"Other" on Xiaomi Mi 9 takes gigabytes? decrypt and clean correctly

The Other section in the Xiaomi Mi 9 storage is a real black hole for smartphone owners. It can take up from 5 to 20 GB, but the system stubbornly does not show which files are stored there. Why is this happening? It is the peculiarities of the MIUI file system: it includes the cache of applications, temporary update files, system logs, remnants of remote programs and even hidden messenger data. On the Mi 9 with its 64 or 128 GB of memory, this section is especially noticeable - its growth can block the installation of new applications or shooting video in 4K.

In this article, we will not just list the standard tips like “clean the cache”, but will analyze specific methods for Xiaomi Mi. 9, including working with hidden folders, analyzing the storage through ADB And even manually cleaning without root, and it's important that some of the ways require caution, like deleting a folder. /data/log We've been warning you about all the risky moves with special warnings.

If you've tried to clean the Other through your phone's settings and nothing has worked, don't rush to drop the phone to the factory. Most likely, the problem lies in one of three layers: the cache of system applications (for example, Mi Video or Mi Browser), the residues. OTA-Updates or debris from Xiaomi stock services like Mi Cloud or GetApps. Let's start with the safest one: storage analysis.

1.What exactly is hidden under the "Other" on the Xiaomi Mi 9?

On Mi 9, the “Other” section is a collective name for files that the system cannot categorize as standard (“Applications”, “Photos”, “Video”, etc.”).

• 📁 Cache of system applications: data from MIUI Launcher, Security, Mi Account and other stockware, for example, Mi Video cache can weigh up to 1 GB even if you don't use it.
• 🔄 Residues OTA-Updates: After installing the firmware, update files (.zip) often remain in the folder /cache or /data/ota_package.
• 📊 Logs and dumps of the system: folders /data/log, /data/anr, /data/tombstones Reports of errors that MIUI automatically.
• 🗑️ Remote App Garbage: Some programs (especially games) leave files behind /data/data or /sdcard/Android/obb.
• 🔒 Hidden data messengers: Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber store media files in their folders, but sometimes they get into the “Other” due to failures.

On the Mi 9 with MIUI 12/13, the problem is compounded by the system’s heavy use of data compression (memory extension) which causes file fragmentation and the size of “Other” to increase, for example, after upgrading to MIUI 14, users reported a 3–5GB increase in this partition due to improper cleaning of temporary files.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to manually delete files from the folder /data root-free – this can lead to bootloop (locked on smartphone). For safe cleaning, use the methods from the following sections.

2. Storage analysis: how do you know what exactly takes up space?

Before you clean the Other, you need to know which files are filling it out. There are two reliable ways to do this on the Mi 9:

Method 1: Integrated MIUI analyzer

Go to Settings → Storage → Storage Analysis. The system will show the memory allocation, but the Other section will be generalized to see the details:

1. Click on "Other" in the chart.
2. Select “Show all files” (password confirmation may be required).
3. Sort files by size, paying attention to the folders com.miui., com.android. and logs.

Method 2: Analyzer applications (without root)

The MIUI stock analyzer does not show hidden files. For deep scanning, install Files by Google or Storage Analyzer:

• 🔍 In Files by Google, go to the “Cleanup” tab» → «Storage analysis.The app will show the application cache, duplicates and large files.
• 📊 In Storage Analyzer, select Scan System Folders (requires permission to access storage: /data/log — logistic; /cache — time-file; /sdcard/Android/obb — game-cash.

If the analyzer shows that the /data/log folder weighs more than 500 MB, you can clean it through ADB (instructions in the next section), but first check if the growth of the Other is related to a particular application.

3. Cleaning the cache of system applications (without root)

On Mi 9 cache stock apps MIUI It can take up to 3-4 GB. For example, Mi Browser and Mi Video actively cache data even if you're not using it:

Method 1: Manual cleaning through settings

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Sort the list by size and select:

• 🌐 Mi Browser – Clear cache and data (if not used).
• 🎬 Mi Video – Remove downloaded previews and cache.
• 🔒 Security – here are stored scans of viruses and logs of checks.
• 📱 MIUI Launcher - cache of wallpaper and widgets.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear your Mi Account and Google Services Framework data – this may result in loss of sync with your Xiaomi account.

