Smartphone owners Samsung Galaxy often face a paradoxical situation: after deleting dozens of applications, photos and videos, the free space on the device practically does not increase. You look into the storage settings with hope, but you see a frightening picture - a huge gray block called “Other”, which can occupy from 10 to 30 gigabytes. This is not a system error or a virus, but a specific feature of the file system Android in the shell One UI.
The “Other” section is a hodgepodge of system files, application caches, temporary data and logs that the standard memory manager cannot classify as media files or installed apps. Cleaning this section requires a delicate approach, since thoughtless deletion of system data can lead to malfunctions of instant messengers or loss of settings. Let's take a closer look at what this mysterious volume consists of and how to safely get back gigabytes of free space.
The nature of the "Other" section in the One UI file system
When you see the "Other" category in the menu Settings → Device maintenance → Memory, the system shows you files that that do not meet standard sorting criteria. In the ecosystem, this often includes backup copies of chats from Samsung backup copies of chats from WhatsApp and Telegram, temporary firmware update files and caches of streaming services. This data is necessary for the fast operation of applications, but over time they grow to indecent sizes.
A feature of the shell One UI is that it also aggregates bootloader files and system debugging logs into this section. If you actively use your smartphone for work or play, the volume of this data grows exponentially. For example, a game with high-resolution textures can store gigabytes of temporary files in its cache, which the system persistently classifies as "Other"rather than applications.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to manually delete files from system folders through third-party file managers with root access without understanding their purpose. This can lead to the device becoming bricked or an endless reboot.
The system sorting algorithm is not always ideal. Sometimes ordinary photos saved in hidden messenger folders (for example, .thumbnails) are also disguised as system junk. Understanding this structure is the first step to effective optimizations your Galaxy. Without deep analysis, you risk deleting the necessary data or, conversely, leaving garbage untouched.
Before starting deep cleaning, back up important data to the Samsung Cloud or Google Drive to avoid accidental loss of information.
Application cache and temporary files: the main culprits
The bulk of the “Other” section is the cache. This is temporary data that applications download to speed up work: video previews from YouTube, pictures from Instagram feed, downloaded web pages in Chrome. Over time, this cache ceases to be useful and turns into digital ballast. In smartphones Samsung clearing the cache of individual applications is available directly through the settings.
To find the hero of the occasion, you need to go to Settings → Applications and sort the list by memory size. Often it turns out that social networks or navigators take up more space than all your photo albums combined. Inside the application card, the button "Clear cache" is safe: it will delete only temporary files without affecting your logins, passwords and correspondence.
- 🗑️ Social networks: Telegram and WhatsApp store media files in their own cache, which the system sees as “Other”.
- 🌐 Browsers: Chrome and Samsung Internet accumulate gigabytes of data from visited sites and autosaved forms.
- 🎵 Streaming: Spotify and YouTube Music cache album covers and buffered tracks for offline listening.
- 🗺️ Maps: Yandex.Maps and Google Maps save areas for offline navigation, which can weigh a lot.
However, there is a nuance: some applications for example Viber or TikTok, have built-in cache management mechanisms that are more efficient than system ones. Go to the settings of the application itself and look for the “Memory Usage” item. There you can often delete only the video cache or only the image cache, which is more flexible than completely clearing it through the settings Android.
System logs and update files
Another hidden category of files is system logs. Smartphones Samsung keep detailed logs of all actions, errors and failures. They usually take up little space, but if the system experiences a critical failure or an application constantly crashes, the size of the log files can balloon to several gigabytes in a matter of hours. Engineers need these files for debugging, but for the average user they only take up space.
Also, the “Other” section includes leftovers after updating the firmware. When your Galaxy receives an update One UI over the air, the downloaded installation package is not immediately removed. It is stored in a hidden partition, waiting for installation confirmation or in case of a rollback. After a successful update, this file should disappear automatically, but sometimes it gets stuck in memory.
adb shell pm trim-caches 999999999For advanced users, it is possible to clear the entire system cache through Recovery Mode. To do this, you need to turn off the phone, hold down the combination of buttons (usually Volume Up + Power or connecting to a PC) and select Wipe Cache Partition. This procedure does not delete your personal data (photos, contacts), but clears the system cache, which is often the reason for the appearance of the “Other” section.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, be extremely careful when selecting menu items. Selecting the “Wipe Data/Factory Reset” item will completely reset the phone to factory settings and delete all your data.
Garbage in messenger and social network folders
Messengers are real memory hogs. They save every photo and video they receive to internal memory, even if you've already viewed them and forgotten them. In the file system Android these files are often located in deep subfolders, which the memory manager does not always correctly identify as “Images” or “Videos”, sending them to the category “Other”.
Particular attention should be paid to the folder Android/media. In modern versions of Android, access to it is limited, but this is where downloads from Telegram and WhatsApp are stored. If you use these instant messengers for years, hundreds of gigabytes of duplicates and old files can accumulate there. Manual cleaning through the built-in file manager My Files from Samsung is the most reliable way to restore order.
In the application My Files go to the section Storage analysis. The system will build a visual diagram where you can click on the “Other” category and see the breakdown by folder. Often you will find folders with names like .Statuses (Whatsapp statuses) or TikTok cache folders that can be safely deleted. This will return you valuable gigabytes without losing important correspondence.
