Smartphones Samsung based Android over time become clogged with unnecessary files: application cache, remnants of deleted apps, temporary data and system garbage. Even if you regularly delete photos and videos, the internal memory continues to “melt” before your eyes. As a result, the phone begins to slow down, discharge faster, and some applications refuse to work at all.

In this article we will look at how manually clean Android of garbage on devices Samsung Galaxy (including models A-series, S-series, Note and others) without using third-party “cleaners”. You will learn which files can be safely deleted and which should not be touched, and also learn how to free up space in system folders that are usually hidden from the user.

Important: all manipulations are performed through standard tools One UI (Samsung proprietary shell) and built-in Android functions. No root access or complex technical skills are required. However, before you begin be sure to back up your important data - some actions (for example, clearing a folder Download or resetting the application cache) can lead to file loss.

📊 How often do you clear the memory of your smartphone?
Once a week
Once a month
Only when space runs out
Never cleaned

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly takes up memory?

Before you start cleaning, you need to understand what which files take up the most space. Smartphones Samsung have a built-in tool for this - Settings → Device care → Memory.

Here you will see a pie chart with memory distribution by category:

  • 📁 System files — firmware, updates, service data (cannot be deleted).
  • 📱 Applications — installed apps and their cache (can be cleared).
  • 📷 Media — photos, videos, music (can be transferred or deleted).
  • 📄 Documents — PDF, Excel, Word and other files.
  • 🗑️ Other —temporary files, logs, remnants of deleted applications (the main source of garbage).

Pay special attention to the section "Other". This is where up to 30% of unnecessary data accumulates: cache Google Play Services, remnants of updates, error dumps and other system garbage. In the following sections we will look at how to remove it.

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If more than 5 GB are occupied in the "Other" section, this is a reason for deep cleaning. The most common culprit is video editing applications (for example CapCut or InShot), which leave temporary files even after exporting the project.

2. Clearing the application cache: quickly and safely

Caches are temporary files that applications create to speed up their work. Over time, they accumulate and can occupy several gigabytes. You can clear the cache in two ways:

  1. For one application:
    • 🔧 Go to Settings → Applications.
    • 📱 Select the desired application (for example, Chrome or Facebook).
    • 🧹 Press Memory → Clear cache.
  • For all applications at once:
    • 🛠️ Open Settings → Device care → Memory.
    • 🔍 Click Clear in the section "Application cache".

      • ⚠️ Attention: Cache is not cleared deletes your data (logins, saves in games), but some applications (for example, Spotify or YouTubeafter this will take longer to load when first launched.

      Close all active applications

      Connect the phone to charge (the process may take 5-10 minutes)

      Make sure that at least 500 MB of memory is free

      Do not interrupt the cleaning process-->

      3. Removing residual files and "junk" folders

      Many applications leave behind after removal. files in system folders. For example, Telegram stores the cache in /Android/data/org.telegram.messenger, and WhatsApp in /Android/media/com.whatsapp. To find and remove this garbage:

      1. 📂 Open any file manager (for example, built-in My files or Solid Explorer).
      2. 🔍 Go to folder Android → data i Android → obb.
      3. 🗑️ Delete folders with names deleted applications (for example, if you deleted TikToka long time ago, but the folder com.zhiliaoapp.musically is still there).

    Also check the following “junk” folders (they can be deleted completely if they are empty or contain temporary files):

    • 🗃️ Download —downloads from the browser and instant messengers accumulate here.
    • 📥 Bluetooth —files received via Bluetooth (often duplicated).
    • 🎵 Music and Podcasts — if you do not listen to music locally.
    • 📁 DCIM/.thumbnails — thumbnails of photos and videos (you can delete them, they will be restored automatically).
      • What to do if the folder is not deleted?

      If the system writes “Folder in use” or “No rights,” then the application to which it belongs is still installed. the folder is protected by the system (for example, Android/data/com.android.vending is the Google Play cache, it can only be cleared through the app settings).

      4. Clearing system logs and error dumps

      Android keeps error logs (logs) and creates memory dumps in case of failures. These files are needed only by developers and can take up to 1–2 GB. You can delete them via recovery mode (Recovery Mode) or manually.

      Method 1: Through a file manager (without root)

      1. 📂 Open the folder /sdcard/log (or /storage/emulated/0/log).
      2. 🗑️ Delete all files with extensions .log, .txt, .dumpstate.

      Method 2: Through Recovery Mode (requires reboot)

      1. 🔄 Turn off the phone.
      2. 🔧 Press and hold Volume up + Power (on some models Samsung — Volume up + Bixby + Power).
      3. 📱 In the Recovery menu, select Wipe cache partition (do not confuse with Wipe data/factory reset!).
      4. 🔄 Reboot the device.

      ⚠️ Attention: Do not delete files in folders /system or /vendor - this may lead to phone malfunctionAlso, do not touch files with names persist, efs or modem —they are responsible for communication and IMEI.

