How to completely remove the “Other” from the phone Xiaomi Redmi 9: from cache to system garbage

The “Other” section in Xiaomi Redmi 9’s memory is a real headache for users. It takes up gigabytes of space, but it doesn’t show which files are stored inside. Most often, it’s the app cache, the remnants of deleted programs, temporary MIUI files and hidden messenger data. In this article, we’ll discuss how to safely clean the “Other” without risking damage to the system, including methods for different versions of the firmware and cases when standard tools do not help.

Redmi 9 (codenamed lancelot) has a limited internal storage capacity (32/64/128GB), where even 5-10GB of junk can lead to lags and errors. We tested all methods on current versions of MIUI 14 (Android 12) and identified the ones that have the maximum effect.

What is the “Other” section and why is it growing?

In MIUI, the Other section is a collection of files that the system cannot categorize into specific categories (photos, videos, apps).

🗑️ Application cache – temporary data that programs create to speed up work (for example, thumbnails in a gallery or map data in Google Maps).
📦 Remnants of Remote Applications – Folders and Files that Remain After Uninstallation via Settings → Annexes.
🔄 System Logs and Dumps – Error Files (.dmp,.log) that are created when crashes occur.
📱 Hidden data messengers — Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber store media files in secure folders that are not visible in the gallery.
🔧 Updates MIUI — downloaded but not installed firmware packages (.zip in folder) /cache).

On Redmi 9, the Other section often grows because of the F2FS file system Xiaomi uses to optimize its flash memory experience, which is prone to fragmentation, and over time, garbage takes up to 30% of memory, for example, after a year of using a 64GB phone on board, the Other can weigh 8-12GB.

🔍 How to check the volume of the "Other»:

Open the settings → About the phone → Memory.
Click on the memory usage schedule.
The system will show the distribution into categories where the "Other" is usually gray.

⚠️ Attention: If the "Other" partition takes up more than 15% of the total memory, it is critical. at 20%+ The phone starts to slow down, and the applications — fly out.

Method 1: Hand-cleaning the cache (without root)

The safest method is to remove the app cache, which requires no superuser rights and is suitable for beginners. On Redmi 9, the cache can weigh between 1 and 5 GB, especially if you are actively using social networks, games or navigators.

Step-by-step:

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sort by size.
Open the apps with the largest cache (usually Facebook, Instagram, Google Play Services, MIUI Gallery).
Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

To speed up the process, you can use the built-in Cleanup utility:

Open the Security app (shield icon).
Go to the Cleanup tab.
Press Deep Clean and wait for analysis.
Check all the boxes and tap Clear.

Clear the cache of Google Play Services | Delete the data of MIUI Gallery | Clear the cache of Telegram | Check the folder /DCIM/.thumbnails-->

💡

After cleaning the cache, restart the phone – this will free up an additional 100-300 MB by resetting temporary kernel files.

📊 Efficiency: Frees 1-3 GB, but does not remove system debris and hidden files.

Method 2: Remove application residues via ADB

If standard cleaning didn’t work, try removing the remnants of uninstalled programs using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that requires connecting the phone to a computer but doesn’t need root rights.

What you need:

🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
📱 Cable USB Type-C (original to avoid connection issues).
🛠️ Utility. ADB Tools by Google.

Instructions:

Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

Redmi 9

File transfer

cmd

Terminal

ADB

adb devices

(Your phone serial number should appear)

adb shell pm list packages -u

(Shows a list of applications with data residues).

Facebook

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.facebook.katana

Replace com.facebook.katana with the package of the desired application.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete system packages (com.android., com.miui.), this may cause a failure. MIUI.

🔧 Alternative: If ADB It seems complicated, use the app. SD Maid (requires root for complete cleaning) It automatically finds and removes the remnants of uninstalled software.

Method 3: Cleaning Hidden Folders (with or without root)

Many files in the Other section are stored in hidden folders that are not visible through standard Explorer.

📁 /data/data/ — Application data (requires root).
📁 /sdcard/Android/data/ — Cache of games and programs (available without root).
📁 /sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails/ — Photo and video miniatures (can be deleted).
📁 /sdcard/MIUI/ — temporary firmware files and so on.

How to clean without root:

Install a file manager with support for hidden folders, such as FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer.
In the manager settings, enable the display of hidden files (Settings → Show hidden files).
Go to the folders from the list above and delete their content (except /data/data/ – it is not available without root).

