How to clean the “Other” on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro: free up 5-15 GB of memory

The Other section in Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro storage is a real black hole for free space. It can take 3 to 20 GB, but users rarely understand what it is. System files, remnants of deleted applications, update cache, log files - all this accumulates for years, slowing down the smartphone. Unlike garbage in the Download folder or duplicate photos, it is almost impossible to clean the Other with standard MIUI tools. But there are workarounds, both through embedded tools and with third-party utilities.

Many people mistakenly think that the Other is just a hidden cache that can be erased with the Clear button, but it's actually mixed with application system data (.obb,.nomedia), firmware residues (OTA-Packages, bug logs, and even Google Play update archives, like after a major update. MIUI 12 → MIUI 13 in this section can “hang” up to 1-2 GB of unnecessary files. and if you actively use instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), then their temporary media files are stored immediately, which are not displayed in the gallery.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to clean the Other, from secure (via Settings) to radical (using ADB). Importantly, some methods require superuser rights (root), but we will show you where to get around them, and you will learn which files you can not touch, so as not to break the system.

Why the Other is taking up so much space on the Redmi Note 9 Pro

On the Redmi Note 9 Pro (joyeuse/curtana models), the Other section is growing faster than on Xiaomi flagships, due to two reasons: memory architecture (UFS 2.1 + eMMC in some versions) and features of MIUI. The system actively caches data to speed up work, but does not always delete it correctly.

• 📦 Remains of updates:.zip files with firmware (MIUI, Google Play, which is not deleted after installation. /cache/ota can weigh up 500 MB.

Fun fact: On the Redmi Note 9 Pro with MIUI 12.5+, the system automatically cleans some of this debris when there is a critical memory deficit (less than 500 MB free), but this mechanism works unstable – often forgets to delete files older than 30 days.

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse the “Other” section with the “System Data” section in Settings → The latter include the Android kernel and MIUI — They can't be touched without root rights.

Method 1: Cleaning through built-in MIUI tools

The safest method is to use built-in MIUI utilities, which do not require root rights or risk system stability, but the effectiveness is limited: you can only delete cache and temporary files, but not system debris.

Step 1. Clean up the app cache

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner → “Sort by size”.
3. Select apps with large cache (e.g. YouTube, Chrome, Mi Video) and click Clear Cache.

Step 2: Delete Unnecessary Files through Cleanup

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Clean (or use the Security widget on your desktop).
2. Click Deep Clean → mark Residual Files, Cache of Mini Programs and Unnecessary APKs.
3. Confirm the removal. This method can release up to 1-2 GB.

Step 3: Remove downloads and duplicates

• 📁 In the Files. → Categories → Downloads delete unnecessary files (especially.apk,.zip).
• 🔍 In the same Files utility, select Storage Analysis» → «Duplicates and delete repetitive photos/videos.

These actions will help to free up 2-4 GB, but will not affect deep system files.

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If the app is slower after cleaning the cache, restart the smartphone. MIUI will recover critical data the next time you run.

Method 2: Manually remove garbage through file manager

Some files from Other can be manually deleted if you know where they are stored, and any file manager with access to hidden folders (such as Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer) can do this.

What folders can be cleaned:

How to delete:

1. Open the file manager and enable the display of hidden folders (in Mi File Explorer: three lines at the top → Settings → Show hidden files).
2. Follow one of the paths from the table above.
3. Delete files with extensions:.tmp,.log,.bak,.old,.apk (if not needed).
4. Do not touch the folders com.android., com.xiaomi. - this is system data.

⚠️ Attention: Folder /data/app-lib/ It contains an application library, and deleting files from here will cause malfunctions in the software, and only clean it through root using the software. SD Maid.

Delete.apk files to /Download (except for the necessary installation packages)

Clear the folder /DCIM/.thumbnails

Delete old log files (.log) to /Android/data/

Clear the messenger cache (except for current media)

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Method 3: Using third-party utilities (without root)

If you manually clean laziness, specialized applications can help, scan memory deeper than MIUI, and find garbage that is not available through standard settings.

Instructions for Files by Google:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Start → Press “Clean” → “Free the place”.
3. Select the categories “Dublicates”, “Large files”, “Unnecessary applications”.
4. Confirm the removal. The app will show you how much space will be vacated.

SD Maid is more powerful, but without root, it only cleans surface debris. For example, it can find old APKs in the /Download folder, but it won't touch the system cache in /data.

Method 4: Cleaning through ADB (for advanced users)

If previous methods didn't work, and The Other still takes 5+GB, it's time to plug in ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a debugging tool that lets you delete system files without root rights. But beware: the wrong command can break MIUI.

Step 1: Preparation

1. Download Platform Tools from the Android Developers website.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode) → Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Enable USB Debugging.
3. Connect the Redmi Note 9 Pro to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.

Step 2. Cleanup commands

Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools and type:

adb shell


pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster #Cache cleaning utility "Security"




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary update files




rm -rf /cache/ota/* # Cleaning folder with OTA- firmware




rm -rf /data/log/* # Delete log files (requires root or ADB with rights)

Step 3: Reboot

After completing the commands, restart the smartphone:

adb reboot

⚠️ Attention: Command rm -rf If you don't specify the right path, you can delete critical files. Always double-check the path. -rf /data/* Delete all user data and lead to resetting of settings.

This method will help remove up to 3–5GB of trash, but some folders (e.g. /data/dalvik-cache) will remain intact without root.

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ADB is a powerful tool, but it's dangerous. Always back up your data before using rm or pm clear commands.

Method 5: Complete cleaning with root rights

If you're willing to take risks, root access will open up all the hidden folders, and you can delete:

• 🔄 Update files (/cache/, /data/ota_package/).

How to get root on Redmi Note 9 Pro:

1. Run Magisk through TWRP.

What folders to clean:

/data/dalvik-cache/*# App cache (safe)


/data/log/* # Log files (Secure)




/cache/* # Update Cache (Secure)




/data/local/tmp/* # Temporary files (Secure)




/data/app-lib/* # Remote Application Libraries (caution!)

What not to do:

• ❌ Do not delete files in /system/ — This will lead to a brick (the smartphone will not turn on).

Once cleaned, restart the device. If MIUI starts to brake, restore the Dalvik cache via TWRP (Advanced → Fix Permissions).

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Root access voids Xiaomi's warranty and increases the risk of hacking. Use it only if you are confident in your actions.

How to prevent the “Other” from clogging again

To prevent the “Other” section from growing again, follow these rules:

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly: run Settings once a month → Memory. → Cleanup.
• 🚫 Turn off auto-update apps in the Play Market (or limit to Wi-Fi).
• 📱 Use the “Lite” versions of applications (for example, Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).
• 🗑️ Set up automatic cleaning in Google Files or CCleaner.
• 📲 Move heavy applications to SD-card (if supported).

It is also useful to disable preloading content in system applications:

1. Open Mi Video → “Settings” → “Preload” → “Disable”.
2. In Mi Music, turn off "Cach Album Covers."
3. In Themes, remove the downloaded themes (Settings → My themes → Delete).

If you install/delete games frequently, use APK Extractor to save installation files in one place and not clog up your memory.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up the Other on the Redmi Note 9 Pro