How to Clean the “Other” folder on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: step-by-step instructions with deconstructing hidden files

The Other folder on Xiaomi Redmi 9A is a real headache for budget smartphone owners, it can take up 5 to 20 GB of storage, and the system does not show what exactly is stored there. Many users try to delete these files manually, but are faced with errors or afraid of damaging the system. In this article, we will discuss what is hidden under the category “Other”, why these files accumulate and how to safely clean them without losing important data.

Redmi 9A

32 GB of internal memory

"The Other."

5 working methods

Important: Back up important data before cleaning, and some files in the Other folder may be related to system caches or updates, which can cause crashes.

What is the “Other” folder on Xiaomi and why does it take up so much space?

The Other folder is a collection category where MIUI drops files that don’t fit into the standard sections (Images, Videos, Audio, Documents) and includes:

• 🗑️ Application and system process cache – temporary files that should be automatically cleared but often remain.
• 📦 Remnants of Remote Applications – folders with settings and data of programs that you have long uninstalled.
• 🔄 Update files MIUI — downloaded but not installed firmware packages.
• 📱 Logs and dumps of the system – error reports that are created when failures occur.
• 🔍 Hidden files of messengers – media and databases from Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber, which did not get into the gallery.

On Redmi 9A, the problem is compounded by the small amount of memory and the features of MIUI 12/13, which does not always properly sort files, which can make even ordinary photos fall into the "Other" section, for example, if you downloaded a picture through a browser, rather than through a gallery, it will be here.

Another reason is file system errors: When power is abruptly turned off or crashes, some files lose their metadata (extension, type) and MIUI labels them as "unidentified."

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to delete the entire Other folder through the file manager! This can cause the system to crash or lose important data.

Method 1: Cleaning the cache of applications (the safest method)

Start with the app cache — these are temporary files that can be deleted without risk to the system. On Redmi 9A, they often take 2-5 GB, especially if you actively use social networks, instant messengers or games.

How to clear the cache:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Sort by size."
3. View the list and select apps with a large cache (e.g. Facebook, YouTube, Telegram).
4. Click on the app → “Storage” → “Clean the cache”.

To speed up the process, you can use mass cleaning:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Click “Clean” (the system will automatically delete the cache of all applications).

Cache applications >500MB

Games (e.g. PUBG, Free Fire)

Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)

Browser (Chrome, Mi Browser)-->

The result: once the cache is cleaned, you will free up 1 to 4 GB of storage, which is the most secure method, since it does not affect system files.

Method 2: Remove Remnants of Remote Applications

When you delete an app through Settings or Play Market, MIUI doesn’t always completely erase its data, leaving folders with settings, cache, and even media files that take up space in the Other section.

To find and remove them:

1. Install a file manager with root permissions (such as FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to the root directory and open the /data/data/ folder (root rights required!).
3. Find folders with names of remote applications (for example, com.facebook.katana for Facebook).
4. Remove them manually.

Without root rights, you can try an alternative way:

1. Open Settings → Memory → Files.
2. Select the category “Apps” and scroll down to the “Unused” section.
3. Remove the remaining data for unnecessary programs.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete folders called com.android., com.xiaomi. or com.miui.* are system components.

Method 3: Cleaning up MIUI update files

Xiaomi regularly releases updates for the Redmi 9A, but downloaded packages often remain in memory even after installation.These files can weigh between 1 and 3GB and be stored in the Other folder.

How to remove them:

1. Open a file manager (such as Mi File Manager).
2. Go to /sdcard/MIUI/ or /sdcard/Download/.
3. Find files with.zip extension and names like miui_HM9AGlobal....
4. Remove them (if the update is already installed).

If you are not sure which update is installed, check the current version of MIUI:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Compare the file names in /MIUI/ – if the version matches, the file can be deleted.

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If the phone starts to slow down after you delete the update files, restart it. Sometimes the system needs to restart to properly operate the freed space.

Method 4: Search and Delete Hidden Media Files

Many files from messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber) and browsers are stored in memory, but not displayed in the gallery. They fall into the “Other” section, although they are essentially ordinary photos, videos or documents.

How to find them:

1. Open the file manager and enable the display of hidden files (in Mi File Manager: three dots → Settings → Show hidden files).
2. Go to /sdcard/Android/data/org.telegram.messenger/ (for Telegram) /sdcard/WhatsApp/Media/ (for WhatsApp) /sdcard/Download/ (downloads from the browser)

Delete unnecessary files (such as memes, stickers, cached videos).

To automate the process, you can use the Files by Google application:

1. Install it from the Play Market.
2. Open the section “Cleaning up» → «Unnecessary files».
3. Select “Large Files” or “Dublicates” and delete them.

Redmi 9A has a lot of junk in the /sdcard/Android/obb/ folder, which stores additional game data (e.g. PUBG, Call of Duty) and if you haven't played in a while, you can delete those files.

Method 5: Reset system cache (for power users)

If previous methods didn’t work, try resetting the system cache, which will delete temporary MIUI files that can take up to 1-2 GB in the Other section, which is important: this method doesn’t delete personal data, but it can reset some settings.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume Up buttons at the same time to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Use volume buttons to navigate and select "Wipe Cache Partition".
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone ("Reboot System").

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse "Wipe Cache Partition" with "Wipe" Data/Factory Reset!: The second option will completely reset the phone to factory settings, deleting all your data.

After you reboot, check the "Other" section, it should shrink. If the problem persists, it may be the fault of the corrupted system files, in which case only a complete reset (but this is a last resort).

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Resetting the cache is an effective but risky method, only if other methods have failed and you have a backup.

What if the “Other” folder is filled again?

Even after cleaning, the "Other" folder can grow back.

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly (once every 1-2 weeks).
• 🚫 Do not install apps from unknown sources – they often leave debris behind.
• 📁 Use Google Drive (Mi Cloud) to back up your media files.
• 🔍 Check the Download folder – many files are downloaded there and forgotten.
• 🛠️ Update. MIUI — In new versions, errors with file sorting are corrected.

If the problem comes back, it may be one of the apps you installed that is to blame, so try to delete programs that quickly end up with memory, and you're often the culprit.

• TikTok (caches the video aggressively)
• Facebook and Instagram (keep media in the background)
• Games with heavy graphics (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile)

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning the “Other” folder on Redmi 9A