How to completely delete the folder “Other” on Xiaomi Redmi 9C: 5 working ways

The “Other” folder on Xiaomi Redmi 9C is one of the most puzzling and annoying features of MIUI firmware, which takes up gigabytes of memory but does not display its content in a standard file manager. Users often face a situation where the system shows that 10-15 GB is occupied by “other files” even though you have not downloaded anything.

In this article, we will look at 5 proven methods for cleaning the Other folder, from simple (via built-in MIUI tools) to radical (reset to factory settings), and focus on hidden application caches that MIUI does not show in the standard interface, but can be deleted through ADB or third-party utilities, and you will learn which files can be safely deleted and which should not be touched, so as not to break the system.

Important: The methods are suitable for the Redmi 9C on MIUI 12, 13 and 14 (including global and Chinese firmware versions).If you have a different Xiaomi model (like the Redmi Note 10 or POCO M3), the cleaning principles will be similar, but the paths in the menu may be slightly different.

What is the “Other” folder and why does it take up so much space?

The MIUI’s Other folder is a collective repository for files that the system cannot categorize as standard (Photos, Videos, Audio, etc.) and includes:

• 📁 Application cache (including hidden data that is not cleared through Settings) → Warehouse).
• 🔄 Temporary files from system updates, downloaders and installers.
• 📄 Logs and dumps (debugging files that Android creates when crashes).
• 🔒 Encrypted data of some applications (for example, banking or instant messengers).
• 🗑️ Remnants of Remote Applications (Folders) /data/data/ from uninstalled software).

The main problem is that MIUI does not provide the user with direct access to these files through a standard File Manager. Moreover, even if you connect the smartphone to a PC, the Other folder will not be visible as a separate directory. This is done to protect the system from accidental deletion of critical data, but often leads to memory clogging.

In our experience, on Redmi. 9C With 64GB of storage, the Other folder can take anywhere from 5 to 20GB — especially if you’re actively using instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), social networks (TikTok, Instagram), or games. → Warehouse → Cleaning only removes a small part of the garbage.

Method 1: Cleaning through the built-in MIUI Optimizer

The safest and easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which will not delete all the contents of the Other folder, but will help you free up 1-3 GB of memory without risk to the system.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Slip on "Clear"** (button at the bottom of the screen).
3. Select the "Deep Cleaning" tab**.
4. Check all items (especially “App Cache” and “Unnecessary Files”).
5. Click “Clear” and confirm the action.

After that, restart your smartphone. If the Other folder took up a lot of space, you will see changes in the Settings → Storage section in 5-10 minutes (the system does not recalculate data instantly).

💡

If there is a “Residual Files” item on the cleanup list, be sure to remove it – these are remnants from older MIUI updates that can weigh up to 1-2 GB.

⚠️ Note: The built-in optimizer does not remove the cache of system applications (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music or Security).

Method 2: Remove the cache through application settings

Many applications (especially system ones) accumulate gigabytes of cache that is not visible in the general storage, for example, Google Play Services or Miui Daemon can take 500 MB-1 GB each.

How to clean:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select "Show all processes"**.
3. Sort the applications by size (click on “Size”** in the top panel).
4. Open each major app (starting at the top of the list) and click Clear Cache**.

Pay special attention to these applications:

• 📱 Google Play Services (can take up to 1-2 GB).
• 🔒 Miui Daemon (system process, cache up to 500 MB).
• 🎵 Mi Music or Mi Video (cache of media files).
• 📱 Android System WebView (accumulates web page data).

⚠️ Note: Do not clear data (“Clear all data”**) from system applications (e.g. Settings or Security) – this may cause malfunctions MIUI. Clean only the cache.

Google Play Services|Miui Daemon|Android System WebView|Mi Music/Mi Video|Social networks (TikTok, Instagram)|Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)-->

Method 3: Manually delete files via ADB (for experienced)

If the first two methods didn’t work, you’ll need to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a low-level file system access tool that allows you to delete hidden caches and temporary files that MIUI doesn’t show on the interface.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📥 Installed drivers ADB Fastboot (you can download from the official Android website).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB smartphone.

Steps:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers. Enable USB Debugging.**

Redmi 9C

"File transfer"**

cmd

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, do:

adb shell

pm trim-caches -1

root

Redmi 9C

su


rm -rf /data//cache/

Note:

su

reboot

⚠️ Note: Delete files through ADB If you don't understand the consequences, you can crash the system. /system or /vendor — This will lead to a blink (inoperability) of the device.

Method 4: Using Third-Party File Managers

Xiaomi’s standard file manager doesn’t show hidden folders or system files. To see the content of The Other, you’ll need a third-party application with root access rights (or at least advanced permissions).

Best options:

Instructions for cleaning with FX File Explorer:

1. Install and open the application.
2. Go to Settings. → Show hidden files.
3. Open folders: /data/data/ – application cache. /sdcard/Android/obb/ – large game files. /sdcard/Android/data/ – application data. /sdcard/MIUI/ – temporary firmware files.

.apk

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files with extensions.odex,.vdex or folders like com.android.* are system components, without which MIUI slack.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of the methods worked, and the Other folder still takes 10+GB, it's just a complete reset, and it's a radical way to delete all the data on the phone, including:

• 📸 Photos and videos (if not saved to the cloud).
• 📱 Installed applications and their data.
• 📝 Contacts, SMS, Call logs (if not synced to Google).
• 🎮 Game saving (if not linked to an account).

How to reset:

1. Save important data on your PC or in the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data”**.
4. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.
5. Wait until it is completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Once reset, the Other folder will disappear, but you'll have to configure your smartphone from scratch to avoid re-clogging the memory:

• 🚫 Do not install unnecessary applications.
• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Warehouse.
• 📁 Use cloud storage for photos and videos.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI And then you reset it, you have 1-2 GB of other files, which is normal.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When cleaning the Other folder, users often make mistakes that lead to data loss or system failures.

If the Other folder reappears after a while, it’s normal — Android and MIUI are constantly creating temporary files, as long as it’s not larger than 3 to 5 GB.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions