Smartphone owners Samsung Galaxy often face an unpleasant situation when the internal memory of the device is full, but upon a detailed analysis of the storage, the lion's share of the space is allocated to the mysterious “Other” section. This item in the memory settings raises many questions, since the system does not give a direct answer as to exactly what files are stored there. Users see that tens of gigabytes are occupied by incomprehensible data that cannot simply be deleted using standard cleaning tools.
In fact, the category "Other" is not a virus or a system error, but a collection of system files, application caches, temporary data and remnants of deleted software. In the ecosystem One UI from Samsung, this section can grow to impressive sizes due to the specifics of the work of instant messengers, browsers and the update system. Understanding the structure of this storage is critical to freeing up space without the risk of damaging the device's performance.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at the anatomy of the "Other" folder, identify the main culprits behind filling up the memory, and provide step-by-step guide for safe cleaning. You'll learn how to use built-in diagnostic tools, file managers, and special boot modes to reclaim free space on your smartphone.
Anatomy of the Other section: What's hidden inside
The Other section in Android data storage is a collection category for all files that the system cannot clearly classify as images, videos, audio, or documents. This includes archives, application installation files, database data and various service logs. For the user it looks like a black box, but for the system it is a necessary buffer for the correct operation of apps.
Cache data takes up a significant part of the volume. Apps like Telegram, YouTube or Instagramsave watched media files and thumbnails on the internal storage for faster loading times when accessed again. Over time, this cache can reach tens of gigabytes, especially if you actively use streaming services or social networks. The system considers these files important for performance, so it does not delete them automatically.
In addition, system update files that have been downloaded but not yet installed, or remnants of previous firmware versions, fall into this category. Offline map data from navigators and saved games can also be stored here. If you rarely use certain apps, their “heavy” data continues to take up space in the “Other” section, waiting for the next launch.
Built-in cleaning tools on Samsung One UI
Samsung has provided a built-in device maintenance mechanism that allows you to safely remove some of the garbage from the “Other” section without obtaining root access. This tool analyzes your storage and suggests deleting temporary files that are not currently being used by applications. It is accessed through the device settings, which makes the procedure as simple as possible for the average user.
To start cleaning, you need to go to the menu Settings → Device maintenance → Memory. Here the system will show the current storage status and offer a “Clear Now” button. The algorithm for this function is quite conservative: it deletes only those files that are guaranteed not to affect the operation of applications, so it often frees up only a small amount of space.
A more in-depth analysis can be carried out through the “Storage” section in the settings. By clicking on the "Other" category, you will see a list of applications that take up the most space in that section. This allows you to take a targeted approach to the problem: if you see that a specific browser or social network has taken up 5 GB in the “Other” section, it is more logical to clear the data of this particular application than to run a general clearing.
Before mass clearing the cache, make sure that you have access to the Internet, since applications will need to re-download some data, such as contact avatars or chat thumbnails.
⚠️ Attention: The “Clear Now” function in the device maintenance menu does not delete users’ personal data, but it also cannot delete the deep cache of some instant messengers. Complete cleaning may require manual intervention in the settings of specific applications.
Manually clearing the cache and application data
The most effective way to reduce the size of the “Other” folder is to manually clear the cache of heavy applications. This method requires more time since each application needs to be checked individually, but the results often exceed expectations. This is especially true for instant messengers that store chat history and media files in a local database.
To clear, go to Settings → Applications. Select an application that consumes a lot of resources (for example Chrome or Telegram). In the application menu, find the “Storage” item. Here you will see two buttons: “Clear cache” and “Clear data”. The first deletes temporary files, the second resets the application to factory settings, deleting logins and settings.
Use the “Clear data” button with caution. This action will completely delete all saved passwords, settings and local history within the application. For instant messengers, this may mean losing part of the correspondence if it is not synchronized with the cloud. Therefore, before using this feature, it is recommended to backup your important data.
☑️ Checklist for manually clearing applications
Particular attention should be paid to browsers. They accumulate huge amounts of site cache, cookies and saved pages. Regularly clearing your browser cache can free up anywhere from 500 MB to several gigabytes of space that the system classifies as “Other.” This is a safe operation that will only make sites load a little longer on the first visit after cleaning.
Deleting system updates and temporary files
The Android system and shell One UI periodically download software updates. These files are stored in hidden sections of memory and are often classified as "Other". If the update has already been installed or downloaded a long time ago, these files become useless ballast that can be deleted to free up space.
To delete downloaded updates, you need to go to the storage settings. Some firmware versions have a separate item for managing update files. If there is no such item, you can use the file manager to gain access to system folders, but this requires caution. An alternative method is to reset the recovery partition cache, which will be discussed below.
Also, files from the folder Downloadthat the user forgot to delete often accumulate in the “Other” section. These could be old installation APK files, PDF documents or archives. The system does not always correctly determine their type if the file does not have an extension or it is non-standard, so they end up in the general heap. Regular audit of the downloads folder helps keep the system clean.
