How to remove the “Other” from the memory of Xiaomi Redmi 9: a complete guide with proven methods

Xiaomi Redmi 9 owners often face a mysterious problem: the phone’s memory is filled with unknown files under the category “Other” in the storage menu. The system shows that there is critically little free space left, but neither photos, nor apps, nor cache occupy such a volume. What is the matter and how to return precious gigabytes?

In fact, “Other” is a collection category for system files, temporary data, logs, updates, and debris that MIUI cannot classify as standard partitions (like “Apps” or “Media”). In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to clean this partition, from manual methods to hidden MIUI features that aren’t written about in the official instructions, and find out why, after upgrading to MIUI 14, “Other” can take up to 10-15 GB even on a “clean” phone and how to fix it.

Important: Not all methods are equally secure. Some require superuser rights (root), others can delete important data. We have marked risky steps with warnings - read carefully!

What is the Other in Redmi 9 and why is it growing?

MIUI's Other category is a garbage can for files that the system cannot automatically classify.

• 📁 Update cache – temporary firmware files that have not been deleted after installation.
• 🔄 System logs - error reports, memory dumps (/data/tombstones).
• 📱 Dalvik-ART data – optimized application cache (/data/dalvik-cache).
• 🔗 Symbolic links – virtual files that point to real data.
• 🗑️ Remnants of Remote Applications – Lib and Odex folders that have not been cleaned.

The Redmi 9 (M2003J15SC/M2004J19C) is further exacerbated by two factors:

1. The eMMC 5.1 architecture is a cheap memory with a limited rewrite cycle, which becomes clogged with fragmented data over time.
2. Memory Extension – In MIUI 12.5+, some RAM is reserved for storage, but sometimes this data is transferred to Other.

After upgrading to MIUI 14, many users noticed that the Other had swelled to 8 to 12 GB. The reason is a new dm-verity mechanism that creates duplicate data to verify integrity, and these duplicates are not visible in the standard file manager.

Method 1: Cleaning through hidden MIUI menu (no root)

MIUI has a hidden menu for deep cleaning that doesn't show up in the standard settings.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5 times in a row on the item "Version" MIUI» (A notification will appear saying, “You have become a developer»).
3. Return to the main settings menu and open Additional → for developers.
4. Activate the option “Debug over USB” and “Allow unlocking OEM”.
5. Now enter the code in the phone app: ##4636##.
6. Select “Storage” and click “Clear the data cache”.

This method removes:

• 🧹 Temporary files of Google Play Services and MIUI System.
• 🗃️ Cash com.android.providers.media (media scanner).
• 🔄 Logs logd and statsd.

⚠️ Warning: After cleaning through ##4636##, the phone can freeze for 2-3 minutes, which is normal!

Battery charge > 50%|Background applications disabled|Backup of important data is made|Free space checked (minimum 500 MB)-->

Method 2: Manual removal via ADB (for advanced)

If the hidden menu didn’t work, try removing garbage through Android Debug Bridge (ADB) – a method that requires a computer but doesn’t need root rights.

First set up. ADB-Drivers and connect Redmi 9 to your PC in debugging mode:

adb shell


su -c "find /data -type f -name '*.log' -delete"




su -c "find /data -type f -name '*.tmp' -delete"




su -c "rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*"




su -c "rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*"




su -c "pm clear com.android.providers.media"

What these teams do:

⚠️ Attention: Command rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/* It can slow down the first application launch after a reboot, because the system will reassemble the cache!

Method 3: Using Deep Cleaning Applications

If you don't want to mess with ADB, install specialized utilities. The best options for Redmi 9:

• 🛠️ SD Maid (requires root) – cleans dalvik-cache, empty folders and duplicate system files.
• 🧹 Files by Google – Finding “Junk» APK, cache and large files (works without root).
• 🔍 Storage Analyzer – shows which files are in the “Other” section».

Instructions for Files by Google:

1. Open the app and go to the “Cleanup” tab.
2. Tap "Free up the place» → «Other files».
3. Select the items “Temporary Files”, “App Cache” and “Dublicates”.
4. Click "Delete" and confirm.

SD Maid is more powerful, but requires root.

1. Go to the “CorpseFinder” section and it will find the remnants of remote applications.
2. Then open SystemCleaner and select Dalvik Cache.
3. In AppControl, delete the cache of system applications (com.miui.*).

💡

Before using SD Maid, backup through adb backup or Mi Cloud.The app can delete important data if it's not configured correctly.

Method 4: Resetting cache via Recovery Mode

If The Other takes up more than 5GB and previous methods didn't help, try resetting the cache via Recovery.This won't delete your data, but will clear up system debris.

Instructions:

1. Turn off Redmi 9.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (volume buttons) and tap "Wipe Data" → "Wipe Cache".
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
5. Restart the phone (Reboot).

What does it mean?

• 🗑️ Removes the update cache (/cache).
• 🔄 Resets art cache (accelerates the system operation).
• 📱 Corrects partition mounting errors /data.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is stuck on download after the cache is reset (Mi flashes), do a full reset via Wipe All Data. This will delete all data, but return the serviceability.

Method 5: Radical measures - reset to factory settings

If the Other takes 10+GB and doesn't clear, the last option is hard reset, which will delete all the data, but return the phone to its "clean" state.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. First, untie your Mi Account in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sign out.
2. Create a backup with Mi Cloud or Adb Backup.
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
4. Select “Erase all data” and confirm.

After discharge:

• 🔄 Don’t restore data from the backup right away – first check how much the Other takes on a clean system.
• 📱 Do not install applications from unknown sources – they can clog up memory again.
• 🔒 Turn off automatic firmware updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

On the Redmi 9 with MIUI 14 after reset, the “Other” should take up no more than 1-1.5 GB. If the volume grows again, the problem is in the firmware or hardware memory wear (eMMC degrades).

💡

Factory reset is a last resort, and try all previous methods before you do so, as after a hard reset, data is guaranteed to be lost.

How to prevent re-clogging of memory?

To prevent the Other from growing again, follow these rules:

• 📵 Turn off automatic update downloads in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Threefold → Settings → Downloading.
• 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Clean the cache (do it once a week).
• 🚫 Don’t use the Play Market’s Memory Optimizers – they often create more trash than they clean.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone once every 3 days – it resets temporary files in memory.

For Redmi 9 with eMMC memory, it is especially important to:

• Don’t fill the storage by more than 80%, which speeds up the wear and tear of the chip.
• Avoid frequent installation/unmounting SD-maps (this fragments the memory).
• Do not install apps on an external map – they will run slower and create unnecessary temporary files.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the “Other” in Redmi’s memory 9