How to completely remove the “Other” from the memory of Xiaomi Redmi 9: working methods 2026

The “Other” section of Xiaomi Redmi 9 memory is one of the most mysterious categories for users. It can take up from 5 to 20 GB for no apparent reason, even if you regularly clean the cache and delete unnecessary files. Unlike photos, videos or apps, the content of this section does not appear in the standard file manager, which raises questions: what is this data and can it be safely deleted?

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to clean the Other section on Redmi 9 (including Redmi 9A/9C/9T models), from simple actions in the MIUI menu to advanced methods through ADB. You’ll learn which files can be deleted without risk to the system and which should not be touched.

⚠️ Important: Some methods require superuser rights (root) or a PC connection. If you are not sure about your actions, back up your data via Settings → The phone. → Backup.

What is the “Other” section in Xiaomi memory and why it grows

The Other section of MIUI is a collection category for files that the system cannot classify as standard types (photos, videos, audio, documents).

• 🗑️ Cache of system applications (including updates) MIUI, Google Services, Play Market Store).
• 📁 Temporary files from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), browsers and social networks.
• 🔧 Logs and error dumps (created when applications or systems fail).
• 📱 Remnants of remote applications (lib, cache, configuration files).
• 🔒 Hidden files MIUI (For example, data for the Second Space function or App Lock).

On Redmi 9 with 32/64 GB of storage, the Other partition can take up to 30% of the total volume, especially if:

• 📲 You often install/remove applications.
• 🔄 Use dual space or guest mode functions.
• 📱 Haven't done a cache reset in a long time through Recovery.

On Redmi 9 with MIUI 12+, the part of the files in Other is an OTA update cache that doesn’t clear automatically. It can be manually deleted through the Settings menu → Storage → Clear, but it’s a temporary solution.

Method 1: Cleaning cache and debris through standard MIUI settings

The safest method is to use built-in MIUI tools, which do not require root rights and is suitable for beginners.

1. Clean the app cache: Go to Settings → Apps → App management. Slip three dots in the top right corner → Size sort. Select large cache apps (e.g. YouTube, Facebook, Google Play Services) → Clear the cache.
2. Delete unnecessary files: Open Settings → Storage. Click on “Other” → Clean (the system will show which files can be deleted). Scroll down and select Deep Clean (deletes temporary files and logs).

🔹 What it will do: Free 1-3 GB (depending on the level of contamination of the system), but some files in the Other will remain — they can only be deleted through the use of the system. ADB root.

Close all applications (especially messengers and browsers)

Connect your phone to charge (the process can take 5-10 minutes)

Check the vacant space before and after cleaning

Restart the device to apply changes-->

Method 2: Delete hidden files through the file manager (without root)

Some files in the Other section are hidden from the user, but they can be found manually, such as a standard File Manager or a third-party application (such as FX Explorer).

Instructions:

1. Open File Manager → click on three lines in the upper left corner → select Internal Memory.
2. Turn on the display of hidden files: Tap on three points → Settings → turn on Show hidden files.
3. Go to the following folders and delete their contents (but not the folders themselves!): 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data — game-cache. 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb — Additional game files (can be deleted if the games are not used). 📂 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI — temporal files of theme and wallpaper. 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Download/.thumbnails — picture-size.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete Android folders, MIUI or DCIM completely, which can cause camera and application malfunctions, and only remove the contents inside subfolders (e.g. cache, temp, logs).

Once a week.

Once a month

Only when the place ends.

Never cleaned.-->

Method 3: Reset the cache via Recovery Mode (without data loss)

If standard methods don’t work, try resetting the cache through Recovery mode.This won’t delete your files or apps, but will clear up system debris.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off Redmi 9.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the MI logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (if required), then: Go to Wipe & Reset (use volume buttons for navigation). Select Wipe Cache. Confirm action with the Power button.
4. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

What it will do: Free 2 to 5GB of system cache, including remnants of MIUI updates and temporary kernel files.The method is secure but does not delete user data.

Method 4: Advanced cleaning through ADB (for power users)

If previous methods have failed, you can delete unnecessary files via Android Debug Bridge (ADB) which requires a PC connection, but allows you to clear even the data that is not visible in the file manager.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB Redmi 9 (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Additional settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the commands in turn: adb shell su pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster # Clearing the cache of the application "Security" rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files rm -rf /cache/* # Clear the system cache exit
4. Reboot your phone: adb reboot.

⚠️ Warning: Su command requires root rights. If you don't have any, skip it. Delete files in /data or /system Without understanding the consequences, the system could collapse!

What files can be deleted through ADB:

💡

If the phone is slower after cleaning through ADB, reboot it and the system will restore the necessary cache files automatically.

Method 5: Complete reset to factory settings (extreme method)

If the Other partition takes up more than 10GB and isn’t cleared by other means, it’ll leave a hard reset that will delete all data, including apps, photos and settings, but return the phone to a clean state.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup or Mi Cloud.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose Delete all data and confirm the action.
4. Wait until it is completed (it will take 5-15 minutes).

🔹 What it will do: Completely clears "Other" but will require setting up the phone from scratch:

• 📱 Do not restore backup via Mi Cloud – this can bring back junk files.
• 📲 Install applications selectively, avoiding unnecessary ones.
• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly (once every 1-2 weeks).

💡

Resetting to factory settings is the only way to completely remove system files from the Other section, but it should be used last.

Why the Other Returns After Cleaning and How to Prevent It

Even after cleaning it completely, the Other section grows again over time.

1. Automatic cache creation: Apps (especially social networks and instant messengers) constantly generate temporary files.
2. MIUI Updates: Each update leaves a trail in the form of logs and backups.
3. Hidden MIUI features: For example, Second Space or App Lock create duplicate data.

How to slow down the growth of the Other:

• 🚫 Turn off automatic app updates in the Play Market.
• 📵 Limit background activity for unnecessary applications (Settings) → Battery → Energy management).
• 🗃️ Use cloud storage (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) to automatically upload photos/video.
• 🔄 Clean the cache once a week through Settings → Warehouse.

🔹 Useful Life Hack: Install the App SD Maid (requires root) – it automatically finds and deletes junk files, including those hidden in the Other».

FAQ: Frequent questions about the “Other” section on Xiaomi Redmi 9