Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphones often face a situation when the device’s memory is overcrowded, and the main culprit is the mysterious “Other” section, which can take up tens of gigabytes in storage, significantly reducing the performance of the gadget and preventing the ability to take new pictures or install applications. Understanding the nature of these files is the first step to freeing up valuable space.
The MIUI system on which the smartphone operating system is based tends to accumulate temporary files, deleted program residues, and error logs. Unlike standard categories like Photos or Applications, the Other section is not always automatically cleanable by standard means, which is why users need to know specific algorithms for safely removing excess debris.
In this article, we will take a closer look at what lies behind this label and provide a comprehensive cleanup manual. Manual file management is more effective than built-in utilities in some cases, but requires care. Follow the guidelines to return your Redmi 9 performance and free space.
What is hidden in the category "Other"
Before we start deleting data, it's important to understand the origin of the data. The Other category is a collection of files that the system can't uniquely classify, including app cache, temporary update files, media cover files, and instant messenger data.
Special attention should be paid to messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp, which often save the photos and videos viewed in hidden folders, which the system perceives as unknown data, and can also contain debugging logs and residues after incorrect removal of programs.
⚠️ Note: Do not delete system files with.xml or.conf extensions unless you are sure of their purpose. MIUI.
Content analysis shows that the lion’s share of the “garbage” is accounted for by the cache of browsers and streaming services. High-resolution video buffering takes up a significant amount of volume, which is not always cleaned automatically.
Use of the built-in "Security" application
The easiest and safest way to start cleaning is to use Xiaomi’s regular tool, the Security app has access to system partitions and can delete secure temporary files without risking damage to the operating system.
To start the process, you need to open the application and select the Cleanup function, the system will scan and suggest removing the debris found, but it is worth considering that the standard analyzer does not always see all the hidden files in the Other section.
☑️ Checking standard cleaning
It is recommended to perform this procedure regularly to prevent the accumulation of a critical mass of data. Automatic cleaning helps to keep the system in good shape, but more advanced methods are required for deep analysis.
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Set up automatic cleaning in the Security app so that the phone will remove garbage once a week or when a certain memory occupancy threshold is reached.
Cleaning the app cache manually
If standard methods didn't free up enough space, you'd have to go manually, and many applications, especially social media and video services, store huge amounts of data in their cache, which speeds up programs, but over time, it inflates to giant sizes.
To find heavyweights, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Here you need to sort the list by place you occupy. Look for applications that take up several gigabytes, even if you rarely use them.
Select the problem app and click the Clear button. It is important to choose Clear Cache, not Clear All, unless you want to lose your logins and settings inside the program. Cleaning all data will return the application to state immediately after installation.
Why is the cache growing so fast?
After doing this, the Other should be significantly reduced, and regular cache checks for heavy applications are the best way to prevent memory overflows on Redmi 9.
Working with file manager and hidden folders
Deeper cleaning requires the use of a conductor. Xiaomi's built-in Explorer or third-party solutions like Files by Google allow you to see folder structure. Turn on the hidden files in the Explorer settings to see all the elements.
First of all, check the Android/data and Android/obb folders. This is where game and app data is stored, and it's also worth looking at messenger folders, which are often at the root of internal memory or in the MIUI folder.
Delete files with the extension.tmp, as well as folders with the names of applications that have been deleted long ago. Be careful with files that have strange names or system extensions.
| File type | Location. | Can I remove it? | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| .apk | Download / Install | Yes. | Low (they're installers) |
| .tmp | Everywhere. | Yes. | Low (temporary files) |
| .log | System / Logs | Yes. | Low (Error Reports) |
| .xml /.conf | System / Config | No. | High (system settings) |
Use the file manager's size sorting function to instantly find the largest files, which often form the basis of the Other section.
Analysis of storage through settings
Newer versions of MIUI have an improved storage analyzer. Go to Settings → About Phone → Storage (or simply “Memory” depending on the firmware version) Here, the system visualizes memory.
Click on "Other" or "System Files" if this option is available for detail. The system may suggest clearing large files or duplicates. This tool works more accurately than standard cleaning, as it analyzes the real distribution of memory blocks.
If the analyzer shows that the Other takes up more than 20% of the memory, it is recommended to conduct a complete revision of the installed applications. Often Unused apps store data that is classified into this category.
Radical measures: Resetting settings
In cases where the Other has grown to an obscene size (e.g., 20-30GB on a 64GB device) and is not cleaned by any method, the latter option remains: a full factory reset. Factory Reset completely re-marks the file system, eliminating all logical errors of garbage accumulation.
Before starting the procedure, be sure to back up all important data. Go to Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset → Erase all data. The device will reboot and return to the “out of the box” state.
⚠️ Warning: After reset, all your photos, contacts and apps will be deleted. Make sure that sync with Google Account and Mi Cloud is successful.
This method is guaranteed to clean up the Other partition as it is recreated from scratch. For the Redmi 9, it is also a great way to refresh the CPU and RAM if the phone has started to run slowly.
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A complete reset is the only solution if the “Other” section contains corrupted system files that block the normal operation of the smartphone.