Users of smartphones based on Android often face a mysterious situation when the internal memory of the device is rapidly filling up, but standard analysis shows that the main categories (applications, photos, videos) take up only a small part of the space. The remaining volume is hidden under the scary name “Other” or “System” in the storage settings. This section is a “black box” where the system dumps all data that it could not correctly classify into standard file types.
Understanding what exactly is taking up gigabytes of precious space can be difficult without special knowledge about the structure of the file system. Often, outdated application logs, messenger caches, downloaded offline maps, data from streaming services, and temporary update files are hidden in this section. Ignoring this problem leads to a critical slowdown of the gadget and the impossibility of installing new apps.
In this article we will analyze in detail the mechanisms for creating the “Other” section and provide step-by-step guide for safely searching and deleting unnecessary data. You will learn to use both the system's built-in tools and advanced analysis methods via a computer to regain control of your storage.
The nature of the “Other” section: what is really hidden there
The system algorithm for classifying files on Android is not ideal. When the operating system cannot match a file with an extension or content type it knows, it automatically places it in the Miscellaneous category. This is a kind of basket for unidentified data, which over time grows to impressive sizes.
The main culprits in filling out this section are most often instant messengers, such as Telegram or WhatsApp. These applications create complex database structures and cache media files in such a way that a standard memory scanner treats them as system data rather than photos or videos. In addition, this includes cache files browsers, game resources and data from streaming platforms.
Another reason may be incomplete downloads or “broken” firmware update files. If the update process was interrupted or failed, residual installer files may remain on the system partition, taking up space but not providing any benefit. This category also includes data from uninstalled applications that were not correctly cleared by the uninstaller.
⚠️ Attention: Not all files in the “Other” section are safe to delete. System logs and databases of some critical services can lead to unstable operation of the phone if they are forcibly erased without prior analysis.
Understanding the structure of this section is the first step to effective cleaning. You should not rely only on a visual assessment in the settings, as it often gives a distorted picture of the actual distribution of data on the drive.
Using the built-in file manager for initial analysis
Before resorting to third-party software, you need to study the capabilities of the standard explorer pre-installed on your device. Modern shells from manufacturers, such as MIUI, One UI or ColorOS, have built-in memory analysis tools that work more accurately than the basic settings menu.
Go to the “Files” or “My Files” application and find the “Storage Analysis” or “Cleaning” section. The system will offer to sort files by type, date or size. Particular attention should be paid to folders named Android, where application data is located. This is where those “heavy” files that the system classifies as “Other” are often hidden.
To manually search for large files, use the sorting by size function. Most file explorers can filter out files that are larger than 100 MB. This will allow you to quickly identify forgotten archives, video files or databases that were not recognized as media.
- 📂 Open the root directory of the internal storage and check the folders
DownloadandDCIMfor the presence of nested archives. - 🔍 Use search by extension
.logor.tmpto find temporary files left by applications. - 🗑️ Check the folder
Trashor “Trash” in the file manager itself, as deleted files may continue to take up space until it is completely cleared.
If the standard Explorer does not show the full picture, try installing a file manager with extended access rights, for example Total Commander or FX File Explorer. They allow you to see hidden system folders, access to which is restricted by default.
Turn on the display of hidden files in the Explorer settings (usually the “Show hidden files” checkbox) to see folders starting with a dot, for example, .thumbnails.
Deep cleaning of application caches and databases
The most effective way to reduce the size of the “Other” section is to work with the cache of specific applications. Standard cache clearing through phone settings is often superficial and does not affect internal app databases.
Go to Settings → Applications and select the most “gluttonous” apps, such as social networks or navigators. Click on "Storage" and select "Clear cache". However, this measure may not be enough for instant messengers. Inside applications, for example Telegram, there are their own data storage settings, where you can set a limit on the cache size or clear it completely.
For databases of games and heavy applications, a forced stop of the service is sometimes required before cleaning. If an application is actively running in the background, the system may block the deletion of some temporary files. In such cases, rebooting the device in safe mode before wiping helps.
| Data type | Location (example) | Deletion security | Impact on memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cache thumbnails | .thumbnails |
High (recovered) | Up to 2-5 GB |
| Application logs | Android/data/[pkg]/files |
Medium (loss of history) | Up to 1 GB |
| Offline maps | Navigator folders | Low (needed for work) | Up to 10 GB |
| Temporary files | /data/local/tmp |
High | Up to 500 MB |
Be careful when cleaning folders named obb. Additional resources for games are stored there. Removing them will cause the game to stop launching and require re-downloading the data, which can be critical if the Internet is slow.
☑️ Checklist for safely clearing the cache
Searching for hidden files by connecting to PC
When mobile tools have exhausted their capabilities, a personal computer comes to the rescue. Connecting a smartphone via a USB cable in file transfer mode (MTP) gives a wider overview of the file system and allows you to use powerful utilities for disk analysis.
