Many Android users are faced with the mysterious “Other” or “System” category in the memory settings, which can take up gigabytes of valuable space. This is not a separate folder that you can simply open and delete, but a collection of system filesapplication cache and temporary data. Finding the specific location of this data is difficult, since it is scattered across different directories of the internal memory and protected by access rights.
In this article we will analyze in detail the structure of the file system so that you understand what exactly is hidden behind this term. You will learn which directories are responsible for the accumulation of excess weight and how to safely free up space without compromising the operation of operating system.
What is hidden behind the “Other” category in the storage
When you go into the settings and see a huge gray bar with the caption “Other”, it often causes confusion. In fact, here the operating system includes everything that does not fall into the standard categories: photos, videos, music or installed applications. The bulk is occupied by cache files, error logs and data left by remote apps.
A significant part of this volume is made up of temporary files that are created by browsers, instant messengers and social networks to speed up work. For example, Telegram or WhatsApp save viewed media files in special hidden directories, which the standard Explorer does not always correctly classify as “Documents” or “Images”. Over time, this digital garbage grows to obscene proportions.
Also included in this category are system update files that were not deleted after successful installation. Sometimes swap files and memory dumps are stored here, which are necessary for debugging, but are of no use to the average user. Understanding the nature of these files is the first step to proper cleaning.
Before starting manual cleaning, be sure to create a backup copy of important data, since deleting system files can lead to unstable operation of the phone.
Physical location of system directories
If we talk about the physical path, then most of the “Miscellaneous” data is located in the root partition of the file system, access to which is limited without superuser rights (Root). The main folders that consume space are located along the path /data i /cache. A regular file manager without extended rights will show you only the superficial level in the directory /storage/emulated/0.
In the user part of the memory that is accessible for viewing, hidden data is often located in the folder Android. Inside it there are subdirectories data and obb, where applications store their additional files and cache. This is where gigabytes of data from games and heavy apps can be hidden, which the system classifies as “Other” if it cannot accurately identify their type.
Another place where unaccounted for garbage accumulates is the folder LOST.DIR. Here the system resets files whose recovery was interrupted (for example, when the power was suddenly turned off or the memory card was removed). Although these files are often damaged, they continue to take up space in the overall storage balance.
⚠️ Attention: Never delete files from the root folder
/dataor system libraries in/systemwithout an accurate understanding of their purpose. This can lead to a bricked device or an endless reboot.
Why are files not visible in a regular Explorer?
The Android file system uses an application isolation mechanism (Sandbox). This means that one application does not have access to the data of another without special permission, and system folders are hidden from the user to protect the integrity of the OS.
How to find hidden files through a file manager
To view hidden directories, you will need an advanced file manager, such as Files by Google, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer. In the settings of these applications, you must activate the “Show hidden files” option. After enabling this feature, you will see files and folders whose names begin with a period, for example .thumbnails or .cache.
Navigating through the file system requires caution. Go to the main storage and carefully examine the folder Android. Here you can often find forgotten downloads or caches from long-deleted games. Also check the root of the internal memory for folders with the names of deleted applications - sometimes uninstallation does not proceed correctly, leaving behind “tails.”
Use the disk space analysis function built into modern file managers. It visualizes locations, showing the heaviest files regardless of their type. This allows you to quickly find forgotten archives or video files that the system mistakenly recorded in the “Other” section.
- 🔍 Turn on the display of hidden files in the Explorer settings.
- 📂 Check the folder
Android/datafor large caches. - 🗑️ Clear the directory
Downloadof old APK installation files. - 📉 Use the built-in analyzer to search for files larger than 100 MB.
Clearing the cache and temporary application files
The safest way to reduce the amount of “Miscellaneous” is to clear the cache of specific applications. There is no need to go into the file system, just go to the phone settings. Go to the Applications buttonsection, select a app that takes up a lot of space (often browsers or social networks), and click the Clear cache.
It is important not to confuse the “Clear cache” button with the “Erase data” button. The first deletes only temporary files that speed up the loading of content, and the second resets the application to factory settings, deleting your logins, correspondence and progress in games. For instant messengers, it is better to use built-in cleaning tools that allow you to selectively delete media files, leaving the message text.
