Operating system Android 6.0 Marshmallow, released back in 2015, became an important stage in the development of the mobile platform, introducing users to a function Doze Mode to save energy and native encryption support data. However, over time, even the most reliable devices begin to slow down due to the accumulation of temporary files, outdated application data, and fragmentation of internal memory. Owners of smartphones of that era often encounter messages about lack of space, which makes it impossible to install updates or new apps.
The process of optimizing outdated software requires a special approach, since modern methods may not be suitable for the architecture of the sixth version of Android. You will have to understand the features of working memory cards as internal storage, learn how to manage application permissions and properly clear the system cache without the risk of losing personal data. Ignoring these procedures can lead to a critical slowdown of the interface and frequent device freezes.
In this guide, we will look at not only standard methods for deleting files, but also specific tools available specifically in the environment Marshmallow. You will learn how to identify hidden sources of garbage, which folders can be deleted painlessly, and which ones are strictly prohibited from being touched. Proper cleaning can give your gadget a second life, returning it to its former responsiveness.
Analysis of occupied space and search for hidden garbage
The first step towards freeing up space is a high-quality diagnosis of the current state of the storage. Unlike newer versions of Android, in version 6 the built-in analyzer may not always show a detailed breakdown of file types, so it's important to understand where exactly the memory is going. Users are often surprised to find that the system takes up significantly more space than stated by the manufacturer.
First, you need to go to the device settings and find the section responsible for memory. Here you will see general statistics divided into categories: applications, images, videos, audio and more. Pay special attention to item Miscellaneous or Misc, since this is where the remains of deleted apps and temporary logs are often hidden.
System files can take up the lion's share of space, especially if the device has not been rebooted for a long time. The process of indexing media files also creates a temporary load on the disk, which is not always cleared automatically after the scan is completed.
To gain a deeper understanding of file structure, it is recommended to use third-party disk analysis utilities that are compatible with API 23. They visualize the data in a map, allowing you to instantly find the largest folders.
- 📂 Check the folder
Download— APK installation files are often accumulated there, which are no longer needed after installing apps. - 🗑️ Pay attention to the folder
Android/obb— the cache of heavy games can take up several gigabytes, even if the game itself is deleted. - 📸 View albums in the gallery on the subject of duplicate photos and screenshots taken by mistake.
⚠️ Attention: Never delete files from the root directory of the system or folders with names like
dataandsystemmanually through a file manager without root access, this may lead to inoperability phone.
Managing applications and clearing the cache in Android 6.0
The main consumer of internal memory in any smartphone is installed applications. Over time, each of them grows, accumulating cache data, databases and error logs. In Android 6.0, the mechanism for working with the cache has its own characteristics, and simple clearing through the settings may not be effective enough for some system services.
Go to the menu Settings → Applications and carefully study the list of installed software. Sorting by size will help you quickly identify leaders in resource consumption. Often messengers like Telegram or Viber take up gigabytes of space due to saved media files that can be safely deleted through the internal settings of the applications themselves.
For each suspicious application, you should go to the information card and click button Clear cache. This action is safe and will not delete your logins or saves, but will free up temporary space. If the application is rarely used, it is more advisable to select the option Delete or Disable for system components that cannot be completely removed.
There is a nuance with the so-called “ghost” files that remain after incorrect removal of apps. In such cases, you may need to use special scripts or re-install and uninstall the application to completely clear traces.
☑️ Application cleaning checklist
Pay special attention to the browser. Web browsers store a huge amount of data to speed up page loading, but over time this database becomes ballast.
Settings → Applications → Chrome (or your browser) → Memory → Clear cacheRegularly performing this procedure will help maintain system performance at an acceptable level, especially on devices with a small amount of RAM memory.
Features of working with an SD card as internal memory
One of the key features of Android 6.0 was the function Adoptable Storagethat allows you to use a microSD card as an extension of the phone's internal memory. This is a revolutionary solution for budget devices with a small amount of built-in storage, but it has its pitfalls that you need to be aware of before activating.
When the card is formatted as an internal drive, all data on it is encrypted and becomes unreadable for other devices. This means that you won't be able to simply remove the flash drive and insert it into your computer to view files. The system combines the phone's physical storage and the card into a single logical volume.
If you decide to use this feature, select only speed class cards UHS-I or higher. Slow memory cards will become a bottleneck for the entire system, causing interface lags and long application loading times, as the system will constantly access the slower media.
- 💾 Formatting will destroy all data on the card, so be sure to back up important files beforehand.
- ⚙️ Transferring applications to the card may not be complete, as some developers prohibit the installation of their products on external media.
- 🔄 When you reset your phone, the data on the formatted card will also be deleted without the possibility of recovery.
