Cleaning of logs and dumps

System logs (.log,.dumpstate) can weigh hundreds of megabytes. ADB:

adb shell su


rm -rf /data/tombstones/*




rm -rf /data/anr/*




rm -rf /data/log/*

If there are no root rights, use the application SD Maid (section "CorpseFinder»).

5. Transfer of data to memory card

If there is a lot of media in Other (such as downloads or backups), transfer them to microSD:

• 📁 Open the files. → Select Download folders, Pictures, DCIM.
• 🔄 Press "Select» → select files → «Move it» → specify the memory card.
• 📌 B Settings → Configure the storage of new files on SD default.

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The most effective method for most users is a combination of cleaning the cache of system applications (especially Gallery and Music) + Removing old service packs, frees up 3 to 7 GB without risking data.

What to do if the “Other” takes >20GB and not cleaned?

If standard methods have not helped and the section continues to grow, the problem may be:

• 🔄 Cyclical logs (e.g, mmcblk0p Errors on the Redmi Note 10 Pro).
• 📦 Damaged files MIUI (often after a failed update).
• 🔒 Encrypted data from Mi Account or Google.

In such cases, it will help:

1. Reset settings (without data loss)

Go to Settings. → The phone. → Reset and select Reset All Settings (not Reset to Factory!) This will delete:

• Settings Wi-Fi/Bluetooth;
• Optimization MIUI;
• Temporary file system applications.

Application data and user files will be saved.

2. Reinstallation MIUI via Fastboot

If the reset didn't work, you'll have to refashion the phone.

1. Download the official firmware for your model.
2. Unpack the archive and connect the phone to the PC in Fastboot mode (Switch off). → Hold the Power. + Vol−).
3. Run the script. flash_all.bat (Windows or flash_all.sh (Mac/Linux).

⚠️ Warning: This method will delete all data! pre-backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

3. Contact the service center

If the problem persists after flashing, physical memory wear may be to blame (especially on older models like the Redmi). 4X or Mi A1). In this case, only a replacement chip will help. eMMC/UFS.

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Before visiting the service, check the memory health using the application AIDA64 (Storage" section: "Reallocated Sector Count» > 10, memory worn out.

How to prevent the “Other” from inflating in the future?

To prevent the problem from returning, follow these rules:

1. disable automatic MIUI update

Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto-update and select "Never" to prevent unnecessary packets from downloading OTA, often-remaining.

2.Tune cleaning the cache on schedule

MIUI has a built-in tool:

1. Open Security. → «Optimization».
2. Activate Auto Cleanup and set a schedule (e.g. once a week).

3. Use lightweight alternatives to system applications

Some applications MIUI (So, for example, a gallery or a music gallery is known for accumulating gigabytes of cache:

• 📷 Google Photos (automatic cache cleaning);
• 🎵 VLC Musicolet (does not create unnecessary files);
• 📥 Files by Google instead of the standard file.

4. Check the Download folder regularly

Many users forget to delete downloaded files (.apk,.zip,.mp4), And you can set up automatic cleaning:

1. Open the files. → Download.
2. Press «⚙️ → Settings → Auto-cleaning».
3. Install deletion of files older than 30 days.

Specific problems on popular Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi models have unique bugs related to the Other section:

Redmi Note 10/11/12

These phones often inflate folder /data/media/0/MIUI/backup Mi Cloud malfunctions:

1. Open Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
2. Turn off the reservation "System settings" and "Applications".
3. Remove old backups manually.

POCO X3/X4/X5

Nana POCO The problem is often associated with the Game Turbo accelerator, which creates a cache in the game. /data/gameoptimize. To cleanse:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Game Turbo.
2. Turn off "Game Optimization."

adb shell rm -rf /data/gameoptimize/*

Xiaomi 13/14

On flagships, “Other” can inflate due to Android files 13 virtualize (/data/misc/virtualization). Decision:

• Turn off “Working Profile Mode” in Settings → Accounts.
• Clear the data from the Android System Intelligence application.

Frequent mistakes in cleaning the “Other”

Many users compound the problem by following questionable advice.

1. manually delete files without understanding their purpose

For example, deleting a folder /data/dalvik-cache without resetting optimization will slow down the phone, as the system will reassemble files.

2. Use "cleaners" like Clean Master

These applications often delete the desired system files, which leads to crashes, for example, on Redmi 9, after cleaning Clean Master, Google Play Services stops working.

3. Format a section /data backup

It's going to lead to loss.

• All installed applications;
• SMS and call logs;
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings.

4. disable system applications through ADB

For example, the adb shell pm disable-user com.miui.securitycenter command will disable Security, making the phone vulnerable to viruses.

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If the Other grows again after cleaning, the problem is the system failure, and then only flashing or resetting to factory settings will help.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions