Cleaning the Other files category on Android: Complete guide

Many smartphone users are faced with frightening statistics in the storage settings: the memory is full to capacity, and the lion's share of the volume is occupied by a mysterious category “Other files”. This folder often grows to tens of gigabytes, blocking the ability to install new applications or shoot videos. The Android system does not always correctly classify data, sending to this section everything that does not fit into standard categories like “Photos” or “Applications.”

The reasons for the appearance of such a volume of data can be very different: from the accumulated cache of instant messengers to forgotten archives and residual files of deleted apps. Luckily, there are many ways to free up space. In this article, we will examine in detail what is hidden behind this label and provide step-by-step guide for safely wiping the system without losing important data.

What is actually hidden in the Other files category

Before you begin deleting, you need to understand the nature of the data. Section Other or “Others” is a hodgepodge of heterogeneous elements. This includes files that the operating system Android could not recognize or assign to a specific media type. Often this is temporary data necessary for the operation of applications, but over time it turns into digital garbage.

The bulk of this section is usually occupied by the cache of social networks and instant messengers. For example, Telegram or WhatsApp save all viewed photos and videos in local memory for quick access. If you haven't set up autocleanup, these files can take up up to 10-20 GB of space. It also stores system logs, remnants of firmware updates and files downloaded from the browser, but not included in the “Downloads” folder.

Another reason for the growth of the category is offline maps and downloaded content from streaming services. Music from Spotify or movies from Netflixavailable without the Internet are technically part of the application, but are often displayed in the total amount of “Other” data. Understanding the storage structure is the first step to proper smartphone optimization.

Basic cleaning through standard Android settings

The safest and easiest method of freeing up space is using built-in system tools. Smartphone manufacturers, be it Xiaomi, Samsung or Pixelintegrate utilities for memory management. They allow you to remove obvious junk without the risk of damaging system files.

First, go to your device's settings menu. Find the partition responsible for storage. The path may vary depending on the shell, but usually it looks like this: Settings → Memory or Settings → Device maintenance → Memory. Here the system will analyze the occupied volume and offer to optimize it.

Click on the clear button or select the “Other files” category for a detailed view. The built-in analyzer will show large files that can be deleted and offer to clear the application cache. This action is safe as the cache is regenerated the next time you start the apps.

• 🗑️ Click the "Clean" button in the junk files section to instantly delete temporary data.
• 📂 Check your Downloads folder and delete old APK installation files that are no longer needed.
• 🔄 Use the “Deep Cleaning” function if it is available in your smartphone model.

⚠️ Attention: When using the “Clear All” function in standard utilities, read carefully pop-up notifications. Sometimes there are checkboxes next to items for deleting saved passwords in the browser or data for autofill, which can create inconvenience the next time you log into sites.

Manual removal of garbage through the File Manager

If automatic means did not cope with the task, you will have to act manually. A standard file manager allows you to look into the hidden corners of memory and delete what the system does not consider important. This method requires more care, but gives better results.

Open the application Files or My files. You need to go to internal storage. Pay attention to the folders with the names of applications that you have already deleted. For example, if you played a heavy game and deleted it, the folder with its name (often starting with com.) could remain and take up gigabytes of space.

Pay special attention to the folder Android. Inside it there are subfolders data and obb. In obb cache files of games (textures, sounds) are stored. If the game is not on your phone, you can safely clean this folder. data stores settings and application data - delete the contents of only those folders whose names are familiar to you and which relate to deleted apps.

It is also worth checking the root directory for files with the extension .log or .tmp. These are technical error reports and temporary files that are created by the system when it crashes. They are useless for the average user and must be deleted.

Clearing the cache of instant messengers and social networks

As already mentioned, the main culprits behind the overflow of the “Other” category are instant messengers. Applications like Telegram, Viber and WhatsApp work as separate file managers, saving everything you view. Standard system cleaning often does not see the depth of their cache.

For effective cleaning, go directly to the settings of the application itself. In Telegram this is the section Settings → Data and memory → Memory usage. Here you will see clear statistics and a Clear Cache button. Important: this will not delete your correspondence, they are stored on the server, but it will delete downloaded media files from the device.

In WhatsApp the situation is a little different. Go to Settings → Data and storage → Storage management. The application will show the chats that take up the most space. You can selectively delete videos and photos from specific conversations, leaving the text history intact.

