Even on flagship smartphones with 128 GB memory, sooner or later the "Not enough space" notification appears. The reasons for the accumulation of garbage lie not only in user files, but also in 256 GB Memory sooner or later the “Not enough space” notification appears. The reasons for the accumulation of garbage lie not only in user files, but also in system cachesremnants of deleted applications and hidden logs. According to research Googleup to 30% of the internal memory of Android devices is occupied by unnecessary data that can be safely deleted without compromising system operation..

This article contains only current cleaning methods tested on Android 12-15. We will look at not only standard tools (like the built-in “Optimizer”), but also hidden functions for advanced users, including commands and working with the section. We will pay special attention to myths: why ADB-commands and work with the section /data. Let’s pay special attention to myths: why cleaners from the Play Market they often harm more than they help, and how to avoid losing important data during deep cleaning.

1. Diagnostics: what exactly is taking up memory?

Before deleting files at random, identify the “culprits” of the overflow. There is a built-in analyzer for this: Android 12+ There is a built-in analyzer for this:

  1. Open Settings → Storage.
  2. Click on the “Other applications” or “System data” section (names may vary).
  3. Wait for the diagram to load - it will show the distribution of memory by category.

Typical “eaters” of space:

  • 📁 Application cache (especially YouTube, TikTok, Telegram) - up to 5-10 GB.
  • 🎮 Residual game files (for example, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile are left until 1-2 GB after uninstallation).
  • 📱 System dumps (error logs, created in case of failures) - up to 500 MB.
  • 🔄 Duplicates photo/video (automatically created Google Photos and instant messengers).
📊 How often do you clear your phone memory?
Once a week
Once a month
Only when space runs out
Never

If the “System data” category is visible in the diagram with a volume 10+ GB, this is a signal about the accumulation of garbage in the section /data. Cleaning it requires superuser rights (root) or commands via ADB - more about this in section 5.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (Xiaomi, Realme) in the section “Storage” is displayed incorrect amount of occupied memory due to the features of the firmware MIUI/ColorOS. For accurate diagnostics, use third-party utilities like DiskUsage (without rights root).

2. Clearing the cache: what can be deleted without risk?

The cache speeds up applications, but over time it grows to gigantic proportions. It can be cleaned manually or automatically:

2.1. Manually clearing the cache for individual applications

  1. Go to Settings → Applications.
  2. Select an application (for example, Instagram or Chrome).
  3. Click “Storage” → “Clear cache”.

For mass clearing:

  1. Open Settings → Storage → Free up space.
  2. Select the category "Cached data" and confirm the deletion.

2.2. Automatic cleaning via Smart Storage (Android 9+)

Function Smart Storage automatically deletes unused files (cache, downloads older than 30 days) To enable:

  1. Go. in Settings → Storage → Storage settings.
  2. Activate the “Free up space automatically” option.

On Samsung a similar function is called Device Care (Settings → Device maintenance).

Messenger cache (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram)

Browser cache (Chrome, Firefox, Opera)

Cache of streaming services (YouTube, Netflix, Twitch)

Game cache (if you don’t play regularly)-->

⚠️ Attention: Do not clear the cache system applications (for example, Google Play Services or Android System WebView) - this may cause the phone to malfunction. Also avoid clearing the cache. data-i="117">if you use the “Free up space” function (it deletes photos already uploaded to the cloud from the device). Google Photos, if you use the “Free up space” function (it deletes photos already uploaded to the cloud from the device).

3. Removing unnecessary files and duplicates

Photos, videos and documents often take up space. the lion's share of memory. The problem is not only in their quantity, but also in duplicatesthat are created when transferring files between devices or editing.

3.1. Finding and removing duplicates

To find duplicates, use:

  • 📱 Built-in tools: on Samsung — Gallery → ☰ → Remove duplicates.
  • 🛠️ Third-party applications:
    • Files by Google (free, without unnecessary water).
    • Duplicate Files Fixer (the paid version deletes duplicates in batches).

3.2. Cleaning the “Downloads” folder

The folder Download is a storehouse of unnecessary files. To clean it:

  1. Open the “Files” application. (or Files by Google).
  2. Go to Downloads and sort files by date.
  3. Delete everything older than 3 months (except important documents).

3.3. Optimizing photos and video

Modern smartphones shoot video in 4K and photos in 12-200 MP, which quickly fills the memory. Solutions:

  • 📸 Reduce the camera resolution in the settings. (for example, from 4K to 1080p for video).
  • ☁️ Enable automatic upload to the cloud (Google Photos, Yandex Drive) and delete originals from the device.
  • 🗑️ Use Google Photos → “Free up space” (deletes already downloaded photos from the phone).
💡

Before mass deleting photos, make a backup copy to the cloud or to PC. In Google Photos check that all files have been successfully downloaded (the ☁️ icon should turn green).

File type Average size How clear
Photo in 12 MP resolution 3-5 MB per photo Reduce camera resolution or compress via Google Photos
4K Video (1 min) 300-500 MB Shoot in 1080p or delete after uploading to the cloud
APK files (installation packages) 50-200 MB per file Delete from folder Download after installation
Logs and dumps (.log, .dmp) 100 MB–1 GB Delete via Files by Google or ADB

4. Removing residual files after uninstalling applications

When deleting applications via Play Market or settings often remain:

  • 🗃️ Folders with data in /Android/data i /Android/obb (especially for games).
  • 📂 Configuration files in /data/data (permissions required root for access).
  • 🔗 Symbolic links in system partitions.

To delete them:

  1. Connect your phone to the PC and use ADB: 
    adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.example.app

    (replace com.example.app with the batch name of the application).

  2. To delete folders obb i data manually:
    1. Connect the phone to the PC in MTP.
    2. Go to Internal memory → Android → obb and delete folders with the names of deleted games.

On Xiaomi and Redmi residual files can be found through the built-in application Security:

  1. Open Security → "Cleaning".
  2. Select "Deep Cleaning" → "Residual Files".
How to find the batch name of an application?

Open Play Market, find the application and copy the text from browser address bar after id=. For example, for WhatsApp this com.whatsapp.

⚠️ Attention: Deleting files from /Android/obb for installed games will lead to their inoperability. Also, do not delete folders with the names of system applications (for example, com.android.*) if you are not sure of their purpose.

5. Deep cleaning: working with system partitions

If standard methods did not help, and the memory is still full, the problem may lie in:

  • 🗑️ System logs (/data/log, /data/tombstones).
  • 🔄 Residual APK after updates (/data/app-lib).
  • 📦 Unnecessary sections (for example, /cache on some firmware).

To clear them you will need ADB (without rights root) or TWRP (with rights root).

5.1. Cleaning via ADB (without root)

Connect the phone to the PC, turn on USB debugging and run the commands:

adb shell

su


rm -rf /data/log/*


rm -rf /data/tombstones/*


rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*

5.2. Clearing the /cache partition cache (requires TWRP)

  1. Boot into TWRP (hold Power + Vol Up when turning on).
  2. Select Advanced → Wipe Dalvik/Cache.
  3. Confirm the action by swiping.

On some devices (Samsung s One UI) these partitions are protected, and their cleaning is possible only through Odin (clean image firmware).

💡

Cleaning system partitions may lead to resetting some settings (for example, accounts in applications). Always make a backup copy before working with ADB or TWRP!

6. Optimizing memory using cloud services

Transferring files to the cloud is one of the most effective ways to free up memory. place without data loss. However, it is important to set up synchronization correctly to avoid duplication.

6.1. Google Photos: automatic downloading and cleaning

Settings:

  1. Open Google Photos → "Settings" → "Backup and Sync."
  2. Select "High Quality" (unlimited storage) or "Original Quality" (counts against quota Google Drive).
  3. Activate the "Free up space" option after downloading.

6.2. Yandex Disk and Mail.ru Cloud: alternatives for Russian users

Advantages:

  • 📤 Yandex Disk gives 10 GB free (vs. 15 GB y Google, but without download restrictions).
  • 🔒 Mail.ru Cloud offers 8 GB free and automatic photo uploading.

For automatic uploading:

  1. Install application Yandex Disk or Mail.ru Cloud.
  2. Enable “Auto-upload photos” in the settings.
  3. Select folders for synchronization (for example, Camera and Screenshots).
💡

If you use several cloud services, disable auto-upload in one of them to avoid file duplication. For example, upload photos to Google Photos, and documents to Yandex Disk.