      Folder/file Is it possible delete? What happens if you delete
      /log Yes Space will be freed up, but new logs will appear over time
      /Android/data/... (folders of deleted applications) Yes Space will be freed up, the application will create the folder again when reinstalled
      /DCIM/.thumbnails Yes Thumbnails will be recreated automatically
      /Android/obb (game files) Partially Games may require re-downloading data
      /system or /vendor No! The phone may stop turning on

      5 Storage optimization: file transfer and cloud services

      If the internal memory is full, but you don’t want to delete anything - transfer files to a memory card or to the cloud. On Samsung this can be done through the built-in tools:

      • 📁 Transfer to SD card:
        • Open My files → Internal storage.
        • Select files (photos, videos, music) and press Move → SD card.
        • ⚠️ Not all applications support working with an SD card (for example, WhatsApp does not allow you to move media).
      • ☁️ Automatic upload to the cloud:
        • Enable Settings → Accounts and archiving → Backup and recovery → Archive data.
        • Select Samsung Cloud or Google Drive.
        • Set up automatic photo uploading and video.

      💡 Useful tip: In Galaxy S22/S23 and newer there is a function Smart Switchthat allows you to transfer files to your computer via USB without additional apps. Connect your phone to the PC, select Transfer files and follow the instructions.

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      If you are using a memory card, format it as internal memory (in storage settings). This will allow you to install applications on the SD, but after removing the card they will stop working.

      6. Resetting the partition cache (without data loss)

      If the phone became slow down after updating or installing new applications, resetting the partition cache will help. This is a safe procedure that does not affect personal data, but clears temporary system files.

      Instructions:

      1. 🔄 Turn off the phone.
      2. 🔧 Press and hold Volume up + Power (on Samsung Galaxy S20/S21/S22 — Volume up + Bixby + Power).
      3. 📱 In the Recovery menu, select Wipe cache partition (move with the volume buttons, confirm with the button power supply).
      4. 🔄 Wait for completion (1-2 minutes) and select Reboot system now.

      This procedure is especially useful after major Android updates (for example, when switching from Android 12 to Android 13), when the system can create redundant temporary files.

      What to do if Recovery Mode does not open?

      On some models Samsung (for example, Galaxy A52 or Galaxy M31) combination buttons may differ. If the standard method does not work, try:

      1. Connect the phone to charge.
      2. Hold Volume up + Volume down + Power for 10 seconds.
      3. If the menu does not appear, use Samsung Members (application) for diagnostics.

      7. Advanced cleaning: ADB commands for advanced users

      If you are ready to go beyond standard methods, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) for deep cleaning. This method is suitable for removing system garbagewhich is not available through the normal interface.

      What you will need:

      • 🖥️ A computer with installed ADB drivers.
      • 📱 Enabled USB debugging on the phone (Settings → About phone → Build number - press 7 times, then return to Settings → Developer options → USB debugging).

      Commands for cleaning:

      adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.media # Clears the media cache

      adb shell pm trim-caches 500M # Limits the cache of all applications to 500 MB
      

      adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/* # Removes temporary system files
      

      adb shell rm -rf /sdcard/Download/*.apk # Deletes all APK files from the Downloads folder

      ⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use of ADB may disrupt the phoneDo not execute commands if you are not sure of their purpose. For example, adb shell rm -rf /data/* will delete all user data!

      8. Prevention: how to prevent the accumulation of garbage?

      To avoid having to clean your phone every month, follow simple rules:

      • 🗑️ Regularly clean the folder Download - delete unnecessary APKs, PDFs and archives.
      • 📱 Set up automatic cache clearing in Settings → Device care → Automation.
      • ☁️ Use cloud services (Google Photos, Samsung Cloud) to automatically download photos and videos.
      • 🚫 Avoid “cleaners” from the Play Market —many of them create garbage themselves or show false warnings.
      • 🔄 Update applications —new versions are often optimized and take up less space.

      💡 Tip for owners Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and newer: Turn on the feature Settings → Device care → Deep cleaning. It analyzes files that have not been used for more than 30 days and suggests deleting them.

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      The most effective way to prevent clutter is refuse to install unnecessary applicationsEach new application creates a cache, leaves temporary files and can launch background ones. processes.

      FAQ: Frequently asked questions about cleaning Android on Samsung

      ❓ Is it possible to clean the Android/obb folder without deleting games?

      No, the folder obb contains additional data for games (graphics, levels). If you delete it, games may stop working or not work. require downloading the files again. However, you can delete folders of deleted games - they take up space in vain.

      ❓ Why is space not freed up after clearing the cache?

      This can happen for several reasons:

      • 📱 Cache of some system applications (for example, Google Play Services) is restored immediately after cleaning.
      • 🗃️ The folder Download or DCIM contains hidden files (check through the file manager with the “Show hidden files” option enabled).
      • 🔄 The phone requires a reboot to apply the changes.

      ❓ How to clear garbage on Samsung without a computer?

      All methods from this article (except ADB) are performed without a computer. use:

      • Built-in Device care.
      • File manager My files.
      • Recovery mode to reset the cache.

      ❓ Is it safe to use applications like Clean Master?

      ⚠️ No, not safe. Most “cleaners” from the Play Market:

      • 🛑 Show false warnings about “critical errors.”
      • 📊 They collect data about your applications and activity.
      • 🔄 They can delete useful files, disrupting the system.

      The built-in tools are enough for cleaning Samsung i Android.

      ❓ Why is there less memory after updating Android?

      Firmware updates (One UI 5.0 → 6.0) often take up additional space due to:

      • 📦 New system files.
      • 🗃️ Backup copies of old firmware (folder /cache).
      • 🔄 Temporary installation files.

      To free up space, run Wipe cache partition in Recovery Mode (see section 6).