You go into your smartphone’s settings to check the free space, and see an alarming picture: the internal memory is full to capacity. Applications take up the usual gigabytes, photos and videos are distributed in folders, but there is one mysterious category - “Other”. This section can grow to incredible sizes, eating up 10, 20 or even 30 gigabytes of valuable space, while the user does not understand what exactly is stored there.
The system file analyzer does not always give a transparent picture, grouping a variety of types of data into this category. From temporary update files to messenger caches and forgotten archives, the contents of this section require detailed study. In this article we will analyze the technical nature of the occurrence of the category "Other" and propose specific methods for cleaning it without losing important data.
The nature of the occurrence of the category "Other"
When the operating system Android scans internal storage, it tries to classify each file into the types it knows: images, videos, audios, documents or applications. However, there is a huge amount of data that does not fall into the strict criteria of standard categories. The system marks them as «Miscellaneous» or simply “Other”, so as not to clutter the main interface with extensions that are incomprehensible to the user.
This trash bin contains files that do not have a clear MIME type or are stored in specific application directories. For example, messenger databases, temporary logs of system operation, downloaded fonts or interface elements may be hidden from the user's view. Often the volume of this category grows in proportion to the time the device is used without deep cleaning.
It is worth noting that counting algorithms may vary depending on the manufacturer’s shell. In pure Android from Google the logic is one, but in One UI from Samsung or MIUI from Xiaomi it is different. Some manufacturers deliberately hide the system cache in the “Other” section so that the user does not try to delete critical files manually.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to delete files from system folders through file managers with root access if you are not sure of their purpose. Erroneous deletion of system libraries can lead to a cyclic reboot of the device (bootloop).
What exactly is hidden in hidden folders
A detailed analysis of the file system shows that the lion's share of the mysterious volume is occupied by user application data. Messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp save media files in their private directories, which the system does not always correctly identify as “Images” or “Videos”, sending them to the “Other” section.
The remains of deleted apps are also accumulated here. If you uninstalled a game or utility, but it left behind a cache or settings folder, this data will continue to take up space. Over time, such “tails” can accumulate to several gigabytes, especially if you often experiment with new software.
- 📂 Browser cache: saved pages, Cookies and temporary download files that were not cleared automatically.
- 🎮 Game cache: additional resources (maps, textures, sounds) downloaded after installing the application via Google Play.
- 📱 System logs: error reports and service history that are created for debugging, but are rarely deleted.
- 📦 Archives and installers: forgotten APK files, ZIP archives and file formats that the system did not recognize as media.
A special place is occupied by offline maps and downloaded content from streaming services. Applications like Spotify, YouTube Music or Maps.me store downloaded tracks and maps in an encrypted or specific format that standard galleries do not see, but the memory manager takes into account in the “Other” category.
The influence of instant messengers on memory size
One of the main reasons The growth of the section is the active use of instant messengers. Telegram, for example, by default stores the entire history of correspondence and media files in the device’s memory for quick access. If you have hundreds of chats with active exchange of photos and videos, the cache of this application can quietly take up 5-10 GB.
The problem is aggravated by the fact that standard cleaning tools are often afraid to touch messenger folders so as not to delete the chat history. As a result, the user sees a huge amount of space in the “Other” category, but cannot understand which application is the hero of the occasion without using specialized utilities.
The solution to the problem is to configure auto-cleaning of the cache within the applications themselves. In the settings Telegram you can set a limit on the cache size or its storage period. This will allow the system to automatically delete old files, freeing up space in the “Other” section without your intervention.
System cache and update files
The operating system constantly creates temporary files to ensure its stable operation. These can be application pre-compilation files (ART/Dalvik cache), which speed up the launch of apps, but take up a significant amount of space. Usually they are managed automatically by the system, but if there are failures they can grow.
