How to completely clear the folder “Other” on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: 5 working ways

The Other folder on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is a real black hole for internal memory. It can take up from 5 to 20 GB, but users rarely understand what is stored there. App cache, temporary system files, remnants of deleted programs, log files - all this accumulates for years, slowing down the smartphone. Unlike garbage in the gallery or downloads, the content of the Other is not visible in the standard file manager, and attempts to clean it through Settings → Storage often have a meager effect.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to clean the Other folder, from simple (via built-in MIUI tools) to advanced (using ADB and manual removal of system files), focusing on hidden folders with the MIUI update cache and system logs that occupy the lion’s share of space. All instructions are adapted for the Redmi Note 9 (Mercury/Miatoll models) with the features of the MIUI 12-14 firmware.

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

In MIUI, the Other folder is a collection box for files that the system cannot categorize as standard (photos, videos, audio, documents) and includes:

• 📁 App cache and systems are temporary files that are created to speed up the work of programs. For example, the cache of Google Play Services can weigh up to 1-2 GB.
• 🔄 Remnants of Remote Applications – folders with settings and data of programs that you have long since uninstalled, but the system has not cleaned.
• 📜 Log files and dumps — records of system errors, application crashes, and even kernel panic. 9 They often accumulate in /data/tombstones.
• 🔄 Update files MIUI — i) loaded but not installed firmware packages (includes in the /cache or /data/ota_package).
• 🎯 Hidden folders of messengers – for example, Telegram or WhatsApp store backup copies of chats and media files here.

The main problem is that MIUI doesn't show the contents of "Other" in the file manager by default. Even if you turn on the hidden file display, many folders will not be available without root rights. For example, /data/data (where application data is stored) or /system (system files) require special permissions to clean.

⚠️ Attention: Some files in the Other folder are critical to the system's operation. /data/dalvik-cache (Android virtual machine cache may lead to a cyclical smartphone reboot.

Method 1: Cleaning through built-in MIUI tools

Let's start with the safest method, which is to use standard MIUI features, which don't require root rights and is suitable for beginners.

Step 1. Open Settings → Storage. Here you will see a diagram of occupied space. Click on the "Other" section.

Step 2. The system will prompt you to clear the cache of applications and downloads. Click "Clean" - this will free up from 500 MB to 2 GB, depending on the number of programs installed.

Step 3. Go back to the Storage menu and select Cleanup. Here MIUI scans the device for:

• 🗑️ Unnecessary APK-File (remains of application installers).
• 🧹 Cache miniatures (thumbnails) - they can be safely removed.
• 📥 Files from the Download folder that have not been opened for more than 30 days.

Step 4: Click on "Clean" and confirm the action. After you reboot your smartphone, check how much space is available.

Backup important data | Check the vacant space before cleaning |Close all working applications |Reboot phone after cleaning-->

⚠️ Attention: Built-in cleaning MIUI It does not delete system log files and update cache, and you will need methods from the following sections.

Method 2: Manually remove cache through file manager

If the built-in tools don't work, we'll try to manually find and delete unnecessary files, and any file manager with access to root folders, such as Mi File Manager (built-in) or Solid Explorer, will do.

Step 1: Install Solid Explorer from Google Play and give it access to storage. Turn on the hidden files in the app settings.

Step 2. Go to the root folder (/) and open the following directories (if any):

/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ - App cache


/storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/ - Additional Game Files




/storage/emulated/0/Download/ - downloads




/storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails – photo and video miniatures




/data/local/tmp – Temporary system files (requires root)




/cache/ – update cache (requires root)

Step 3: Delete the contents of folders other than those where your personal data is stored (e.g. /DCIM/Camera).

• 🗑️ Folders called com.minusname of the application are the remnants of uninstalled programs.
• 📦 Files with the extension.apk,.tmp,.log.
• 🔄 Tombstones folder (if visible) - there are dumps of errors.

Step 4: Reboot your smartphone. Then check the space occupied in Other, which usually frees up 1 to 5 GB.

💡

If the folder doesn't get deleted, try renaming it (e.g., adding old at the end) and then restarting the phone, and the system can automatically clean it the next time you start.

Method 3: Cleaning through ADB (without root rights)

For advanced users who are ready to work with the command line, the method of cleaning through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is suitable, which allows you to delete the system cache and temporary files that are not available through the file manager.

Step 1. Install ADB on your computer:

• Download Platform Tools from the Android website.
• Unpack the archive in any folder (for example, C:\adb).
• Turn on Redmi Note 9 Developer Mode (7 times click on “Build Number” in Settings → About Phone) and activate Debugging over USB.

Step 2. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line (Win + R → cmd). Go to the folder with ADB:

cd C:\adb

Step 3: Follow the commands to clean the cache:

Adb shell pm trim-caches 256m – clears the cache of all applications


adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* - deletes temporary files




adb shell rm -rf /cache/* - clears the system cache (requires root or unlocked bootloader)

Step 4: To delete log files (if there is root):

adb shell su -c "rm -rf /data/tombstones/*"


adb shell su -c "rm -rf /data/anr/*"

Once you have completed the commands, restart your smartphone, which can release up to 3-7 GB if the cache has not been cleared before.

Method 4: Resetting cache in Recovery Mode

If previous methods didn’t work, try clearing the cache through Recovery Mode.This won’t delete your data, but will reset temporary system files.

Step 1. Turn off the Redmi Note 9. Press the Power + Volume buttons up until the MI logo appears.

Step 2. From the Recovery menu (manage by volume and power buttons), select:

• 🌐 Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache - Cleaning the cache.
• ⚠️ Don’t choose Wipe All Data – it’s a complete reset!

Step 3: Confirm the action and wait until it's done. The phone will reboot automatically.

This method helps if the Other folder is inflated due to corrupted update files or caching errors. After the procedure, check the free space - usually 1-3 GB is freed.

⚠️ Warning: If after cleaning the cache in Recovery, the phone began to brake, reboot again - the system will restore the necessary files.

Method 5: Delete MIUI update files

One of the main memory eaters in the Other folder are downloaded but uninstalled MIUI service packs. They can take up to 5 GB and lie in hidden folders.

Step 1: Open a file manager with root permissions (such as Root Explorer) or use ADB.

Step 2. Find and delete files in the following folders:

Step 3: If you use ADB, do:

adb shell rm -rf /cache/ota/*


adb shell rm -rf /data/ota_package/*

Step 4: Reboot your phone. After that, the Other folder should shrink by 2 to 5 GB if there were update files.

Once a month|Six months|Only when memory ends|Never cleaned.|I don't know what that is.-->

How to prevent the “Other” folder from being refilled

To prevent the “Other” folder from growing again, follow these tips:

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning (once every 1-2 months).
• 🚫 Turn off automatic download of updates MIUI In Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙) → Downloading.
• 📱 Use lightweight versions of apps (such as Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite) that create less cache.
• 🔍 Check the Other folder after major updates or installing new programs.

You can also install a memory monitoring app, like Files by Google or SD Maid, which can find and suggest that you delete unnecessary files, including hidden ones.

💡

The heaviest files in the Other folder are the Google Play Services cache, system log files (/data/tombstones) and undeleted MIUI service packs, which clean up the files to the maximum effect.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning the "Other" folder