How to Clean the “Other” folder on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S: the full guide

The Other folder on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S is a real black hole in internal memory that can take up 5 to 20 GB, but users don’t understand what is stored there and how to delete it. Unlike photos or videos, the content of The Other doesn’t appear in the gallery, and standard cleaning methods (such as Settings → Storage) often don’t work.

The problem is compounded by the fact that the Redmi Note 9S (model M2003J6A1G) is equipped with only 64 or 128 GB of memory, of which 10-15% less is actually available to the user due to system needs. When the Other grows to 10+ GB, the smartphone begins to slow down, applications fly out, and the notification “Not enough memory” appears even when free 2-3 GB. In this article, 5 proven ways to clean the “Other” folder, taking into account the features of MIUI 12-14, including hidden system files and application cache, which are not visible through standard tools.

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

The Other folder (or Other in the English version of MIUI) is a collection of files that the system cannot categorize as standard: photos, videos, audio, documents or applications.

• 🗃️ App cache — temporary files that create messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), social networks (TikTok, Instagram) and games, PUBG Mobile can leave behind up to 1-2 GB of garbage after updates.
• 📁 System logs and dumps are debugging files that Android creates when it crashes. 9S They often accumulate due to unstable work. MIUI Android-based 10/11.
• 🔄 Remnants of Remote Applications – folders and databases that remain after uninstallation of programs through Settings → Annexes.
• 🔍 Hidden update files – firmware packets (.zip) that are downloaded in the background but are not deleted after installation.
• 🎮 Game data – saves, textures and additional files that games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile) store outside of standard folders.

On the Redmi Note 9S, the problem is compounded by MIUI aggressively cacheing data to speed up work, but not clearing old files. For example, after watching YouTube in high resolution, there may be gigabytes of temporary videos in the /Android/data/com.google.android.youtube folder, which the system classifies as “Other.”

⚠️ Warning: Don’t try to delete the entire Other folder through the file manager, which will cause the system to crash. MIUI and Xiaomi account details.

Method 1: Clearing the application cache through MIUI settings

The safest method is to remove the cache for individual applications, which requires no root rights and is suitable for beginners. On the Redmi Note 9S, there are two ways to do this:

1. Through the Storage menu: Open Settings → Storage. Slip on "Other" (may be called Other) Select "Clean" (if the option is active). 🔹 Limitation: MIUI It often does not show the actual cache volume, but only clears a part of the files.
2. Through App Settings: Go to Settings → Apps → App Management. Sort the list by size (tap three dots in the top right corner). Select an app (like Facebook or TikTok) and tap Clear Cache.**

On the Redmi Note 9S, the following apps are especially voracious (you can clean their cache weekly):

Clear the cache of Google Play Services

Delete the temporary MIUI System Launcher files

Check Telegram (Settings → Data and memory → Clear cache)

Clean TikTok (Profile → Settings → Free space)

Restart the phone after cleaning-->

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache for system applications called com.android. or com.xiaomi. – this can cause malfunctions MIUI. com.android.vending (Google Play Market).

Method 2: Removing garbage through Files by Google

The standard MIUI file manager does not show hidden files and often does not see debris in the Other folder, instead we recommend using Files by Google, the official application from Google, which scans the storage deeper.

Instructions:

1. Install Files by Google from the Play Market.
2. Open the app and go to the Cleanup tab**.
3. Slip "Remove garbage" and wait for the scan to finish.
4. In the “Big Files” section**, check the Android/obb and Android/data folders – they often store unnecessary game and application files.

Files by Google finds what MIUI misses:

• 🗑️ Residues APK-Files after application updates.
• 📂 Empty folders from remote programs.
• 🔄 Duplicate files (e.g. screenshots, saved and in the DCIM, and in Pictures).

💡

If Files by Google doesn’t find garbage, try turning on hidden files: open the menu (three lines at the top left) → Settings → Show hidden files.

Method 3: Manual cleaning through ADB (for power users)

If the first two methods didn’t work, and the Other folder still takes 5+GB, you’ll need to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that requires connecting the phone to a computer, but allows you to remove system debris that is not available through the GUI.

🔧 What's the matter:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original from Xiaomi).
• 📦 Installed drivers ADB Fastboot (you can download from the official Android website).
• 🔐 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to activate the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 9S to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd in Windows) and type: adb devices If the phone is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, check the drivers.
3. Enter a command to clear the cache of all user applications: adb shell pm trim-caches -f 1000000000 (this will remove the cache larger than 1 GB).
4. To clean up dalvik cache (system garbage), use: adb shell su -c "rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*" Note: Root rights are required (see method 4).

⚠️ Warning: Teams ADB This can damage the system if you're incorrectly entered, such as misuse of rm. -rf /data/* without specifying a specific folder will lead to a complete reset of the phone.

Method 4: Getting root rights and deep cleaning (risky method)

If the Other folder is 10+GB and standard methods don’t work, the last option is root permissions, which will remove system debris, but will deprive you of warranties and can lead to unstable phone operation.

🔐 What's root:

• ✅ Ability to remove system applications (MIUI Bloatware).
• ✅ Clearing folders /data/log, /data/tombstones (logs).
• ✅ Delete the Google Play Services cache and other protected files.

⚠️ Risks:

• ❌ Loss of warranty (if the phone is warranty, Xiaomi will refuse repairs).
• ❌ Mistakes in work MIUI (For example, Face Unlock will stop working or NFC).
• ❌ Blocking of banking applications (Sberbank Online, Tinkoff will refuse to work on a rooted device).

📌 How to get rooted on Redmi Note 9S:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP) for the Redmi Note 9S (Curtana model).
3. Sweep Magisk through TWRP to obtain root rights.

Once root is obtained, use Root Explorer or FX File Manager to manually clean folders:

• 🗃️ /data/log — logistic.
• 🗃️ /data/tombstones — memory dumps when applications crash.
• 🗃️ /data/dalvik-cache — cache of the Android virtual machine.

💡

Root rights to Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S get only experienced users. For most tasks, there are ways 1-3.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of the methods worked, and the Other folder still takes gigabytes, it leaves the phone completely reset, which will delete all the data, including photos, contacts and apps, but return the clean system.

🔄 How to reset:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, WhatsApp chats, contacts).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data”**.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ It's important:

• After reset, do not restore data from the MIUI backup, this will bring back the garbage.
• Install only the necessary apps and clean the cache regularly (once a week).

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when memory ends

Never cleaned.

I don't know what that is.-->

How to prevent the “Other” folder from being refilled

To prevent the “Other” folder from growing again, follow these recommendations:

• 📵 Limit the background activity of applications: Go to Settings → Annexes → Permits → Autorun. disable Autorun for unnecessary applications (e.g. AliExpress, Wildberries).
• 🔄 Set up automatic cleaning in MIUI: Open the Settings. → Warehouse → Clean. Turn on the option "Autocleaning»**.
• 🎮 Transfer the games to the memory card: Use SD-class A1 or A2 (We recommend SanDisk Ultra. in the game settings (for example, PUBG Mobile) select storage «SD-map»**.

Check the folders regularly:

1. Open the file manager and delete the contents of the folders: /Android/data/ (game cache) /Android/obb/ (additional game files) /Download/ (old downloads)

💡 Advice: Install SD Maid (requires root) or CCleaner for automatic garbage monitoring, and these applications can find remnants of deleted programs and clean the system cache without manual intervention.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the folder “Other” on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S