Where are the update files physically located?
System update files are usually stored in the hidden /cache partition or in the /data/ota_package folder. Direct access to them without root access is prohibited, so deletion is only possible through the recovery menu or special engineering codes, which may differ depending on the Samsung model.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to delete files from system folders through third-party file managers with superuser rights if you are not 100% sure of the purpose of the file. Deleting a critical system file may cause the phone to stop booting.
Using Recovery mode for deep cleaning
If standard methods do not help free up enough space, you can use Recovery mode. It is a utility boot environment that allows you to perform deep system operations, including clearing the entire device cache. This method is safe for personal data (photos, contacts), but deletes all temporary system files.
To enter Recovery mode on Samsung smartphones, you must turn off the device. Then hold down the combination of buttons: usually this Volume up + Power button (on new models without a Home button, you may need to connect to a PC via USB-C). Hold the buttons until the Samsung logo appears, then release.
In the menu that appears, navigation is carried out using the volume buttons, and selection is made using the power button. Find the item Wipe cache partition and confirm the action. The system will clear the system cache, which often solves the problem of a bloated “Other” partition. After completion, select Reboot system now to reboot.
Clearing the cache partition via Recovery is the most effective way to remove system junk that is not visible in normal Android operation, while your personal photos and applications will remain intact.
| Cleaning method | Security data | Efficiency | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in cleaning (Settings) | High | Low | Low |
| Cache clearing applications | Medium (settings are lost) | Medium | Medium |
| Recovery mode (Wipe Cache) | High (data saved) | High | Medium |
| Reset to factory settings | Low (everything is deleted) | Maximum | High |
Third-party utilities and file managers
For advanced users, there are specialized applications that allow you to visualize memory usage in more detail than the standard Samsung interface. apps like Files by Google or DiskUsage build a memory map, showing which folders and files are taking up space. This helps to find forgotten videos or application logs hidden deep in the directory structure.
When using third-party file managers, it is important to pay attention to the folder Android/data i Android/obb. Game data and application cache are stored here. In new versions of Android, access to these folders is limited by the security policy (Scoped Storage), so the standard Explorer may not show their entire contents. Specialized utilities can bypass these restrictions or request special permissions.
However, you should be careful with the so-called “boosters” and “cleaners” from the Play Market. Many of them are aggressively advertised, but in fact they only show intrusive advertising and do not bring real benefits. Some, on the contrary, slow down the phone by constantly working in the background. It is better to use proven solutions from well-known vendors or built-in system tools.
When analyzing memory through third-party utilities, pay attention to files with the .log or .tmp extension. Safely deleting them often frees up space that the system considers occupied in the "Other" section.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and access to system folders may vary depending on the version of Android and Samsung security updates. What worked on Android 10 may not be available on Android 13 without special permissions.
When a hard reset of the device is required
In extreme cases, when the "Other" section takes up an illogically large amount of space (for example, 20-30 GB on a 64 GB device memory) and no cleaning methods help, the file system may be damaged or critical errors may accumulate in the media file database. In such a situation, the only effective solution is a full reset to factory settings.
This procedure completely erases all data from the device, returning it to its “out of the box” state. Before performing a reset, it is critical to back up all your contacts, photos, and documents to cloud storage or your computer. After the reset, the “Other” section will occupy the minimum possible volume required for system operation.
To perform a reset, go to Settings → General settings → Reset → Reset data. The device will warn you if information is lost. Once confirmed, the phone will reboot and begin the cleaning process. This will take a few minutes. When finished, you will have to set up your phone again and install applications.
Why does "Other" grow again after a reset?
If immediately after resetting and installing a minimum set of applications, the "Other" section grows quickly again, this may indicate a failure of a specific application that you installed, or a problem with the memory card if it is used as internal storage.
Is it possible to delete the “Other” folder completely?
It is impossible to completely delete this section, since it is a system category for service files. However, you can minimize its size to several hundred megabytes by deleting the cache and temporary files. This section cannot be empty by definition of the Android architecture.
Why does the volume of the “Other” section change on its own?
The volume can change dynamically due to the work of background processes. Applications constantly write and delete temporary files. The system may also recalculate the index of media files, temporarily classifying some data as "Other" until indexing is complete.
Does an SD memory card affect the size of the "Other" partition?
Yes, if the memory card is formatted as internal storage (Adoptable Storage), the data on it can be counted in overall memory statistics. However, on modern Samsung smartphones this function is often disabled, and the card is considered a separate drive.
Is it safe to use Recovery mode for a beginner?
Using the item Wipe cache partition in Recovery mode is absolutely safe for personal data. The risk arises only if you select the item Wipe data/factory reset, which will delete all information from the phone. Be careful when navigating through the menu.
What to do if after cleaning the space is not freed up?
If the space is not freed up, try rebooting the device. Android storage system sometimes does not update statistics in real time. It is also possible that the files are blocked by active processes, and only a full reboot or factory reset will help.