Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphones often face a situation where the internal memory of the device is filled for no apparent reason, and in the storage settings there is a mysterious category called “Other”, which can take up from 10 to 40 gigabytes of precious space, a phenomenon that is puzzling, since the user did not install so many applications and downloaded huge files.
This partition bloat phenomenon is typical of the MIUI shell on which your phone’s operating system is based, which accumulates temporary files, application cache, error logs and remnants of deleted programs, but does not always correctly classify them into standard categories like Photos or Applications. Clearing the Other partition is a delicate process that requires understanding the structure of files so as not to damage the operation of important services.
In this article, we will take a closer look at what exactly is behind this tag, why it grows so aggressively on the Redmi 9, and what proven methods exist to safely vacate space, learn how to distinguish system debris from important data and return your gadget to speed.
The Nature of the Other in Android
The Other section is a kind of black box of the Android file system, which includes all files that the system could not uniquely identify as music, videos, documents or application installation packages. On Xiaomi Redmi 9, this category often includes messenger cache, temporary browser files and streaming service data.
One of the main reasons for this expansion is the specificity of how applications work, and many programs like Telegram, Viber, or TikTok create their own folders to store downloaded content, and the system sees this data, but doesn't always understand its type, so it categorizes it as System Files or Other, and it can store crash logs and error reports that are automatically generated.
⚠️ Warning: Never attempt to delete files from system folders through root-righted file managers without an accurate understanding of their purpose.This can result in a cyclical phone reboot or data loss.
It's important to understand that Other is not a virus or a bug, but a feature of the storage organization, but when the volume of this partition exceeds 20-30 gigabytes, it is a signal that a lot of digital garbage has accumulated that can and should be removed.
Memory Analysis: What Takes Place
Before you start taking radical measures, you need to do a diagnostic. Standard MIUI tools don't always show detailed information, so you should use a built-in analyzer or third-party utilities to help you understand which application is contributing the most to the inflating category "Memory is occupied."
Social media and instant messengers are the most common eaters, saving every image, video and voice message viewed to cache, and a significant portion of them can be taken up by offline maps of navigators and music tracks downloaded for listening without the Internet.
- 📱 Application cache: Temporary files that speed up programs but grow to giant sizes over time.
- 📹 Streaming content: Snippets of YouTube or TikTok videos saved for smooth playback.
- 📂 Residual files: Data from long-deleted games and programs that were left lying dead weight».
You can use developer mode or special commands for more in-depth analysis, but for most Redmi 9 users, a standard dispatcher is enough. Go to Settings → Memory and wait for the system to complete the count. If the Other category still seems unreasonably large, move to cleaning methods.
Cleaning through built-in MIUI facilities
The safest and first step for a Xiaomi Redmi 9 owner is to use the regular Cleanup utility, which is built into the Security app and has access to system areas closed to ordinary file managers, a method that allows you to remove most of the garbage without risking damage to the system.
Run the Security app and select Clean up. The system will scan and suggest removing temporary files, app residues and advertising debris. Pay attention to the Clean up button, which usually displays the amount of debris found. After the first cleanup, it is recommended to repeat the procedure again, since some files become available for removal only after the primary cache is released.
Additionally, the storage settings have Deep Clean, which analyzes large files, duplicate photos and rarely used applications. Removing duplicates can free up several gigabytes that are misclassified by the system. Remember to check the shopping cart in the gallery, as deleted photos can also be listed in occupied space until final cleanup.
⚠️ Note: When using the Deep Clean feature, look carefully at the file list.The system may suggest removing downloaded files from WhatsApp that you still need.
Manual removal of the cache of leading applications
If automated methods have not helped to significantly reduce the "Other" section, you need to move to manual cleaning. Most often the culprits are specific application leaders in resource consumption. On Redmi 9, it is usually Telegram, YouTube, Chrome or Instagram.
To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find a “heavy” app in the list, click on it and select Memory. Here you will see two buttons: “Clear” (or “Clear Cache”) and “Erase Data.” The first button is secure – it will only delete temporary files. The second button will reset the application to “as after installation” state, removing logins and settings.
| Annex | Data type in "Other" | Recommended action | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telegram | Cash media (photo, video) | Cleaning inside the application | Low (remains in the cloud) |
| YouTube | Cash playback | Clear the cache in the settings | No. |
| Chrome | Site cache, cookies | Clear history and cache | Medium (to be removed from accounts) |
| gallery | Miniatures (thumbnails) | Clear the cache | No. |
Pay special attention to Telegram. Unlike other messengers, it stores all the content viewed on the device by default. Go to the settings of the messenger itself, the Data and Memory section → Memory Use. You can clear the cache and set a limit on its storage, for example, “3 days” or “1 week”, this will fundamentally solve the memory problem in the future.
Use of third-party disk analyzers
When built-in MIUI tools don’t give you the full picture, specialized disk space analysis snails come to the rescue. Apps like DiskUsage or Files by Google visualize your Redmi 9’s memory as diagrams, allowing you to find hidden folders that inflate the Other section.
Once you install this analyzer, run a scan, and you'll see a memory card that's the size of the rectangles that correspond to the size of the files or folders, and often at the root of the internal memory you'll find folders with names like.thumbnails, MIUI, Android/data, or remote game names, and that's where gigabytes of lost space are often hidden.
If you find a large file or folder, analyze the contents of the file, if it is a cache of cards or error logs, you can delete them safely. However, be careful with folders inside the Android directory. Deleting important files from system services can lead to unstable operation of the operating system.
- 🔍 Visualization: Graphic view helps you instantly find the biggest offenders).
- 🗑️ Secure Deletion: Allows you to delete files one at a time, controlling the process.
- 📊 Analytics: Shows the dynamics of filling memory with specific applications.
⚠️ Note: When working with file managers, avoid deleting files with the.obb extension or folders with system process names unless you are sure of their 100-plus destination%.
Cardinal measures: Resetting and flashing
If none of the above methods worked, and the Other continues to take up the lion’s share of memory, there may have been a critical error in the Redmi 9 file system, in which case the most effective solution is a full factory reset, which will return the phone to the “out of the box” state.
Before you do this, make sure to back up all your important data: contacts, photos, correspondence. Reset will delete absolutely everything. Go to Settings → Phone → Reset → Erase all data. The process will take 10-15 minutes, after which the phone will turn on clean.
In rare cases, when even a reset does not help (which happens when partitions are damaged), you may need to completely flash the device through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.This is a complex procedure that requires an unlocked bootloader, and it is recommended only for advanced users or in service centers.
After reset, take your time to install all the apps at once. Watch the memory in its clean state. If the Other starts to grow again quickly after installing a particular application, then the problem lies in its malfunction on your version of Android.
Prevention of memory overflow
To prevent the problem with the “Other” partition on Xiaomi Redmi 9 from returning, you need to introduce a habit of regular maintenance of the device. Do not allow the memory to be filled “on the back” – this slows down the memory controller and speeds up the wear of the drive. Try to keep at least 10-15% of the total volume free.
Set up automatic cleaning in garbage apps or use built-in automation scenarios if your version is MIUI It's also useful to check the download folder periodically, where installations often accumulate. APK-Files and documents that are no longer needed.
- 🔄 Regularity: Clean the cache once in a while 1-2 weekdays.
- ☁️ Cloud services: Use Google Photos or Yandex.Disk with the function “free up space».
- 🚫 Installation Control: Do not install dubious applications from unknown sources.
Keeping these simple rules in mind will extend the life of your Redmi 9 and keep your system running smoothly. Remember, digital hygiene is just as important as physical care of your device. Watch what gets into your smartphone and it will respond with high performance.