How to Clean the Other section on Xiaomi Redmi 9S: A Complete Guide with Proven Methods

The “Other” section in Xiaomi Redmi 9S memory is one of the most puzzling and annoying problems for users, which can take anywhere from a few gigabytes to half of an internal drive, and the system doesn’t show which files are getting there. Unlike obvious categories like “Photos” or “Apps,” “Other” collects cache of system processes, temporary update files, remnants of deleted programs, and even artifacts from MIUI work. If your smartphone shows that memory is 90% full and you can’t figure out why, that partition is to blame.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to clean the Other on Redmi 9S, including hidden MIUI settings, ADB commands, and even manually clean File Manager. We’ll focus on the reasons why this section is growing, from the features of the F2FS file system (used in Redmi 9S) to bugs in Google Play Services. You’ll also learn how to prevent refilling memory by setting up automatic optimization.

Important: The methods are suitable for Xiaomi Redmi 9S on MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese firmware versions).If you have custom firmware (like LineageOS), some of the instructions may not work – in which case, refer to the alternatives section.

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

The Other section of MIUI is a collector for files that the system cannot categorize as standard (DCIM, Downloads, Android/obb, etc.) and includes:

• 📁 Cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui or com.miui.home) that is not cleaned by standard means.
• 🔄 Temporary update files (OTA), which remain after the installation of new versions MIUI.
• 🗑️ Remnant Remnants of Remote Applications – folders with settings and data that are not deleted through Settings → Annexes.
• 📊 Logs and dumps of the system (.log,.dumpstate files) created in case of failure or diagnosis.
• 🔗 Symbolic links and file system metadata F2FS, which MIUI Consider as occupied space.

The main reason for the growth of the Other on Redmi 9S is a feature of the F2FS file system, which fragments small files more than ext4, and MIUI does not optimize them automatically. For example, after updating the firmware through OTA, a partition can remain up to 1-2 GB of garbage that is not visible to the user. Another culprit is Google Play Services, which creates a cache for ARCore, Google Play Games and other services, but does not clean it when you delete applications.

In practice, “Other” can take up to 10-15 GB on a 64GB Redmi 9S model, unless deep cleaning has ever been done, and the standard “Clean” function in Settings → Memory only deletes 10-20% of these files.

Method 1: Cleaning through the hidden “Storage” menu in MIUI

The safest method is to use the built-in MIUI menu, which shows advanced memory information, which is hidden from ordinary users, but accessible through a special path.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to the About Phone section.
3. Tap 5 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode (if not already activated).
4. Return to the main Settings menu and open Additional → Storage (this item will appear after activation of the developer mode).
5. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see the Other section with the Clear button. Press it and confirm the action.

This method removes:

• 🧹 Cache of system applications (com.android.providers.media, com.miui.gallery).
• 📥 Temporary download files that didn’t get into the Download folder.
• 🔍 Logs of the system (/data/log), If they are not protected from removal.

Battery charge > 30%

All applications closed.

Backup of important data is made

Wi-Fi connection (to download updates after cleaning)-->

⚠️ Note: After cleaning this menu, the history of calls and SMS-The last 1-2 days of the report are due to the fact that MIUI Stores temporary copies of them in the system cache.To avoid losses, export the history through the Contacts app before cleaning (Import / Export menu).

Method 2: Manual garbage disposal via File Manager (with root rights)

If the hidden menu didn't work, you'd have to manually delete files, and you'd need a root-enabled File Manager (like MiXplorer or Solid Explorer), and without root-access, you wouldn't be able to see most system folders.

How to get root on Redmi 9S:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP) for your model (curtana is codenamed Redmi 9S).
3. Sweep Magisk through TWRP to obtain root rights.

After receiving root, follow the instructions:

1. Open File Manager with root access.


2. Go to the root directory (/).




3. Delete the contents of the following folders (Before you delete, make a backup!):




- /data/log/




- /data/tombstones/ (failure dumps)




- /data/dalvik-cache/ (Dalvik cache)




/cache/ (temporary update files)




4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files in folders /data/data/ or /system/ — If you're not sure what the folder is, you'll first check its contents through a Google search.