What to do if the phone does not see the card as internal memory?
Some manufacturers (for example, Samsung or LG) programmatically block this function in their shells. In this case, you can try to activate it through your computer using the ADB command: pm setForceAdoptable true, but this requires enabling USB debugging.
⚠️ Attention: Removing a memory card formatted as internal storage without first transferring the data back will result in loss of access to applications installed on it and their data.
Cleaning the system partition and deleting updates
Over time, the system partition can become bloated due to accumulated security updates and patches that are saved as backup copies. Android 6.0 does not have a built-in button to mass clear these files, but there are manual intervention methods available to advanced users.
The safest way to free up space on the system partition is to delete the Recovery Cache. To do this, you need to reboot the device into a special mode using a combination of hardware buttons, usually Volume Down + Power or Volume Up + Power, depending on the smartphone model.
In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Cache Partition. It is important not to confuse it with Wipe Data/Factory Reset, which will delete all your personal data. Wiping the cache partition is safe and only deletes temporary system files left behind after OS updates.
| Action | Risk of data loss | Efficiency | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear application cache | No | Medium | Low |
| Delete photos and videos | High (without backup) | High | Low |
| Wipe Cache Partition | No | High | Medium |
| Reset to factory settings | Total loss | Maximum | Low |
It is also worth checking for downloaded, but not installed system updates in the downloads folder. Sometimes the firmware file can weigh more than 500 MB and lie dead weight if the update process was interrupted or canceled by the user.
Before entering Recovery mode, make sure that the battery charge is at least 50% to avoid power outages during critical operations.
Using the Smart Storage function and cloud services
In version Android 6.0, Google has introduced a feature Smart Storagethat automatically deletes backup copies of photos and videos from the device's memory after they are successfully uploaded to the cloud. Google Photos. This is one of the most effective ways to fight for gigabytes of free space without manually sorting files.
To activate this mechanism, you need to go to the storage settings and enable the appropriate option. The system will independently monitor the synchronization status and clean up local copies of files that are already securely stored on Google servers. This is especially true for users who take many pictures daily.
In addition to photographs, it is worth considering the possibility of transferring documents and archives to cloud storages such as Google Drive or Dropbox. Many modern file managers allow you to work with the cloud as with a regular folder, without taking up space on your phone until you open a specific file.
If automatic cleaning does not work, check the upload quality settings in the Google Photos application. High Quality (Compressed) mode provides unlimited storage (for accounts created before certain dates), while Original Quality consumes your Google Drive quota.
⚠️ Note: Terms of free cloud storage may vary by service provider. Always check the current status of your subscription and the available space in your Google One account.
Radical measures: factory reset
When all soft cleaning methods have been exhausted, and the phone continues to work unstable, the last and most effective option remains - a full reset to factory settings (Factory Reset). This procedure returns the device to the state in which it left the factory, erasing absolutely all user data, settings and applications.
Before starting this procedure, it is critical to create a complete backup of all important data. Contacts can be synchronized with a Google account, photos can be uploaded to the cloud, and a list of applications can be recorded or exported through special utilities. Without a backup, you risk losing all information forever.
The reset process is launched through the menu Settings → Recovery and reset → Reset settings. The system will warn you of the consequences and ask you to confirm the action, often requiring you to enter a PIN code or screen unlock pattern for security.
After rebooting, the device will be clean. It is recommended that you do not restore all applications from Google backup at once, but install them manually as needed. Often it is the restored old cache and settings that provoke problems on the “new” system.
A full reset is the only way to ensure that hidden system errors and viruses are removed that cannot be eliminated by regular cache clearing.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to remove folder.thumbnails in the gallery?
Yes, the folder .thumbnails can be safely deleted. It stores thumbnails of your photos for quick display in your gallery. The system will automatically create this folder again the next time you open the album, but you will free up space if thumbnails have accumulated over years of use.
Why does little space free up after clearing the cache?
The application cache is constantly overwritten during use. Cleaning gives a temporary effect. For a lasting result, you need to delete the data of specific heavy applications (for example, cache cards or offline music) or delete the applications themselves.
Is it safe to use cleaner applications for Android 6.0?
Most popular cleaners are safe, but they often work aggressively, closing the necessary background processes, which leads to increased battery consumption when they are used. restart. The built-in tools of Android 6.0 are usually sufficient for basic hygiene.
How to clear memory if the phone does not turn on?
If the phone does not boot into the system, try entering Recovery mode (as described in the section about the system cache) and make a Wipe Cache Partition. If this does not help, you will need a full reset, which will delete all data.
Does full memory affect Internet speed?
Indirectly, yes. If the memory is full, the system has no place to store temporary browser files and the DNS cache, which can slow down the processing of network requests and the operation of web pages.