Application	Path to cleanup	Deletion security	Data type
Telegram	Settings → Data and memory	Completely secure	Media, cache
WhatsApp	Settings → Storage	Safe (media)	Photo, video
Viber	More → Settings → Memory	Safe	Media cache
Instagram	Phone settings → Applications	Requires login	All cache

What to do if the cache is cleared, but the space is not freed up?

Sometimes the cache file is locked by the application process. Try to force stop the application in the phone settings before cleaning, or reboot the device and repeat the procedure.

Using third-party utilities for deep cleaning

When built-in tools are not enough, specialized applications come to the rescue. They have more advanced algorithms for finding duplicates, empty folders and hidden garbage. However, the choice of such software must be approached responsibly so as not to install a virus under the guise of a cleaner.

One ​​of the most reliable solutions is considered Files by Google, SD Maid i Clean Master (with caution). These apps scan the system for residual files after uninstalling applications. They can also find duplicate photos that are often lost when transferring data from an old phone.

When using third-party software, it is important to give it the necessary permissions to access the storage. Without this, scanning will be superficial. After analysis, the app will offer a list of files for deletion - carefully review it so as not to accidentally delete important documents.

• 🚀 Files by Google does an excellent job of searching for large files and memes from instant messengers.
• 🧹 SD Maid is considered a professional tool for removing the “corpses” of deleted applications.
• 🔍 Use the duplicate search function to delete identical photos and videos taking up space.

⚠️ Attention: Avoid installing dubious “accelerators” and “coolers” of the processor from unverified sources. Often, such applications themselves become a source of advertising and unnecessary garbage, exacerbating the problem that they are supposed to solve.

Advanced methods: ADB and access to system folders

For experienced users who are not afraid of the command line, there is a cleaning method via ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method allows you to delete files that are hidden from the average user, even in the file manager. It requires connecting your smartphone to your computer.

First you need to activate developer mode on your phone. Go to Settings → About phone and click 7 times on the build number. Then, in the Developer Options menu, enable USB debugging. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line.

Using the command adb shell you will gain access to the device shell. Next, you can go to the desired directory, for example, cd /sdcard/Android/data, and delete the contents of specific folders using the command rm -rf. This method is extremely powerful, but dangerous: one mistake in the folder name can lead to system inoperability.

adb shell
cd /sdcard/Android/obb
ls
rm -rf com.example.game

Use this method only if you know exactly what you are doing. Be sure to back up your important data before using ADB. For most users, the previous cleaning methods will be enough.

Is it possible to delete the .thumbnails folder?

Yes, this folder can be deleted, it contains thumbnails of gallery images. However, the system will create it again the next time the gallery is opened, which will temporarily load the processor.

Preventing and setting up automatic cleaning

The best way to deal with memory overflow is to prevent the accumulation of garbage. Modern versions of Android allow you to set up automatic cleaning. This will save you from having to manually check your storage every month.

In the storage settings of many smartphones there is a “Smart Cleanup” or similar option. Activate it, and the phone will automatically delete files from the trash that are older than 30 days, as well as clear the cache of rarely used applications. It is also worth disabling autosaving of media in messengers.

Regularly check your subscriptions to streaming services and download content only before traveling, deleting it after returning. The habit of immediately deleting screenshots and unsuccessful photos after shooting will help maintain order in the gallery and the system as a whole.

⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces and names of menu items may differ depending on the version of Android and the manufacturer’s shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS). If you do not find the described item, use the search in your phone settings.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it safe to delete all files from the “Others” folder?

No, you cannot delete everything. The “Other” category also contains system files necessary for Android to work. You should only delete application caches, downloaded files, and remnants of uninstalled apps. It is better not to touch system files without deep knowledge.

Why is space not freed up immediately after deleting files?

Sometimes the system takes time to recalculate storage indexes. Try rebooting your device. It is also possible that the files were moved to the trash (if such a function is available in the file manager), and it needs to be cleared separately.

Can a virus hide in the “Other files” section?

Theoretically, yes, malware can masquerade as system files. If the volume of “Other files” is abnormally large and grows without your participation, it is recommended to check the phone with an antivirus, for example, the one built into Google Play Protect.

How to delete the Other folder on Samsung?

On Samsung smartphones, use the built-in “Device Maintenance” application. Go to the "Memory" section, click "Clear Now". For deeper cleaning, use the “Storage Management” mode in the settings.

What to do if the “Other” category takes up more than 50 GB?

Such a volume indicates a serious cache accumulation or an indexing error. Try clearing the cache of all applications through settings, deleting offline maps and streaming content. If this does not help, you may need to reset to factory settings with a preliminary backup.