Xiaomi Redmi 9T's 'Other' Takes Gigabytes? learns to clean system debris correctly

Xiaomi Redmi 9T owners often encounter the mysterious “Other” section in the storage settings, which takes up 5 to 20 GB of storage — without telling what exactly it includes. The system does not offer a clean-up button, and standard methods like removing the app cache hardly free 1-2 GB.

In fact, the Other is a hoard of system logs, update residues, deleted files labeled "do not delete"** and even hidden MIUI data that the operating system does not classify as "music," "photo" or "apps."

• 📁 Cash. MIUI — Temporary shell files that are not cleared through the standard menu
• 🔄 Residues OTA-Updates – firmware packages that the system did not remove after installation
• 🗑️ «Garbage from remote applications – data fragments left after uninstallation of programs
• 📊 Error logs and dumps are files that the system creates when the system crashes (especially if the phone has ever “hanged»)

The main problem is that MIUI artificially understates the actual volume of the Other in the storage interface. For example, if the system shows 8 GB, it can actually be 12-15 GB. In this article, we will analyze 7 proven cleaning methods, from safe (via embedded tools) to radical (using ADB).

1. Standard cleaning through the "Storage" - which can be removed without risk

Start with basic methods that don’t require root rights or technical skills, and even if they only free up 1-3 GB, it will reduce the memory load.

Open Settings → Storage → Cleanup. Here MIUI suggests you delete:

• 🧹 Application cache – secure, but usually frees up to 500 MB
• 🗑️ Unnecessary files are temporary data that the system itself identifies as garbage.
• 📁 Downloads -- folder /Download, clump APK, documents and media

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If the list has the item "Remains of updates", feel free to delete it - these are firmware packages that the system no longer needs.

But the most interesting section is deeper: go to Settings → Storage → Internal Memory → Another. Here, MIUI will show you the distribution of junk by category.

• 📄 Documents – often unnecessary here PDF, XLS or TXT file
• 🎵 Audio – remnants of audio files from remote applications (such as ringtones or notifications)

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete folders with the names miui, MIUI Xiaomi is the system data without which the phone can work unstable.

2. Cleaning the MIUI cache through the engineering menu (hidden method)

MIUI has a hidden engineering menu where you can manually drop the shell cache, which is safe, but requires you to follow the instructions exactly.

Follow the following steps:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
2. In the menu that appears, select Storage Information (or Storage)
3. Click Clear Cache (or Clear Cache)

This method removes temporary MIUI files that are not visible in the standard cleanup menu, and in some cases, frees up to 1-2 GB of memory.

If #4636### doesn’t work, try an alternative method:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times in a row on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers
4. Find the item Do not save actions and turn it on (this will turn off animations and reduce the load on the cache)

3. Manually Removing Remainders of Updates

Every one. OTA-update MIUI leaves behind a bag of weight 1.5-2.5 GB, which the system has to delete automatically, but often it doesn't. /cache and take place in the "Other" section».

To remove them:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Open the Internal Memory → Cache folder (if you can’t see it, turn on the hidden files display)
3. Delete all files with the.zip extension or names like update.zip, miui_OTA...

If the cache folder is empty or not, check the alternative paths:

• 📁 /data/ota_package — There may be some old firmware here.
• 📁 /sdcard/MIUI/ota — backups of updates

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from the folder /system or /vendor — This will cause a phone to crash, MIUI download.

4.Use of a file manager with root access (for advanced ones)

If standard methods didn’t work, and The Other still takes 10+GB, you’ll have to dig deeper, and you’ll need a root-access file manager (like Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).

Check the following folders first (remove their contents, but not the folders themselves!):

Pay special attention to /data/app-lib, which stores libraries of remote applications, and you can delete them if you haven't used these programs in a long time.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /data/data It'll reset your app settings. If you're not sure, don't touch this folder!

5.Cache reset via Recovery Mode (without data loss)

If the phone is noticeably slowing down and the Other takes more than 10GB, cache resetting via Recovery will help.This method doesn't delete user data, but requires a reboot.

Instructions:

1. Turn off Redmi 9T.
2. Press the Power Button + Volume Up at the same time and hold for 10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (if you have a choice) and go to Wipe & Reset.
4. Select Wipe Cache (not Wipe Data!) and confirm the action.
5. After completion, press Reboot.

This method cleans dalvik-cache and temporary system files, which can free up to 3-5 GB of memory. However, after a reboot, the phone will boot longer than usual (up to 5 minutes) - this is normal.

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Resetting the cache via Recovery is the most effective way to clean the Other without root rights. MIUI.

6. Radical methods: ADB and complete reset

If nothing has worked and The Other still takes 15+GB, there are two options left:

1. Cleaning through ADB (requires a PC and USB-cable)
2. Complete reset (deletes all data)

For cleaning through ADB:

1. Install Platform Tools on PC
2. Connect your phone in Debugging mode via USB (includes in Settings → For developers)
3. Open the command line in the folder with ADB and type: adb shell pm clear com.miui.home This will clear the MIUI shell cache.

For a complete reset (if other methods have not worked):

1. Backup data through Settings → Additional → Backup
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings
3. Choose Delete all data and confirm

⚠️ After a complete reset, the “Other” will decrease to 1-3 GB, but all apps, photos and settings will be erased.

7.Prevention: How to Prevent the Spread of the Other

To prevent the problem from returning, follow simple rules:

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning (once in) 2-3 weekdays)
• 🚫 Do not install applications from unknown sources – they often leave garbage in the system.
• 📱 Update. MIUI — In new versions, the work with cache is optimized
• 🗑️ Use cloud storage (such as Mi Cloud or Google Drive) for backups instead of local storage

You should also disable automatic backups for unnecessary applications. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, select an unnecessary application, and disable Auto-Create Backup.

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Regular cleaning of the cache and abandoning the "left» APK-The files reduce the volume of the "Other" 30-50% a month later.

FAQ: Frequent Questions About "The Other" on Redmi 9T