"Other Memory" on Android: what it is, how to clear it and why it takes up so much space

Have you ever looked at the storage settings on your Android smartphone and wondered why the section “Other” occupies gigabytes of memory, even though you didn’t consciously save anything there? This mysterious category can “eat up” from 5 to 30% of the total storage volume, but the system stubbornly does not show what exactly is included there. Unlike explicit sections like “Applications” or "Multimedia", “Other” is a black box, the contents of which depend on the version of Android, the smartphone manufacturer and even your usage habits.

In this article we will understand what is actually hidden under the “Memory Other” label in Android 10–14why this partition grows over time and how to safely reduce its size without the risk of damaging the system. You will find out which files end up there by default, and which ones due to application errors, and also receive step-by-step guide for cleaning, taking into account the features of firmware Samsung One UI, Xiaomi MIUI, Google Pixel and others. Spoiler: sometimes “Other” is not garbage, but critical data, the deletion of which can lead to failures.

What is “Memory Other” and why does it appear in Android

Section "Other" (or «Other» in English-language firmware) is a universal category where Android dumps all files that do not fit standard tags like "Photo", "Video" or "Applications". Essentially, this is a “basket” for everything that the system cannot clearly classify. In different versions of Android and manufacturers' shells, the composition of this section may differ radically, but usually it goes there:

• 📁 System and application cache (including temporary files that were not deleted after closing the apps).
• 🔧 Update files (remains of firmware, security patches, APK application update packages).
• 📄 Logs and dumps (error logs, crash reports, data for debugging).
• 🔒 Encrypted data (for example, DRM keys for streaming services or encryption files FBE).
• 🧩 Residual files after removing applications (settings, databases that have not been cleared).

Interestingly, Google has tried to standardize the storage display, but many manufacturers (for example, Android 12+ Google has tried to standardize storage mapping, but many vendors (e.g. Samsung or Xiaomi) still use their own classification algorithms. Therefore, on one device, “Other” can. get .nomediafiles, and on the other - backup copies Google Drive. Moreover, some firmware (for example, ColorOS from Oppo) artificially reduces the size of the “Other”, transferring part of the data to the partition "System".

It is important to understand that not everything is in “Other” - garbageFor example, files Dalvik-cache (optimized versions of applications for fast downloads) or ART-cache are critical for performance. Deleting them will cause the system to rebuild the cache every time you launch applications, which will slow down the smartphone. The same goes for OBB files games - they often end up in “Other”, but are part of the game data.

Top 5 reasons why “Memory Other” grows to gigabytes

If the “Other” section takes up more than 10-15% of the total memory, this is a reason to look under the hood. Here are the main reasons for its growth, ranked by frequency. occurrence:

1. Incorrect removal of applications. Many apps (especially games) leave behind .obbfiles, cache and settings in folders /Android/obb/ or /Android/data/For example, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile may “forget” to delete gigabytes of data.
2. System update errors. After major updates (for example, from Android 11 to Android 12), temporary installer files remain in the memory, which should have been deleted automatically, but this did not happen.
3. Logs and debugging dumps. If you have ever connected your smartphone to Android Studio or turned on "Developer Mode", the system could save gigabytes of logs in /data/log/.
4. DRM and license files. Services like Netflix, Disney+ or Spotify download encrypted keys for playing content, which are not always deleted correctly.
5. Residual data of messengers. Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber store temporary files (for example, video previews or stickers) in hidden folders that are not displayed in the standard file manager.

“Other” grows especially strongly on smartphones with micro memory cards, where Android can transfer some of the system data to the SD card, but does not always delete it correctly. The problem is also typical for devices with small amount of built-in memory (16–32 GB), where the system is forced to optimize storage by creating additional temporary files.

How to see what exactly is taking up space in “Other”: step-by-step guide

Android does not provide built-in tools for detailed analysis of the "Other" section, but there are several ways to get this information. Below are instructions for different methods, from the simplest to the most advanced.

Method 1: Using the built-in storage analyzer

On most smartphones (especially with pure Android or One UI) you can get partial information through standard settings:

1. Open Settings → Memory (or Storage).
2. Tap on the section "Other" (if it is clickable).
3. In some firmware (for example, MIUI) a list of subcategories will open: "System data", "Cache", "Other files".

Limitation: this method shows only the top level, without detailing specific files.

Method 2: Third-party analyzers (DiskUsage, Storage Analyzer)

Applications like DiskUsage or Files by Google can scan memory and show which folders take up the most space. For example:

• 🔍 DiskUsage visualizes the occupied space in the form of an interactive map.
• 📊 Storage Analyzer sorts files by size and type.

Important: a full scan will require root access, otherwise applications will not see the system folders.

Method 3: ADB commands for advanced users

If you are ready to work with Android Debug Bridge, you can get a detailed report on the used space:

adb shell df -h
adb shell du -sh /data/*
adb shell ls -la /data/app-lib/

These commands will show the size of the folders in /data/, where most of the "other" is stored. Pay attention to the folders dalvik-cache, app-lib and media - they often become bloated for no reason.

What to do if ADB does not show folders?

If commands return an error "Permission denied", means you do not have root access. In this case, you can try an alternative method via adb shell su, but this requires an unlocked bootloader and Magisk installed.

What can be safely deleted from the “Memory of Another” and what cannot

Before clearing the “Other” section, you need to clearly understand what files are critical and which are not. Below is a table with a breakdown of data types and recommendations for deletion.

