How to Clean the Other section on Xiaomi Mi9: A Complete Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions

The Xiaomi Mi9 is one of the brand’s most popular flagships, but even its owners are faced with a mysterious “Other” partition in storage that takes up gigabytes of memory for no apparent reason. This section includes app cache, temporary system files, remnants of deleted programs and fragmented data. Unlike regular garbage, it cannot be cleaned with standard MIUI tools, special methods are required.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to clean the “Other” on the Mi9, including hidden settings MIUI, utilization ADB-We'll focus on data security, all of which have been tested on firmware. MIUI 12.5-14 and do not require root permissions, and you will learn why the Other section grows over time and how to prevent it from being refilled.

What is the “Other” section of Xiaomi Mi9 and why is it filled?

The Other section (or Other in the English version of MIUI) is a collective name for files that the system cannot categorize as standard: photos, videos, applications or documents.

• 🗑️ Application cache and systems are temporary files that should be automatically deleted but often remain due to crashes.
• 🔄 Remnants of remote programs are fragments of data that were not completely erased during the uninstallation.
• 📁 System Logs and Dumps – Debugging Files Created MIUI For errors (such as anr or tombstone).
• 🔗 Symbolic links – virtual “shortcuts” of files that take up space but don’t appear in the file manager.
• 📱 Data data OTA-Updates – firmware packages that were not removed after installation.

On the Xiaomi Mi9, this section is often expanded due to the features of the F2FS file system, which the brand uses to optimize performance. Unlike ext4, F2FS is more susceptible to fragmentation, especially when using a smartphone for 2-3 years. For example, after upgrading from MIUI 11 to MIUI 12, many users noticed the growth of the Other by 3-5 GB due to improper cleaning of old system files.

⚠️ Note: If the Other partition takes up more than 10 GB, this may indicate damage to the file system. In this case, cleaning with standard methods will not help - you will need to reset to factory settings or flash through Fastboot.

Method 1: Clearing the cache through hidden MIUI settings

The safest method is to use built-in MIUI tools that don't require super-user rights. There are two levels of cleaning available on the Mi9:

1. Regular cache cleanup – removes temporary application files.
2. Deep cleaning – resets the cache of system services (e.g. miui.analytics or com.xiaomi.market).

To perform a deep cleaning:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times on the MIUI version bar to activate the developer mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate the USB Debugging option and connect your phone to your PC (optional for this method, but you will need it later).
5. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
6. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Deep Clean.
7. Check all items except Download and Multimedia and confirm the action.

Synchronize your contacts with Google

Save important files from the DCIM folder

Remember Wi-Fi passwords (they will reset)

Disable two-factor authentication in banking applications (re-entry required)-->

Once cleaned, restart the phone. This method frees up to 2-4 GB of memory, but does not remove system logs and update residues.

Method 2: Removing System Garbage Through ADB (No Root)

The ADB (Android Debug Bridge) tool allows you to manage system files without obtaining root rights. On the Xiaomi Mi9, you can use it to delete:

• 📦 Residues OTA-update (/cache/recovery).
• 🗃️ Logs of the system (/data/log and /data/tombstones).
• 🔄 Cash Dalvik (/data/dalvik-cache).

The work will require:

• Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB-tools.
• USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the Mi9 to your PC and allow debugging over USB.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. Enter the commands in turn: adb shell su -c "rm -rf /data/log/*" su -c "rm -rf /data/tombstones/*" su -c "rm -rf /cache/recovery/*" su -c "rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*" ⚠️ Note: If a Permission denied error appears after entering su, then root access is disabled on your device even through the ADB. In this case, skip commands with su -c And just do the cleaning. /cache/recovery.
4. Reboot your phone with the command: adb reboot

This method frees up to 1-3 GB of memory, but requires caution: Do not manually delete files from other folders (e.g. /system) to avoid causing MIUI to crash.

Once a month

Only when memory ends

Never cleaned.

