Xiaomi’s “Other” Eats Memory: 7 Ways to Clean Up + Reasons

You open up the settings of Xiaomi's phone to check the space available, and you see that most of the memory is occupied by the mysterious "Other" section. 10, 20, even 50 GB — where did they go? Why does the system not show what is stored in this section, and can these files be deleted without risk to the smartphone?

This problem is familiar to owners of devices on MIUI of any version, from Redmi Note 8 Pro to flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra. Unlike the explicit categories (Photo, Video, Applications), the Other section hides the cache of system processes, temporary files, remnants of deleted applications and even duplicate media files. Worst case scenario: this data not only takes up space, but can slow down the phone by 30-40% due to memory fragmentation.

This article provides a breakdown of the causes of the Other’s growth, step-by-step cleanup instructions (including hidden ADB methods), and answers to questions about why memory is refilled after deletion, all of which are tested on MIUI 12.5-14 and do not require root rights.

What’s hidden under the “Other” section of Xiaomi

In fact, the “Other” is not a single file type, but a “junk box” of the system, where:

🗑️ Application cache and systems are temporary files that should be deleted automatically but often remain due to crashes. MIUI.
📁 Remnants of Remote Programs – Lib, Odex and Configuration Files that are not cleared when uninstallation.
🔄 Duplicate media files – for example, thumbnails of gallery photos or copies of videos created by editors (for example, CapCut or InShot).
📄 Logs and dumps of the system – debugging files that are created when applications crash or updates MIUI.
🔗 Symbolic links – “broken” labels that lead to nowhere, but take up space.

According to 4PDA user analysis, on average, up to 60% of the Other’s volume is accounted for by cache and application residues, and the rest is system debris, for example, after updating MIUI via OTA, up to 1-3 GB of unnecessary files may remain in this section.

The biggest problem is that Xiaomi doesn't provide built-in tools for detailed analysis of "The Other." Even the storage utility in the settings only shows the total volume, without disclosing the composition, which forces users to resort to third-party cleaning methods.

📊 How often do you clear your memory on Xiaomi?

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the place ends.

Never cleaned.

Why the Other is Growing: 5 Main Reasons

If you notice that the “Other” section is growing by leaps and bounds, it may be the fault:

Automatic backup: Mi Cloud or Google Drive can create local copies of data before uploading to the cloud, but it doesn’t always delete them.
MIUI malfunctions. For example, after a system update via Recovery, temporary files remain in the /cache folder.
Aggressive caching apps: Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), social networks (TikTok, Instagram) and games (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile) can accumulate gigabytes of cache.
Duplication of media files. For example, Google Photos creates copies of each photo in the DCIM/.thumbnails folder.

The problem is particularly severe on devices with 128 GB of memory and less, where the Other can take up to 20-30% of the total volume. On flagships with 256 GB+, this is less noticeable, but still leads to fragmentation and slowdown.

⚠️ Warning: If the Other quickly grows back after cleaning, check your phone for viruses using Malwarebytes or Dr.Web. Some malware creates hidden files in system folders that are not visible without root access.

Method 1: Cleaning through built-in MIUI tools

Start with standard methods – they are the safest and don’t require any additional software.

Close all apps (swipe up in the recent menu)

Connect your phone to charge (the process can take 10-20 minutes)

Backup important data (in case of failure)

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Step 1. Open Settings → Storage. Here you will see a diagram of occupied space. Click on the "Other" section.

Step 2: The system will prompt you to clear the app cache and unnecessary files. Click Clear and confirm the action. Usually this frees up 1-5 GB, but it doesn't always delete everything.

Step 3. Go back to the Warehouse and select the Cleanup. MIUI show:

🧹 Unnecessary files APK — leftovers after application installation.
🗃️ Large files – media and documents that have not been opened in a long time.
📂 Empty folders – remnants from remote programs.

Mark all the items and click Clear. After you reboot your phone, check if the Other section has decreased.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the Downloads section through this utility if it stores important files (such as documents or archives.

Method 2: Manual removal of cache and application residues

The built-in MIUI cleanup doesn’t always delete everything. To get to hidden files, you’ll need a File Manager (like a standard Files or Solid Explorer).

Step 1. Open the File Manager and enable the display of hidden folders (in Solid Explorer: ☰ → Settings → Show hidden files).

Step 2. Go to the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/) and delete the contents of the following folders:

/Android/data/ – cache and application data (remove folders of unnecessary programs)


/Android/obb/ – Game files (e.g. Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile)




/DCIM/.thumbnails – photo and video miniatures




/Download - Old downloads




/Pictures/Screenshots – Screenshots older than 3 months

Step 3: To clear the cache of system applications (e.g. Mi Video or Mi Music):

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Select an app (such as Gallery) and click Warehouse → Clear the cache.
Repeat for all system utilities (Camera, Records, Browser).

This method allows you to free up 3-10 GB, but you need to be careful: do not delete folders with the names com.android.* or miui - this can lead to crashes.

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If you install and delete games frequently, check the /Android/obb/ folder once a month. Some games (like Asphalt 9) leave files up to 2GB in there even after uninstallation.

Method 3: Using ADB for deep cleaning

If standard methods don’t work, it’s Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a low-level system management tool that lets you delete files that aren’t available through the file manager.

Step 1. Install ADB on your computer:

Download the Google Platform Tools.
Unpack the archive in the folder C:\adb.
Turn on the phone Debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).

