Owners of modern smartphones Honor often face a situation where the space on the device runs out faster than expected. This causes the system to slow down and make it impossible to install updates or save new photos. The key to solving this problem is to understand how the file system is structured and where exactly it is located internal storage. In the Android operating system, especially in the MagicOS shell, the paths to memory management may not be obvious to the untrained user.
Searching for storage is not just opening a folder with files. This is access to the system partition where application data, the operating system cache and the user's personal media files are stored. Misunderstanding of directory structure can lead to accidental deletion of important system data. Therefore, it is important to learn to distinguish between user memory and system partitions, as well as be able to find them through standard management tools.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the ways to access storage on brand smartphones Honor. You'll learn how to use the built-in file manager, system settings, and even advanced techniques through your computer. We will look at the nuances of working with a memory card, if it is supported by your model, and give tips on effectively organizing space.
Access through the system settings of the device
The most reliable and safest way to check memory usage and find the path to the storage is to use the standard settings menu. This displays a summary of how much space apps, images, and system files are taking up. To go, you need to open the menu Settings and scroll down the list to the section Memory or Storage.
In the window that opens you will see a visual chart showing the distribution of the data. By clicking on a specific sector, for example Applications or Images, the system will redirect you to the appropriate section for detailed management. This allows you to quickly identify the leading apps in terms of space consumption. Users often do not suspect that messengers can take up gigabytes of space due to the accumulated cache.
Pay attention to the item Other in the list of categories. This is a collective category where the system places files that could not be classified automatically. This may include archives, installation packages, or remnants of uninstalled apps. Cleaning this partition requires caution, but often gives a significant increase in free space.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to clean partitions with system files through third-party utilities without root access. This may lead to malfunction of the MagicOS shell and loss of warranty for the device.
If the “Other” section takes up an abnormally large amount of space (more than 10 GB), try restarting your smartphone. Often this forces the system to recalculate the file index and free up temporarily occupied blocks.
Using the Phone Manager application
Each smartphone Honor has a proprietary application preinstalled Phone Manager (or Phone Manager). This is a powerful tool that combines the functions of an antivirus, accelerator and storage manager. You can launch it through the shield-shaped icon on the desktop or by finding it through a search in the settings.
In the main menu of the application, select the tab Cleaning. The system will automatically scan the internal memory and offer to delete unnecessary files. However, for an in-depth analysis you need to go to the Storage managementsection. Here files are grouped by type: large files, duplicates, rarely used applications. This is much more convenient than manually sorting through folders.
- 📁 Large files: Allows you to find videos and archives that take up a lot of space but have been forgotten by the user.
- 🗑️ Junk files: This includes temporary files and cache that can be safely deleted.
- 📱 Applications: List of all installed apps with the ability to quickly uninstall.
Deep cleaning function in This application analyzes the folder structure and offers to delete data from instant messengers, such as old voice messages or viewed pictures. This is especially true for users who actively use WhatsApp or Telegram. Using built-in tools is preferable to installing third-party “cleaners”, which often contain advertising.
Working with the “Files” application and Explorer
For those who prefer manual data management, the standard Explorer will be an indispensable tool Files. Unlike the settings, here you see the real directory structure. When you launch the application, you are taken to the main screen, where categories and a list of drives are available.
To find the root of the internal storage, click on the icon Internal storage (sometimes signed as Internal Storage). Here are the main system folders, such as Android, DCIM (for photos and videos) and Download. Starting with Android 11 and higher, access to some system folders may be restricted for security reasons.
If you are looking for a specific document or installation, use the search bar at the top of the screen. Enter the file extension, for example .apk or .pdfto filter out unnecessary ones. It is also useful to know that the folder OBB inside the directory Android contains a cache of heavy games, deleting which will reset progress in games.
| Folder name | Purpose | Is it possible delete |
|---|---|---|
DCIM |
Photos and videos from the camera | Only unnecessary files |
Download |
Downloaded files from the browser | Yes, after verification |
Bluetooth |
Files received via Bluetooth | Yes |
Android/data |
Application and game data | No (will reset settings) |
The DCIM folder is the main consumer of space for photographers. Regularly transferring materials from there to a computer or to the cloud is the best saving strategy.
Connecting to a computer for memory management
When the smartphone screen is too small for easy navigation, or you need to move gigabytes of data, connecting to a PC is the best solution. Use the original USB cable to connect the device to the computer. After connecting, unlock the phone screen.
