How to completely delete other files on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro: from cache to hidden data

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is one of the most popular mid-range smartphones, but even its 64 or 128GB of storage is eventually clogged with unnecessary files. The "other files" in storage are a mysterious category that can take up gigabytes of space but remain invisible to the user. Unlike photos or videos, this data is not displayed in the gallery, but eats up precious space on the disk.

Compounding the problem, Xiaomi’s MIUI is actively cacheing applications, backing up and making temporary files that eventually turn into digital garbage. In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to clean “other files” — from standard system tools to hidden features and third-party utilities — to learn how to safely remove unnecessary data without damaging your smartphone and regain free space.

It's important to understand that not all "other files" can be deleted without consequences. Some of them are critical to the Android and MIUI, so we'll explain in detail what you can clean and what you shouldn't touch. If you're ready, let's get started!

1.What are the “Other Files” on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro and Why Do They Take So Much Space

“Other files” is a collective name for data that Android cannot categorize as standard (photos, videos, audio, documents).

• 📁 Application cache – temporary files that speed up programs, but over time grow to hundreds of megabytes.
• 🔄 Residual data from remote applications – fragments of files that remain in the system even after uninstallation.
• 📄 Logs and dumps – error reports that the system creates for diagnosis (can weigh 100).+ MBT each).
• 🔒 Hidden files MIUI — Backups of settings, themes, data of the cloud synchronizer Xiaomi Cloud.
• 🎮 Game data – saves, texture packs, cache of Google Play Games.

On the Redmi Note 9 Pro with MIUI 12-14, "other files" often take up between 5 and 15 GB — which is normal if you're actively using a smartphone. But if they're larger than 20 GB, that's a cleanup signal, and the problem is that the system doesn't show the detailed composition of this category, so you have to clean them manually or with special tools.

On the Redmi Note 9 Pro, up to 30% of the “other files” can be duplicates of the cache of Google Play Services and MIUI System – they can be deleted without risk to the system.

Standard MIUI cleaning tools: what can be removed without risk

Start with built-in MIUI features that allow you to safely delete some of your unwanted files, which are root-free and suitable even for beginners.

Clearing the application cache

The easiest way to free up 1-3 GB is to remove the app cache.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
3. Open apps with large cache (e.g. YouTube, Telegram, Google Chrome).
4. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse “Clear Cache” with “Clean Data” – the second action will delete all settings and logins to accounts!

Built-in utility "Cleaning"

MIUI has its own garbage disposal utility:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleanup tab.
3. Press Deep Clean and wait for analysis.
4. Check the unneeded files (especially “Residual Files” and “Cash”) and click Clear.

This utility removes up to 500MB – 1GB of garbage, but does not affect deep system files.

Clear the cache of applications (YouTube, Chrome, social networks)

Delete residual files in the utility "Cleaning"

Clear downloads (Download folder)

Remove the old ones APK-file "APK"-->

Removal of downloads and duplicates

Download folder and duplicate photos often take up gigabytes:

• 📂 Open the files. → Categories → Download and delete unnecessary files.
• 🔍 Use the Gallery to search for duplicates → Albums. → Duplicates (available on MIUI 13+).

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If the Download folder has a lot of files with the.apk extension, you can safely delete them - these are outdated application installers.

3. Manually delete hidden files through file manager

Some of the "other files" are hidden from the user, but they can be found manually, and this will require a file manager with access to system folders (for example, Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).

3.1 Which folders can be cleaned

Go to Files → Internal Memory and check the following directories:

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders Android/obb and Android/data The whole thing will cause installed games and applications to crash!

3.2 How to enable the display of hidden files

By default, the hidden folders (starting with a dot) are not visible.

1. Open Mi File Manager.
2. Slip three lines in the top left corner.
3. Select Settings → Show hidden files.

4.Use ADB for deep cleaning (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a tool for low-level smartphone management, which requires a PC connection and basic command line knowledge.

4.1 Preparation for work with ADB

First, turn on Developer Mode and USB Debugging:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version until the notification “You became a developer” appears.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate Debugging on USB.

Then download ADB Tools on PC and connect Redmi Note 9 Pro via USB (select File Transfer Mode).

4.2. Commands to clean cache and unnecessary files

Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder and do:

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "cache"

This command will show apps with large cache to clear the cache of a particular app (e.g. Google Play Services):

adb shell pm clear com.google.android.gms

To delete all temporary system files:

adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*


adb shell rm -rf /cache/*

⚠️ Attention: Rm teams -rf If you don't specify the right path, you can erase critical data. /system or /data/data.

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ADB allows you to clear up to 2-4GB of hidden cache, but requires caution.Do not use commands unless you are sure of their purpose!

5 Third-Party Cleaning Apps: What Really Works

If manual methods seem complicated, you can use proven utilities, but not all cleaners are equally useful — many of them create garbage themselves. We tested 5 applications and selected the best ones.

5.1. SD Maid – Deep Cleanup for Power Users

SD Maid (available on Google Play) can find:

• 🗑️ Residual files after uninstallation of applications.
• 🔍 Duplicates in folders with photos and documents.
• 📂 Empty folders and files with zero size.
• 🧹 Cache of system applications (requires root for full access).

After scanning, the application will show which files can be safely deleted. Basic cleaning is available in the free version, for deep analysis you need a Pro version (~300 rubles).

5.2 Files by Google – a simple solution without risks

The official Google app helps:

• 📱 Remove unnecessary APK and duplicates.
• 🗃️ Clean up packets of junk files (such as old WhatsApp memes).
• 📊 Shows which apps take up the most space.

Advantage: does not require root rights and does not delete critical system files.

5.3 What NOT to use

Avoid cleaners like Clean Master or CCleaner, which are:

• 🚫 Slow down the smartphone background processes.
• 📢 Show false notifications of "critical issues".
• 🔄 Often delete useful data instead of garbage.

Extreme measures: reset to factory settings

If the "other files" take up more than 20 GB and the standard methods don't work, then you have Hard Reset, which is a complete reset of your smartphone, which is a radical way to remove ALL the contents of your phone, including:

• 📱 Annexes and their data.
• 📷 Photos, videos, music (if not saved in the cloud).
• 📋 System settings and accounts.

6.1 How to properly do a discharge

Before we start:

1. Save important data in Google Drive or on PC.
2. Write down the logins/passwords from the accounts (they will erase!).
3. Make sure the battery is at least 50% charged.

Next:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.

It takes 5-10 minutes to reset, and once it's rebooted, the Redmi Note 9 Pro will be like new -- no trash, no data.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14 after reset, you may need to link to your Xiaomi account (if you have enabled the function of Device Protection!

Alternative: Recovery Mode Discharge

If the smartphone is slowing down and does not respond to commands, you can reset it through Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (Change Volume Buttons).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

7 How to prevent the accumulation of "other files" in the future

To avoid having to clean every few months, follow these rules:

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly (once in a week) 1-2 weeks through Settings → Warehouse.
• 🚫 Remove unnecessary apps completely, not just “stop” them.
• ☁️ Use cloud storage (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) to automatically sync photos/video.
• 📥 Limit downloads in messengers: in Telegram and WhatsApp, set up automatic deletion of media files after 30 days.
• 🛡️ Turn off automatic reservations in Settings → Accounts. → Xiaomi Cloud if you don’t use it.

It is also useful to disable background synchronization for unnecessary applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Select an app (such as Facebook).
3. Turn off Auto Start and Background Activity.

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Regular cache cleaning and background control reduces the accumulation of “other files” by 40-60%!

FAQ: Frequent questions about memory cleaning on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro