How to delete other files on Xiaomi Redmi 9T: 7 proven ways

Why Xiaomi Redmi 9T is running out of memory and what to do about it

Xiaomi Redmi 9T owners often face memory problems despite the stated 64 or 128 GB of internal storage, because MIUI actively uses internal memory for cache of applications, temporary files and updates. Even after removing photos and applications, free space is melting in front of our eyes, because of hidden “other files”, which occupy up to 30% of the total volume.

In this article, we will discuss what exactly belongs to the category of “other files” on Redmi 9T, why they can not be deleted by standard means and what tools will help free up to 10-15 GB of memory without risk to the system.

Before you start cleaning, check how much space the "other files" take up. Go to Settings → About Phone → Memory. If you see a gray segment that says "Other" or "System Data" in the graph, that's your enemy.

What are the “Other Files” on Xiaomi Redmi 9T and can they be deleted?

The term “other files” in MIUI covers a whole set of data that the system does not classify as “Applications”, “Media” or “Documents”.

• 📁 Application cache and systems are temporary files that must be deleted automatically but often remain dead weight".
• 🔄 Logs and dumps – records of system operation, errors and crashes (files with the extension.log,.dmp).
• 🗃️ Residual data of remote applications – folders and files that remain after uninstallation of programs.
• 🔒 Encrypted files MIUI — Information that the system hides from the user.
• 📥 Uncompleted downloads – fragments of files downloaded through a browser or download manager.

Can you delete these files? Yes, but with reservations:

• ✅ Cache and logs – safely removed manually or through special utilities.
• ⚠️ System dumps – removing them may make it difficult to diagnose crashes, but won’t hurt your phone.
• ❌ Encrypted files MIUI — Touching is not recommended, this can lead to errors in the firmware.

⚠️ Attention, deletion of files from the folder /data/system or /system If you're not sure, you can have a superuser license, and you can have a cyclical reboot of your phone, and if you're not sure, use only official cleaning methods.

Method 1: Cleaning through built-in MIUI tools

The safest method is to use MIUI utilities, which do not require root rights or risk system stability. There are three tools available on Redmi 9T:

1. Clean up garbage – removes cache and temporary files. Path: Settings → Apps → Clean up → Click Clean up (usually frees 1-3 GB).
2. Removing duplicate files – looking for duplicate photos and documents. Path: Gallery → Albums → Duplicates or Files → Cleanup → Duplicates.
3. Storage optimization – analyzes rarely used files. Path: Settings → Memory → Optimize.

For maximum effect, follow all three steps in sequence. After cleaning, restart the phone, which will help the system correctly recalculate the free space.

Backup important data |Close all working applications |Connect phone to charge |Contact free space before and after cleaning-->

Method 2: Manually remove cache and application data

Many apps store gigabytes of unnecessary data even when you're not using it, like Google Play Services or MIUI Daemon, which can take up 500MB-1GB of cache to clear them:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort the list by size (click on the three dots in the top right corner → "Sort by size").
3. Select a large data application (e.g. com.google.android.gms or com.miui.daemon).
4. Click on “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data” (Warning: This will reset the app settings!).

Pay special attention to the following applications (they are most often "inflated"):

• 📱 Google Play Store and Google Play Services – update cache.
• 🎵 Music and Video: Miniatures and Metadata.
• 📸 Gallery - sketches and temporary files.
• 📱 MIUI System - Logs and dumps of the system.

⚠️ Attention! Do not clear the data of the com.android.phone (Phone), com.android.providers.telephony (SIM cards) and com.miui.securitycenter (Security) applications. This can lead to loss of mobile communication or sensor failures.

💡

If the app starts to work slower after cleaning the cache, just restart it. The system will restore the necessary temporary files automatically.

Method 3: Using a file manager to find large files

MIUI has a built-in File Manager (Files app) that can search for large and rarely used files.

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the "Cleaning" tab (in the lower menu).
3. Select "Large Files" or "Rarely Used Files".
4. Tick the unnecessary files and click "Delete".

