How to Clean Up “Other” on Xiaomi 9: A Complete Memory Freeing Guide

Xiaomi Mi 9 is the flagship smartphone of 2019, which still remains relevant thanks to powerful hardware and regular updates to MIUI. However, even at 64/128 GB of memory, users face a mysterious problem: the “Other” partition in storage takes up tens of gigabytes, but it is unclear what it is and how to clean it. Unlike the cache of applications or downloads, “Other” has no obvious source – it is a mixture of system logs, temporary files, update remnants and MIUI artifacts.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to reduce the volume of “Other” on Xiaomi 9 without resetting to factory settings. You will learn what files can be manually deleted, how to disable unnecessary MIUI processes, and why standard cleaning through Settings → Storage often does not work. All methods are tested on MIUI 12-14 firmware (including global and Chinese versions) and do not require root rights.

What is the “Other” in Xiaomi 9 memory and why it grows

The Other section (or Other in the English version of MIUI) is the garbage bin of the operating system.

• 📁 System Logs (/data/log, /cache/recovery) — Debugging files that are created when background services update, crash or work.
• 🔄 Remains of updates - undeleted firmware packages (MIUI_OTA), which are not installed, but which are not.
• 🖼️ Miniatures and gallery cache — MIUI Creates duplicate previews to speed up photo uploads, but often fails to clean them.
• 🤖 Dalvik-ART files – optimized cache to speed up application launches (located in the /data/dalvik-cache).
• 📱 Remote app artifacts – folders and program settings you uninstalled long ago, but traces of them remain.

On Xiaomi 9, the problem is exacerbated by the features of MIUI:

1. The system actively uses logs for analytics (even if you disable the sending of statistics).
2. The “Security → Cleaner” feature often skips system files.
3. MIUI caches data for design and animation themes that take up to 1-2 GB.

On Xiaomi 9 with MIUI 12.5+ firmware, the Other section can take up to 15-20 GB — that’s fine if you’ve been using a smartphone for 2+ years — but if the volume exceeds 25 GB, it’s a signal that you need to clean it up.

Method 1: Clear cache and temporary files via Recovery

The safest method is to use the built-in Recovery Mode, which deletes temporary files without affecting user data.

1. Turn off the Xiaomi 9.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the menu, select the language (if you have a choice), then:

Reboot → System

This method removes:

• ✅ Application cache and systems.
• ✅ Temporary update files.
• ✅ Dalvik-ART (Fast-Time) MIUI).

⚠️ Warning: Don't choose Wipe Data, it will cause your smartphone to reset completely! If there is no Wipe Cache in the recavator, your firmware is modified (e.g. custom recavery). TWRP).

Method 2: Removing Logs and Dumps through ADB

If the Other is >10GB, system logs and memory dumps are to blame, and can be deleted via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) without root rights, and you will need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and platform-tools tool.

Steps:

1. Enable USB debugging on Xiaomi 9: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to become a developer) → Additional → For developers → Debugging on USB.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute in the command line:

adb shell


su -c "rm -rf /data/log/*"




su -c "rm -rf /cache/*"




su -c "rm -rf /data/tombstones/*"




su -c "rm -rf /data/anr/*"

If the SU command is not working (no root), use the alternative:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.analytics


adb shell pm clear com.xiaomi.midrop

It'll delete:

• 📜 Logs of analytics MIUI (com.miui.analytics).
• 📊 Failure dumps (/data/tombstones).
• 🔄 Cash updates (/cache).

⚠️ Note: Delete files in /data/log It can lead to disruptions in work. MIUI Health and Security. If after cleaning, weather widgets or pedometers stop working, restart your phone.

💡

If ADB does not recognize the device, try reinstalling Xiaomi drivers through the official website or using the Mi PC Suite program.

Method 3: Manually clean folders through file manager

Some Other files can be manually deleted through a file manager with access to system folders (e.g. Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer).

How to clean:

1. Open Mi File Explorer and enable the display of hidden files (⋮ → Settings → Show hidden files).
2. Go to /storage/emulated/0 (internal memory) and delete the contents of the folders from the table above.
3. For folders in /data, root rights or ADB are required (see Method 2).

Exceptions: do not delete:

• 🚫 Folders. Android/obb — game-play.
• 🚫 Files in /system — It can break the firmware.
• 🚫 DCIM, Download, Pictures – Your Personal Files.

Method 4: Disconnect unnecessary system processes

MIUI runs background processes that generate logs and take up space in the Other, which can be turned off by:

Analysis and error reporting:

• Go to Settings. → Memory. → Cleanup → Settings (⚙️) → Disable “Send Error Reports».
• In Settings → About Phone → User reviews turn off automatic data sending.

2. Advertising and services Xiaomi:

• In Settings → Applications → Application Management → All applications find:

Topics and widgets:

• In Settings → Screen → Themes, turn off automatic theme updates.
• Remove unused themes through Themes App.

⚠️ Attention: Disconnection MSA (com.miui.systemAdSolution may cause Mi Video and Mi Browser errors. If applications start to crash after deactivation, return the settings.

💡

Disabling MIUI background processes not only frees up space in the Other, but also increases battery life by 10-15% by reducing the load on the processor.

Method 5: Reset application cache via Safe Mode

If standard cleaning doesn’t work, try Safe Mode, which only works with system applications, allowing you to remove the cache without interference from third-party software.

Instructions:

1. Press the power button before the off menu appears.
2. Press and hold the “Switch off” option – a prompt will appear to go to Safe Mode.
3. Confirm and wait for the reboot (the bottom left corner will have the Safe Mode inscription).
4. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications and for each of them click “Clear Cache”.
5. Restart your phone in normal mode.

Safe Mode also allows:

• 🔍 Remove suspicious applications that can generate logs.
• 📱 Check the system without third-party software (if the “Other” decreased – one of the applications is to blame).

Signs of viruses or malware:

• «The other is growing. >500 MB a day.
• B Settings → Battery is an unknown process with high consumption.
• There are banner ads in the status line.

💡

If after leaving Safe Mode, the Other has grown again, use an antivirus (such as Malwarebytes) to scan for adware (advertising viruses).

What to do if nothing helps

If after all the manipulations, the Other still takes > 15 GB, radical measures remain:

1. Update to firmware: Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update and install the latest version of MIUI. Use MIUI bootloader to manually install firmware through Recovery.

Reset to factory settings:

• Save your data to your PC or Mi Cloud.
• Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
• Select “Erase Everything” (not Wipe Cache!).
• Custom firmware installation: For power users: LineageOS or Pixel Experience-based firmware does not have MIUI “junk” processes, but requires unlocking the bootloader.

When the dumping doesn't help:

• 🛠️ If "The Other" takes >25 GB immediately after reset – a problem in the damaged partition of memory (repair needed).
• 🔋 If the smartphone overheats during cleaning, wear of flash memory is possible (typical for Xiaomi 9 after 3-4 years of use).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the “Other” on Xiaomi 9