Xiaomi Redmi 9’s “Other” Storage: What It Is, Why It Grows, and How to Reduce It

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 sooner or later face a mysterious “Other” section in the storage settings. It can take from several hundred megabytes to tens of gigabytes, but it does not contain any photos, videos, or applications. What lies beneath this category, why it grows over time and, most importantly, how to reduce it without harming the system? In this article, we will examine the structure of Redmi 9 storage, find out which files fall into the “Other”, and give practical recommendations for cleaning.

The other is not trash or system error, but it's back-end data, cache, temporary files, and remnants of deleted applications that MIUI doesn't classify as standard categories (like Apps or Media), and the problem is that over time, this partition can take up to 30 to 50 percent of the total memory of a device, especially if you've been using your smartphone for several years.

What is the “Other” in the Redmi 9 vault: an official explanation

Xiaomi’s documentation describes the “Other” section as “system files, cache and other data that are not related to user content,” but this definition is too vague.

• 📁 Application cache and systems – temporary files that are created to speed up the operation of programs (for example, image thumbnails, web page data in the browser).
• 🔄 Residual files – “tails” from remote applications that have not been cleaned completely (such as settings or databases).
• 📊 Logs and dumps are error reporting files (.log,.dmp) that are created when crashes occur.
• 🔒 Encrypted data – files that MIUI cannot classify (e.g. data from some Chinese services).
• 🗃️ Hidden application folders – for example, /Android/data/ or /Android/obb/, which are not always correctly displayed in the standard file manager.

It's important to understand that some of these files are necessary for the system to work, for example, the cache of applications speeds up their launch, and logs help diagnose crashes, but over time, excess debris accumulates that can be safely removed, the main thing is not to overdo it, so as not to disrupt the stability of MIUI.

Top.-5 The reason why the other takes up so much space

If the “Other” section in your Redmi 9 has grown to 10+GB, it’s likely one of the following is to blame:

1. Long-term use without resetting. The longer you don't reset your smartphone to factory settings, the more residual files accumulate, for example, after deleting an application, its cache can remain in memory for years.
2. Active use of social networks and instant messengers: applications like Facebook, Telegram or VK create gigabytes of cache (miniatures, video previews, temporary files).
3. Updates MIUI. Each major update leaves behind backups of system files (folder) /cache/), which, in time, have been 1–2 GB.
4. Games with big ones OBB-Even after the game is deleted, its data can remain in the game. /Android/obb/ or /Android/data/.
5. Failures and incorrect deletions: If an application crashes while running or is deleted via ADB, its files may remain in memory as "orphans."

To check what exactly takes up space, you can use third-party storage analyzers, such as Files by Google or SD Maid, which show detailed folder structure, while the standard MIUI file manager often hides service data.

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Before cleaning the Other, back up your important data via Settings → About Phone → Backup. This will help you recover contacts, messages, and settings if something goes wrong.

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

The standard MIUI tools don't allow you to analyze the "Other" section in detail, but there are a few ways to get more information:

Method 1: Through the built-in storage analyzer

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Click on the “Other” section** (may be referred to as “System Data” in newer versions of MIUI).

Method 2: File Manager with root rights

If you have root access, use Root Explorer or Solid Explorer to view hidden folders:

• 📂 /data/data/ — Application data (including cache).
• 📂 /cache/ — Temporary system files and updates.
• 📂 /system/log/ — Logs of the system (can weigh hundreds of megabytes).

Without root rights, these folders will not be available, but you can analyze the open directories:

• 📂 /Android/data/ and /Android/obb/ — residual files of games and applications.
• 📂 /DCIM/.thumbnails — Photo and video miniatures (sometimes taken up by the 1 GB).
• 📂 /Download/ — Uploaded files that have forgotten to be deleted.

Safe Ways to Clean the Other on Redmi 9

Delete files from the Other section carefully so as not to disrupt the system, and here are proven methods that do not require root rights:

Method 1: Cleaning the application cache

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as Chrome or Facebook) and click Clear Cache.**
3. For mass cleaning, use Settings → Storage → Clear cache (remove the cache of all applications at once).

⚠️ Warning: Don’t confuse “Clear Cache” with “Clean Data” – the second will delete all settings and accounts in the app!

Method 2: Delete temporary files via Recovery

This method cleans the /cache/ folder, where temporary update files and system logs are stored:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

Method 3: Using SD Maid or Files by Google

Apps like SD Maid or Files by Google can find and uninstall:

• 🗑️ Empty folders and “orphan” files.
• 📁 Residual APK-files after updates.
• 🔍 Duplicate files (for example, photo copies in different folders).

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files in folders /system/ or /vendor/ — This can lead to a device blink (complete inoperability).

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

Not all files in the Other section are safe to delete, but here are some critical data to avoid:

If you accidentally delete critical files, try:

1. Restart the device (the system will automatically recover some of the data).
2. Restore backup through Settings → Further → Restore and Reset.
3. In extreme cases, make a reset to factory settings (but this will delete all user data).

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If you're not sure about the file, don't delete it. You'd better transfer it to your computer and check the contents before you clean it.

How to Prevent the Spread of the Other in the Future

To the “Other” section does not take up gigabytes of memory, follow these recommendations:

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly (once every 1-2 months) through Settings → Warehouse.
• 📱 Remove unused applications through Settings → Apps, not just move them to your desktop.
• 🔗 Turn off automatic backup for unnecessary data (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Backup).
• 🎮 After removing the games, check the folders. /Android/obb/ and /Android/data/ residual files.
• 📲 Use the "Light Mode" in MIUI (Settings → Special facilities → Easy mode) to reduce background activity of applications.

It is also worth abandoning the automatic download of media in messengers:

• In Telegram: Settings → Data and Memory → Autoboot Media → Never.
• WhatsApp: Settings → Storage → Media Autoboot → Wi-Fi only.

If you install and uninstall applications frequently, consider using a memory card (up to 512GB) to store data, which will reduce the load on internal memory and reduce the volume of the Other.

Frequent Mistakes in Cleaning the Other and How to Avoid Them

Many Redmi 9 users make the same mistakes when trying to make room.

1. Delete files through a PC without checking. When you connect your phone to your computer, some folders may appear empty but actually contain hidden data. Always use the file manager on the device itself.
2. Using aggressive cleaners, applications like Clean Master often delete files that are needed to make them look like "optimization," and use SD Maid or built-in MIUI tools.
3. Clean Dalvik-cache manually. This folder contains optimized files for fast application operation, and cleaning it will slow down the system until the next reboot.
4. Ignoring backups. Before any memory manipulation, be sure to backup via Settings → About Phone → Backup.

If after cleaning the “Other” device began to work slower or there were errors, try:

• Restart your phone (many system files are automatically restored).
• Run Settings → Additional → Optimization (MIUI has a built-in tool for restoring performance).
• If problems persist, do a cache reset via Recovery (not to be confused with a full reset!).

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