«Another" in the Xiaomi Redmi storage 9A: What it is, why it grows and how to clean up without risk

You opened the storage settings on your Xiaomi Redmi 9A, And suddenly, you find that the lion's share of memory is occupied by the mysterious "Other" section, and don't panic, because it's not a virus, it's not a system bug. MIUI, But not all users understand what is behind this term.

In this article, we’ll look at what “Other” means in storage, why this partition can take anywhere from 5 to 20 GB (and sometimes more!), and most importantly, how to safely reduce it without risking your smartphone, which files get there, which can be deleted manually, and which can only be deleted through special utilities, and we’ll also give a cleanup checklist and warn about the typical errors that cause this partition to “bloat”.

If you have a Redmi. 9A It constantly issues notifications about memory shortage, and in the “Other” section it is already 10.+ GB, this guide will help you regain control of the storage, but remember, not all files here can be erased.

What is the “Other” in Xiaomi Redmi storage 9A: formalization

Section “Other” in MIUI — It's a kind of garbage box for files that the system can't uniquely categorize as standard (Photos, Videos, Audio, etc.) and it includes anything that doesn't automatically categorize, including things that don't automatically categorize:

• 📁 Application cache (temporary files that were not deleted after closing programs).
• 🔄 Remnants of remote applications (configuration files, logs, user data).
• 📄 System logs and dumps (error reports, Android log).
• 🔗 Symbolic links (virtual shortcuts to files that are physically located elsewhere).
• 🖥️ Update files (firmware residues, packages) OTA, purified).

Xiaomi says this section is designed to prevent users from deleting critical data by mistake, such as if the Google Play Services cache were displayed as a regular folder, accidentally deleting it could disrupt Google services, so the system hides such files under a common name.

But there’s a downside: Over time, The Other grows to giant sizes, especially if you:

• 🔁 Frequently install and remove applications.
• 📱 Regularly update the firmware through OTA.
• 🎮 Playing heavy games (they leave a lot of temporary files).
• 📷 Use third-party cameras or photo/video editors.

Why The Other Takes So Much Space: 5 Reasons

If you're on your Redmi. 9A The other section took 10, 15, or even 20 GB, which is not normal. It should normally be no more than 3 to 5 GB (unless you've been cleaning the cache for a long time:

1. Incorrect removal of applications. When you uninstall the program through Settings → Applications, some files (such as settings or cache) may remain on the system, especially for games and social networks.
2. Errors in updating MIUI. If the firmware was installed intermittently (for example, Wi-Fi turned off), temporary update files (.zip) may not be deleted automatically.
3. Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber store media files in their cache, which eventually goes into the category of “Other”.
4. Background Processes: Some system services (e.g. com.miui.analytics) generate logs that accumulate over months.
5. Viruses or optimizers: Some cleaners (like Clean Master) create temporary files that are not deleted.

To understand what exactly takes up space, you can use the built-in storage analyzer:

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Slip on the "Other" section.
3. The system will show a detailed report (if the version is available). MIUI 12+).

If you have an older firmware version, this partition can be displayed as a single block without detail, in which case you will have to use third-party utilities (we will discuss them below).

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Before cleaning Other, back up important data. Some files in this section may relate to game saves or app settings.

How to see what is stored in the “Other”: step-by-step instructions

To know exactly which files are in the Other section, you’ll need a root-enabled file manager (such as Solid Explorer or Solid Explorer). FX File Explorer, or a special utility. Let's look at both.

Method 1: Through the built-in analyzer (MIUI 12 and newer)

If you're on your Redmi. 9A Fresh firmware is installed, do the following:

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Click on "Other."
3. The system will show you a list of folders, sorted by size: 📁 /data/log — system-log; 📁 /data/dalvik-cache — cache of the Android virtual machine; 📁 /data/app-lib — remote application library.

Method 2: Through the file manager (requires root)

If you have root rights, you can manually view the contents of the system folders:

1. Install Solid Explorer and turn on Root mode.
2. Go to the root directory (/).
3. Open the folders: /data/data — remnants of remote applications; /data/log — logistic; /cache — update cache.