With root rights:

Install Root Explorer or Mixplorer.
Give the application superuser rights.
Go to /data/data/ and delete the folders of apps you have deleted long ago (e.g. com.tencent.mm for WeChat if you have uninstalled it).

folder	What it keeps.	Can I remove it?	Root is required.
/sdcard/Android/obb/	Additional game data (e.g. graphics packages)	Yes, if the game is deleted.	No.
/sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails/	Photo and video miniatures	Yes (restore automatically)	No.
/data/data/	Data from all applications	Only remote folders	Yes.
/sdcard/MIUI/debug_log/	Logs of system errors	Yes.	No.
/cache/	Temporary update files	Yeah (after rebooting)	No.

Once a week.|Once a month|Only when the place ends.|Never clean.-->

Method 4: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If the Other takes up more than 10GB and no other means are working, then you have to hard reset your phone to factory settings, which will delete all data, including accounts, photos and apps, but return the memory to its original state.

How to reset:

Back up important data through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset or manually copy files to your computer.
Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
Choose to erase all data.
Enter the password (if set) and confirm the reset.

🔄 What to do after a reset:

📱 Do not restore data from backup MIUI — It may contain the same garbage.
🔒 Install only the necessary applications, avoiding “heavy” social networks and games.
📈 Clean the cache regularly (once every 1-2 weeks).

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 9 with firmware MIUI 13+ After reset, you may need to re-assign your Xiaomi account. If you forget your password, use the official website to restore it.

Method 5: Use of custom recapaveri (for advanced)

If you’re willing to take drastic measures, installing a custom recap (TWRP) will manually remove unnecessary system files, a method only suitable for advanced users, as it requires unlocking the bootloader and risks voiding the warranty.

What you need:

🔓 Unlocked bootloader (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
📱 Fastboot and drivers for Redmi 9.
🛠️ File. TWRP for lancelot (download to twrp.me).

Instructions:

Install TWRP via fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
In TWRP, go to Advanced → File Manager.
Delete the folders: /data/log/ — logistic; /data/tombstones/ — dumping; /data/system/package_cache/ — packet-cache.

Reboot the phone.

What happens if you delete system files in TWRP?

Incorrectly deleting files to /system or /vendor can lead to bootloop, which requires flashing through Fastboot or EDL. Always back up TWRP before making changes!

⚠️ Warning: This method voids the warranty and may result in data loss. Use it only if other methods have failed.

How to prevent the “Other” from being refilled

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

📵 Limit the background activity of applications: Go to Settings → Battery → Manage battery consumption and disable auto-start for unnecessary programs.
🗑️ Set up automatic cleaning: In the Security app, enable Auto Cleanup (Cleanup tab) → Settings).
📥 Use lightweight versions of apps: For example, Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite or Twitter Lite take up 2-3 times less space.
🔄 Update regularly MIUI: New firmware versions optimize memory. Check the updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

📊 Recommended cleaning frequency:

Action.	Frequency
Cleaning up the app cache	Every 1-2 weeks
Delete hidden folders (.thumbnails, /MIUI/debug_log)	Once a month
Checking Remains of Remote Applications	After each uninstallation
Reset to factory settings	Every 6-12 months (with severe clogging)

💡

Regularly cleaning the cache and disabling auto-run of unnecessary applications reduce the growth of the Other by 60-70%.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the "Other" section on Redmi 9

🔹 Why does the “Other” reappear after a few days?

This is normal MIUI behavior. Systems and applications are constantly creating temporary files (cache, logs, thumbnails). To slow down the growth of the Other, turn off the background activity of unnecessary programs and use lightweight versions of applications (for example, Facebook Lite), and regular phone restarts (every 2-3 days) also helps - this resets temporary kernel files.

🔹 Can you remove the “Other” completely?

No, you can't completely delete the Other section, because it includes the system files needed to run Android. However, it can be reduced to 1-3 GB using the methods in this article. If after all the manipulations, the Other still takes more than 5 GB, this may indicate a file system error, in which case only a factory reset will help.

🔹 Is it safe to use applications like Clean Master?

No, most cleaners (e.g. Clean Master, CCleaner) not only don't help, they can do harm. They often delete useful files, leave debris intact, and also show false warnings about "critical errors." For Redmi 9, a built-in utility called Security → Cleanup or SD Maid (for power users) is enough.

🔹 Why After Updating MIUI «The other one has become more?

MIUI updates often leave old system files in the /cache or /data folder. Once you install the firmware: Reboot your phone. Clean the cache manually through Settings → Storage → Clear the cache. Delete /cache folder through the root file manager (if any). If the space is not vacant, check the /sdcard/MIUI/ota folder - there may be old update files.

🔹 How to transfer a part of the “Other” to a memory card?

Unfortunately, you can't move the Other partition to a microSD, which is a system file that's tied to internal memory. However, you can: Move applications to the memory card via Settings → Apps → Move to SD (not all programs work), use the card as internal storage (formatting as Adoptable Storage), but it will slow down the phone, save media files (photo, video) immediately on the microSD.