6.3. Cloud games: how to free up space without deleting games

Services like Google Play Games or Xbox Cloud Gaming allow you to play without downloading the full version of the game. For example:

  • 🎮 Genshin Impact weighs ~15 GB during installation, but in the cloud it takes up 0 MB.
  • 🕹️ Call of Duty Mobile — ~2 GB locally vs 0 MB in the cloud.

To switch to the cloud version:

  1. Delete the local game via Settings → Applications.
  2. Install Google Play Games and find the game in the catalog.
  3. Run it in streaming mode (stable Internet is required).

7. Alternative methods: from formatting to changing the firmware

If all of the above methods did not help, consider radical measures. They are suitable for experienced users and require backup.

7.1. Reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

Deletes all dataincluding:

  • 📱 Applications and their settings.
  • 📂 Photos, videos, music (if not saved to the cloud).
  • 🔑 Accounts and passwords (except those synchronized with Google).

How to do:

  1. Create a backup via Google Drive (Settings → System → Backup).
  2. Go to Settings → System → Reset settings.
  3. Select “Delete” all data" and confirm.

7.2. Re-allocating memory (for advanced users only)

On some devices (Xiaomi, Samsung s Exynos) you can change the ratio between /data and /system via TWRP or Odin. This is a risky procedure, but it allows you to increase user space at the expense of the system.

Example for Samsung:

  1. Download the modified PIT for your model.
  2. Flash it through Odin with the mark Re-Partition.
  3. Restore the data from the backup.
⚠️ Attention: Incorrect re-marking can lead to loss of IMEI or brick device. Before the procedure, check the compatibility of the PITfile with your model on the forums XDA Developers or 4PDA.

7.3. Installing custom firmware (for example, LineageOS)

Some custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience) are optimized better than stock ones and take up less space:

  • 🗜️ Removing pre-installed software (bloatware).
  • 🔧 Flexible configuration of memory partitions.
  • 📉 Less space consumption for system files.

Cons:

  • ⚠️ Loss of warranty.
  • 🔌 Risk of errors during firmware.
  • 📱 Not all functions may work (for example, Samsung Pay or Xiaomi IR Blaster).
How to check the compatibility of a custom firmware?

On the firmware website (for example, lineageos.org) find your phone model by code (you can find it out in Settings → About phone → Model or through the command adb shell getprop ro.product.model).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about clearing Android memory

Is it possible to clear memory without losing data?

Yes, if you use cloud services for backup and delete only unnecessary files (cache, duplicates, residual application data), However, deep cleaning of system partitions or resetting settings will require restoring data from it. backup.

Why does the memory quickly fill up again after cleaning?

Reasons:

  • Automatic application updates (disabled in Play Market → “Settings” → “Auto-update”).
  • Synchronization of messengers (in Telegram disable “Autoload media” in Settings → Data and memory).
  • System logs (clear them regularly via ADB or TWRP).
Which memory cleaning applications really work?

Effective tools:

  • Files by Google - removes garbage and duplicates without wasting water.
  • SD Maid (requires root) - cleans residual files and databases.
  • 1Tap Cleaner - quickly clears the cache of all applications.

Avoid: Clean Master, CCleaner, DU Speed Booster - they often show false threats and slow down the system.

How to clear memory on Android if the phone does not turns on?

Methods:

  1. Connect the phone to the PC in Recovery (hold Power + Vol Up while charging) and delete files via ADB:
    2. adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*
  2. Use TWRP to mount the partition /data and manually delete files.
  3. On some devices (Samsung), you can reset the settings via Recovery Mode (Wipe data/factory reset).
Is it true that formatting a memory card as an internal drive speeds up the phone?

No, it is myth. Formatting microSD as internal memory (Adoptable Storage) can even slow down work, since:

  • Speed read/write microSD (even UHS-II) lower than that of the built-in memory UFS 3.1.
  • When you remove the card, applications installed on it will stop working.
  • Some firmware (MIUI, ColorOS) do not support Adoptable Storage.

It is better to use a memory card to store media files, and leave applications in the internal memory.