I tried, but it didn't help.-->

Method 3: Use of third-party utilities (Files by Google, SD Maid)

If previous methods did not help, you should use specialized applications. Mi9 Well-established:

We recommend starting with Files by Google, as it is free and does not require additional permissions.

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Go to the Cleanup tab.
3. Click Free space and wait for analysis.
4. In the Unnecessary Files section, select all items except Download.
5. Confirm removal.

SD Maid is suitable for advanced users, it finds orphan files (remnants of deleted applications) and clears the Dalvik cache, but without root rights, the functionality is limited. For example, on the Mi9 with MIUI 14, the application can remove up to 500-800 MB of garbage even without root.

💡

Before using SD Maid, turn off MIUI optimization in the battery settings for this application, otherwise it will be suspended 5 minutes after closing.

Method 4: Manually clean through file manager (for experienced)

If you are willing to take the risk, you can manually delete unnecessary files through a file manager with access to system folders (for example, FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer. Mi9 The following directories are safely cleaned:

• 📂 /data/data/com.android.providers.media/ — Media cache (remove the cache folder).
• 📂 /data/log/ — system logs (all files with.log or.txt extension).
• 📂 /cache/ — Temporary files (all contents can be deleted).
• 📂 /data/tombstones/ — Error dumps (files with names like this) tombstone_00).

Step-by-step:

1. Install. FX File Explorer and enable Root access (if root is available) or ADB-access (via PC).
2. Go to /data/data/ and find folders with names of remote applications (e.g. com.tencent.mm for WeChat if you deleted it).
3. Delete these folders completely.
4. Clear the folders from the list above.
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files in folders /system, /vendor or /boot — This will lead to a device blink (breaking the firmware), and do not touch files with the.odex or.apk extension in the system directories.

This method is the riskiest, but also the most effective – it allows you to free up to 5-7 GB of memory if the “Other” has grown due to the remnants of old firmware or applications.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If all previous methods failed and the Other section still takes up more than 8-10 GB, it is a radical way to reset, but it is guaranteed to clean all temporary files, including:

• 🔄 Fragmented file system data.
• 📱 Settings MIUI, which could have caused conflicts.
• 🗑️ Hidden folders from old firmware.

How to perform a reset without losing important data:

1. Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Copy photos, videos and documents to your PC or cloud.
3. Remember or export passwords from your browser and apps.
4. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
5. Choose to erase all data and confirm.

After discharge:

• Do not restore data from a MIUI backup – it may contain the same junk files.
• Install apps from Google Play, not from backup.
• Turn off automatic memory optimization in Settings → Battery → Optimization.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi Mi9 s MIUI 14 after reset, you may experience a device activation error. To avoid it, unplug your Xiaomi account in Settings before resetting. → Xiaomi account → Get out.

How to prevent the “Other” section from being refilled?

To prevent the “Other” section from growing again, follow these recommendations:

1. Turn off automatic MIUI optimization: Go to Settings → Battery → Optimize and turn it off for frequently used applications. This feature creates unnecessary logs.
2. Clean the cache regularly: Use Settings → Memory → Clean up once every 2 weeks.
3. Don’t use MIUI Memory Cleaners: Built-in utilities like Security or Cleaner often delete useful data but leave system debris behind.
4. Update firmware: Newer versions of MIUI fix cache clearing bugs, for example, MIUI 14 adds a separate section to manage Others.
5. Use light firmware: If you like customization, try Xiaomi.EU or Pixel Experience – they are optimized better than stock MIUI.

Also avoid:

• 🚫 Install applications from unverified sources (APK-Files often leave garbage behind).
• 🚫 Frequently changing firmware through TWRP — It fragments the memory.
• 🚫 Use functions like Dual Applications or Second Space – they duplicate data.

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Regularly cleaning the cache and disabling unnecessary MIUI functions (such as analytics or battery optimization) reduces the growth of the Other section by 60-70%.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the “Other” section on Xiaomi Mi9