Smartphone owners are often faced with a paradoxical situation: the built-in memory of the device is filled to capacity, but upon detailed analysis of the storage it turns out that applications, photos and videos take up only a small portion of the available space. The bulk of the gigabytes are hidden in a mysterious section, which the system designates as “Other” or System. This section becomes a “black hole”, absorbing free space and slowing down the operation of the gadget.
The nature of the occurrence of such files is multifaceted: from temporary logs of system operation to forgotten archives in instant messengers. Understanding the structure of this section is critical for competent management of the resources of your Androiddevice. Without a deep analysis, the user risks deleting important system files or, conversely, leaving gigabytes of digital garbage.
In this article we will analyze in detail the composition of the “Other” category, identify the culprits of memory clogging and offer proven safe cleaning algorithms. You will learn to distinguish the system cache from personal data and will be able to return your smartphone to its former operating speed.
Anatomy of the “Other” section: what it consists of
The section "Other" is not one specific folder, but an aggregated indicator of all files that the file manager could not clearly classify as images, audio, video or documents. This includes archives, application installation files .apk, backups and browser caches.
A significant share in this section is occupied by messenger data. Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber save stories correspondence, voice messages and downloaded media files in their own protected directories, which the system often does not recognize as standard pictures or videos.
Operating system update files that were not automatically deleted after successful installation are also stored here. Sometimes “broken” files or data from deleted applications that remain dead weight on the drive fall into this category.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to delete files from system partitions through file managers with root access without understanding their purpose. Deleting libraries
.soor configuration files may lead to a cyclic reboot of the smartphone.
Use the built-in memory analyzer in the settings before installing third-party cleaning utilities. It often shows a more precise breakdown by category.
Temporary files and cache: the main garbage dumps
The application cache is temporary data that apps save to speed up their work. Over time, the cache size can grow to incredible sizes. For example, a cache YouTube or Instagram can occupy several gigabytes, storing video previews and thumbnails.
Clearing the cache is the safest way to free up space on a partition “Other”. This procedure does not delete your logins, passwords or personal settings, but only erases temporary files, which the application will download again if necessary.
To perform cleaning, you need to go to the smartphone settings, select “Applications” and find the most voracious services. Inside the menu of each application there is a button Clear cachethat should be used regularly.
- 🗑️ Browser caches often contain old versions of web pages and cookies that take up hundreds of megabytes.
- 📱 Social network caches store photos you and your friends have downloaded in low resolution.
- 🎮 Game caches may contain resources from levels that have already been completed and are no longer needed.
Do not forget about the hidden cache that is created by services Google Play. Sometimes clearing the data of the application store itself helps to reset the counters and correct errors in displaying free space.
Messengers as hidden memory eaters
Modern instant messengers have turned into full-fledged media combines. Users are often unaware that they Telegram or WhatsApp save every image they viewed and audio they listened to deep in the file system. This data is technically categorized as Other.
There is a built-in memory management mechanism. The application allows you to configure automatic cache clearing based on a timer or when a certain volume limit is reached. This is the most effective way to control without losing the correspondence history. Telegram There is a built-in memory management mechanism. The application allows you to configure automatic cache clearing based on a timer or when a certain volume limit is reached. This is the most effective way to control without losing your correspondence history.
In WhatsApp the situation is more complicated: media files are often duplicated in the general gallery and in specific application folders. Deleting through the gallery may not affect the chat database where links to these files are stored.
⚠️ Attention: Before deep cleaning messengers, be sure to back up important chats in cloud storage to avoid irretrievable loss of correspondence.
Storage analysis using special utilities
Standard tools Android do not always provide detailed visualization of occupied space. For in-depth analysis, it is recommended to use specialized utilities, such as Files by Google or DiskUsage.
These apps scan the drive and build a memory map, where the size of each rectangle corresponds to the file size. This allows you to instantly discover forgotten movies, old backups or debug logs that occupy gigabytes.
When working with such utilities, it is important to pay attention to the date the file was last modified. Files that have not been accessed for more than a year are highly likely candidates for deletion.
| File type | Extension | Where to look | Deletion security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installation package | .apk |
Download folder | High (if the application is installed) |
| System log | .log |
System folders | Medium (analysis needed) |
| Temporary file | .tmp |
Application cache | High |
| Backup | .backup |
Local storage | Low (check relevance) |
Memory visualization helps find giant files that standard explorer often hides in shared folders.
Manual cleaning of folders through a file manager
For advanced users, a manual cleaning method is available through file managers with access to the root structure, for example, FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer. This requires caution and understanding of the directory structure Android.
You should first check the folder Download. Often documents, presentations and archives that were needed once are downloaded there. It is also worth looking into the folder Bluetooth, where all received files are automatically saved.
Pay special attention to the folder Android/obb i Android/data. Game caches and application data are stored here. You can delete the contents of these folders only for those apps that you have already deleted or are ready to configure again.
Path to check: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/If you find folders with the names of deleted applications, you can safely erase them. The system will not restore them automatically, since the connection with the application has already been broken.
☑️ Manual cleaning algorithm
Resetting settings as a radical cleaning method
If software methods do not help and the partition "Other" continues to occupy a critical volume, perhaps in the file The system has accumulated errors or fragmentation. In this case, an effective solution is to completely reset the device to factory settings.
This procedure completely clears the internal storage, deleting all user data, applications and settings. The smartphone returns to its “out of the box” state, which ensures that all possible space is freed up.
Before performing a reset, you must create a complete backup of your contacts, photos and important documents on an external drive or in the cloud. Without this step, you risk losing all personal information forever.
⚠️ Attention: Reset menu interfaces may differ on smartphones from different manufacturers (Xiaomi, Samsung, Pixel). Always check the official instructions for your specific model before starting the procedure.
What to do if the reset did not help?
If, even after a full reset, the volume of the “Other” partition remains abnormally large, this may indicate a physical malfunction of the memory controller or deep damage to the file system. In this case, you need to flash the device via a computer or contact a service center.
Prevention of memory filling in the future
To prevent the problem of a full partition "Other" from returning, it is worth changing your smartphone usage habits. Regular revision of downloaded files and setting up automatic cleaning in instant messengers will become reliable protection.
Use cloud storage to archive old photos and videos. Transferring media content to Google Photos, Yandex.Disk or Dropbox and then deleting local copies will significantly relieve internal memory.
It is also recommended to disable automatic saving media files from messengers to the gallery, if this function is not critical for you. This will prevent duplication of files and cluttering of system folders.
- 🔄 Set up automatic cache deletion once a week in application settings.
- ☁️ Transfer large files to an SD card or to the cloud immediately after receiving.
- 🚫 Cancel your subscription to unnecessary channels in instant messengers that spam media content.
Remember that free space is necessary for the operating system to work correctly. Android requires buffer space for temporary operations, and in its absence the phone will start to slow down.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to delete the entire “Other” folder with one click?
No, such a function does not exist, since this is a combined category of various files. Deleting all content indiscriminately will crash the system. It is necessary to clean the sources of garbage separately.
Why does the volume of “Other” increase on its own?
This happens due to the work of background processes: caching cards, downloading application updates, saving error logs and autosaving media from instant messengers.
Does transferring applications to an SD card affect the partition size “Other”?
Partially. Moving the app itself will free up space, but its cache and data often remain in the internal memory, continuing to take up space in the “Other” category.
Is it safe to use cleaner apps from the Play Market?
Most of them are safe, but often work superficially, simply clearing the visible cache. Some may contain aggressive advertising. Built-in system tools are usually more effective.
What to do if after cleaning the space is not freed up?
Try to restart the device. Sometimes the file system does not update the free space index immediately after deleting large files.