Budget smartphone owners often face a lack of built-in storage, and the Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC is no exception to this rule.One of the most annoying issues for users is the mysterious partition in the storage that is labeled as "Other" or "System Data." This partition can grow to several gigabytes, occupying precious space that could be used to install new apps or store photos.
Understanding the nature of this partition is the first step to successfully clean a device. System files, application cache, temporary data, and remnants of deleted programs can all accumulate for months. Unlike standard photos or videos, this data is not always visible to the user when you normally view the file manager, which creates the illusion of overflowing memory for no apparent reason.
In this guide, we will go into detail about safe and effective ways to free up space on your Redmi 9C NFC. We will not recommend installing questionable software-cleaners, which are often the source of garbage themselves, but will focus on built-in MIUI tools and proven methods of manual cleaning through the computer.
What's Hiding in the Other section on the Redmi 9C NFC
The "Other" section is not one particular file, but a collection of data that the Android operating system and MIUI shell cannot classify as media files, apps, or documents. The messenger cache (such as Telegram or WhatsApp) is often the main culprit inflating this section. Apps store viewed images and videos in temporary storage to speed up their re-download, but rarely delete them automatically.
It can also store residual files after deleting games or heavy programs. Even if you delete an application, its folders with logs, settings and temporary data can remain in the system, and this section often gets system error data and usage reports that accumulate in the background.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to delete files from system folders manually without understanding their purpose, as this may lead to unstable work of Redmi. 9C NFC cyclic-reset.
It's important to note that some of the data in the Other section is databases of running applications, for example, offline maps or streaming cache can take up a significant amount of data, and understanding which apps consume the most resources will help you decide whether to clean or reinstall them.
Use of the built-in Cleanup tool in MIUI
The safest and easiest way to start the fight for free space is to use the regular application “Security”, which is preinstalled on each Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC. This tool is designed specifically for working with the MIUI file system and knows how to correctly delete temporary files without disrupting the system. To start, go to the Settings menu → About Phone → Memory or find the Security app shortcut on the desktop.
Once the scan is running, the system will prompt you to remove the garbage, but standard cleaning is often superficial. For a deeper analysis, click on the Clean button and then select the Deep Clean option (if available in your firmware version), where you can see the file categories that occupy the most space, including large files and rarely used applications.
☑️ Standard cleaning algorithm
Special attention should be paid to the Applications section inside the cleaning tool, where you can quickly reset the cache of heavy programs. App cache is temporary data that can be deleted without fear of losing personal correspondence or game progress (although in some cases, you may need to re-enter your account), and regularly performing this procedure helps keep the Other section within reasonable limits.
Manual cleaning of the cache of messengers and social networks
Messengers are the main consumers of memory on modern smartphones. In Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC with its limited amount of internal storage, this becomes critical. Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber and TikTok store a huge number of media files. To clean them, you need to go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find the desired application and select Memory.
In the menu that opens, you'll see two buttons: Clear cache and Clear everything. Using the Clear All button will result in a complete reset of the app, including logging out and deleting local databases. So, to start, it's recommended that you use only cache cleaning, which will safely delete temporary files, but will save your logins and passwords.
For Telegram, the situation is complicated by the fact that it stores the cache in its own structure. The best way to use the built-in settings of the Telegram itself: Settings → Data and memory → Memory Use → Clear the cache. Here you can set up automatic cache cleaning, for example, once a week or when there is a shortage of space, which will prevent future growth of the “Other” partition.
⚠️ Before completely clearing the messenger data, make sure you remember the phone number and access code, as you will need to re-authorize.
Why does the cache come back after cleaning?
Analysis of storage through connection to PC
If the built-in tools don’t help drastically reduce the size of the Other partition, you need to do a manual file system analysis. 9C NFC computer-to-computer USB-cable. In the connection notification USB Select the "File Transfer" mode» (MTP). On your computer, open the smartphone display through “My computer».
You need to find and analyze the following folders that often contain hidden debris:
- 📁 /Android/data — It stores app data, including game and program cache. Be careful, delete only remote application folders.
- 📁 /MIUI/debug_log — A folder with system logs that can take hundreds of megabytes to delete.
- 📁 /Tencent — If you use Tencent products (for example, PUBG mobile QQ), There may be huge archives here.
- 📁 /thumbnails — a folder with thumbnails of images, which often grows to giant sizes.
When you work with files through a PC, you get a complete overview of the folder structure. You can sort files by size and find "hidden" heavy objects that don't show up in the gallery. Deleting old logs and unnecessary archives can instantly free up a few gigabytes.
💡
Use the free WinDirRt or TreeSize Free program on your PC to visually analyze your phone’s memory when connected via USB – this will show the heaviest folders in the form of a diagram.
Comparison of methods of cleaning the storage
The choice of cleaning method depends on your technical background and how deeply you are willing to intervene in the system. Below is a table comparing the main approaches to solving the problem with the Other section on the Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC.
| Method | Efficiency | Security | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard cleaning (MIUI) | Low. | Tall. | Minimum |
| Cleaning up the app cache | Medium | Tall. | Low. |
| Removal via PC (manual) | Tall. | Medium | Medium |
| Reset to factory settings | Maximum | High (with loss of data) | Tall. |
As you can see from the table, factory reset is the most effective, but also the most radical, method. It completely cleans the "Other" section, returning the phone to a "store-like" state. However, it requires a full backup of data. Manual deletion via PCs strikes a good balance between efficiency and data retention, but requires care.
For most users, a combination of methods would be the best solution: regular cleaning of messenger cache and periodic inspection of folders through the computer, which would keep the system clean without the need for extreme measures.
Radical measures: Resetting and reflashing
If the Other partition takes up more than 10-15 GB and does not decrease after all the above manipulations, it is possible that there are errors or damaged sectors in the file system. In this case, the only reliable solution is a complete reset. Before starting the procedure, be sure to back up all important data to the cloud or to the computer.
To perform the reset, go to Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset → Erase all data. The phone will reboot and begin the cleanup process, which can take 10 to 30 minutes. Once complete, you will get a completely clean system where the Other partition will occupy the minimum possible volume provided by the system.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure the Redmi battery is charged 9C NFC at least 50% before resetting to avoid interruption and damage to the firmware.
In rare cases, when even a reset doesn’t help (the Other section grows immediately after installing a pair of applications), the problem may lie in the firmware version itself. Then you may need to flash the device through Fastboot mode using the official Mi Flash Tool. This is a complex procedure that requires unlocking the bootloader, and it is recommended only for advanced users.
💡
Complete resetting to factory settings is the only way to ensure that system debris is removed that cannot be eliminated by standard cleaning methods.
Preventing memory overflow in the future
To prevent the problem from returning in a month, you need to change your smartphone usage habits. First of all, set up automatic cache cleaning in apps that allow it. For example, on YouTube and Instagram, you can periodically clean history and cache manually or through the app settings.
Use cloud storage to store photos and videos. Google Photos or Mi Cloud allows you to free up space on your device by storing originals in the cloud. It is also recommended to regularly check the Download folder, as APK installation files and documents that are no longer needed often get there.
Keep an eye out for MIUI updates. In new firmware versions, developers often fix errors related to memory leakage and incorrect display of storage volume. Keeping the system up to date is the key to stable operation of the Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC.