What you can delete on your Android phone to free up memory: complete guide

Clogged memory on a smartphone is a problem that every user faces. Android. Even if you have a model with 128 GB or 256 GB built-in memory, over time the free space melts before your eyes: applications slow down, photos are not saved, and the system issues annoying notifications about lack of space. But what exactly can be deleted to free up memory without risk to the system?

In this article we will analyze all types of unnecessary data —from cache and duplicate photos to forgotten downloads and “heavy” messengers. You will learn which files are safe to erase and which are best transferred to a memory card or to the cloud. We will also give a list of applications that most often eat up memory, and we will show you how to find hidden "junk" folders. If you want not only to free up space, but also speed up your phoneread to the end - there are nuances here that are not written about in standard instructions.

1. Application cache: why it needs to be cleared regularly

Caches are temporary files that applications create for speed up its work. For example, YouTube saves video thumbnails in the cache, and Google Maps saves map fragments so as not to reload them. The problem is that over time the cache grows to gigantic proportions: for some users it takes 5–10 GB or more!

How to check the cache size? Go to Settings → Applications → [Select an application] → Memory. There you will see two indicators: "Application memory" (APK itself and its data) and "Cache". The latter can be cleared with one click - it is absolutely safe, since the application will restore the necessary files the next time you start it.

• 📱 Social networks (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) - the cache can weigh 1–3 GB.
• 🎵 Music services (Spotify, Yandex Music) - save album covers and track previews.
• 🗺️ Maps and navigators (Google Maps, 2GIS) - cache sections of maps for offline viewing.
• 🎮 Games - especially “heavy” ones (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact) can accumulate cache on several gigabytes.

⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse the cache with application data! Clearing "Data" (not the cache) will lead to resetting the settings and logging out of your account. The cache can be deleted without consequences.

2. Unnecessary applications: how to find and remove “ballast”

The average user Android installs 30–50 applications, but actively uses only 10–15. The rest take up space, update in the background and slow down the system. The first thing you need to do is carry out an audit installed apps.

Open Settings → Applications → All applications and sort them by size. Pay attention to:

• 📦 Pre-installed applications (bloatware), which cannot be removed using standard means. You can disable (the "Disable" or "Delete updates" button).
• 🎯 Gamesthat you have not played for a long time. One AAA game can weigh 1–2 GB.
• 🔄 Duplicate applications (for example, two file managers or two browsers).
• 📅 Applications for one-time tasks (QR code scanners, currency converters and etc.).

To remove system applications (if you have root access), you can use Titanium Backup or System App Remover. Without root access, some applications (for example, Google Play Music or Samsung Knox) can only be disabled.

⚠️ Attention: Removing system applications without understanding the consequences can lead to unstable operation of the phone. For example, deleting Google Play Services will disrupt the operation of many functions.

3. Downloads: the folder that everyone forgets to clean

The folder Downloads (or Download) is a real dump of unnecessary files. The following accumulate here:

• 📄 PDF documents that you opened once (tickets, receipts, instructions).
• 🖼️ Pictures and memes from instant messengers.
• 🎥 Videos from TikTok or Instagramsaved "for later".
• 📎 APK files of installed (and already deleted) applications.

How to find this folder? Open any file manager (for example Files by Google or built-in My files on Samsung) and go to the Downloadssection. Sort files by size and remove anything unnecessary. Pay special attention to files with extensions:

Extension	File type	Can it be deleted?
.apk	Application installation files	Yes, if the application is already installed
.pdf, .docx	Documents	Yes, if you do not need it for work
.mp4, .mkv	Video files	Yes, if you do not plan review
.zip, .rar	Archives	Yes, if already unpacked
.tmp	Temporary files	Yes, always

4. Photos and videos: how to free up gigabytes

Multimedia is the main memory hog. One photo in format HEIC (on iPhone) or RAW (on flagships Android) can weigh 10–20 MB, and a minute video in 4K — to 300–500 MB. Here's what you can do:

• 🔍 Find and delete duplicates. Use applications like Duplicate Files Fixer or Files by Google (it has a built-in search duplicates).
• 🗑️ Clear the "Screenshots" folder. Many users take hundreds of screenshots and forget to delete them.
• ☁️ Transfer media files to the cloud. Google Photos suggests unlimited storage for compressed photos (up to 16 MP) and videos (up to 1080p).
• 📁 Archive old photos. Create a ZIP archive with photos in 2020–2022 and transfer it to a memory card or PC.

If you do not want to lose quality, but need to save space, convert RAW to JPEG (quality loss is minimal at high bitrates). Suitable for this are Lightroom or Snapseed.

How to disable automatic saving of media from instant messengers?

In WhatsApp go to Settings → Data and memory → Autoload media and disable loading photos/videos in mobile data. In Telegram a similar setting is located in Settings → Data and memory → Autoload media.

5. Messengers: hidden giants in memory consumption

Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) can take up up to 20 GB memory - and this is not the limit! The main "culprits":

• 📸 Media files (photos, videos, stickers, gifs), which are automatically saved to the gallery.
• 🗃️ Cache (chat previews, avatars, thumbnails).
• 💬 Chat backups (they are created daily and can weigh WhatsApp they are created daily and can weigh hundreds of megabytes).

