Where to find storage in Xiaomi Redmi 9 phone: a complete guide to memory management

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones with flexible storage capabilities. However, even 64 or 128 GB of internal memory can quickly fill up if you do not follow the files. Where is this storage, how to open it and what to do if the space runs out? In this article, we will analyze all ways to access Redmi 9 memory, including hidden folders of the system, work with the system. MIUI and connecting external storage devices.

Many users are faced with the phone writing "Memory is full," even though there are not many visible files, because the application cache, system data and debris occupy a significant part of the storage, we will show you how to find these invisible files, clean them without harming the system, and even transfer some of the data to a microSD or the cloud, and also explain why sometimes the phone does not see the flash drive and how to fix it.

How to access storage on Xiaomi Redmi 9

V MIUI There are several paths to the file system, from the standard Files app to the hidden engineering menus, and let's look at all the options, including those that are not written in the official instructions.

The most obvious way is to use the built-in file manager, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones and is simply called Files.

• 📁 Internal storage – the main memory of the phone (partition) /storage/emulated/0/)
• 💾 SD-card - if it is connected (section) /storage/XXXX-XXXX/)
• 📎 Recent files – quick access to the latest documents
• 🔍 Categories – automatic sorting by type (images, video, audio, etc.)

But what if you need to see hidden system files or folders that don’t show up by default?

1. Open the Files app.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → "Settings"
3. Activate the "Show hidden files" switch

You can now see folders like.thumbdata (cache thumbnails),.nomedia (files excluded from the gallery) and other system data.

Where is the cache stored and how to clean it without harming the phone

One of the biggest memory eaters on Redmi 9 is the app cache, which is used to speed up programs, but it grows to giant sizes over time, like YouTube or TikTok cache can take up several gigabytes!

To see how much space the cache takes up:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Choose any app (such as Chrome or Facebook)
3. Put it on the vault" → Look at the line "Cash"

Cleaning the cache can be done in two ways:

• 🧹 Selectively: for each application manually (as described above) Suitable if you want to save authorization data.
• 🗑️ Massive: through Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache. Delete the cache of all applications at once.

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Do not clear the cache of system applications (for example, MIUI Launcher or Security – this can cause shell failures.

But beware: after cleaning the cache, some applications will take longer to load on the first run, as they will have to download data again, and settings in games or social networks may also reset (for example, you will have to log in again).

How to transfer files to SD-map

If the internal memory of Redmi 9 is full, and you do not want to delete files - transfer them to an external drive. the Smartphone supports microSD up to 512 GB (in a hybrid slot, you have to choose: the second one is the second one). SIM flash-drive).

To transfer files to the memory card:

1. Open the Files app.
2. Select the files you need (press your finger on one of them). → mark the rest)
3. Put it on "More" (three dots) → "Move it"
4. Choose. SD-destination-card

To automatically save new photos and videos to the map:

1. Open the chamber. → settings (cogs)
2. Find the item "Place of conservation" → choose SD-map

If you prefer cloud storage, MIUI integrated:

• ☁️ Mi Cloud (15GB free for Xiaomi accounts)
• ☁️ Google Drive (15GB) requires authorization through Google)
• ☁️ Yandex.Disk (10 GB, popular in Russia)

To enable automatic uploading of photos in Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud
2. Turn on the Gallery switch.
3. Select the download quality (original or compressed)

Hidden folders and system files: what can be deleted and what can not

Redmi 9's storage has folders that are not visible by default, but take up a lot of space.

• 📂 Android/obb/ — game files (may weigh) 10+ GB)
• 📂 Android/data/ — Application data (cache, save)
• 📂 MIUI/ — System shell files (delete dangerously!)
• 📂 DCIM/.thumbnails/ — gallery-piece

What can be safely removed:

In a file. Android/data/ Stores the game and application data, if you delete the contents, in some games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG) You'll have to start from scratch. You'll have to move those files. SD-Map or cloud if they take up too much space.

How to Free Up Space with Built-in Tools MIUI

MIUI It has powerful tools for cleaning memory that many users don't notice, such as Deep Clean can find and delete before you can. 5-10 GB of unnecessary files.

To launch it:

1. Go to Settings → Memory
2. Slip on "Clean" at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select "Deep Cleaning"
4. Wait for the analysis. → Check out unnecessary files → press "Clear"

Another useful tool is Storage Analysis, which shows you which file types are taking up the most space:

1. Same menu Settings → Put your memory on the chart.
2. You will see the distribution by categories: video, audio, documents, APK etc.
3. Click on the category → Sort files by size → remove the biggest ones

Remove the app cache|Transfer the photo/video to SD-map|Clean the Downloads folder|Remove the old ones APK-file|Launch "Deep Cleanup" in MIUI-->

Also in MIUI There's a function called Light Mode, which optimizes the performance of the phone when there's a memory shortage:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities
2. Select "Light Mode"
3. Activate the switch.

This mode turns off animations, reduces application background activity and frees up RAM.

What to do if the storage is full and there are few files

The situation where the phone says "Memory is full" but the file manager is empty is familiar to many.

• 🔄 System updates: MIUI Downloads the firmware in the background (folder) /cache/)
• 📦 Residual files: after deleting applications, the "tails" remain in the /data/data/
• 🔒 Encrypted data: some applications (e.g. banking) store data in a secure form
• 🤖 Viruses or malware: some Trojans create hidden files

Decisions:

1. Restart your phone – sometimes the system will not display the free space correctly.
2. Check the folder. /cache/ (need root or ADB).
3. Delete unused accounts – they can take up sync space.
4. Reset your phone to factory settings (extreme case).

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If after all the manipulations, the memory is still full, but there are no files, the problem may be in the corrupt file system, in which case only the phone will help to flash it.

It's also worth checking if there's any backup storage for updates.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update
2. If there is a downloaded update, delete it (the button "Delete the service pack")

Working with external drives: flash drives, OTG clouds

Redmi 9 not only supports microSD, but also supports microSD. USB-storage OTG-This is convenient for transferring large files or backing up.

To plug the flash drive through OTG:

1. Buy it. OTG-adapter (Type-C) → USB-A)
2. Connect the flash drive to the adapter and the adapter to the phone
3. Notification will pop up "USB-drive-in" → tap on him
4. Select "Open" or "Use as a media device"

If the phone can't see OTG-accumulator:

• 🔌 Check if the flash drive supports the file system FAT32 exFAT (NTFS It doesn't work)
• 🔄 Reboot your phone with a connected flash drive
• 🔧 Try another one. OTG-Adapter (cheap adapters may not work)

To work with cloud services on Redmi 9, it is better to use official applications:

• ☁️ Mi Cloud – pre-installed, synchronizes contacts, notes and photos
• ☁️ Google Photos – Automatic uploading of photos/video in original quality
• ☁️ Yandex.Disk – convenient for backup of documents

To set up automatic uploading of photos in Google Photos:

1. Install an app from the Play Market
2. Open it and log in.
3. Slip on the avatar. → "Photo settings" → "Backup and synchronization"
4. Turn on the switch and select quality ("Original" or "High Quality")

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Redmi storage 9