How to see hidden and other things in Android memory

Users of Androidsmartphones often encounter the mysterious “Other” or “Miscellaneous” category in the storage settings. This section can take up gigabytes of precious space, but using standard system tools it is almost impossible to find out its exact composition. The operating system hides the structure of this data for the sake of security and stability, leaving the device owner in the dark as to what exactly is eating up the memory.

However, there are proven methods that allow you to look “under the hood” of the file system. This does not always require superuser rights, although root access significantly expands the analysis capabilities. In this article, we will look at how to safely access hidden partitions, analyze the contents of folders and clean the device of digital garbage that has accumulated in the depths for years Android.

It is important to understand that tampering with system files requires caution. Improperly deleting data from system partitions can lead to unstable applications or even bricking of the device. We will look at both safe user methods and more advanced tools for in-depth analysis.

The nature of hidden data and system partitions

The file system Android is built on Linux, which implies a complex directory hierarchy. What the user sees in a standard file manager is just the tip of the iceberg. Main sections, such as /system, /data and /cache, are hidden from normal access by default. The “Other” category is often formed by the cache of instant messengers, residual files of deleted applications and system logs.

Modern versions Android (starting from 11 and higher) have introduced a mechanism Scoped Storage (limited storage). This technology isolates application data from each other, preventing chaotic filling of shared memory. However, this also complicates the task of finding “heavy” files, since applications now store data in their own closed sandboxes.

⚠️ Attention: Changing the folder structure in system partitions may violate the integrity of the operating system. Always back up important data before starting a deep analysis.

To understand where to look for hidden things, you need to know the main types of memory. Internal storage is divided into user partition and system partition. It is in the system partition that files that the system marks as “Other” are often hidden. These can be databases, temporary update files and error logs.

Using built-in tools and safe analyzers

Before resorting to complex tools, it is worth making the most of standard capabilities Android. In the “Settings” → “Memory” menu (the path may differ depending on the shell MIUI, OneUI or Stock Android) detailed statistics are often hidden. Some manufacturers allow you to click on the “Device Memory” item several times in a row to open a hidden engineering menu.

For deeper analysis without obtaining superuser rights, you can use specialized analyzer applications, such as Files by Google or DiskUsage. These utilities visualize memory, showing which folders take up the most space, even if they are hidden in standard Explorer.

Analyzers work on the principle of scanning the directories available to them and building a map. They cannot get into protected system partitions without ADB or root, but they do an excellent job with the user cache. It often turns out that “Other” is simply forgotten downloads or caches of streaming services.

⚠️ Attention: Memory settings interfaces may vary. If you do not find the item you need, refer to the documentation of the manufacturer of your smartphone or use a search in the settings.

Connecting via ADB: access to hidden folders

The most powerful tool for accessing the file system without superuser rights is the debug bridge Android Debug Bridge (ADB). It allows you to connect your smartphone to your computer and perform commands that are not available through the touch screen. To get started, you need to activate developer mode.

To enable developer mode, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the build number seven times. After this, a new item “For Developers” will appear in the menu. Inside, you need to activate the “USB Debugging” switch. Now, when connected to a PC, the smartphone will ask for access confirmation.

After connecting through a terminal on a computer (or a app like Minimal ADB and Fastboot), you can run the command to view the folder structure. The command adb shell ls -l /data/media/0 will show the contents of the internal memory. For a more detailed analysis of the space, use the utility du (disk usage).

Entering the command adb shell du -h /data/media/0 | sort -rh | head -n 20 will display a list of the 20 heaviest folders in the user storage. This allows you to instantly identify the “culprits” of memory consumption, even if they are hidden deep in the nested application directories.

adb shell dumpsys meminfo

This command provides detailed information about how much memory each running application and system process consumes in real time. This is useful for finding applications with memory leaks that are inflating the "Other" category.

Memory analysis using commands

Working with the command line requires an understanding of basic parameters. The table below shows the main commands that will help navigate the file system through ADB. They allow you not only to view files, but also to estimate their size.

Command	Description of action	Usage example
ls -lah	Output a list of files with sizes	adb shell ls -lah /sdcard/Download
du -sh *	Size of current folders in human-readable format	adb shell du -sh /data/data/*
find -size +100M	Search for files larger than 100 MB	adb shell find /sdcard -size +100M
rm -rf	Deleting a file or folder (Dangerous!)	adb shell rm -rf /sdcard/old_backup

Using these tools, you can find files with extensions .log, .tmp or .cache, which often weigh gigabytes. For example, instant messengers can store the history of media files in hidden folders that are not displayed in the gallery.

Why is the .thumbnails folder so big?

This folder contains thumbnails of all the images ever viewed on the device. It can grow to enormous sizes. It can be safely deleted, but the system will create it again.

However, you should be extremely careful with the delete command. Unlike the GUI, the command line will not ask for confirmation a second time. An error in the syntax can lead to the loss of important data.

Working with system files and root access

For full access to the partition /datawhere the data of all installed applications is stored, you need rights root. Without them, even through ADB access to many subdirectories will be denied (error Permission denied). Obtaining superuser rights (via Magisk or KernelSU) removes these restrictions.

With root access, you can use level file managers Root Explorer or MiXplorer. They allow you to see hidden files (starting with a dot) and system directories. This is where the remnants of deleted games and applications are often hidden, taking up space in the “Other” category.

It is important to distinguish between files that can be deleted and critical system components. Removing libraries from /system/lib or configuration files may result in a cyclic reboot (bootloop). Always check the purpose of the file in a search engine before deleting it.

⚠️ Attention: Obtaining root access will void the warranty on the device and may interfere with the operation of banking applications and services with a high level of security (NFC payment, Google Pay).

Clearing the cache and optimizing storage

Once you have identified what is taking up space, you can start cleaning. The safest way is to use the built-in application cache clearing features. Go to Settings → Applications, select the “heavy” application and click “Clear cache”. This will not delete your personal data, but will free up space from temporary files.

If you use ADB, you can clear the cache in batches or for specific applications. The command adb shell pm trim-caches (requires certain permissions or root) tries to free up space by deleting the cache of applications that are low on space.

It is also worth paying attention to folder Android/obb and Android/data. Additional game and application files are stored there. If you deleted the game, but the folder remained, you can safely delete it manually. However, deleting files from data active applications is not recommended - this will reset their settings to factory settings.

For long-term optimization, it is recommended to regularly check the list of installed applications and delete those that you do not use. Many applications continue to collect data and take up space even if you haven't used them for months.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can I delete the .android_secure folder?

This folder contains data from applications that have been moved to the SD card. Removing it will make these applications inoperable. It is not recommended to remove it manually; it is better to move applications back to the internal memory through the settings.

Why does the volume not decrease after clearing "Other"?

The system storage indexer may be updated with a delay. Try rebooting your device. It is also possible that the free space was immediately taken up by new temporary files or system logs.

Is it safe to use third-party cleaning apps?

Most “cleaners” only create the appearance of working or are aggressively advertised. Built-in tools Android or proven tools like Files by Google are much more effective and safer for system files.

How to find out which application takes up the most space in “Other”?

Go to Settings → Memory → Applications i Sort the list by size. Often in the top are messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) and social networks, the cache of which forms the bulk of the “Other”.