💡

Before removing folders through root, back them up to the cloud or PC. → «Squeeze» → keep an archive on SD-map.

Method 3: Cleaning through ADB (without root)

If you don't want to get root, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to remove some of the system debris, which works without superuser rights, but requires you to connect your phone to your computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB (download from Android).
• 📱 Developer mode enabled and debugging by USB on the Redmi 9S.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux).


2. Enter a command to check the connection:




adb devices




(Your device’s serial number should be displayed)




3. perform the cleaning commands:




adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.media




adb shell pm clear com.google.android.gms




adb shell pm clear com.google.android.gsf




4. Reboot the phone.

These teams will clear the cache:

• 🎵 Media provider (responsible for scanning files and often clogs the “Other” with duplicate thumbnails).
• 🔍 Google Play Services and Google Services Framework: The Main Sources of Hidden Garbage.

After restarting, the phone can run slower than 5 to 10 minutes, which is normal because the system restores cache, and after an hour, the performance will return to normal.

Method 4: Resetting cache via Recovery Mode

If previous methods didn’t work, try resetting cache via Recovery Mode.This won’t delete your data, but will clear temporary system files that can take up to 3–5GB in the Other section.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the Redmi 9S.
2. Press the Power and Volume buttons up at the same time until the MI logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu (manage volume buttons, choose the power button) select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
5. Reboot your phone (Reboot → System)

This method removes:

• 🗃️ Dalvik cache (accelerates system operation after restart).
• 📦 Temporary update files that have not been installed.
• 🔧 System recovery logs.

⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! The second option (Factory Reset) will delete all your data, including photos and apps. If you accidentally chose the wrong item, immediately turn off the phone to interrupt the process (but this will only work in the first 2-3 seconds after confirmation).

💡

Recovery cache resetting is the safest way to clean the Other without losing data, but it doesn’t remove debris from user apps.

Method 5: Use third-party apps (with caution!)

There are apps on Google Play that promise to clean up "Other," but most of them are either ineffective or dangerous.We tested a few tools and picked out the ones that actually work on the Redmi 9S:

Recommendations for use:

• 🔍 Before cleaning up in Files by Google or SD Maid manually check files that the app suggests you delete, such as folders called com.xiaomi.
• 📊 V SD Maid Use CorpseFinder – it finds remnants of remote applications that often fall into the “Other” feature».
• 🚫 Avoid “optimizers” like Clean Master or DU Speed Booster – Not only do they not clean up the Other, but they can also show false threats to sell the premium version.

⚠️ Attention: Apps like SD Maid with root rights can delete critical files if you confirm the action without looking. /data/dontpanic/ (where the data is stored for recovery from failures, will make it impossible to roll back the system. XDA Developers.

How to prevent the “Other” from being refilled?

Cleaning up memory is a temporary solution. To prevent the Other from growing again, set up the Redmi 9S to these recommendations:

1. Turn off automatic app updates: Go to Google Play → Settings → App auto-update and select Not Update Auto.This will prevent cache accumulation from Google Play Services.
2. Limit application background activity: In Settings → Applications → Application Management for each application, turn off AutoRun and Background Activity (except messengers).
3. Set up a cache cleanup schedule: Use the MacroDroid app to create a macro that will clear the cache once a week by the team: am broadcast -a android.intent.action.CLEAR_CACHE
4. Move the applications to SD-Map: In Settings → Select heavy apps (such as games) and click Move to SD-This will reduce the load on the internal memory.

It is also useful to disable unnecessary MIUI system applications that clog up memory:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.ab




adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.miservice

These teams will disable Xiaomi analytics, ad services, and background processes that often write logs to “Other.”

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Regular cleaning of cache and turning off background processes reduces the growth of the “Other” by 60-70% compared to the phone “out of the box”.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up 'Other' on Redmi 9S