Another source of “garbage” is update files. Sometimes, after successfully installing a new version Android or security update, the installation package is not removed immediately. It remains a dead weight on the system partition, classified as "Other" until you manually initiate a wipe.
| Data Type | Approximate Size | Deletion Security | Wipe Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application cache | 1-5 GB | Safe | Settings → Applications |
| Remains of deleted games | 2-10 GB | Safe | File manager |
| System logs | 100-500 MB | Safe | Developer mode / ADB |
| Update files (OTA) | 1-3 GB | Safe (after installation) | Clearing storage |
It is important to distinguish between cache and application data. Clearing the cache removes temporary files and does not affect your logins or game progress. Wipe data resets the application to its factory state, deleting all settings and accounts, so this function must be handled with care.
How to safely clear the Other section
The first step should always be the built-in wipe function. In modern versions Android in the “Memory” or “Storage” menu there is a “Free up space” button. The system will analyze the files and offer to remove duplicates, large files and unused applications. This is the safest method, since Google algorithms know well what can be touched and what not.
If the built-in tools do not help, you should use third-party disk analyzers, such as Files by Google or DiskUsage. These utilities visualize the used space, showing the exact size of each folder. You will be able to see that, for example, the folder Android/obb has grown to exorbitant sizes due to the old game.
☑️ Safe cleaning plan
For advanced users, it is possible to clean it via a computer using the utility ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method allows you to delete the system cache and log files that are not accessible through the phone interface. However, this requires enabling USB debugging and basic knowledge of the command line.
adb shell pm trim-caches 999999999This command instructs the system to trim cache files to free up space (in this example, the limit is set extremely high to remove everything unnecessary). Use it only if you understand the consequences and have backed up important data.
Prevention and storage management
To prevent the “Other” category from turning into a black hole for memory, you need to develop the habit of regular maintenance. Avoid filling the memory to capacity, as this will slow down the flash memory and increase wear on the storage cells. Try to keep at least 15-20% of the total volume free.
Set up automatic uploading of photos and videos to cloud services, such as Google Photos or Yandex.Disk. After successful synchronization, use the "Free up space" function, which will delete local copies of files, leaving them accessible only via the Internet. This will significantly reduce the load on internal storage.
Check the “Download” folder regularly. APK installation files often accumulate there after updating applications that the system no longer needs.
⚠️ Attention: The memory settings interface may differ on different smartphone models. If you do not find the described items, check the official instructions for your device or look for information for a specific version of the shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS).
When you need a radical measure: Reset settings
If neither clearing the cache nor deleting files helps, and the “Other” section continues to take up an abnormally large amount of space (for example, half of the memory when minimum applications), a file system error may have occurred or unremovable software garbage may have accumulated. In this case, the most effective solution is a full factory reset.
Before performing this procedure, it is critical to create a complete backup of all contacts, messages and media files. The formatting process will destroy absolutely all data on the device, returning it to the “as from the store” state. After setting up the phone again, the “Other” category will occupy the minimum required volume.
What to do if the memory fills up immediately after the reset?
If immediately after resetting and installing a minimum of applications, the “Other” section grows quickly again, this may indicate a hardware malfunction of the memory controller or the presence of malware built into the firmware. In this case, it is recommended to reflash the device with the official version of the software via a computer.
Full reset is an extreme measure, but it is guaranteed to remove all hidden file system errors and “dead” files that cannot be deleted using normal methods.
Is it possible to delete the Android folder completely?
No, delete the entire folder Android is impossible, since it stores data from running applications. However, you can safely clear subfolders cache inside directories of specific applications if you are sure that they are not needed.
Why is the space not freed up after clearing the cache?
Some applications re-generate the cache immediately after launch. Additionally, there may be a delay in updating the memory indicator. Try rebooting the device so that the system recalculates the used volume.
Does the “Other” category 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, which leads to interface lags and long application opening times. Freeing up space in the Other section improves overall performance.
Are .nomedia files part of the Other category?
The .nomedia files themselves are negligible, but their presence hides media files from the gallery. Because of this, photos and videos may not be taken into account in the “Images” category, but end up in “Other” if the system cannot index them correctly.