How to completely remove the “Other” section on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: working methods for 2026

Why Xiaomi Redmi Note 9’s “Other” section takes up gigabytes of memory – and how to fix it

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 owners often encounter a mysterious “Other” section in the storage menu that takes up 5 to 20 GB of storage — and it can not be removed by standard means. This “garbage” accumulates due to the features of the MIUI firmware, cache of system applications, update residues and temporary files that the system does not clean automatically. Unlike media files or installed programs, the content of the “Other” is hidden from the user, but it is often the cause of messages about memory shortage.

The problem is compounded by the fact that the Redmi Note 9 (M2003J15SC/M2003J15SS models) comes with 64 or 128 GB of internal memory, of which only ~50-110 GB is actually available to the user. When the Other takes 10-15 GB, this critically reduces the free space for photos, applications and updates. In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways to clean the Other partition – from safe (no root) to radical (with a full reset), and explain which files can be deleted without risk to the system.

What exactly is stored in the “Other” section on Redmi Note 9

According to the analysis of MIUI 12-14 firmware for the Redmi Note 9, the Other section includes:

• 📁 Cash of system applications (/data/system_package_cache): Google Services temporary files, MIUI Launcher, Security App, etc. can be used to 3-5 GB.
• 🔄 Remains of updates MIUI (/cache/ota): Unremoved Firmware Packages After OTA-Updates (up to) 2-4 GB).
• 🗑️ Logs and dumps of the system (/data/tombstones, /data/anr): Error Report Files Created When Apps Crash.
• 📱 Virtual machine data ART (/data/dalvik-cache): Optimized files to speed up application launches (up to) 1-2 GB).
• 🔒 Encrypted files (/data/misc): encryption keys, Mi Account data, etc.

Important: some of these files cannot be removed manually without root rights, as they are protected by root:root or system:system access rights, but even without root access, up to 60-70% of the garbage from the Other can be cleaned up — more on that.

Method 1: Clearing the cache of system applications (without root)

The most secure method, which does not require resetting settings or superuser rights, is suitable for deleting temporary files that the system accumulates during operation. On the Redmi Note 9, this method allows you to free up 1 to 4 GB of memory.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Show all apps."
3. Sort the list by size by clicking on the filter icon (funnel icon).
4. Select system applications (e.g. Google Play Services, MIUI Security, Download Manager) and click Clear Cache.
5. For deep cleaning, go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup and run Deep Cleanup.

Warning: Do not clear data (“Clean all data”) from system applications – this may cause MIUI to malfunction!

Method 2: Remove residues of MIUI updates through Recovery

When you upgrade MIUI over OTA (over the air), the system saves firmware packets in the /cache folder, but does not always delete them after installation. These files can take up to 2-3 GB and appear in the Other section.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the Redmi Note 9.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language and go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the cache cleanup (do not select “Wipe All Data”!).
5. Reboot the phone.

This method does not affect user data, but deletes all temporary update files. If the Other section has decreased slightly after the procedure, the problem lies in other system files.

Method 3: Manually remove garbage through file manager (with root rights)

If previous methods have failed and the Other section still takes up more than 5GB, manual removal of superuser rights files will be required.This method is risky - incorrect actions can lead to a system failure, so follow the instructions carefully.

Conditions required:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader on Redmi Note 9.
• 📱 Established recovery TWRP Or OrangeFox.
• 🛠️ Root rights (for example, through Magisk).

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to the root directory (/) and open the folders: /data/system_package_cache /data/tombstones /data/anr /cache/ota /data/dalvik-cache
3. Delete all files in these folders except: Files with the.odex extension in /data/dalvik-cache (Deleting them will disrupt the application. com.android.* /data/system_package_cache.

Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /data/misc or /system This can cause you to lose your network connection or block your Mi Account.Do not touch these folders without understanding their contents accurately!

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Before you delete files through root, back up /data to TWRP (Backup → Select Data) to restore the system in the event of a crash.

Method 4: Reset to factory settings (radical method)

If none of these methods worked, and the Other section still takes up a critical amount of space, it leaves a complete reset, which deletes all user data but returns the phone to a clean state, as it did after purchase. On the Redmi Note 9, the reset allows you to free up to 10-15 GB of memory occupied by system debris.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Back up important data (photos, contacts, messages) through Settings → About Phone → Backup or Mi Cloud.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Erase all data.
3. Select “Clear Everything” (including internal memory if required).
4. After a reset, don't restore data from the backup right away - first check if the "Other" partition has decreased. Often, the debris returns along with the restored settings.

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 9 with firmware MIUI 13+ After reset, you may need to re-assign Mi Account. If you forget the password, the phone may lock!

Method 5: Using ADB to clean hidden files (advanced)

For users who don’t want root rights but are willing to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), there’s a way to remove some of the trash from the Other via the command line, a method that requires connecting the phone to a PC and basic knowledge of how to work with the console.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (5 times press) → Additional → For developers → Debugging over USB.
2. Connect the Redmi Note 9 to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Linux/macOS) and enter: adb shell su rm -rf /data/system_package_cache/* rm -rf /data/tombstones/* rm -rf /data/anr/* rm -rf /cache/ota/*
4. Reboot your phone with the reboot command.

This method allows you to remove up to 3-5 GB of garbage without root, but it requires caution. Do not follow commands unless you are sure of their purpose!

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ADB-If the su command returns the "Permission denied" error, then there are no root rights on the phone, and the method will not work.

How to prevent the re-accumulation of garbage in the “Other”

To prevent the “Other” section from growing again, follow these recommendations:

• 🔄 Regularly (once in) 1-2 Monthly) clear the system application cache through Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.
• 🚫 Turn off automatic download of updates MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙) → Auto-downloading updates.
• 📵 Limit the background activity of applications: Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery management → Choice of applications.
• 🗑️ Use lightweight alternatives to system applications (e.g. Simple Gallery instead of Xiaomi Gallery).
• 🔒 Do not install applications from unknown sources – they often leave garbage in system folders.

On the Redmi Note 9 with MIUI 14+ firmware, the Other section may be increased due to the RAM Expansion feature, which creates temporary paging files. Disable it in Settings → Additional → Extended Memory if you don’t multitask.

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