How to remove the “Other” from the memory of Xiaomi Redmi 9 NFC: 5 working ways

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 NFC often encounter a mysterious “Other” partition in the storage of the smartphone, which takes up gigabytes of memory, but does not contain visible files. This system debris includes app cache, update remnants, temporary MIUI files and fragmented data that are not deleted by standard methods. The problem is aggravated by the fact that the Redmi 9 NFC is equipped with only 64/128 GB of memory, of which the user is actually 10-15% less due to the preinstalled firmware and partition for the system.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to clean the Other section, from basic (via built-in MIUI tools) to advanced (using ADB and engineering menus). Particular attention will be paid to the unique feature of Redmi 9 NFC: due to hardware memory encryption (FBE), some methods that work on other Xiaomi require adaptation here, and you will learn how to avoid re-clogging of memory and which applications are to blame for 80% of overflows.

What is the Other in Xiaomi’s Memory and Why Does It Take So Much Space?

The “Other” section of MIUI is a collective name for files that the system cannot categorize as standard (Photos, Videos, Audio, etc.) and includes:

• 🗑️ Application cache and systems – temporary files that should be automatically deleted but often remain due to crashes.
• 🔄 Remains of updates MIUI — Firmware packages (.zip) that have not been deleted after installation.
• 📁 Fragmented data – scraps of files left over after incorrect removal of applications.
• 🔒 Encrypted files – data protected by File-Based Encryption (FBE), which MIUI cannot be classified.
• 🤖 Logs and dumps of the system – debugging files created when applications or Android kernel crash.

On the Redmi 9 NFC, the problem is exacerbated by the features of the MediaTek Helio G80 chipset and the MIUI version (usually 12.0-12.5 based on Android 10/11), which are known for a bug in which the system cache does not clear even after manual reset through settings. For example, after an OTA update in the Other section, up to 1-3 GB of unnecessary files may remain.

⚠️ Note: If the Other partition takes up more than 5GB, it may indicate that the file system is damaged. In this case, a simple cleanup will not help - you will need a complete reset or flashing through the Fastboot.

Method 1: Cleaning with built-in MIUI Cleaner

The safest method is to use a standard MIUI tool called Cleanup (or Security in global firmware) that removes cache, temporary files, and some system debris without risking damaging data.

Instructions:

1. Open the Cleanup app (icon with broomstick).
2. Click on “Deep Clean” (Deep Clean).
3. Select the category "Junk Files".
4. Note all the points, especially: 🧹 App cache (App Cache) 🗑️ Temporary files (Temp Files) 📁 Residues APK (Residual APKs)

"Clean it up."

Once cleaned, restart your smartphone. This method removes up to 1-2 GB of debris, but does not touch system logs and encrypted data. For a deeper cleaning, move to the next method.

Close all applications|Connect charging (the process can take 5-10 minutes)|Make a backup copy of important data|Check the vacant space (should be at least 500MB)-->

Method 2: Manually remove cache of all applications

If MIUI Cleaner fails, try manually clearing the cache of all installed applications, which is effective when the Other takes 2-4 GB, but takes time.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Sort by size."
3. Open the applications alternately, starting with the “heavy ones”, and click “Clear the cache”.
4. Pay special attention: 📱 Social networks (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) – their cache can weigh 500 MB-1 GB. 🎮 Games (PUBG, Genshin Impact – Temporary files take up to 2GB. 🌐 Browser (Chrome, Mi Browser) – cache of pages and downloads.

Once the cache is cleaned, restart the device. If the Other partition has decreased slightly, the problem lies in the system files - read on.

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

Method 3: Remove residues of MIUI updates through File Manager

Xiaomi often leaves after updates OTA firmware-pack /data/ota_package or /cache. These files can weigh. 1–3 GB, but not in standard conductor, to remove them:

Instructions:

1. Open the "Mi File Manager" section.
2. Turn on hidden files: Click on three dots → Settings. Activate Show hidden files.

/storage/emulated/0/Download/.thumbnails


/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/backup/AllBackup




/data/ota_package (root rights required)

.zip

.tmp

update_*

If the folder /data Inaccessible, use ADB (method 4). Also check the folder. /cache — It can contain files such as recovery.log or last_kmsg, safe-to-remove.

Method 4: Advanced cleaning through ADB (no root)

If previous methods have failed, connect to your smartphone via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which removes system debris that is not available through the GUI, including kernel logs and DALVIK cache.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB Debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click on MIUI Version 7 times to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on USB Debugging.

Redmi 9 NFC

adb shell


pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster # Reset MIUI Cleaner




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*




rm -rf /data/tombstones/*




rm -rf /cache/*

adb reboot

These commands delete:

• 📜 Failure logs (/data/tombstones)
• 🗃️ Temporary system files (/data/local/tmp)
• 🔄 Recovery cache (/cache)

⚠️ Note: Do not use the rm command. -rf /data/* — This will cause the smartphone to be completely reset, and the paths above are safe, but make sure you enter them correctly before you do it.

💡

If ADB issues a “permission denied” error, try getting a temporary root first via adb shell su (requires an unlocked bootloader).

Method 5: Complete reset to factory settings (last resort)

If the Other takes up more than 5GB and doesn’t shrink after all the manipulations, the last option is hard reset, which erases all data, including accounts, photos and apps, but is guaranteed to clear the Other section.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Create a backup copy: 📱 Use Mi Cloud or Google Drive for Contacts and Photos. 💾 Transfer files to a PC or external drive.

Settings → About the phone → Resetting settings

"Erase all data."

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

After discharge:

• 🔄 Do not restore data from the backup immediately – first check if the “Other” has disappeared».
• 📱 Install applications selectively, avoiding those that have previously clogged memory.
• 🛡️ Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play.

💡

Resetting to factory settings is the only way to remove encrypted FBE data that MIUI classifies as “Other.”

How to prevent re-clogging of memory

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

• 📵 Limit the social media cache: In Settings → Annexes → [Select the application] → Storage set a cache limit (e.g. 500MB for Facebook).
• 🔄 Turn off automatic media download: C WhatsApp/Telegram Turn off auto downloading photos/video in mobile data.
• 🗑️ Clean regularly MIUI Cleaner: Start Deep Cleanup once a week.
• 📥 Use external memory: Transfer photos and videos to microSD (Redmi 9) NFC Supports cards up to 512GB).

Also install the application “Files by Google” – it better than standard Explorer finds and deletes unnecessary files, including duplicates and large caches.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning up 'Other' on Redmi 9 NFC