How to completely remove the “Other” in memory Xiaomi Redmi 9A: deconstructing hidden files and secure cleaning

Why The Other Takes Gigabytes of Memory on Redmi 9A – and What It Really Is

Xiaomi Redmi 9A owners often encounter a mysterious “Other” section of the storage menu that eats up 5 to 20 GB of storage — with no app showing what exactly is stored there.

System cache MIUI (including update remnants, temporary files com.miui and widget data), residual files of remote applications (lib folders, cache in /data/data), as well as utility logs from Google Services and Xiaomi Cloud. Feature Redmi 9A - limited 32/64 GB of memory, where even 5 GB of "junk" is critical.

Unlike flagships, Xiaomi’s budget models cache data more aggressively to save RAM. For example, after watching YouTube or TikTok videos, temporary files can stay in /data/media/0/Android/obb for months. And MIUI updates via OTA often leave duplicate packages in /cache.

Photo and video | Apps and games | System cache ("Other") |I don't know, I haven't checked-->

Method 1: Cleaning through the built-in Storage Menu – What Really Works

The first step is to use standard MIUI tools. Go to Settings → Storage → Cleanup. This is where the system will show the amount of junk, but it is important that the built-in utility only removes 30-40% of files from the Other section, ignoring the cache of system processes and update residues.

To expand the cleanup:

• 📁 Press "Files» → «Categories» → «Other" and manually select the folders.thumbdata (miniatures),.nomedia (hidden media files) and log (error logs).
• 🔄 Return to Cleanup and tap Deep Cleanup – this will remove the Google Play Services cache and MIUI Launcher.
• ⚙️ Enable the “Clean When Locked” option (in the same menu) so that the system automatically deletes temporary files when the screen is turned off.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete Android folders, MIUI or DCIM manually, this will cause the camera and launcher to crash.

Backup important files | Check the vacant space (should be ≥1 GB) | Disable autosynchronization Google Photo | Close all applications-->

Method 2: Remove the MIUI cache via Recovery Mode (without root)

If standard cleaning doesn't work, use Restore Mode, which will work even on a locked Redmi 9A bootloader:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
4. After the reboot, check the “Other” section – it should decrease by 1-3 GB.

This method removes:

• 🗑️ Cash updates. OTA (folder /cache/ota).
• 📦 Temporary files of the application installer (/cache/apk).
• 🔧 Logs of system errors (/cache/recovery/log).

⚠️ Warning: Don't choose Wipe Data - it will reset the phone to factory settings! on Redmi 9A After such a reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account.

Method 3: Manually delete hidden files via file manager (with root rights)

To clean it completely, you will need root rights (for example, through Magisk). Install Root Explorer or FX File Manager and follow the instructions:

Warnings:

• 🚫 Do not delete files in /system — This will cause the phone to fail.
• 🔄 After cleaning the dalvik-cache, the first download will take 5-10 minutes.
• 📱 If after deleting folders the phone began to lag, restore them from the backup.

💡

Before deleting folders in /data/data, check their size in Storage Analyzer (an app from Google Play), sometimes hiding gigabytes of cache from Facebook or Telegram.

Method 4: Using ADB to clean up system debris (without root)

If you don't have root rights, but you have a computer, connect Redmi 9A via USB and use ADB (Android Debug Bridge). Download Google's Platform Tools and execute the commands:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.home # Clearing the launcher cache


adb shell pm clear com.android.vending # Google Play Cleanup




adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Delete temporary files




adb shell rm -rf /cache/* # Clean up update cache

These commands delete:

• 🏠 Cash shells. MIUI (including widget and animation data).
• 🛒 Residual Google Play Market files (e.g., failed downloads) APK).
• 🗃️ Temporary installer files (tmp).

⚠️ Attention: Command rm -rf If you don't specify a path, you'll delete ALL the contents of the partition! 9A particularly dangerous /data/data/com.android.providers.media — It erases all media files.

Method 5: Resetting to factory settings – when justified

If the Other takes >10 GB and isn't cleaned by other means, it's hard reset. On Redmi 9A, it's done like this:

1. Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” and confirm.

After discharge:

• ✅ The “Other” section will be reduced to 1-3 GB (minimum amount for work) MIUI).
• ⚠️ You will have to reconfigure accounts, Wi-Fi and application permissions.
• 📱 The first load after the reset will take 10-15 minutes – do not interrupt the process!

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Factory reset is the only way to remove system duplicates (e.g., repeat firmware copies in /system) that are created when MIUI updates fail.

How to Prevent Re-Filling the Other – Prevention

To prevent the “Other” section from growing again:

1. Turn off automatic update downloads in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙️) → Downloading.
2. Limit cache for individual applications (e.g. Telegram or VK): Settings → Applications → Select App → Storage → Limit cache.
3. Use lightweight versions of apps (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite), which cache 2-3 times less data.
4. Clean Download regularly – even deleted files can leave metadata in Other.

To monitor memory, install Files by Google or Storage Analyzer, which shows which files are in the Other section, for example, often there are:

• 🎵 Residual music files from Spotify or Yandex Music (folder.audio).
• 📺 Cash video from TikTok or Likee (folder.video_cache).
• 📊 Analytics logs from Xiaomi (.log files in the.log file) /data/data/com.xiaomi.).

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