Have you ever noticed that the gallery on your Android smartphone opens almost instantly, even if it contains thousands of photos? Responsible for this thumbnail files are small copies of images and videos that the system creates automatically. They save time and traffic, but over time they take up gigabytes of memory, especially if you actively use the camera or download media files.

In this article we will understand what are thumbnails on Androidwhere they are stored in different versions of the system, how to clean them safely (including without root access), and why some removal methods can be harmful productivity. We will also tell you how to disable the creation of thumbnails for individual folders or at all - and whether it is worth doing.

Spoiler: in 90% of cases, standard Android tools are enough, but there are also hidden tricks for experienced users. You will also find out why thumbnails may appear again after cleaning - and how to avoid it.

What are thumbnails files on Android

Thumbnails files (thumbnails) are small copies of images and videos that Android generates to speed up the work of the gallery, file manager and other applications. Instead of uploading the original high-resolution file each time (for example, a photo weighing 12 MP weight 5–10 MB), the system shows its reduced version weighing 10–50 KB.

Advantages of this approach:

  • ⚡ Instant downloading galleries even with thousands of files.
  • 📶 Saving mobile traffic when viewing media in cloud services (for example, Google Photos).
  • 🔋 Reduced CPU load and battery.
  • 🖼️ Smooth scrolling when scrolling through the list of photos.

However, there is a downside to the coin: over time, thumbnails occupy up to 1-3 GB of memory (depending on the number of media files and the Android version). However, they are stored in hidden folders, and many users do not even suspect their existence until they start looking for why the phone suddenly ran out of space.

📊 How often do you clear the cache on your phone? Android?
Once a week
Once a month
Only when the memory runs out
Never cleared

Where are thumbnail files stored on Android

Location of folders with thumbnails depends on the version of Android and the smartphone manufacturer. Below are the standard paths, but keep in mind: some brands (for example, Xiaomi, Samsung, Huawei) may use their own solutions.

Android version Path to the folder with thumbnails Notes
Android 10 and newer /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.android.providers.media/ The folder is hidden, accessible only through a file manager with root or ADB rights.
Android 9 and older /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails May be absent on some firmware.
Samsung (One UI) /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/.thumbnails Additionally, there may be thumbnails in /data/media/0/ (root required).
Xiaomi (MIUI) /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/Gallery/cloud/thumb Separate thumbnails for the cloud gallery.

To see these folders, you will need a file manager that supports displaying hidden files (for example, Solid Explorer, FX File Explorer or Total CommanderIn standard Google Files Hidden folders are not shown by default.

⚠️ Attention: Not all files in folders .thumbnails can be deleted manually. Some of them are used by the system in real time, and deleting them may cause the gallery to malfunction.

How to safely clear files thumbnails

There are several ways to remove thumbnails, but not all of them are equally effective and safe. Let's consider the methods from the simplest to the most radical.

Method 1: Cleaning through Android settings

The safest method that does not require root access or third-party applications:

  1. Open Settings → Storage.
  2. Click on Other applications or Applications.
  3. Find Gallery (or Google Photosif you use it) and select Storage → Clear cache.

This method deletes only cached thumbnails, but not the files themselves in hidden folders. However, after rebooting the phone, the system will restore only those thumbnails that are really needed.

Method 2: Deleting through the file manager

If you want to completely clear the folders with thumbnails:

Make a backup copy of important photos

Close all applications that work with media (gallery, camera, instant messengers)

Use a file manager with root access (if you need to delete system files)

Restart your phone after cleaning-->

Next:

  1. Open the file manager and turn on the display of hidden files (usually in the settings).
  2. Follow one of the paths from the table above (depending on the Android version).
  3. Delete all files in the folders .thumbnails or thumb.
  4. Reboot the device.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, ColorOS from Oppo/Realme), deleting them without root access will result in an error. In this case, use method 1 or. 3.

Method 3: Through ADB (for advanced users)

If you do not have root access, but need to delete system thumbnails, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge). data-i="120">Enable

  1. Turn on USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About phone → Build number - press 7 times).
  2. Connect the phone to the PC and run the command: 
    adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.media
  3. Reboot the device.

This command will reset the media provider cache, including thumbnails. Disadvantage of the method: after rebooting, the system will begin to re-index all media files, which may take time.

💡

If after cleaning thumbnails have appeared again, check the synchronization settings in Google Photos or other cloud services. They can automatically restore the cache.

Why thumbnails appear again after deletion

Many users are faced with the fact that after clearing folders .thumbnails they fill up again over time. This happens for several reasons:

  • 🔄 Automatic re-indexing: Android scans media files every time you turn on the phone or connect to a PC.
  • ☁️ Cloud services: Google Photos, Yandex.Disk or Dropbox can restore thumbnails to speed up browsing.
  • 📱 Third-party applications: Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) and social networks (Instagram, VK) create their own caches of thumbnails.
  • 🔧 Manufacturer firmware: MIUI, One UI or EMUI may have their own caching mechanisms.