File type	Examples	Can be deleted?	Risks
Cache Applications	/data/data/*/cache/, .thumbfiles	Yes	Applications will take longer to load the next time they are launched.
Residual OBB files	/Android/obb/com.game.package/	Yes (if the game is deleted)	If the game is still installed, it will stop working.
Logs and dumps	/data/log/, .log, .dump	Yes	Without consequences, but may appear again in case of failures.
DRM files	/data/drm/, *.dcf	No	Other services will stop working. Netflix, Spotify and other services.
Dalvik/ART cache	/data/dalvik-cache/	No	The system will slow down until the cache is rebuilt.

Particular care should be taken with the folders:

• 🚨 /data/system/ —contains system settings, deleting will lead to a reset.
• 🚨 /data/misc/ —data about the network, accounts and encryption are stored here.
• 🚨 /data/app-lib/ - application libraries, deletion will cause apps to crash.

Step-by-step cleaning of “Other Memory” without root access

If you do not have root access, you can clear “Other” using standard tools and third-party applications. Here is a proven sequence of actions:

1. Clearing the application cache:

   Go to Settings → Applications, select any application and tap Storage → Clear cache. Repeat for all large applications (messengers, browsers, games).

2. Removing residual files:

   Use Files by Google or SD Maid to search for garbage. These applications can find files remaining after uninstallation in /Android/data/ and /Android/obb/.

3. Reset system cache:

   In Settings → Storage → Three dots (menu) → Clear cache (the path may differ on some firmware). This will delete temporary system files.

4. Deleting downloads and unnecessary media:

   Check folder Download and folders messengers (WhatsApp/Media, Telegram/Telegram Images). Often duplicate photos and videos accumulate there.

Clear the cache of all applications|Delete old APK files from the Download folder|Check the /Android/obb/ folders for residual files|Use Files by Google to search for garbage|Reset the system cache (if available)

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For devices Samsung there is an additional tool - Device Care (in the settings). It can find unnecessary files and suggest their removal. On Xiaomi performs a similar function Security → Cleaner.

Radical methods: cleaning with root access and via recovery

If the standard methods did not help, and “Other” still takes up tens of gigabytes, you will have to use advanced methods. They require root access or access to custom recovery (for example, TWRP).

Method 1: Manual cleaning via Root Explorer

Using applications like Root Explorer or FX File Explorer (with root access enabled) you can manually delete unnecessary files from system folders. Carefully clean:

• 🧹 /data/log/ — system logs.
• 🧹 /data/local/tmp/ — temporary files.
• 🧹 /data/dalvik-cache/ — only if you are ready for rebuilding. cache (will take 5-10 minutes).

Method 2: Clearing via TWRP

If you have custom recoveryinstalled, you can use it to clear:

1. Boot into TWRP (usually by holding Power + Volume Up).
2. Select Advanced → File Manager.
3. Go to /data/ and manually delete unnecessary folders (see table above).
4. Reboot.

Method 3: Factory reset

If all else fails, the last option is hard reset. It will completely clear "Other" but will also delete all your data before resetting:

• 🔄 Make a backup via Google Drive or Titanium Backup (if there is root).
• 🔄 Save photos and videos on your PC or cloud.
• 🔄 Write down logins and passwords for your accounts.

How to prevent the “Memory of Another” from growing in the future

To prevent the “Other” section from filling up again, follow these recommendations:

• 🔄 Regularly clear the cache (once every 1-2 months) through settings or Files by Google.
• 📱 Disable auto-update of applications in Google Play (or limit updates to Wi-Fi only).
• 🎮 Delete games correctly: first uninstall via Google Play, then manually check the folders /Android/obb/ and /Android/data/.
• 📁 Use cloud services for storing media (for example, Google Photos with the "Free up space" option).
• 🔧 Disable USB debuggingif you do not use it (it generates unnecessary logs).

You should also avoid:

• ❌ Installing applications from unverified sources (they often leave garbage).
• ❌ Frequent changes of firmware or system modifications (temporary files remain each time).
• ❌ Using “cleaners” like Clean Master —they often delete useful data.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about “In Memory of a Friend” on Android

❓ Why does “Memory Another” appear again after clearing? appears?

This is normal Android behavior. The system and applications constantly create temporary files (cache, logs, session data). If "Other" grows too quickly, check:

• Are games or applications updating in the background.
• Is USB debugging enabled (Settings → For Developers).
• Does the messenger (for example, WhatsApp) save media automatically.

❓ Is it possible to transfer “Other memory” to an SD card?

No, system files from the section “Other” cannot be transferred to an SD card. However, you can:

• Move some applications to a memory card (if supported).
• Save media files (photos, videos) directly to SD.
• Use the SD card as internal memory (function Adoptable Storage in Android 6–9).

⚠️ Attention: Adoptable Storage encrypts the card and binds it to the device. After extraction, the data will be inaccessible.

❓ Why does “Other” take up more space on Samsung than on other smartphones?

Firmware One UI from Samsung aggressively caches data to speed up the interface. In addition, “Other” includes:

• Files Samsung Knox (protected container).
• Data Bixby and other branded services.
• Backups Samsung Cloud.

To reduce the size, disable unnecessary functions in Settings → Additional functions.

❓ What to do if “Memory Other” takes up 50+ GB?

This is a critical amount and indicates a serious problem. Possible reasons:

• 🔴 Damaged file system (needs to be done fsck via recovery).
• 🔴 Residual files after a failed Android update.
• 🔴 Virus or malware that creates hidden files.

Solutions:

1. Check your device for viruses (Malwarebytes).
2. Perform a factory reset settings.
3. If the problem persists, reflash the device via Odin (for Samsung) or Fastboot.

❓ Why did “Other” grow by 10–20 GB after the Android update?

With major updates (for example, from Android 12 to Android 13), the system creates:

• A backup copy of the old firmware (in case of a rollback).
• Temporary installer files.
• New files cache to optimize performance.

Usually Android deletes them after 1-2 weeks. If this does not happen, clear the cache manually through Settings → Memory.