How to remove the “Other” from the memory of Xiaomi Redmi 9 Pro: the full guide

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 Pro often face a problem: the smartphone memory is full, but there is nothing superfluous in the list of files - only the mysterious category "Other", occupying gigabytes of space. These are system debris, app cache, update remnants and temporary files that MIUI does not always clean automatically.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to remove “Other” on Redmi 9 Pro, including hidden settings, development commands, and safe methods without risking data damage, and find out why memory is clogged again and how to prevent it in the future.

⚠️ Important: Some methods require super-user rights (root) If you are not sure about your actions, use only standard tools. MIUI (section 1-3).

1.What is the “Other” in Xiaomi Redmi 9 Pro memory?

The Other category in Redmi 9 Pro is a collection of files that the system cannot categorize into specific categories (photos, videos, apps).

• 🗑️ Application cache – temporary data that programs save for fast operation (for example, thumbnails in a gallery or history in instant messengers).
• 🔄 Update residues – firmware files that have not been deleted after installation MIUI.
• 📁 System Logs – Error logs, memory dumps and crash reports.
• 🧹 Garbage from remote applications – folders and settings of programs that you have long uninstalled.
• 🔗 Symbolic links are technical files that the system creates to communicate between folders.

On the Redmi 9 Pro with factory firmware, the Other can take anywhere from 1-2 GB to 10+ GB, depending on the time of use and the number of applications installed. For example, after a year of active use without cleaning, this category easily grows to 15-20 GB, although it does not have more than 1-2 GB of real useful data.

🔍 How do you check? Go to Settings. → The phone. → Storage. Here you will see a diagram of occupied space with the "Other" section (may be called "System Data" or "Other" in different versions). MIUI).

Standard cleaning through MIUI: safe and rootless

Start with built-in tools – they don’t require special knowledge and don’t risk data.

Clearing the application cache

The easiest way to free up 1-3 GB is:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Sort by Size (to see the most voracious programs).
3. Select an app (such as Facebook, Telegram, or YouTube) → Storage → Clear cache.

⚠️ Note: Do not clear the cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui or com.miui.home) – this may cause interface failures.

Disposal of garbage through “Safety”

MIUI has a built-in cleaner:

1. Launch the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the “Cleaning” tab → “Deep Cleaning”.
3. Wait for the analysis and click "Clean".

📌 What removes this tool?

• 🗑️ Temporary application files.
• 📥 Unused. APK (leftovers after installation).
• 🔍 System logs and memory dumps.

💡

If the place is not free after cleaning, restart the smartphone - sometimes MIUI does not immediately update the storage data.

Removal of downloads and duplicates

The uploads and duplicates of photos/video often take up gigabytes:

1. Open Files (application from Xiaomi).
2. Go to the "Category" section» → «Downloads and delete unnecessary files.
3. In the same application, tap “Analysis” → “Dublicates” and delete repetitive media files.

Clear the cache top-5 size-appendice|Run "Deep Cleanup" in "Security"|Delete files from the "Download" folder"|Check duplicate photos/video|Reboot the phone-->

3. Hidden MIUI settings: Cleaning through "Storage"

MIUI has a hidden partition for managing system data, so you can open it.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Storage.
2. Slip on the item "Other" (or "System Data").
3. The system will prompt you to clear unnecessary files - confirm the action.

🔎 What's being removed:

• 📦 Remains of updates MIUI (files with.zip extension in the folder /cache).
• 🗃️ Empty folders from remote applications.
• 📜 Outdated databases of system services.

⚠️ Warning: If after cleaning the smartphone starts to slow down, restart it. MIUI Remove the cache of system processes, which temporarily slows down the work.

4. Advanced Methods: ADB and Developer Teams

If the standard methods didn’t work, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a tool to control your smartphone through your computer, which doesn’t require root, but you need to debug over USB.

4.1 Preparation for work with ADB

First, turn on the debugging:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone and tap on the MIUI Version 7 times until the notification “You became a developer” appears.
2. Return to Settings → “Advanced” → “For Developers”.
3. Activate "Debugging by" USB» and “Debugging by USB (security)».

💻 Install. ADB PC-only:

• Download the Google Platform Tools.
• Unpack the archive in the folder C:\platform-tools.
• Connect Redmi 9 Pro to your PC and select File Transfer Mode.

4.2. Commands for cleaning the "Other"

Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and do:

cd C:\platform-tools


adb devices

If the device is displayed, enter:

adb shell pm trim-caches 256M

This command clears the cache of all applications, limiting its size to 256 MB.

To remove update residues:

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


adb shell rm -rf /cache/*

⚠️ Note: Do not use the rm command. -rf /data/* — This will delete all user data, including photos and apps!

💡

ADB-The commands are safe if you follow the instructions. They don't require root, but they allow you to clean up up to 3 to 5 GB of system debris.

5. Cleaning through TWRP (power users only)

If you're ready for radical measures, install a custom TWRP recap.

• 🧹 Delete the cache Dalvik/ART (speed up the system).
• 📦 Clear the file. /data/app from the remnants of uninstalled programs.
• 🔧 Remove unnecessary system applications (bloatware).

🔧 How to install TWRP Redmi 9 Pro:

1. Download the official TWRP for Redmi 9 Pro (model joyeuse) from twrp.me.
2. Unpack the archive and rename the file to recovery.img.
3. Connect your phone to your PC in fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when the device is off).
4. Fastboot flash recovery recovery.img fastboot reboot recovery

⚠️ Attention: Wrong firmware TWRP Make sure you download the version specifically for the Redmi 9 Pro (codenamed joyeuse).

🧹 What to clean in TWRP:

• Select "Wipe» → «Advanced Wipe».
• Check the boxes: 🗑️ Dalvik / ART Cache 📦 Cache 🔄 System (only if you want to remove pre-installed applications!)
• Swipe for confirmation.

6. How to prevent the “Other” from being refilled?

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

📌 Additional advice:

• 🔄 Once a month, clean the cache through Settings. → Warehouse → Other.
• 📱 Use lighter versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite instead of the main Facebook).
• 🚫 Avoid Google Play cleaners – they often delete useful data and show false notifications.

💡

Install Files by Google – it is better than the standard MIUI-manager finds unnecessary files and offers to delete them.

7. When should you reset to factory settings?

If, after all the manipulations, the Other still takes 10+GB and the smartphone slows down, the radical method is hard reset, which will delete all data, including:

• 📱 Applications and their settings.
• 📸 Photos, videos and music (if not on the list) SD-map).
• 📞 Contact and SMS (If not synchronized with Google).

🔧 How to reset:

1. Save important data to your PC or cloud.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset → Resetting.
3. Select “Delete all data” and confirm.

⚠️ Warning: After resetting the Redmi 9 Pro can be turned on for a long time (up to 10-15 minutes) - this is normal, since the system restores factory settings.

📊 What does the reset give?

• ✅ Completely clears the Other (only the base cache of the system remains — ~500MB).
• ✅ Eliminates lags and brakes caused by filled memory.
• ❌ Deletes all user data (do backup!).

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up "The Other" on Redmi 9 Pro