How to Clean the Other on Xiaomi Redmi 9 Note: A Complete Guide to Safe Techniques

The “Other” section in Xiaomi’s Redmi 9 Note memory is a real black hole for smartphone owners. It can take anywhere from 5 to 20 GB, but the system does not show which files are getting there. Many users try to clear this partition through standard settings, but are faced with the fact that the memory is not released or returns after a few days. In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways that actually work on the Redmi 9 Note (including the Redmi Note 9 Pro and Note 9S models), and explain why the “Other” fills up so quickly.

It's important to understand that the other is not garbage, but system caches, temporary application files, update data and hidden folders, and you need to delete them carefully so as not to break your smartphone. We tested all methods on MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 13 firmware, the results are shown in the table below. If you're ready to get back lost gigabytes, read on.

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

On the Redmi 9 Note, the “Other” section of the Memory Analysis (Settings → Memory) includes:

• 📁 Cache of system applications (e.g. com.miui.gallery or com.android.providers.media)
• 🔄 Remains of updates MIUI (folder /cache and /data/ota_package)
• 📱 Data data Dalvik/ART (Optimized code for fast application operation)
• 🗑️ Temporary files from messengers, browsers and social networks (for example,.thumbnails in the gallery)
• 🔒 Hidden folders like this /data/app-lib or /data/dalvik-cache

The main problem is that MIUI does not show details for this section, so users can not manually delete unnecessary files. Moreover, some of the data is restored after rebooting or updating applications. For example, the Google Play Services cache can “eat” up to 1-2 GB monthly, and cleaning the gallery through Settings → Applications does not affect hidden thumbnails.

On the Redmi 9 Note with 128 GB of memory, the “Other” rarely exceeds 10 GB, but on 64 GB models it can reach up to 15-20 GB. This is due to the fact that the system actively uses internal memory for caching due to the lack of a microSD slot (in some versions).

Method 1: Cleaning through hidden MIUI menu (no root)

The safest method is to use the built-in MIUI storage menu, which is hidden from users, which allows you to delete the cache of system applications and temporary files without affecting critical data.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone and enter the combination: ##4636##
2. In the menu that appears, select Storage.
3. Click Clear cache – this will delete the temporary files of all applications.
4. Return to the main menu and select Battery Statistics → Usage → Clean (extra frees up ~200-500MB).

This method cleanses:

• 🧹 Cash Google Play Services, MIUI System and Android System
• 📂 Temporary files from the folder /data/local/tmp
• 🔋 Battery Logs and System Dumps

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The hidden MIUI menu is the only official way to clean the Other without risking damage to the system, repeat the procedure every 1-2 weeks to maintain free space.

Limitation: The method does not remove the MIUI update cache and Dalvik data. This will require manual cleaning (see Method 3).

Method 2: Remove the MIUI update cache manually

Updates MIUI They leave behind folders with firmware weights. 1–3 GBs that the system doesn't automatically delete. /data/ota_package and /cache.

How to delete:

1. Connect Redmi 9 Note to your PC via USB (in File Transfer mode).
2. Open the conductor and follow the path: Internal memory → data → ota_package.
3. Delete all files with.zip extension or type names miui_HMNote9ProGlobal....
4. Return to the root folder and open the cache – delete all content (except for the recovery and lost+found folders).

Warning: Do not delete files in /system or /vendor folders – this will cause your smartphone to fail and require flashing through Fastboot.

Make a backup copy of important data|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Use the original USB-cable|Do not turn off your phone during the procedure-->

After cleaning, restart the device. The system will restore the necessary files, but the volume of the Other will decrease by 1-4 GB (depending on the number of downloaded updates).

Method 3: Cleanup Dalvik/ART-cache (requires recovery)

Dalvik/ART cache is optimized application data that speeds up the launch. On the Redmi 9 Note, it can take up to 3-5 GB, but it can not be removed through standard settings.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (TWRP is Advanced Wipe → Dalvik/ART Cache).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
5. Reboot the device (Reboot System).

The first run after cleaning will take 5-10 minutes — the system will reassemble the cache for all applications. This method frees up 2-5 GB, but has the side effect that the first 1-2 days of applications can open more slowly.

Method 4: Remove unnecessary APKs and application residues

When you delete applications through Settings → Applications on Redmi 9 Note often remain:

• 📦 APK-file /data/app-lib
• 🗃️ Folders with data in /data/data (For example, com.tencent.mm for WeChat)
• 🔧 Cash. OBB (play-in /Android/obb

To remove them:

1. Install a root-access file manager (such as FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /data/app-lib and delete folders with the names of remote applications.
3. In /data/data, find folders like com.facebok.katana (Facebook) or com.whatsapp and delete them if the apps have been uninstalled for a long time.
4. In /Android/obb, delete the files of games you no longer play (e.g. com.gameloft...).

Important: Do not delete your system application folders (e.g. com.miui or com.android) because this will cause MIUI to crash.

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Before you delete the folders in /data/data, check their contents. If there are files like lib or databases inside, then the application is still installed and you can't delete them.

This method allows you to free up from 500 MB to 2 GB, but it requires caution. If you are not sure about the names of the folders, use Method 5 with ADB.

Method 5: Advanced Cleaning through ADB (for experienced)

If previous methods didn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a low-level file system tool that is suitable for removing hidden caches and system logs that are not visible through the explorer.

Instructions:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack it on PC.
2. On your phone, turn on USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times Press → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB).
3. Connect Redmi 9 Note to your PC and in the command line (in the folder with ADB) do:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*




rm -rf /data/log/*




rm -rf /cache/*




exit




exit

These commands delete:

• 📝 Logs of the system (/data/log)
• 🗑️ Temporary files (/data/local/tmp)
• 🔄 Cash updates (/cache)

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If the su command doesn’t work, your Redmi 9 Note doesn’t have root rights, so use only the first two lines of code (without su), but they will clear less data.

Once you have completed the commands, restart the phone. This method frees up 1-3 GB, but requires care - the wrong command can delete critical files.

What to do if something goes wrong

If after cleaning the “Other” Redmi 9 Note began to work unstable (hangs, application errors), follow the following steps:

If neither method worked and the Other still takes more than 10GB, the reason could be:

• 🛠️ Faulty file system (you need to make format data in the file system) TWRP)
• 🦠 Virus or malware (check through Malwarebytes)
• 📉 Memory wear (on Redmi 9 Note with 2)+ service)

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If you suspect memory wear, install AIDA64 and check the Internal Storage Health setting in the Warehouse section, a value below 90% indicates that you need to replace the memory module.

How to prevent the “Other” from being refilled

To prevent the “Other” section from growing by leaps and bounds, follow these recommendations:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI (Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto-update. Download firmware manually and delete it. ZIP-file.
• 📸 Clean the gallery cache once a week: Settings → Annexes → gallery → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 🗑️ Use lightweight apps instead of heavy apps, like Facebook Lite instead of the main client, Hermit for web applications.
• 📵 Limit background activity through Settings → Battery → Select applications (turn off auto-start for unnecessary services).

It’s also useful to regularly check memory through apps like Files by Google or SD Maid, which show hidden files and suggest that they be cleaned.

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If you are actively using instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), set up automatic cleaning of media files. on Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Autoclean media.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up "The Other" on Redmi 9 Note