Without root rights, you can't see these folders, but you can use tools like Storage Analyzer (available on Google Play) that show you where you're sitting without accessing your system files.

How to Clean Up “Other” on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: 4 working methods

Now, to the most important thing, how to shrink the size of the Other without harming your smartphone, we've put together 4 proven ways, from the simplest to the more complex.

Method 1: Clearing the cache through settings (no root)

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

Go to Settings → Warehouse

Smack on "The Other"

Select "Clear the cache"

Confirm the action

Reboot the phone-->

This method removes the temporary files of all applications, but does not touch the system data. After cleaning, it is recommended to restart the smartphone.

Method 2: Removal of application residues through ADB

If you delete a lot of software, their tails could stay in the system.

1. Get Redmi on board. 9A PC and turn on Debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Return to the Extra → For developers).
2. Download ADB Tools to your computer.
3. Enter the command: adb shell pm list packages -u It will show you a list of deleted but not completely cleaned applications.
4. Remove the residues by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 packet

Method 3: Use of the utility SD Maid

SD Maid is one of the few programs that can clean up Other without root (but it works more efficiently with root:

1. Start CorpseFinder (search for remnants of remote applications).
2. Perform SystemCleaner (clean up system garbage).
3. Reboot the phone.

Method 4: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If the Other takes up more than 15GB and no methods help, then all that remains is Hard Reset. Remember, this will delete all the data from the phone!

1. Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data”.

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Before reset, check if the bloated Other is related to the virus. Install Malwarebytes and scan the system.

What happens if you completely remove the “Other”: the possible consequences

Many users are asking, can you just delete everything from The Other? The answer is no, and here's why:

• ⚠️ Application malfunction: This section stores libraries and configuration files, without which programs may or may not be launched.
• ⚠️ Failures in operation MIUI. Some system logs are needed to keep the shell running smoothly, and deleting them can lead to lags».
• ⚠️ Loss of game saves. Some games store progress in non-obvious folders that end up in "Another».

But the good news is that most of the Other can be cleaned safely if you know what to remove.

If you are not sure what you are removing, it is better not to take any risks. Use the cleaning methods described above, or consult a specialist.

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Before you delete files from the Other, check them through VirusTotal, which viruses disguise themselves as system files.

How to Prevent the Spread of the Other in the Future: 5 Tips

To prevent the “Other” partition from taking up gigabytes of memory on your Redmi 9A, follow these recommendations:

1. Clean the cache regularly. Do this every 1-2 weeks through Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
2. Remove the applications correctly. Use the built-in uninstaller or SD Maid to avoid leaving "tails».
3. Turn off automatic update downloads. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system and turn off the Wi-Fi autoboot so you can control when to install the firmware.
4. Use cloud storage for media files. Photos and videos from messengers take up a lot of cache space. Set up autoload in Google Photos or Telegram Cloud.
5. Periodically check the storage for garbage. Utilities like Files by Google or CCleaner help you find unnecessary files.

Also, avoid cleaners from unknown developers, many of whom not only fail to help, but also create additional debris in the system.

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If the Other grows too fast (e.g., 1-2GB per week), it could be a sign of a virus or malfunction. MIUI. In this case, only resetting or refrigeration will help.

Frequent Mistakes in Cleaning the Other and How to Avoid Them

Many users make mistakes in trying to make room, which only make the problem worse, and the most common ones are:

⚠️ Mistake. 1: Deletion of files from /system If you try to manually erase something from the system folders without superuser rights, it can lead to a "brick"** (the phone will stop turning on). ADB or specialized utilities.

⚠️ Error 2: Cleaning dalvik-cache manually. This folder contains optimized versions of applications. Deleting it will force the system to reassemble the cache the next time it runs, which will take a lot of time and resources.

⚠️ Error 3: Use of aggressive cleaners, programs like Clean Master or 360 Security often delete files that are needed, disguised as "optimization," which can cause disruptions. MIUI.

If the “Other” has grown again quickly after cleaning, check:

• 🔍 Is there a pirated software installed on the phone (it often leaves garbage).
• 🔍 Are there any suspicious apps in the autoload (Settings) → Permits → Auto-start).
• 🔍 Is the firmware updated in the background (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About The Other in Redmi 9A