How to Clean the “Other” folder on Xiaomi Redmi 9: Full Instructions

The “Other” folder in the memory of the Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphone is a real “black hole” for free space. It can take from 5 GB to 20+ GB, but users rarely understand what is stored there. Unlike photos or applications, the contents of this folder are not displayed explicitly, and the system insists that the space is occupied by “system data” or “other files.”

In practice, The Other is a collection of remnants of deleted apps, Google and MIUI cache, temporary update files, system logs, and even duplicate media files. Redmi 9's feature is aggressive caching due to optimization for a weak Helio G80 processor, which exacerbates the problem. If you notice that memory is running out of its own accord, and cleaning through standard settings doesn't help - this article is for you.

We'll break down 5 working ways to clean the Other folder, from secure (embedded MIUI tools) to radical (manual cleaning via ADB). Each method is tested on Redmi 9 with MIUI 12-14 firmware (Android 10-11).

1.What is the “Other” folder and why does it grow

In MIUI, the Other folder is a collective name for files that the system cannot categorize as standard (Applications, Photos, Videos, etc.) and includes:

• 📁 App and service cache – data residue from Google Play Services, MIUI Launcher, social media.
• 🔄 Temporary update files – packages OTA (Updates “over the air” that have not been removed after installation.
• 📜 Logs and dumps of the system – debugging files created when failures occur (/data/tombstones, /data/anr).
• 🗑️ Remnants of Remote Applications – Folders /data/data/ and /data/app-lib/ from uninstalled software.
• 🔍 Hidden media files – thumbnails, cache of galleries, duplicates from Google Photos.

On Redmi 9, two factors exacerbate the problem:

1. Weak processor – Helio G80 actively uses cache to speed up work, but does not always clean it correctly.
2. Cheap eMMC 5.1 memory – Slow flash memory leads to fragmentation of data, which makes the “garbage” takes up more space.

According to our tests, after a year of using Redmi 9 without cleaning, the “Other” folder takes an average of 8-12 GB. At the same time, the standard Cleanup function in the settings removes only 10-30% of this volume.

Method 2: Cleaning through built-in MIUI tools

Start with secure methods that don’t require root rights. MIUI has two hidden tools for working with The Other: Storage and Security.

Cleaning through the "Storage" menu

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Slip on "Other" (may be called "Other Files").
3. The system will analyze the contents. Wait for completion (may take 1-3 minutes).
4. Click on “Clean” or “Delete” next to the categories: 🗑️ Application cache – safely removed. 📥 Downloaded files – check manually so you don’t lose important ones. 🔄 Temporary files – remnants of updates and installers.

Method Limitation: MIUI does not show some system files (e.g. logs in /data/log), so cleaning will be incomplete.

2.2 Use of the Security app

The Security app (shield icon) has advanced tools:

1. Open "Security» → «Cleanup».
2. Select Deep Cleaning (may be called Smart Cleaning).
3. Check the boxes: 🧹 Residual files – garbage after uninstallation of applications. 🗃️ Large files – check the list manually! 🔍 Duplicate files – especially relevant for photos.

"Clean it up."

Important: Do not delete files from System Data or Application Data categories without checking – this may disrupt MIUI.

Backup important data |Close all background applications |Connect charger (cleaning may take time) |Check the free space after cleaning-->

Method 2: Manual removal of application cache

Many apps (especially Facebook, Instagram, Google Chrome) create gigabytes of cache that goes into the Other. MIUI.

Clearing cache for individual applications

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select “Show all applications».
3. Sort the list by size (click on "Size" in the cap).
4. Open apps with large cache (usually Google Play Services, MIUI Launcher, Galaxy).
5. Click Clear Cache (not to be confused with Clear Data – it will remove the settings!).

Example: In our tests, the Google Play Services cache on Redmi 9 was 1.2 GB, and MIUI Launcher was 800 MB.

Mass cleaning of cache (without root)

If you have a lot of apps with a large cache, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge):

1. Turn on "Debugging by" USB» In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers).
2. Connect the phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm list packages -f | grep -i "cache" This will show applications with a large cache.
3. Clear the cache for all applications with one command: adb shell pm trim-caches -1 (safe, does not delete application data).

Warning: Don’t use commands like adb shell pm clear – this will reset the app to factory settings!

💡

After cleaning the cache, restart the phone. The first launch of applications may be slower, but after 1-2 days, work stabilizes.

Method 3: Delete temporary update files

Xiaomi often leaves after updates OTA-packet /cache or /data/ota_package. These files can weigh. 1–3 GB and not automatically removed.

Search and disposal OTA-packet

1. Install a file manager with access to system folders (e.g. Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to the root directory (/) and open the folders: /cache — Look for files with the.zip extension or update name. /data/ota_package — This is where the update packages are stored.

MIUI

Settings → About the phone

Example: File miui_HM9Global_V12.0.1.0.QJCMIXM_20210112.0000.00_10.0_global.zip You can delete it if your version is newer.

4.2 Cleaning through Recovery Mode

If you do not have access to system folders, use the Restore mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery.
3. Select “Wipe & Reset” → “Wipe Cache” (not to be confused with “Wipe Data!”).
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

Effect: This method cleans the /cache folder but does not touch user data.

5. Method 4: Manual cleaning of system folders (root required)

If previous methods didn’t work, and the Other folder still takes 10+GB, you’ll have to work with system directories, which requires super-user rights and is suitable for power users.

5.1 What folders can be cleaned

Step-by-step instructions

1. Install Root Explorer or FX File Explorer with root support.
2. Go to /data and find the folders from the table above.
3. Remove the contents except: 🚫 Folder of current applications in /data/data/. 🚫 Files with the.odex or.vdex extension.

Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /data/system or /data/property It can lead to a looped bootloop, and if you're not sure, skip it.

💡

Even with root, do not delete files from /system or /vendor, which will cause your phone to fail. Only clean folders in /data that are automatically restored.

6. Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If the Other folder takes 15+GB and other methods don't work, it's a complete reset, and it deletes all the data, but it returns the phone to its original state.

Preparation for discharge

• 📱 Backup: Contacts – sync with Google Account. Photos/video – copy to PC or cloud. Apps – use Mi Cloud or Titanium Backup (requires root).
• 🔋 Charge the phone to 50%+.
• 📡 Remember passwords from Wi-Fi and accounts.

6.2. Performance of discharge

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase all data”.
3. Enter your password (if required) and confirm.
4. Wait until it is completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Result: After resetting the folder “Other” will take 1-2 GB (minimum necessary cache system).

⚠️ Warning: Redmi 9 may lose Internal Storage after reset. If this happens, format via Recovery: Enter Recovery + Volume up. Select "Wipe & Reset» → «Wipe Data. Confirm and restart.

7. How to prevent the "Other" folder from growing

To prevent the problem from returning, follow these rules:

• 📵 Limit the background activity of applications: C Settings → Battery → Select apps disable auto-start for unnecessary programs. Use "Energy Saving Mode" for social media.
• 🗑️ Clean your cache regularly: Run Deep Cleanup once a month in the Security app. Delete your browser cache (Chrome, Mi Browser) manually.
• 🔄 Update the firmware: In new versions MIUI optimized work with the cache (for example, in the MIUI 13+ The tool “Storage optimization” has been added»).
• 📱 Use lighter alternatives: Replace Google Chrome with Bromite or Firefox Focus, which cache less data. Use Lite versions for social networks (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).

Tip for Redmi 9: Turn off Adaptive Brightness and Auto-Application Update – these features create additional logs in /data/log.

FAQ: Frequent questions