«Another" in memory of Xiaomi Redmi 9A: Hidden Files, Cache and Garbage – Full Guide 2026

Have you ever looked into the storage settings of your Xiaomi Redmi? 9A And they were surprised to find that the mysterious "Other" section is 5 to 10 GB -- maybe more -- and neither the photos, nor the apps, nor the downloads, weigh that much, and where does this garbage come from, can it be removed without harming the system, and why? MIUI He likes to hide files under this blurry name?

Owners of budget smartphones Xiaomi face this problem especially acutely: with 32 GB of internal memory (of which all the necessary devices are available). ~22 GB) every megabyte counts. And the Other is snowballing, even if you haven't installed new software in a long time. In this article, we'll look at the shelves of what's behind this item, how to analyze it and minimize it. Without Magic Buttons and Doubtful Cleaners, Only Proven Methods.

Spoiler: Up to 70% of Redmi's "Other" volume 9A — This is a cache of system applications (including Google Play Services), temporary update files MIUI And artifacts from remote programs that the system has forgotten to clean, but there are exceptions, like messenger data or games that masquerade as "system files».

What is the “Other” in Redmi’s memory? 9A: official explanation and reality

According to the documentation MIUI, The “Other” section includes:

• 📁 System cache (including Dalvik-cache), which speeds up the launch of applications).
• 🔄 Temporary files from OS and application updates (e.g. packages) APK, who have not been able to do so, but have not).
• 🗑️ Residual data from remote programs (settings, logs, databases).
• 📊 System Logs and Errors (.log,.dump files).
• 🔒 Secure data of some applications (for example, messengers or banking programs).

In practice, however, the “Other” is often hidden:

• 🎮 Cash of games, for example, PUBG Mobile or Free Fire can leave gigabytes of junk even after uninstallation).
• 📱 Widget and theme data (MIUI actively caches wallpaper, icons and animations).
• 🔗 Google Play Services cache files (up to 1-2 GB on some devices!).
• 📦 Update archives that have not been deleted after installation (in the folder) /cache).

⚠️ Attention: At Redmi 9A on MIUI 12+ The other part of the other might be the Smart Cleanup, which backs up the files before they're deleted!

To understand what exactly is eating away at your memory, you need to analyze the contents – and here are the standard tools. MIUI You'll have to use third-party tools or manual methods.

How to see what exactly occupies a place in the “Other”: 3 working ways

Standard Storage section in Redmi settings 9A It only shows the total volume of the Other, not the composition of the Other. Here's how to get the details:

1. Through built-in "Storage Analysis" (hidden function) MIUI)

MIUI It has a hidden tool for detailed memory analysis, but it is hidden in the developer menu:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version and tap it 7 times.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the item “Storage Analysis” and start the scan.

The system will show folders and files sorted by size, including those related to the Other, /data/dalvik-cache) may not be displayed.

2. With root file manager (without root, not all folders are visible!)

Install. FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer and turn on Root mode (if the phone is rooted). Without the root, you will only see some files, but even that will help:

• 🔍 Check the folders: /data/data/ — Application data is stored here, including cache). /cache/ — temporary update files. /sdcard/Android/obb/ — Cache of games (can weigh gigabytes!).

3. via ADB (for advanced users)

If you know me, ADB, Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command:

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

This command will show the folder size in /data (Where most of the hidden files are stored? Look for folders that weigh from 100 MB – can be cleaned manually.

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If in a folder /data/app-lib/ files from long-distant applications are located, they can be safely deleted - this is residual garbage that the system has not cleaned up.

Top.-5 The reasons why the Other is growing in Redmi 9A

On the Redmi. 9A his 2/3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of Other memory is growing faster than flagships. Here are the main culprits:

Especially insidious updates MIUI: After installing a new version, the system often leaves the old files in the system. /cache If you don't plan on going back to the previous firmware, they can be removed.

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete the folder /data/dalvik-cache You can manually use the file manager, and this will cause you to reboot your phone in a cyclical fashion, and only use the Wipe Dalvik Cache in recovery mode to clean it.