☑️ Checking messengers
Table: Distribution of file types in the “Other” section
To better understand the structure of the occupied space, let's consider the main types of data that are disguised as system garbage. This table will help you prioritize cleaning based on your needs.
| Data type | Approximate memory impact | Deletion security | Where to look |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cache applications | High (1-5 GB per application) | Safe | Settings → Applications |
| System logs | Medium (up to 2 GB with failures) | Safe | Recovery Mode / ADB |
| Messenger media | Very high (10+ GB) | With caution | Android/media folder |
| Update files | Average (3-5 GB) | Safe (after update) | System partition |
| Tumbnails (thumbnails) | Low/Medium (500 MB - 1 GB) | Safe (will be recreated) | DCIM/.thumbnails folder |
As can be seen from the table, the greatest potential for freeing up space is hidden in messenger media files and the cache of heavy applications. System logs and update files take up space sporadically, but clearing them gives quick results when there is a critical lack of space.
Regular clearing of the messenger cache (once every 1-2 months) allows you to maintain the “Other” section within reasonable limits without loss of application functionality.
Using built-in Samsung tools and third-party solutions
The company Samsung has built into the shell One UI a powerful maintenance tool, which is often ignored by users. The Optimize Now feature in your device's maintenance menu doesn't just close background apps, it also scans your storage for duplicates, rarely used apps, and large files. This is the first line of defense against the growth of the "Other" section.
For deeper cleaning, you can use the application Files by Google, which is often pre-installed or available in the store. It is smarter than a standard analyzer and better identifies memes, screenshots and blurry photos that can also end up in “Other”. It is not recommended to use third-party cleaners like CCleaner - they often create more garbage than they remove and show intrusive ads. Galaxy Store. It is smarter than a standard analyzer and better identifies memes, screenshots and blurry photos that can also end up in “Other”. Third-party cleaners like CCleaner are not recommended - they often create more junk than they remove and display intrusive ads.
If standard methods do not help, you can use the function Smart Manager. Go to settings, find this section and select “Memory”. There is a “Clean Now” button, which forcibly deletes temporary files and cache that the system has marked as unnecessary. This is a safe procedure recommended by the manufacturer to maintain performance Galaxy.
⚠️ Attention: The menu interface and item names may vary slightly depending on the version of Android and the model of your smartphone (S-series, A-series, Z-series). Check the current user manual for your specific model.
Secret .thumbnails folder
The DCIM folder often contains a hidden .thumbnails folder containing thumbnails of all your photos and videos. Over time, it can grow to 1-2 GB. It can be safely deleted, but the gallery will create it again the next time you open it, it’s just that now it will be “clean.”
Radical measures: Resetting settings and flashing
If the “Other” section takes up an unrealistically large amount of space (for example, 40-50 GB on a phone with 128 GB of memory) and no cleaning helps, perhaps the file system is damaged or has accumulated a critical amount of system errors. In this case, the only effective solution is a full reset to factory settings (Factory Reset).
Before this procedure, be sure to save all important data, since this step will delete absolutely everything from the internal drive. After the reset and initial setup (without restoring a full copy from the backup right away), you will see that the “Other” section takes up only a couple of gigabytes - this is a normal amount for a clean system. Android.
Recover data gradually. You should not immediately restore a full copy from the cloud, since you can return the same “garbage” that you deleted along with your contacts. It is better to set up accounts again and install applications manually. This is a labor-intensive process, but it ensures that no hidden problematic files from old versions of apps remain in the memory.
A complete reset is an extreme measure, but it is the most effective way to deal with it. software errors in the file system, leading to abnormal growth of the “Other” section.
Why is space not freed up after deleting applications?
When deleting an application through the normal interface, its “tail” is often left behind - a folder with data and cache in the Android/data section. The system considers these files to belong to the user, not the application, so it refers them to the “Other” section. cleaning, you need to delete the application data before uninstalling it.
Is it possible to transfer the “Other” section to a memory card?
No, the “Other” section is a system category that includes data related to the internal memory and processor operation. However, many applications allow you to change the path in their settings for saving downloaded files to the memory card, which will indirectly reduce the volume. “Other” in the internal memory.
Does the “Other” section affect the speed of the phone?
Yes, indirectly. If the internal memory is more than 90% full, the speed of writing and reading data drops due to the way flash memory works. This leads to lags, long opening of applications and slowdowns in the interface. Freeing up space in the “Other” section directly. affects performance Samsung.
Is a large volume of “Other” a sign of a virus?
In 95% of cases, this is not a virus, but a feature of the Android cache and logic. However, if the volume grows on its own without installing new applications and watching videos, it is worth checking the phone with an antivirus (for example, built-in McAfee in Samsung or Dr.Web can). disguise your activity as system processes.
How often should you clear the cache on Samsung?
Modern Android systems can manage the cache themselves, deleting old ones if there is not enough space. Forced cleaning is only needed if you see obvious bloating of the “Other” section or a specific application is not working correctly. The optimal frequency is once every 1-3 months or before. installation of major system updates.