Smartphone owners Samsung often face a mysterious situation: the device’s memory space is running out, but upon detailed analysis in the settings it turns out that photos, videos and applications occupy only a small share. The main part is consumed by the section, which the system marks as “Other” or “Other”. This can be up to 20-30 GB of unidentified space, which cannot be deleted by simply pressing a button.
This problem is relevant for all models, from budget series Galaxy A to flagships S23 i S24. Users are at a loss when trying to understand what is hidden behind this term. In fact, this shortcut hides a collection of system files, application caches, temporary data and remnants of uninstalled apps.
Understanding the structure of this partition is the first step to freeing up gigabytes of usable space. In this article, we will examine in detail the nature of the occurrence of “Other,” methods for safely cleaning it, and ways to prevent the re-accumulation of garbage on your device.
What is hidden behind the “Other” label in the Android system
When you go to Settings → Device maintenance → Memory, the system classifies the data. However, not all files can be clearly categorized as Applications, Images, or Audio. Sorting algorithms One UI place everything that does not fall into the main categories into the section "Other".
Most often this volume is formed due to the cache messengers. Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber save viewed photos and videos in temporary storage, which the system does not always correctly identify as media files. This also includes data from offline maps, downloaded playlists on streaming services, and temporary browser files.
Another reason for the partition to grow may be the remains of deleted applications. If a app was uninstalled incorrectly or had specific access rights, its data folders could remain in the root of the internal memory. The system sees these files as unknown objects and summarizes their volume into the “Other” category.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to delete files from the “Other” section through third-party file managers with root access without understanding their purpose. This may lead to unstable system operation Android or loss of important system application data.
It is also important to consider that some system updates create backup copies of previous firmware versions. These files are necessary to be able to roll back the system in the event of a failure, but they take up a significant amount of space and are classified as system data that ends up in “Other.”
Analysis of space occupied through built-in tools
Before embarking on radical cleaning methods, it is necessary to conduct competent diagnostics. The built-in memory analysis tool on smartphones has become significantly smarter in the latest versions. It allows you to visualize which types of data dominate the storage. Samsung has become much smarter in the latest versions One UI. It allows you to visualize which types of data dominate the storage.
To begin, go to the settings menu and select Device maintenance. Here click on section "Memory". The system will perform a scan, which may take from 30 seconds to several minutes depending on the volume of accumulated files. After completion, you will see a color chart of space allocation.
Pay special attention to item Application data. Often, it is the data of specific apps that is hidden within the “Other” category. By clicking on this item, you can see a list of applications sorted by the amount of space they occupy. The leaders are usually social networks and instant messengers.
⚠️ Attention: The settings menu interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and model of your smartphone Samsung. If you do not find the specified item, use the search in the settings for “Memory.”
If the built-in analyzer does not provide a detailed decryption, you can use the application Files by Google, which is often preinstalled on devices or available in the store Galaxy Store. It uses different scanning algorithms and can identify duplicate files or forgotten downloads that the standard analyzer ignores.
Clearing the cache and data of problematic applications
The most effective and safest way to reduce the size of the “Other” section is to work with the cache of individual applications. The cache is temporary data that speeds up the operation of apps, but over time it can grow to gigantic proportions without providing any benefit to the user.
To clear it, go to Settings → Applications. Select the leading application in terms of memory consumption (for example, YouTube, TikTok or Instagram). Inside the application menu, find the section "Storage". Here you will see two buttons: “Clear cache” and “Clear data.”
Clicking the button Clear cache will safely delete temporary files such as video thumbnails or downloaded news feed pictures. This will not lead to the loss of your account or correspondence. However, the button Clear data will reset the application to its factory state, deleting logins and settings.
☑️ Checklist for safely clearing applications
Particular attention should be paid to instant messengers. In Telegram, for example, the built-in cache clearing works more efficiently than the system one. Go to the settings of the messenger itself, select Data and memory → Memory usage and click "Clear cache". This action can instantly free up several gigabytes that the system persistently considered as the “Other” partition.
Using maintenance mode and safe mode
Sometimes the "Other" section gets bloated due to background processes or failures in system services that record logs incorrectly. In such cases, rebooting in safe mode or using a special maintenance mode available on modern models helps. Samsung.
