Xiaomi Redmi 9A folder: How to clean up hidden memory without risk

Xiaomi Redmi 9A owners often encounter the mysterious “Other” folder in the “Storage” section, which takes up gigabytes of memory but does not allow it to be released using standard methods. The system shows that the space is occupied, but does not explain what exactly it is occupying. In this article, we will analyze why the “Other” folder grows, what files are hidden in it, and how to safely clean it without harming the smartphone.

Many users mistakenly think that Other is junk files that can be deleted at a single click, but in fact, it stores app cache, temporary data, backups, system logs, and even fragments of deleted files. Incorrect cleaning can cause MIUI to crash or lose important data. We have compiled 5 proven ways to free up memory without risking device stability.

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

The “Other” folder in Xiaomi Redmi 9A is a generalized storage for files that the system cannot categorize as standard (photos, videos, apps, etc.).

• 📁 Application cache – temporary data that programs save to speed up work (for example, thumbnails of images in a gallery or data messengers).
• 🗃️ System Logs – files with information about the work of Android and MIUI, Automatically created for diagnosis.
• 🔄 Remains of deleted files are pieces of data that were not completely erased during cleanup (for example, after deleting heavy games or videos).
• 🔒 Hidden application files – data that programs hide from the user (for example, settings or databases).
• 📱 System Updates – Built but not installed packets MIUI, cliff-sized.

On the Redmi. 9A s 8/16/32 GB of memory folder "Other" can grow to 5–10 GB, especially if you actively use instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), social networks or games. MIUI cache: The system does not always properly clean temporary files after they are used.

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How to Check What’s in the Other’s Place

Before you clean a folder, you need to understand the structure of the folder, and we use built-in and third-party tools to do that.

Method 1: Analysis through "Storage" in settings

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Click on the “Other” section – the system will show an approximate list of files (cache, downloads, multimedia).
3. Pay attention to items with a large volume (for example, “App Cache” or “Downloads”).

Method 2: Using a File Manager

• 📂 Open the standard "Files» (MI File Manager or install Solid Explorer.

Method 3: Third-party memory analyzers

Apps like Files by Google or SD Maid show you in detail which files are taking up space, such as SD Maid, which can find:

• 🧹 «Recycle bin with deleted files;
• 🗑️ «Leftover files** from uninstalled applications;
• 📦 «Duplicate" photos or documents.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete folders with the names com.android. or miui. - these are system data, without which you can use the name. MIUI may not work properly.

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Method 1: Cleaning the application cache manually

The safest method is to remove the cache of individual applications, which will not damage the data, but will free up to 1-3 GB of memory.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort programs by size (click on the three dots in the upper right corner → “Sort by size”).
3. Select an app with a large cache (e.g. YouTube, Facebook, Telegram).
4. Press "Storage» → «Clear the cache».

🔹 Which apps take up the most cache?

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui or com.miui.home) – this may cause interface failures.

Close all applications that you will be cleaning.

Back up important data (e.g., chats in Telegram)

Make sure you have enough battery power (minimum 30%)

Do not clear the cache of system applications without the need

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Method 2: Delete unnecessary files through the file manager

If the cache is cleared but the memory is still busy, look for the garbage manually.

Step 1: Remove old downloads

• 📥 Open the Download folder in the file manager.
• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files (APK, PDF, archive).
• 🔍 Check the Bluetooth folder – there may be transferred files.

Step 2: Cleaning the thumbnails

• 🖼️ Move to the /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails.
• 🧹 Delete all files – they will automatically recreate.

Step 3: Removing residues of uninstalled applications

• 📂 Open up. /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/.
• 🔍 Find folders with the names of remote programs (for example, com.whatsapp, if WhatsApp has been deleted long ago).
• 🗑️ Remove them manually.

💡 Tip: Use a file manager search with a filter size (e.g., “show files”) > 100MB) to quickly find “heavy” files.

💡

If you are not sure if you can delete a file, transfer it to your computer or the cloud (like Google Drive) so you can restore it if necessary.

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Method 3: Using the Cleanup Tool in MIUI

Xiaomi has built a utility into MIUI to automatically clean up garbage, which is not as powerful as third-party applications, but is safe for the system.

How to start:

1. Open “Security” (the shield icon in the app menu).
2. Select "Cleanup."
3. Wait for the analysis and click "Clean".
4. In the Deep Clean section, you can delete additional files (such as APK residues or duplicate photos).

📌 What cleans the built-in utility?

• 🗑️ Cash app;
• 📄 Temporary files;
• 📦 Remnants of Remote Applications;
• 📎 Unnecessary APK-file.

⚠️ Restriction: The utility does not delete system logs and some hidden files. Deep cleaning requires root or third-party rights.

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the place ends.

Never clean.

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Method 4: Reset partition cache (without data loss)

If previous methods didn’t work, try resetting the Wipe Cache Partition, which won’t delete your files or apps, but will clear temporary system data that may be taking up space in the Other.

Instructions:

1. Turn off Redmi 9A.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the MI logo (Recovery mode) appears.
3. Choose a language (e.g. English).
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
6. Reboot the phone (Reboot) → Reboot to System).

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse Wipe Cache with Wipe Data! second option will delete all your data.

🔹 What does this method do?

• ✅ Clears the system cache that is not visible in normal mode;
• ✅ Can free up to 500 MB – 1.5 GB of memory;
• ✅ Doesn't require root rights.

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Method 5: Remove system logs (for power users)

Logcat, dumpstate, and system logs take hundreds of megabytes, but MIUI It doesn't allow them to be removed by standard methods. ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

Step-by-step:

1. Install. ADB-computer-driver.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on Redmi 9A: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version; Click 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode;li> Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on USB Debugging.

cmd

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/log/*




rm -rf /data/tombstones/*




rm -rf /data/anr/*




exit




exit

📌 What's removing these commands?

• 📜 /data/log/ — logistic;
• ⚰️ /data/tombstones/ — dumping;
• ⚠️ /data/anr/ — Logs of app hangings.

⚠️ Warning: Without root rights, the su command won't work. If you don't have root, use only the adb shell rm. -rf /data/log/* (It's safe).

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What do you do if nothing helps?

If after all the manipulations, the Other folder still takes up a lot of space, the reasons may be as follows:

• 📱 Failure of the file system is rare, but it happens that MIUI It's not counting the space that's occupied correctly. PC.
• 🔄 Hidden backups – some applications (such as Mi Cloud) create backups that are not visible in the interface.
• 📦 Encrypted data – if you used encryption, some files may appear as “Other».

🔹 Extreme measures:

1. Reset to factory settings (remove everything, but return the “clean” system).
2. Update MIUI - in new versions, bugs can be fixed taking into account memory.
3. Installing custom firmware (such as LineageOS) is a radical method for experienced users.

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FAQ: Frequent Questions About the “Other” Folder on Xiaomi Redmi 9A