If the built-in manager doesn’t find anything suspicious, try third-party utilities:

• 🔍 Files by Google – Shows “Junk” and suggests clearing it.
• 📊 SD Maid (requires root for deep cleaning).
• 🗑️ CCleaner – Deletes cache and temporary files.

Redmi 9T has a lot of junk in /storage/emulated/0/Android/data, which stores game and application data (e.g., PUBG Mobile or TikTok cache can weigh a few gigabytes), and can be deleted, but some applications may need to be reauthorized.

Method 4: Remove system logs and dumps (for advanced ones)

If you're willing to take a chance, you can manually delete logs and dumps of the system, which take anywhere from 500 MB to 2 GB, but they're not recommended for beginners.

• 🔧 Root-access file manager (e.g., Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
• 📱 Developer mode enabled (activated by 7-fold pressing on "Version" MIUI" phone-setting).

Instructions:

1. Open the file manager and go to the root directory (/).
2. Find the folders: /data/log/ /data/tombstones/ /data/anr/ /data/system/dropbox/
3. Delete all files with extensions.log,.txt,.dmp.
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention, deletion of files from /data/system Without a backup copy, it can cause loss. IMEI Or sensors fail, if after cleaning, the phone stops seeing. SIM-card – restore files from backup or reflash the device.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of the methods worked, and the "other files" still take 10+GB, you're left with a complete reset, which is a radical way to delete all the data, including apps, photos and settings.

Backup to Google Drive or computer | Record usernames/passwords from accounts | Make sure your phone is at least 50% charged | Delete your Google account if your phone is locked-->

Resetting instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase All Data” (not to be confused with “Settings Reset” which does not delete files!).
3. Enter. PIN-code.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Once reset, the phone will be clean, like when you buy it, all the other files will be deleted, but you'll have to reconfigure the device, and if the problem comes back in a week, either a firmware bug or a virus.

💡

Factory reset is the only way to get rid of "other files" 100%, but it erases all user data. Use it only if other methods have failed.

Method 6: Flashing the phone (for power users)

If the other files come back again and again, it might be the fault of the corrupted firmware, and if you reinstall MIUI over Fastboot or Recovery, this method requires:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers.
• 📥 Official firmware for Redmi 9T (You can download it on the Xiaomi website).
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool (for Fastboot) or TWRP (custom-repair).

Step-by-step instructions for flashing through Fastboot:

1. Download the firmware for Redmi 9T (codename lime) and unpack it into a folder.
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Select the firmware folder and press "Flash".
5. Wait for the finish (5-10 minutes) and restart the device.

⚠️ Attention, flashing through Fastboot erases all internal memory, including files in the Internal Storage folder. TWRP And do a backup through Nandroid Backup.

Method 7: Preventing the appearance of "other files" in the future

To prevent the problem from returning, follow these rules:

• 📵 Limit the background activity of applications: Go to Settings → Battery → Manage power consumption and disable auto-start for unnecessary programs.
• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly: Use the built-in Cleanup utility once every 1-2 weeks.
• 🚫 Do not install apps from unknown sources: They often contain hidden junk and ad modules.
• 📥 Control downloads: Remove APK-files and archives after installation.
• 🔒 Update. MIUI: In new versions of firmware correct errors leading to the accumulation of garbage.

Automatic tools can also be used:

• 🤖 Google Files – set up automatic cleaning.
• 📊 SD Maid (with root) – removes garbage on a schedule.
• 🛡️ AVG Cleaner – monitors memory and offers optimization.

Redmi 9T is especially quick to clog up memory if you actively use dual messengers (for example, two WhatsApp or Telegram), each copy of the application creates a separate cache that can weigh up to 1 GB.

💡

If you install/delete games frequently, use an external memory card (microSD) as your primary storage. → Memory. → Default storage and select SD-map.

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleaning on Redmi 9T