Use specialized apps to visualize occupied space, such as WinDirStat or TreeSize Free. Connect your phone as an external drive and scan it. These utilities will clearly show which folders take up the most space, even if they are hidden from the eyes of the mobile explorer.
Pay special attention to the folder Android/obb i Android/data. On modern versions Android (11 and higher), access to these directories from the phone is limited, but through a PC you can see their real size and contents. This often allows you to find forgotten files from long-deleted games.
If you find files with strange names or extensions, try opening them through a text editor or image viewer on your PC. It often turns out that under the guise of a system file there is an ordinary video or document that can be safely transferred to a computer and deleted from the phone.
⚠️ Attention: When deleting files via a PC, be careful. Do not delete files from the root system folders if you are not 100% sure of their purpose, this can lead to the device being “bricked.”
It is also convenient to empty the folder through the computer Download, which on the phone can contain hundreds of small files that make navigation difficult. Sorting by modification date on a large monitor screen is much faster and more efficient.
Why does a PC see more files than a phone?
MTP mode provides access to the file system at a deeper level, bypassing some Android interface restrictions that hide system and service folders from the user to protect the integrity of the OS.
Advanced methods: ADB and superuser rights
For users who are ready for more complex manipulations, there is a tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge). It allows you to manage the device’s file system from your computer at the command line level, gaining access to sections that are closed to regular applications.
To get started, you need to enable “USB Debugging” in the “For Developers” menu. Once connected to your PC, you can use the command to list the largest files on the system. This gives the most accurate picture of what exactly is taking up space in the “Other” section.
adb shell du -h /data | sort -rh | head -n 20This command will sort files by size and show the top 20 largest items. If you see files with the extension .wal or .journal in database folders, these may be transaction logs that have grown due to an application failure.
Presence root access opens access to all hidden corners of the system, including the folder /data/data, where the private data of each application is stored. Using file managers with root access, such as Root Explorer, you can manually delete specific caches and logs that cannot be removed using standard means.
- 🛠️ Install ADB drivers on your computer for correct device recognition.
- 📝 Save a backup copy of important data before executing any commands through the terminal.
- 🚫 Avoid deleting files from the folder
/system, even if they seem unnecessary - this may disrupt the operation of the OS.
Using ADB requires care. An error in one command can lead to data loss or the need to reflash the device. Always double-check file paths before confirming deletion.
Using ADB is a powerful tool for targeted cleaning, but it requires technical literacy and an understanding of the structure of the Android file system.
Prevention and automation of storage cleaning
To prevent the problem with the “Other” section from returning, it is important to implement a regular practice of device maintenance. Automating cleaning processes will help keep your storage in order without the need for manual intervention every time you run out of space.
Set up automatic cache clearing in the applications you use. Many modern instant messengers and browsers have the “Auto-delete old files” function. Activate it in the privacy or storage settings of the corresponding apps.
Regularly use the built-in optimization tools found in smartphone shells. They can run on a schedule, cleaning up temporary files and unnecessary leftovers after applications run. It is also useful to connect your phone to your PC once a month for a deep audit of the file system.
Keep an eye on application updates. Developers often fix bugs related to memory leaks and incorrect cache management in new software versions. Outdated versions of apps are more likely to create “junk” files in the “Other” section.
⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces and menu item names may differ depending on the Android version and smartphone model. Always check the latest documentation from the manufacturer of your device.
Maintaining digital hygiene is not a one-time action, but a habit. Simple rules, such as regularly checking the Downloads folder and clearing the cache after using heavy applications, will maintain the performance of your gadget for many years.
Install the "Clean memory" widget on your home screen to have quick access to the function of deleting temporary files and not forget about it.
Is it possible to delete the entire Android folder completely?
No, you absolutely cannot delete the entire folder Android . It stores critical data for the operation of installed applications. Deleting this folder will reset all apps, lose progress in games, and make them unable to launch. You can clean only individual subfolders inside, understanding their contents.
Why is the space not freed up immediately after deleting files?
The system may update the storage index for some time. In addition, deleted files may first end up in the Trash of the file manager. It is also possible that the application that uses these files still keeps them in RAM or cache until it is completely rebooted.
Does the “Other” section affect the speed of the smartphone?
Yes, it does indirectly. When the internal memory is more than 90% full, the speed of writing and reading data drops significantly. This leads to interface slowdowns, long application downloads and problems with installing system updates.
How to distinguish system files from garbage in the “Other” section?
It is difficult to do this without special knowledge. Focus on the size and modification date: files that have not been changed for months and take up a lot of space are most likely application data (maps, games). Files that are constantly growing and being deleted are usually logs and cache, which are safer to clear.
Will a factory reset help remove the "Other" section?
Yes, a full reset (Factory Reset) is guaranteed to delete all user data, including the entire "Other" section. However, this is an extreme measure, as it requires a full backup and subsequent setup of the phone from scratch.