Step 2. Connect your phone to your PC and open the Command Prompt in the adb folder.

adb devices

If the device is determined, follow the instructions for cleaning:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.gallery - cleaning the Gallery's cache


adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.media - reset media storage




adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* - Delete temporary files

Step 3. To delete duplicate media files (takes care!):

adb shell find /sdcard-name "*.jpg" -size -10k -delete - removes empty or broken images


adb shell find /sdcard -name "*.mp4" -size -100k -delete - deletes broken videos

⚠️ Attention: Rm teams -rf find -delete They delete files irreversibly. Before they run, back up your important data! Don't use these commands unless you're sure they're working.

After cleaning through ADB, restart the phone.This method can free up to 15-20GB, but only works for power users.

💡

ADB is the most powerful tool to clean up The Other, but it's also the most dangerous. A team error can lead to data loss or system failure. Use only proven instructions!

Method 4: Resetting cache via Recovery Mode

If the Other takes up more than 10GB and isn’t cleaned by standard methods, resetting the cache via Recovery will help.

Step 1. Turn off the phone. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery Mode.

Step 2. With the volume buttons, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache and confirm the choice with the power button.

Step 3. After cleaning, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

This method removes:

🔄 Temporary update files MIUI.
🗑️ Cash of system applications.
📦 Residues from the installation APK-file.

Usually, after this procedure, the Other is reduced by 2-7 GB. If the partition is still large, the problem may be in duplicate media files or hidden application folders.

What to do if Recovery Mode does not open?

If the phone is not included in Recovery, try: 1. Connect the charger (sometimes a minimum of 20% charge is required). 2. Use the Power + Volume up + Volume down (on some Redmi models). 3. Install TWRP Recovery (requires unlocking the bootloader).

Method 5: Third-party applications for memory analysis

If you don't want to go into ADB or Recovery, use specialized utilities that show you which files are in the "Other" section.

Annex	Functions	Cons
Files by Google	Shows large files, duplicates, unused applications.	Can't see system folders without root.
SD Maid	Removes the remnants of applications, empty folders, cache.	The paid version is needed for deep cleaning.
CCleaner	Clears the cache, history, temporary files.	It can delete data (e.g. save games).
Storage Analyzer	Visualizes occupied space on folders.	A complex interface for beginners.

Recommendation: Start with Files by Google, which is Google’s official app that is safe for MIUI. After scanning, it will show:

📸 Duplicate photos (e.g. screenshots with the same content).
🎵 Large media files (high-resolution video, unused songs).
📦 Unnecessary APK (installation files of the remaining applications).

For a deep analysis, use SD Maid (requires root for full access).

🗃️ Empty folders in /data/data/.
🔗 Broken symbolic references.
📄 Zero-size files.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as CCleaner) may offer to clear Dalvik cache. MIUI This often slows down because the system has to reassemble the cache.

Method 6: Reinstall MIUI (extreme case)

If none of the methods worked, and the Other still takes 15GB or more, the radical solution is to flash the phone, which will delete all system files and return the device to a "clean" state.

Important: This method will delete all data from the phone, including photos, contacts and apps.

Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup.
Copy media files to your PC or cloud.
Write down the logins and passwords from the accounts.

Step 1. Download the latest version of MIUI for your model from the official Xiaomi website.

Step 2. Move the firmware file (.zip format) to the phone’s root folder and rename it to update.zip.

Step 3. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update, click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Select Firmware File. Specify update.zip and confirm installation.

After flashing the phone back to factory settings, and the “Other” section will shrink to 1-3 GB (normal for a clean system).

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Flashing is a nuclear method that you should only use if other methods have failed, and then the phone will run faster, but it will take time to set up and restore the data.

How to Prevent the Spread of the Other in the Future

To prevent the “Other” section from clogging memory again, follow these rules:

📱 Clear the cache of applications every 1-2 weeks (especially messengers and social networks).
🔄 Turn off automatic backup in Mi Cloud if you are not using it.
📁 Check the Download folder and delete unnecessary files.
🎮 Remove games through Settings → Apps, not just dragging an icon into a shopping cart.
🔍 Use Files by Google to scan duplicates monthly.

It is also useful to disable automatic downloading of media in messengers:

In Telegram: Settings → Data and Memory → Autoboot Media → Select Never.
On WhatsApp: Settings → Storage → Autoup Media → Disable for Mobile Data and Wi-Fi.

If you often install APK-Files from third-party sources, use APK Extractor to remove residues after uninstallation.

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

Why does the “Other” grow again after cleaning?

This is due to: Automatic cache creation by apps (especially games and social networks); MIUI failures when the system does not delete temporary files; hidden backup processes (such as Google Photos or Mi Cloud); Solution: Set up automatic cleanup via Files by Google or disable unnecessary backup features.

Can I remove the “Other” completely?

No, you can't delete this partition completely, you need it to run the system. The normal volume of the Other is 1-3 GB after you reset or flash it. 5-7 GB when you're using your phone actively. 10 GB+ is a sign of cache or duplicate clogs. If the volume is greater than 15 GB, use the methods in this article.

Is it safe to use ADB for cleaning?

Yes, if you follow proven instructions. The danger is: Delete folders called com.android.* or miui. Use rm -rf commands without specifying a specific path. Clean /system partition (may lead to a phone). Tip: Before working with ADB, back up using adb backup.

Does resetting to factory settings help?

Yeah, but it's a last resort, after the dump: ✅ «Another will be reduced to 1-3 GB. ✅ The phone will work faster. ❌ You will lose all data (photos, messages, apps). Before reset, try methods 1-5 from this article.

Why does the new Xiaomi “Other” take up more space?

In recent versions of MIUI 13-14, the Other section grew because of: Increased cache for hyper-rendering (a feature to improve graphics in games); additional debugging logs for error diagnosis; embedded AI algorithms (for example, for processing photos in the Gallery); This is normal if the volume does not exceed 7-8 GB.