How to Clean Up “Other” in Redmi 9A: step-by-step

Before you start cleaning, back up your sensitive data. Some methods can delete files that are necessary for applications to run.

Save photos and contacts on PC|Write down a list of installed applications|Check the vacant space (should be available) ≥10%)|Disable automatic update of applications-->

Step 1: Cleaning the cache of system applications

Many system services (e.g. Google Play Services) MIUI Daemon) accumulate a cache that is not visible in the standard cleaning menu to remove it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Sort the list by size (slip to three dots in the upper right corner).
3. Select cache apps >100 MB and click "Clear the cache».

Pay particular attention to:

• 📌 Google Play Services (can take up to 2GB!).
• 📌 MIUI System and Security (theme cache and widgets).
• 📌 Download Manager (Remainders of Download Manager).

Step 2: Delete temporary update files

MIUI stores update packages in /cache and /data/ota_package. To remove them:

• 🔧 No root: Use the app SD Maid (section "CorpseFinder»).
• 🔧 With root: Delete the contents of folders /cache and /data/ota_package via file manager.

Step 3: Clean Dalvik-cache (only through recovery!)

If the Other is over 1GB, chances are Dalvik-cache is inflated to reset it:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery.
3. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Dalvik Cache.
4. Restart the device (the first start will take longer than usual).

Step 4: Removing logs and error dumps

Log files (.log,.dump) take up to 500MB, but they can be safely deleted.

1. Connect your phone to your PC and use ADB:
2. Follow the commands: adb shell su rm -rf /data/tombstones/* rm -rf /data/anr/* rm -rf /data/log/*

If you don't have access to ADB, Use the DiskUsage app (shows large files, including logs).

Step 5: Reset the cache of messengers and social networks

Apps like Telegram, WhatsApp, Facebook store the cache in the Other to clear it:

• 📱 In Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Clear the cache.
• 📱 On WhatsApp: Settings → Warehouse → Memory management.
• 📱 On Facebook: Delete the folder /sdcard/Android/data/com.facebook.katana/cache.

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Cleaning Dalvik-cache and logs is the most effective, but it requires rebooting, and then the system can run faster by reassembling the cache.

What NOT to remove from the Other (risks and consequences)

Not all files in The Other are safe to erase. This is something you can't touch unless you're an expert.

• 🚫 folder /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/ — It stores the system settings. Deleting it will reset all the parameters (language, Wi-Fi, brightness, etc.).
• 🚫 Files in /data/system/ — Responsible for accounts, application permissions and network settings.
• 🚫 Folders with the names lib, app-lib (if they are related to current applications).
• 🚫 Files with the.odex or.oat extension are part of the optimized Dalvik cache.

⚠️ Note: If after cleaning the "Other" phone began to reboot or crashed system applications (for example, Settings or Phone), then you deleted critical files.

If you're in doubt, you better not delete the file, but first look it up online. /data/misc It contains Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and VPN — Cleaning it will result in the loss of the stored networks.

How to Prevent the Spread of the Other in the Future

To prevent the “Other” from taking up gigabytes every couple of months, follow these rules:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic app updates in Google Play: Settings → Auto-update of applications → Never.
• 🗑️ Regularly clean the cache of messengers and social networks (once every 1-2 weeks).
• 📱 Don’t use memory cleaners like Clean Master – they often delete useful files, disguised as “optimization».
• 🔧 Update. MIUI hand-held, not through OTA — This will allow you to remove the service pack after installation.
• 📁 Transferring heavy applications to SD-card (if supported).

It is also useful to disable unnecessary system applications that actively cache data:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Find it. MIUI Daemon, Mipay, Mi Video (unless you use it).
3. Click "Disable" (do not delete!).

Frequent Mistakes in Cleaning the Other and How to Avoid Them

Many Redmi users 9A They make the same mistakes when they try to free up memory:

Another mistake is ignoring backups, and before you manipulate the Other, save important data to your PC or the cloud. /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/ It contains all your contacts, and losing it means losing your entire phone book.

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