How to Clean the Other section on Xiaomi Redmi 9T: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi Redmi 9T is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but many users face a problem: the “Other” partition in storage takes up tens of gigabytes, even though you haven’t downloaded anything. This is not a system bug, but a feature of MIUI, where app cache, temporary update files, log files and remnants of remote programs accumulate. In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to clean the “Other” – from standard tools to advanced methods with ADB.

It's important to understand that the other is not just garbage, it's system data that MIUI can run in an unstable way without, like Dalvik-cache files, backups of settings, even parts of firmware, so you can't delete everything in a row, just purposefully and with an understanding of the consequences. If the phone starts to slow down after cleaning, go back to factory settings.

We tested all methods on the Redmi 9T with MIUI 12.5-14 (including global and Chinese versions), and the methods will work for other Redmi Note 9 models, but the paths in the menu may be slightly different. If you have a POCO M3 (remarked 9T), the instructions are also relevant.

1. Standard cleaning through storage settings

The safest method is to use built-in MIUI tools. It won’t delete critical system files, but it will help get rid of app cache, temporary data and debris from updates.

Open Settings → Storage. Here you will see a diagram of occupied space. Click on the "Other" section (or "System Data" in newer versions of MIUI), the system will scan the memory and show the categories of files that can be deleted:

• 🗑️ Application cache - safely cleaned without consequences. Can take up to 5-10 GB.
• 📦 Downloaded files – Download folder, where often unnecessary remains APK, archives and media.
• 🔄 Update residues – firmware files that the system did not delete after installation.
• 📝 Log files – error logs and debugging information (can be deleted, but not critically).

Select the categories you want and click "Clean" if the button is inactive, there are no files to delete in this category, repeat the process after you reboot your phone, sometimes the system only "sees" the garbage after a reboot.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete the category "System data" completely - this will lead to malfunctions in the work MIUI. Clean only specific subcategories (cache, downloads, etc.).

2. Cleaning through “Security” and built-in antivirus

MIUI has a hidden deep cleaning tool called the Security app (or Security in global versions) that not only searches for viruses, but also analyzes junk files, including those in the Other section.

Instructions:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleanup or Cleaner tab.
3. Click on Deep Clean (may be called Deep Clean).
4. Wait for the scan to be completed and select categories to delete: 🧹 Residual files – Remnants of remote applications. 🗃️ Large files – media and documents that have not been used in a long time. 🔍 Unnecessary APK — Application installers left over after installation.

Confirm the cleanup and restart the phone.

This method is more effective than standard, because it scans deep folders of the system, which the average user does not have access to, but it will not delete the system cache (Dalvik), this will require root rights.

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If files with the.odex or.oat extension appear in the cleanup list, do not delete them - these are parts of optimized applications without which they may not run.

3. Manual cleaning through the file manager (for experienced)

Some files from the Other section can be manually deleted if you know where they are stored, and you will need a file manager with access to system folders (for example, MiXplorer or Solid Explorer).

List of safe folders for cleaning (paths are indicated from the memory root):

How to clean:

1. Open the file manager and enable the display of hidden folders.
2. Go to one of the paths above (e.g. /cache).
3. Select all the files and delete them.
4. Reboot the phone.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times to become a developer. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on “Debugging by USB”.

Connect your phone to your computer and confirm your trust in the device.

adb

adb shell


pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster #Cache cleaning standard cleaner




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




rm -rf /cache/* # Clearing the system cache




Sync # Synchronization of Change




reboot #Reboot

After the reboot, check the “Other” section – it should decrease by 1-3 GB. If you need to clean more, use additional commands:

adb shell pm trim-caches 500M # Limiting application cache to 500MB


adb shell cmd package bg-dexopt-job # Optimization of background processes

⚠️ Attention: Command rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/* This can cause a cyclical reboot of your phone if the system doesn't recover files. Use it only if you're ready to flash through Fastboot.

Install ADB-PC drivers

Enable debugging over USB on your phone

Connect your phone to the original cable

Backup of important data

Close all background apps on your phone-->

5. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If the Other takes up more than 15 to 20 GB and no methods help, then all that remains is a complete reset, which will delete all user data, but return the phone to a “clean” state, as after buying.

How to Reset Redmi 9T Right:

1. Make a backup copy: 📸 Photos and videos – copy to PC or cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud). 📞 Contacts – export to.vcf via the Contacts app». 🔑 Passwords – Check if they are saved in your Google Account.

Settings → About the phone → Reset

"Reset all settings"

Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 5-10 minutes).

without restoring data from backup

If the Other grows again after the reset, the problem is system processes.

• 🐞 Firmware error - update MIUI last-minute.
• 📱 Damaged memory – check the health of the drive using adb shell dumpsys diskstats.
• 🔄 Automatic Updates – Turn off the download of firmware in the background (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Downloading).

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Factory reset is the only way to completely remove system debris, but it should be used last.If the problem comes back, it could be a hardware memory defect or a firmware error.

6. Alternative methods: root and custom firmware

If you're willing to take drastic measures, getting root rights or installing custom firmware (like LineageOS) will give you full control of the "Other" partition, however, this will void the warranty and may result in a device blink.

What can be done with root:

• 🛠️ Uninstall your system applications via Titanium Backup.
• 🗃️ Clean up /data/dalvik-cache and /data/app-lib risklessly.
• 🔍 Use it. SD Maid for deep database cleaning.
• 📉 Disable unnecessary system processes through Greenify.

How to get root on Redmi 9T:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a wait of 7-15 days).
2. Install a custom TWRP recavator for the Redmi 9T (model lime).
3. Sweep Magisk through TWRP to get root.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 9T firmware MIUI 13+ Unlocking the bootloader can result in a lock on Xiaomi account if the phone is tied to the account. → Xiaomi account.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's "Other" section