Maintenance mode (Maintenance Mode) allows you to optimize the device without the risk of losing personal data. To activate it, go to Settings → Device Maintenance and scroll down to "Maintenance Mode". The device will reboot and perform a deep optimization of file systems.
An alternative method is booting in safe mode. This disables all third-party applications, allowing you to see if any installed app is causing the growth of "Other". To enter, hold down the power button, and then long hold the icon "Turn off" on the screen until the prompt to switch to safe mode appears.
⚠️ Attention: In safe mode, some phone functions will not be available, and a corresponding message will be displayed in the corner of the screen. To exit the mode, simply reboot your smartphone in the usual way.
After exiting maintenance mode or safe mode, the system will recalculate the file index. It often happens that the actual amount of busy data did not change, but due to an indexing error it was displayed incorrectly. Recalculation can return the “disappeared” space or correctly distribute files into categories.
Before entering maintenance mode, make sure that the battery charge is at least 30% so that the optimization process is not interrupted due to the device being discharged.
Radical methods: Resetting settings and flashing
If neither clearing the cache nor the maintenance mode helped, and the “Other” section continues to take up a critical amount of space (for example, more than 40-50% of memory), fatal errors may have accumulated in the file system. In this case, the only solution is a complete reset.
Before performing this procedure required create a backup copy of all important data. Use the service Samsung Cloud or upload photos and documents to your computer or external drive. Resetting will delete absolutely all data from the internal memory of the device.
To perform a reset, go to Settings → General settings → Reset. Select item "Reset data". The device will ask you to confirm and enter the unlock PIN. After confirmation, the phone will return to its factory state, as if you just bought it in the store.
| Cleaning method | Efficiency | Risk of data loss | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearing application cache | Low/Medium | No | Low |
| Service mode | Medium | No | Low |
| Removing media from messengers | High | Minimum | Medium |
| Full reset | Maximum | Complete loss (without backup) | High |
After the reset, the “Other” section is usually reduced to minimum values (1-2 GB), which are occupied exclusively by system files. This confirms that the problem was the accumulation of user garbage or file system errors, and not a hardware memory failure.
A full factory reset is a last resort that is guaranteed to clear the "Other" section, but requires careful preparation and backup of all personal data.
Preventing memory from becoming full in the future
To prevent the situation with the mysterious “Other” section from repeating itself, you need to introduce the habit of regular smartphone maintenance. Automation of cleaning processes will help keep the system in good shape without user intervention.
Set up automatic cleaning in messengers. In the same Telegram you can set the parameter Auto-delete cache, for example, for 3 days or 1 week. This ensures that old watched media files do not accumulate endlessly in the phone's memory.
Regularly use the built-in function "Optimize" in the device maintenance menu. Run it at least once a week. The system itself will close background applications, check for malware and clean up unnecessary files.
It is also recommended to periodically check the folder Downloads (Downloads). Many users forget about downloaded installation files (APK), documents and pictures, which over time form a significant volume in the “Other” category. Manual revision of this folder once a month works wonders.
Secret code for memory diagnostics
Dial the code *#9900# in the phone application. The SysDump service menu will open. Select "Delete dumpstate/logcat". This will delete system debug logs, which sometimes take up hundreds of megabytes and end up in the "Other" section. Be careful not to change other settings in this menu.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to remove the “Other” section completely?
It is impossible to completely remove it, since it contains necessary system files. However, you can reduce its volume to a minimum (1-3 GB) by clearing the cache and resetting settings. Attempts to delete system files manually will damage the phone.
Why is space not freed up after deleting applications?
Often, when you delete an application, its data and cache folders remain in the shared memory. These files are no longer associated with the app, so the system classifies them as "Other". You need to manually check the file manager or reset the settings.
Does the SD memory card affect the “Other” section?
No, the “Other” section displays the occupancy of only the smartphone’s internal memory. Files on the SD memory card are counted separately. However, transferring media files to an SD card can indirectly help by freeing up space for the system to work.
Is it dangerous to use cleaner applications from the Play Market?
Most third-party cleaners on Android work aggressively and can delete necessary files or show intrusive ads. Built-in optimization tools Samsung cope with the task of cleaning “Other” much more safely and effectively.
What to do if “Other” takes up more than 50 GB?
Such a volume is abnormal. Most likely, some application has crashed (for example, endless logging) or the file system has been damaged. It is recommended to make a backup copy and perform a full reset of the device to factory settings.