Method 2: Automatic Cleaning with Safe Mode

If your phone is slowing down due to a crowded cache, download to Safe Mode:

1. Press the power button before the off menu appears.
2. Hold your finger to “Switch off” until you have a suggestion to go to Safe Mode.
3. In Safe Mode, go to Settings → Storage → Clear the cache.

In this mode, the system clears the cache of all applications, including system ones, which are usually blocked.

4. Delete temporary files and logs through ADB

For power users: if the analyzer shows that /data/log or /cache folders take up a lot of space, they can be cleaned through ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

Step 1: Connect to ADB

Download Google’s Platform Tools and do:

1. Turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then return to “More”).
2. Connect the Mi 9 to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Open the command line in the ADB folder and type: Adb devices Make sure the device is defined.

Step 2: Cleaning Logs and Cache

Follow the commands in turn:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.analytics # Cleanup of MIUI Analytics


adb shell rm -rf /data/log/* # Deletion of logs (requires confirmation)




adb shell rm -rf /cache/* # Cleaning up the cache folder

After the third command, the phone can restart — that's okay. Don't interrupt the process! If there are errors after the reboot (for example, sensors are not working), reset the cache via Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery.
3. Select the Wipe Cache Partition.

5. Cleaning of residues OTA-update

Xiaomi Mi 9 gets updates to updates MIUI 14, and each OTA-A packet (.zip) could weigh 1.5 to 2 GB. Once installed, these files often remain in memory:

Method 1: Through a File Manager

Use Files by Google or Mi File Manager:

1. Move to the /sdcard/Download/rom or /sdcard/downloaded_rom.
2. Delete files with.zip extension and names like miui_MI9Global_....
3. Check the /cache folder for update.zip files.

Method 2: Through Update settings

Go to Settings → About the phone → System update:

• Click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
• Select “Delete the downloaded package”.
• Confirm the deletion (this will clear the /cache/ota folder).

If the “Other” section has not decreased after cleaning, check the folder. /data/ota_package through ADB:

adb shell ls -la /data/ota_package

If there are files, delete them by command:

adb shell rm -rf /data/ota_package/*

6. Manual cleaning of hidden folders (for advanced)

If standard methods don't work, you can manually check hidden folders, which requires caution, because deleting the wrong files can disrupt the system.

Folders that can be cleaned:

How to access hidden folders?

Use a root-enabled file manager (such as FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer):

1. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
2. Go to /sdcard and find the folders from the table above.
3. Delete the contents, but not the folders themselves (the system needs them).

⚠️ Attention: Don't touch the folders /data/data and /system — It's going to crash the system, and don't delete files with the.odex or.vdex extension, because they're needed to run the applications.

💡

If the /sdcard/Android/obb folder has been cleaned, you can simply reinstall it. The save data (if it was in the cloud) will be automatically restored.

7. Alternative methods: from reset to root

If The Other still takes up too much space (more than 10GB), perhaps the problem is deeper.

Method 1: Reset to factory settings

It's a last resort, but it's guaranteed to clean up the Other.

• 🔄 Make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 📱 Transfer photos and videos to PC or cloud.
• 🔐 Write down the Mi Account (logins, passwords).

Then go to Settings → About Phone → Reset and select “Erase all data”.

Method 2: Installation of custom recovery (TWRP)

For users ready for experimentation: TWRP allows you to clean partitions that are not available in standard mode.

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Install TWRP for Mi 9 (the version must match the cepheus model).
3. In TWRP, select Advanced → File Manager and manually delete files from /data/log or /cache.

Method 3: Getting root rights

With root, you can use SD Maid or Root Explorer for deep cleaning.

• 🔓 Root voids warranty (if it is still valid).
• 🛡️ Mi Pay, Google Pay and some banking applications are affected.
• 🔄 After receiving root update MIUI through OTA will not be possible.

💡

If the Other is less than 5GB, don’t resort to radical methods like resetting or root. Try cleaning your cache and logs through ADB first.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning the “Other” on Xiaomi Mi 9