What’s Hidden in Xiaomi’s Other and How to Clean It Without Risk to the System

Have you ever looked into your Xiaomi storage settings and wondered why the Other partition takes up gigabytes of memory when you didn't consciously save anything there? It's one of the most puzzling categories in MIUI, which can eat up 5GB to 20GB without clearly explaining what it is that's stored there. Unlike photos, videos or apps, the Other files are not visible in a standard file manager, and deleting them through conventional methods often fails.

Complicating the problem is that Xiaomi doesn’t provide built-in tools to analyze this section in detail. Users are faced with a situation where memory is running out and cleaning the cache or removing unnecessary applications does not help. In this article, we will understand what exactly is hidden under the “Other” label, which files can be deleted without harm to the system and which should not be touched. You will also learn about hidden cleaning methods that are not obvious at first glance, but can free up significant space.

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

The “Other” section of MIUI is a kind of “junk box” of the operating system, where files that do not fall into the standard categories (photos, video, audio, documents, applications) fall.

• 📁 Cache of system applications (e.g. com.miui.gallery or com.android.providers.media) that is not cleared through standard settings.
• 🔄 Temporary update files (including failed firmware installation attempts or application updates).
• 📱 Residual data from remote applications (for example, folders) /data/data/ from uninstalled programs).
• 🗑️ System logs and error dumps (files with the.log or.dmp extension that are created when crashes).
• 🔗 Symbolic links and metadata that take up space but don’t appear in the file manager.

The main reason for the growth of this partition is the malfunction of the cleaning mechanisms in MIUI. For example, after updating the firmware, temporary files must be deleted automatically, but often remain in the system. The same applies to cache: some applications (especially system ones) do not free up memory even after manual cleaning through settings.

Interesting fact: on Xiaomi smartphones with Qualcomm chipsets (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro or Pro). POCO X3 Pro) The "Other" section often takes up more space than on MediaTek devices, which is due to the peculiarities of the file system. F2FS, Which Xiaomi uses on some models.

What files in the “Other” can be deleted and which can not

Before you start cleaning, it is important to understand which files are safe to delete and which can cause system failures. Below is a table with a breakdown of typical files from the Other section:

Never delete files with.odex,.apk extensions (in system folders) or /system, /vendor folders, which will cause the device to fail.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi.eu or custom firmware, deleting some files from Other may disrupt modified features (such as design themes or gestures). TWRP Or OrangeFox.

How to Clean the Other Without Root Rights

If you don't have superuser rights, you can clear the Other section using standard MIUI tools and third-party apps.

1. Cleaning through the built-in optimizer

MIUI 12/13/14 has a hidden deep cleanup feature that removes unnecessary files, including a part of the Other.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5 times on the item "Version" MIUI» (Developer mode activated).
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → Optimization.
4. Select “Deep Clean” and confirm the action.

2. Removal of the cache of system applications

Some applications (e.g. com.miui.home or com.android.systemui) accumulate gigabytes of cache that is not visible in the standard cleaning menu to remove it:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Enable the display of system applications (three dots in the upper right corner).
• 🧹 Find applications with a large amount of data (for example, “Luncher”, “System interface”) and clear their cache.

3.Using a file manager with access to hidden folders

Applications like FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer can show hidden files that take up space in the Other to find them:

1. Install a file manager and give it access to the storage.
2. Enable the display of hidden files (in the manager settings).
3. Go to /data/data/ (residual application data) /cache/ (temporary files) /DCIM/.thumbnails/ (miniatures)

.tmp

.log

.bak

Backup of important data

Check the vacant space (should be ≥10%)

Close all background applications

Use a charged battery (≥50%)-->

Radical methods: cleaning with root rights

If the standard methods didn't work, and the Other still takes tens of gigabytes, you'll have to resort to a more radical measure, root rights, which gives you access to system folders that are usually hidden from the user, but there are also risks:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if the device is warranty, unlocking the bootloader will cancel it).
• 🔧 Possibility of “bricking”** (incorrect actions can make the smartphone inoperable).
• 🛡️ Security vulnerabilities (root access opens up potential malware breaches).

If you are prepared for the risks, here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Unlock the bootloader and get root

This will require:

1. Allow unlocking of the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (requires a Mi Account).
2. Install TWRP or other custom recovery.
3. Switch to Magisk to get root rights.

2. Cleaning through TWRP

In recovery mode, you can delete files that are not available in normal mode:

1. Download to TWRP (Pressure Power + Volume Up).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Delete the contents of the folders: /cache /data/dalvik-cache (if ready to reassemble the cache) /data/local/tmp

Reset the device.

3.Use of ADB for deep cleaning

If there is root but no TWRP installed, you can use ADB:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*




rm -rf /cache/*




pm clear com.miui.gallery #Cleaning up gallery cache




pm clear com.android.providers.media # Cleaning up media storage

⚠️ Attention: Command rm -rf If you don't specify the correct path, you can delete critical system files. Always check the current directory with pwd before running.

How to prevent the “Other” from being refilled

Cleaning the Other section is only a temporary solution, so that the problem does not return, follow these recommendations:

• 🔄 Update your firmware regularly. MIUI Frequently corrected bugs associated with the accumulation of garbage.
• 🚫 Avoid heavy launchers, such as Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher, which create fewer temporary files than the standard Xiaomi launcher.
• 📁 Use cloud storage for photos and videos (like Google Photos) to reduce the load on local memory.
• 🛠️ Turn off automatic update downloads for unnecessary applications (Settings) → Annexes → Auto-update).
• 🔍 Periodically check the storage with applications like Storage Analyzer or DiskUsage.

Pay special attention to photo/video editing applications (such as CapCut or Snapseed) that often leave temporary files in /Android/data/ folders, which then go to Other. After working with such programs, manually clear their cache.

💡

If you install and delete applications frequently, use SD Maid or Files by Google to automatically clean up residual files, which can find junk even in hidden folders.

Frequent Mistakes in Cleaning the Other and How to Avoid Them

Many users make mistakes that, instead of freeing up memory, lead to the opposite result: more filling in the "Other" section.

Another common mistake is ignoring updates: older versions of MIUI (like MIUI 11 or lower) have less cleaning mechanisms, and the Other fills up faster, and if your device supports upgrading to MIUI 14 or HyperOS, make sure to do it.

💡

Never use commands like rm -rf/or rm -rf/*, which will instantly delete all data on your device, including system files, and render it inoperable.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About the Other