How clear:

1. V WhatsApp:

   Settings → Memory → Memory management

   Here you can sort chats by size and delete unnecessary media files.

2. V Telegram:

   Settings → Data and memory → Storage

   Select "Clear cache" and delete unnecessary files.

3. Disable auto-downloading of media in mobile data (see spoiler above).

⚠️ Attention: Deleting media from messengers does not delete them from the phone gallery. To free up space, you need to erase files from the folder WhatsApp/Media (or similar for other messengers).

6. System garbage and hidden files

Android creates many temporary and service filesthat are not visible to the user without special tools. These include:

• 🗑️ Files .thumbnails —thumbnails for the gallery (can weigh up to 1 GB).
• 📂 Folder DCIM/.thumbnails — thumbnail cache for quick browsing.
• 🔄 Files log and tmp — error logs and temporary data.
• 📥 Remains of deleted applications (folders Android/obb and Android/data).

To find and remove this garbage:

1. Use a file manager with access to hidden folders (for example, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
3. Delete the contents of folders:

   /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails
   /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ [empty folders]
   /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/ [files of deleted games]

For automated cleaning, SD Maid or Files by Google (section "Cleaning"). These applications will find unnecessary files and offer to delete them.

7. Cloud services and offline content

Many applications allow you to save content for offline viewing, but forget to warn that it takes up space on the device. Check:

• 🎵 Music services (Spotify, Yandex Music, VK Music) - downloaded playlists can weigh several gigabytes.
• 📺 Video services (YouTube Premium, Kinion, IVI) - offline video in high quality "eat up" memory very quickly.
• 📚 Readers and books (Google Play Books, Moon+ Reader) - PDF and FB2 files take up space, even if you read them a long time ago.

How to clear:

Each of these applications has a "Downloads" or "Offline Content" section. For example, in Spotify:

Settings → Storage → Delete cache

In YouTube Premium:

Library → Downloads → Delete

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example, Google Podcasts) save offline content in hidden folders. Use the file manager to find and delete them manually.

8. Additional ways to free up memory

If after all the manipulations there is still not enough memory, try these methods:

• 📱 Transfer applications to the memory card. This does not work on all phones (depending on the manufacturer and version of Android), but on some models (Samsung, Xiaomi) you can transfer some applications. data-i="270">Move applications to the memory card. Settings → Applications → [Select application] → Memory → Change → Memory card.
• ☁️ Use cloud storage. Google One (15 GB free), Yandex Disk (10 GB), Mega (20 GB) will help free up space by transferring photos, videos and documents there.
• 🔄 Reset your phone to factory settings. An extreme measure, but sometimes necessary, make a backup copy of important data before resetting!
• 🛠️ Install custom firmware. For advanced users: some firmware (for example, LineageOS) take up less space than standard Android.

If you often encounter lack of memory, consider buying a phone with expandable memory (slot for microSD) or a model with a large amount of built-in storage (from 128 GB).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Can I delete the Android folder on the card? memory?

No, this is the system folder where application data is stored (for example, offline maps or game caches). You can clear its contents selectively, deleting only unnecessary files (for example, files of deleted games). data-i="295">app malfunctions app malfunctions. You can clean its contents selectively, deleting only unnecessary files (for example, obb-files of deleted games).

Why does it quickly run out again after clearing the memory?

Probable reasons:

• 🔄 Applications actively cache data (especially social networks and instant messengers).
• 📥 Automatic downloading of updates or media from chats.
• 📸 Automatic saving of photos/videos from messengers to the gallery.

Solution: disable autoloading in the messenger settings and regularly clear the cache.

How to free up memory if the phone says "Memory" is full", but there are almost no files?

This may be due to:

• 🗑️ Hidden system files (log files, memory dumps).
• 📦 Error in calculating free space (sometimes occurs after updating Android).
• 🔒 Encrypted data (on some phones).

Try:

1. Reboot the phone.
2. Clear cache via Settings → Memory → Cached data.
3. Use SD Maid to search for "junk" files.

Which applications are best not to delete so as not to break the phone?

Do not delete (or disable) unless absolutely necessary:

• 🔧 Google Play Services - is responsible for the operation of many functions.
• 📱 System applications with names com.android.* (for example, com.android.phone - phone book).
• 🔒 Security applications (for example, Google Play Protect).
• 🔄 Synchronization services (for example, Google Contacts).

If you are not sure, it’s better not touch. Disabling critical services may lead to loss of functionality (for example, calls or notifications will stop working).

How to transfer applications to a memory card if there is no such option in the settings?

On some phones (for example, Google Pixel, OnePlus) transfer of applications to the memory card is blocked. Alternatives:

• 📁 Transfer only media files applications (for example, cache Spotify or Google Podcasts) manually via file manager.
• 🔧 Use root access and applications like App2SD (requires technical skills).
• ☁️ Replace the memory card with a more capacious one (if the phone supports adoptable storage — formatting the card as internal memory).