A message about the connection mode will appear in the notification shade. By default, the “Charge Only” mode is often activated. You need to click on this notification and select mode File transfer (or MTP). Only after this the computer will see the internal storage as a removable disk.
A new device with the name of your model will appear in Windows Explorer or macOS Honor. By opening it, you will have access to all folders of the internal drive. This allows you to quickly copy large amounts of data, create backups or delete unnecessary data using the keyboard and mouse.
⚠️ Attention: Never disconnect the cable while copying or deleting files. This may result in file system corruption and data loss. Always use the "Safely Remove Hardware" function on your computer.
When working through a computer, it is convenient to sort files by size. This helps you instantly find the heaviest objects that are taking up space. You can also use specialized software, for example Total Commander with the MTP plugin, for more advanced management.
What to do if the computer does not see the phone?
Make sure that the cable is working and supports data transfer, not just charging. Try a different USB port. On your phone, enable USB debugging in the “For Developers” menu if the standard mode does not work.
Setting up and using an SD memory card
Many models Honor support memory expansion using format cards microSD. This is a great media storage solution that takes the pressure off your main storage. After installing the card, the system will offer to configure its use: as portable storage or as part of the internal memory.
Mode Portable storage is the most flexible. The card remains readable on other devices, and you can manually move photos, videos, and music to it. To do this, in the application Files just select the necessary elements and select “Move” or “Copy”, indicating the path on the SD card.
Mode internal memory (adaptive storage) encrypts the card and makes it an integral part of the system. In this case, you can install applications on it. However, it will be impossible to remove such a card without formatting and losing data, and it will not be readable on other devices.
- 💾 Recording speed: To record video in 4K, choose U3 or V30 class cards.
- 🔒 Security: When formatted into internal memory the data is encrypted with the key of this phone.
- 🔄 Migration: Not all applications support transfer to an SD card, even if this function is enabled.
It is important to regularly check the status of the memory card. There is a “Verify” or “Eject” option in the storage settings that allows you to safely disable the card before physically removing it. Ignoring this step may result in loss of recorded data.
☑️ Checking the memory card
Clearing the cache and optimizing the system
Over time, a large number of temporary files accumulate in the storage, which are not needed for applications to work, but take up space. This is the so-called cache. Clearing it is a safe procedure and often solves problems with lack of space.
You can clear the cache for each application separately through the menu Settings → Applications. Select the desired app, go to the section Memory and click Clear cache. Do not confuse this button with the “Clear data” function, which will delete all settings and logins in the application.
You should also pay attention to the folder Thumbnails inside the directory DCIM. It stores thumbnails of your photos. If you have thousands of pictures, this folder can grow to several gigabytes. You can safely delete it, the system will create it again the next time you open the gallery, but this will take time.
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface may vary slightly depending on the version of the MagicOS shell and the smartphone model. If you do not find the described item, use the search inside the settings menu.
Regular optimization includes not only deleting files, but also (deleting) unused applications. The built-in analyzer in the memory section will tell you which apps you have not used in the last 30 days. This is an effective way to keep your storage in order without drastic measures.
Turn on the Smart Cleaning feature in Phone Manager. It will automatically suggest deleting screenshots and similar photos, saving you time on manually sorting out the rubble.
Where is the OBB folder and can it be deleted?
The folder Android/OBB contains additional data for heavy games and applications. You can delete its contents only if you are sure that the corresponding games are no longer needed. Otherwise, the application will stop launching and will require re-downloading the data.
Why does the memory fill up even if I don’t download anything?
The main reason is the growing cache size of instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber), which automatically save all viewed media. The system is also occupied by logs and temporary update files. Regularly clearing the cache solves this problem.
How to transfer all photos to a memory card automatically?
Go to the settings of the Camera application and select the memory card as the default save location. For existing photos, you will have to use the “Files” menu and the “Move” function by selecting the target folder on the SD card.
What is “System memory” and why can’t it be cleared?
This is a section reserved for files of the Android operating system and MagicOS shell. Deleting files from here is impossible without obtaining superuser rights (Root), which is highly not recommended for ordinary users due to the risk of turning the phone into a “brick.”
Is it possible to use a flash drive via OTG as storage?
Yes, Honor smartphones support connecting external drives via an OTG adapter. The flash drive will be detected as external storage in the Files application, and you can copy data to it in the same way as to a regular SD card.