Regularly clearing the browser cache also gives tangible results. Web browsers save copies of the pages and images you visit, which can add up to hundreds of megabytes over time. In the browser settings, find the “History” or “Privacy” section and select clearing data for all time.
☑️ Safe cleaning checklist
Using developer mode and ADB
For deeper analysis and cleaning, you can use developer tools. Connecting your phone to your computer and using USB debugging (ADB) allows you to see the actual partition structure. The command adb shell df -h will show which partitions are full, and the command adb shell du -h /data/local/tmp will help you find temporary files in service directories.
This method is suitable for advanced users, as it requires installing drivers and setting up the environment on the PC. Using ADB, you can force clear the cache of all applications with one command, which is sometimes more effective than manual cleaning. However, use this tool with extreme caution so as not to delete critical system logs.
adb shell pm trim-caches 999999999This command attempts to trim the cache of all applications to free up space (the number indicates the desired free space in bytes). This is a powerful tool built into Android that is often ignored by users, but effectively combats bloat in the "Other" section.
⚠️ Attention: The Developer menu interface and available ADB commands may vary depending on the version of Android and the manufacturer's skin (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS). Always check the official documentation for your model before entering commands.
Table: Main sources of memory fill
To better understand where excess weight comes from, check out the table of the main sources of data that fall into the "Other" category. This will help you target the problem precisely, rather than act at random.
| Data type | Location | Deletion security | Example volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application cache | /data/data |
High (via settings) | 1–5 GB |
| Update files | /cache |
Medium (after installation) | 500 MB – 2 GB |
| System logs | /data/log |
High (automatic) | 100–500 MB |
| Thumbnail cache | .thumbnails |
High (delete and forget) | 500 MB - 3 GB |
| OBB game data | Android/obb |
Low (the game will not start) | 1–10 GB |
The largest volume in the “Other” category is usually created by messenger caches and thumbnails of photographs, not system errors.
Drastic measures: reset and formatting
If none of the soft methods helped free up space, and the "Other" category continues to grow by leaps and bounds, the file system may be damaged or have accumulated indexing errors. In such cases, a full reset to factory settings helps (Factory Reset). This will delete all user data and return the phone to its original state.
Before performing the reset, be sure to save your contacts, photos and documents to cloud storage or to your computer. After the reset, the system will recreate the file table, and the “Other” category will be reduced to the minimum values characteristic of a clean Android installation. This ensures that any hidden data accumulation errors are eliminated.
In rare cases, the problem lies in the physical degradation of flash memory when the controller incorrectly reports free space. If, even after a reset, the memory fills up by itself without installing applications, this is a reason to contact a service center to diagnose the hardware.
⚠️ Attention: Resetting the settings deletes absolutely everything, including internal Wi-Fi settings, alarms and accounts. Make sure you remember the password for your Google account, otherwise after resetting the phone will ask for it to protect against theft (FRP Lock).
What to do if the memory is full immediately after the reset?
If the problem persists on a clean system, try updating the firmware via a computer (Flash Tool). Perhaps the current version of the OS contains a bug in the memory management module.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to delete the Android folder completely?
No, you cannot delete the entire folder Android . It stores the necessary data for the operation of installed applications. You can clear the contents of subfolders cache inside it, but deleting the structure itself will cause apps to malfunction.
Why is the space not freed up immediately after clearing the cache?
The system takes time to recalculate the free space and update the media database. Sometimes rebooting the device helps, after which the memory indicator will show the current values.
Does the “Other” category affect the speed of the phone?
Yes, if the partition is critically full (less than 5-10% of free space remains), this slows down the recording of new data and the operation of the system as a whole. Android needs free space for paging and temporary storage operations.
How to prevent the "Other" folder from growing in the future?
Regularly clear the messenger cache, disable autosaving of media from chats to the gallery, and check your downloads folder once a month. Using cloud services to store photos also reduces the load on internal memory.