Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a mysterious partition in the storage called “Other” that is especially relevant to the question of how to clean another on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S when the free space runs out, and the system shows that this partition takes up tens of gigabytes. This category of files is a hodgepodge of cache applications, temporary data, residual files after deleted programs and system logs.
Not only does the accumulation of junk data take up the useful area of the drive, it can also slow down the MIUI operating system. Understanding the nature of these files is the first step to successfully optimizing the device. Unlike photos or videos, the contents of the Other folder are hidden from surface view by the standard file manager, which causes users to be confused.
In this article, we'll look at proven and safe ways to free up space, learn which tools are built into the MIUI shell, and when to resort to more radical but effective methods, and use a competent approach to return the device to speed without losing important personal data.
What's Hiding in the "Other" Section on the Redmi Note 9S
The Other section (sometimes referred to as System or Miss) on the Redmi Note 9S is automatically generated. First of all, it is the cache of multimedia messengers. Telegram and WhatsApp have a habit of storing copies of all the photos and videos viewed in a temporary storage, which the system classifies as system data, not as media files of the user.
It also stores error logs, temporary update files, and offline navigation map data, and if you've been using navigation without the Internet, the maps could have taken up a lot of space, and it also includes files from remote applications that haven't been corruptly uninstalled.
- 📱 Social network and messenger cache, which occupies up to 80% of the partition volume.
- 🗑️ Residual files of remote programs and games.
- 🗺️ Data from offline maps and navigation services.
- 📝 System Logs and Error Reports for Android.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to delete files from system folders manually through third-party root file managers unless you are sure of their purpose.This may cause the Redmi Note to run unstable. 9S cyclic-reset.
Use of the built-in "Security" application
The easiest and safest way to clean up another one on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S is to use the full-time software. The MIUI shell is equipped with a powerful optimization tool that can find and remove a significant amount of debris.
Click on Cleanup. The system will scan and suggest removing obvious debris. However, to work with the Other section, you need to delve into the settings. Go to Cleanup → Deep Cleanup. Here the algorithms analyze large files and duplicates.
☑️ Checklist of primary cleaning
Pay special attention to the Apps tab, and the built-in analyzer will show you which programs occupy the most space in the Other category. Most often, Telegram, Instagram, or TikTok will be the leaders. You can select specific file types (such as videos or GIFs) within the app and delete them without affecting important chats.
The built-in cleaner is very efficient for regular maintenance, but it doesn't always see all the temporary files that were created a long time ago, so if the volume of the Other has decreased slightly after the procedure, additional measures will be required.
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The built-in Security app is the best tool for daily maintenance, but manual techniques may be required to deep-clean old caches.
Clearing the cache of messengers Telegram and WhatsApp
As mentioned earlier, messengers are the main culprits behind the “Other” bloat. Telegram’s memory mechanism is designed to cach all media files viewed for quick download. To fix this, open Telegram and go to Settings → Data and memory → Memory Use.
Click Clear cache. You'll see that a few gigabytes are free. Importantly, this won't remove your correspondence, photos and videos from the cloud. If necessary, you can upload them back to chat. WhatsApp has the same procedure: Settings → Data and Storage → Storage Management.
Here, you can select the specific chat rooms that occupy the most space and delete media files selectively, a more subtle setup that allows you to save important documents but remove heavy videos from family groups.
- 🚀 Clearing the cache in Telegram frees up space instantly without losing correspondence.
- 💾 WhatsApp can delete files by specific dialogues.
- 🔄 Set up auto-deleting the cache in the app settings so the problem doesn't come back.
It is recommended to set a cache size limit in the Telegram settings, for example, to 1-2 GB. Then the application will automatically delete old files when the limit is reached. This prevents overflow of the “Other” section on the Redmi Note 9S.
Storage analysis via Files by Google
Standard Explorer may not show the full picture. For detailed analysis, it is recommended to install the official Files by Google application. It has a convenient tool for visualizing disk space. After installation, run the scan and go to the Overview → Memory of the device tab.
The app sorts files by type and size, and you can see hidden folders and large files that are not visible by standard means, often in the "Other" section you find forgotten downloads or files left by browsers.
⚠️ Note: Be careful when deleting files with the.obb or.apk extension via third-party managers. deleting.obb game files may cause games to stop running and require re-uploading data.
Why do files come back after cleaning?
Use the Cleanup feature inside Files, which will remove duplicates, blurred photos, and long-unused apps, a comprehensive approach that not only addresses the Other section, but also the overall state of the file system.
Reset application settings and clean up via Recovery
If simple methods don't work, you can try a deeper reset, first, reset specific "heavy" applications. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Find the memory-consumption leader app.
Select Memory → Clear → Clear Everything (or Reset) – This operation will delete all application data, including logins and settings, returning it to the post-installing state. Use this method only if you are ready to re-authorize in the application.
The second, more radical method is to clean through Recovery mode, which removes the cache of the system, but does not touch personal files (photos, contacts). 9S:
1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Volume Up and Power buttons at the same time.
3.When the Mi logo appears, release the power button, but keep the volume up.
From the Recovery menu (volume button management, power button selection), select Wipe Data → Wipe Cache. Don't confuse it with Wipe All Data, which completely wipes your phone! After cleaning, select Reboot.
| Cleaning method | Efficiency | Risk of data loss | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security annex | Low/Mediocre | No. | Low. |
| Clearing messenger cache | Tall. | No (only cache) | Low. |
| Resetting the annex | Very high. | High (data annexes) | Medium |
| Wipe Cache (Recovery) | Medium | No. | Tall. |
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Before performing any actions in Recovery mode, make sure that the battery is at least 50% so that the phone does not turn off during system operations.
The most important thing is to reset (Hard Reset)
When nothing helps and the Other section takes up a critical volume (e.g., 20-30GB on a 64GB model), the latter option remains: a full reset to factory settings is guaranteed to clear all partitions, including system errors of garbage accumulation.
To do this, go to Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset → Erase all data. Importantly, make sure to back up important data to the Mi Cloud or your computer before doing so, as the phone will return to the “out of the box” state.
After a reset, take your time to restore all applications from the backup. Install only the necessary programs. Often the problem lies in one particular application that you install again and that will start generating errors again. Watch the memory filling in the first days of using a clean phone.
- 🛡️ Full data backup is a prerequisite before resetting.
- 📉 The method returns 100% of the free space.
- ⏳ The process takes time to install and reconfigure.
This method also removes all viruses and malware if the cause of the memory bloat was the activity of miners or ad modules hidden in the system. For the Redmi Note 9S, this often becomes a “second wind”, significantly speeding up the interface.