Xiaomi Redmi 9: What is it, why is it growing and how to reduce it?

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but many users are faced with the mysterious item “Other” in the “Memory” section. It can take from 5-10 GB to 20+ GB, while it is impossible to understand which files are included.

Let's just warn you, the other is not a virus or a bug, it's Android and MIUI service data, app cache, temporary files and deleted program residues, the problem is that the system doesn't show them in detail, and some files can't be deleted by standard means, and then a detailed guide with instructions, warnings and life hacks for Redmi 9 (also relevant for Redmi 9A/9C/9T).

What is the “Other” in the memory of Xiaomi Redmi 9?

The Memory Memory Menu “Other” (Settings → About Phone → Memory) is a collection category for files that don’t fall into the standard sections (“Apps”, “Images”, “Video”, etc.) that includes:

• 📁 Application cache and systems are temporary files that are created to speed up the work of programs, such as YouTube, Telegram or cache. MIUI Launcher.
• 🔄 Residual data of remote applications – “tails” that remain after uninstallation of programs (for example, folders in the computer). /Android/data/).
• 📱 System Logs and Dumps – Debugging files that Android creates when crashes or updates.
• 🔒 Secure data MIUI — encryption files, security keys and firmware metadata.
• 🗑️ Garbage files – empty folders, broken downloads, duplicate thumbnails.

On a Redmi 9 with a MIUI 12-14, the Other often takes 10 to 15 GB even on a new phone. That's fine, but if it's more than 20 GB, it's time to clean up. The main difficulty is that the system doesn't allow direct access to these files, so you have to use workarounds.

⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to delete Other through root access or third-party cleaners like Clean Master. MIUI and call bootloop (cyclic reboot).

Why does the Other grow with time?

The volume of the "Other" section increases due to the features of Android and MIUI.

1. Automatic cache creation: Apps (especially social networks and instant messengers) constantly store temporary data to speed up loading, for example, Facebook can accumulate up to 1-2 GB of cache per month.
2. Incomplete removal of applications. When you uninstall the program through Settings → Applications often leave folders with data in /Android/obb/ or /Android/data/.
3. Updates MIUI. Each firmware update leaves backups of system files ("backups") that take up to 500MB-1GB.
4. File system errors: When power is cut or crashes, broken files can appear, which the system refers to as "Other".

On Redmi 9 with 32/64GB of memory, the Other can eat up to 30% of the total, which is critical if you store a lot of photos/video or install heavy games.

How do you see what the “other” is?

The standard MIUI does not show the contents of The Other, but there are workarounds. Here are safe methods to analyze:

Method 1: Built-in memory analyzer

Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory → Memory Analysis. The system will show the file categorization, but the Other will remain unmarked.

• 📊 App cache (can be cleaned right here).
• 📂 Downloads (often unnecessary files are accumulated there).
• 🔍 Backups (e.g. from Mi Cloud or Google Drive).

Method 2: File Manager (Advanced Analysis)

Use the built-in Files by Google or Mi File Manager:

1. Open the conductor and go to Categories → Memory Analysis.
2. Click on Other – some files will be distributed to folders (/Android/obb/, /cache/, etc.).
3. Pay attention to the folders.thumbnails (miniatures), lost.dir (restored files) and MIUI (system data).

💡

If in a folder /Android/data/ files from long-deleted applications (for example, com.whatsapp), they can be safely deleted - this is residual garbage.

Method 3: Third-party applications (for experienced)

Apps like DiskUsage or Storage Analyzer visualize occupied space.

• 📈 Large files (such as logs.log or dumps.dmp).
• 🗂️ Hidden folders (e.g, /data/media/0/MIUI/).

But beware: Deleting system files can cause MIUI to crash.

How to clean the “Other” on Xiaomi Redmi 9: step-by-step instructions

Before cleaning, back up important data (photos, contacts, messages) and use Mi Cloud or Google Photos, followed by safe ways to reduce Other:

Method 1: Cleaning the application cache

The easiest and safest way to do this is:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Chrome or Facebook) and click Clear Cache.
3. For mass cleaning: Settings → Memory → Clean (remove the cache of all applications).

✅ Effect: Releases 1-5 GB (depending on the number of installed programs).

Method 2: Deletion of residual application data

After deleting the programs, the tails remain in /Android/data/ and /Android/obb/ folders:

1. Open Explorer and go to Internal Memory → Android → Data.
2. Find folders with names of remote applications (for example, com.instagram) and delete them.
3. Repeat /Android/obb/ (there are game caches).

⚠️ Do not delete the folders of current applications – this will cause them to fail!

Method 3: Cleaning up system debris through Safe Mode

If your phone is slowing down because of the Other, try Safe Mode:

1. Press the power button and hold the “Switch off power” until the Safe Mode window appears.
2. In Safe Mode, delete unnecessary files through Explorer.
3. Reboot the phone.

✅ Effect: Deletes temporary files that are not visible in normal mode.

Method 4: Reset partition cache (without data loss)

This is a radical but safe way to:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power button + volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select “Wipe Cache Partition” (use volume buttons for navigation).
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

✅ Frees up 2–10 GB without affecting user data.

💡

Wipe Cache Partition is the only official way to clean up system debris recommended by Xiaomi.

Method 5: Removing unnecessary MIUI language packs

MIUI establishes languages for all regions that cover up to 500MB.

1. Install MoreLocale 2 from Google Play.
2. Remove unnecessary languages through Settings → Additional → Language and input.

What should I do when cleaning the “other”?

Some actions may damage the system or cause data loss.

• 🚫 Deletion of folders /system, /vendor or /MIUI — This will lead to a bootloop.
• 🚫 Use of root access cleaners (for example, SD Maid or Root Cleaner – they can erase critical files.
• 🚫 Formatting a section /data Recovery will erase all user data.
• 🚫 Deleting files with the.odex or.apk extension are components of applications.

⚠️ Warning: If the Other grows fast again after cleaning, check your phone for viruses with Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light.

How can we prevent the growth of the Other in the future?

To prevent the “Other” from growing, follow simple rules:

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly (every 1-2 months).
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary apps through Settings → Apps, not just dragging an icon into a shopping cart.
• 📥 Control downloads - folder /Download/ Often gets clogged with unnecessary files.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI — In new versions optimized work with memory.
• 📵 Avoid Google Play Cleaners – Most of them are useless or harmful.

Redmi 9 with MIUI 13+ has a Deep Clean feature (Settings → Memory → Deep Clean), which automatically deletes unnecessary system files. Use it once a quarter.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the “Other” in the memory of Xiaomi