So that thumbnails do not restored, you can:

  1. Disable automatic synchronization in cloud services.
  2. Use alternative galleries (for example, Simple Gallery) that do not create a cache.
  3. Limit access to media for unnecessary applications in the resolution settings.
How to disable the creation of thumbnails in Google Photos

Open the application Google Photos → Settings → Backup and synchronization → disable the option Create thumbnails to speed up browsing.

Is it possible to completely disable the creation of thumbnails

Technically yes, but this is not always advisable. Complete disabling will lead to:

  • ⏳ Slower loading of the gallery (especially noticeable on weak smartphones).
  • 📶 Increased traffic consumption when viewing media in the cloud.
  • 🔋 Faster battery drain due to constant downloading of original files.

If you still want to limit the creation of thumbnails, there are several options:

Option 1: Disable for individual folders

Some file managers (for example, Solid Explorer) allow you to add a file .nomediato folders. After this, Android will stop indexing the contents of the folder, including creating thumbnails.

How to create .nomedia:

  1. Open the file manager.
  2. Go to the folder for which you want to disable thumbnails.
  3. Create a new text file and name it .nomedia (without extension).

Option 2: Use an alternative gallery

Applications like Simple Gallery or Aves do not create thumbnails in standard Android folders. Instead, they use their own cache, which is easier to control.

Option 3: Disable the media scanner (root required)

For advanced users: you can disable the system service mediaserverresponsible for indexing media. However, this will lead to problems with music and video playback in standard applications.

The command to disable (performed via ADB or Terminal Emulator):

pm disable com.android.providers.media
⚠️ Attention: Disabling the media provider may disrupt the operation of the camera, gallery and some instant messengers. This method is recommended only for testing or on backup devices.

How thumbnails affect the performance of a smartphone

Thumbnail files are not just “garbage” that can be thoughtlessly deleted. They play a key role in optimizing the performance of Android:

  • 🚀 Accelerated gallery loading: Without thumbnails, the application would have to decode the original files every time, which takes up time. 5–10 times longer.
  • 🎮 Smooth interface: When scrolling through a list of photos, the system loads thumbnails rather than originals, which reduces the load on the GPU.
  • 📱 Saving resources: On weak smartphones (for example, s 2–3 GB of RAM) the absence of thumbnails can cause freezing.

However, there is a downside:

  • 📉 Used space: On a phone with 64–128 GB memory 1–2 GB thumbnails are not critical, but on devices with 16–32 GB this can be a problem.
  • 🔄 Unnecessary write operations: Constant updating of thumbnails increases the wear and tear of flash memory (relevant for budget smartphones with eMMC instead of UFS).

The optimal balance is to periodically clear the thumbnails (once every 1-2 months) and make sure that their total volume does not exceeded 500 MB - 1 GB.

💡

Regularly cleaning thumbnails (without completely disabling) is the best way to save space without losing performance.

Frequent mistakes when working with thumbnails

Many users make mistakes trying to free up space by deleting thumbnails Here. the most common of them:

  1. Deleting a folder DCIM entirely: It stores not only thumbnails, but also original photos. By deleting it, you risk losing all the pictures.
  2. Using "cleaners" like Clean Master: Such applications often delete not only the cache, but also important system files, which leads to crashes.
  3. Manually deleting thumbnails without rebooting: The system can restore them immediately after cleaning, if you do not restart the phone.
  4. Disabling the media scanner without a backup: This can lead to the loss of photo metadata (dates, geotags).

There is also a common myth that thumbnails can be compressed or converted to another format to save space. In fact, they are already optimized, and any manipulation with them will not have a noticeable effect.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about thumbnail files on Android

Is it possible to delete thumbnails without root?

Yes, most thumbnails can be deleted through the storage settings (Settings → Applications →. Gallery → Clear cache) or a file manager with the display of hidden files enabled. Root is only required to delete system thumbnails in /data/data/.

Why did the gallery become slower after deleting the thumbnails?

This is normal: after clearing, the system needs to re-generate thumbnails for frequently used files. The speed will be restored after 10-15 minutes of active use of the gallery.

How to learn how much space the thumbnails take up on my computer. phone?

Use storage analysis applications, for example Storage Analyzer or Files by GoogleThey will show the size of folders .thumbnails and other hidden directories.

Is it possible to transfer thumbnails to SD card?

No, Android does not support moving the system cache to external drives. However, you can transfer the media files themselves to the SD card, and then the thumbnails will be created there.

Is it safe to use ADB commands to clear thumbnails?

Yes, if you follow the instructions and do not delete others. system data adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.media is safe and simply resets the media provider cache.