Smartphone owners Samsung Galaxy A20 often face a paradoxical situation: after deleting all photos and unnecessary applications, minimal memory space is freed up. The system still shows that a significant amount of space is occupied by a mysterious section, which in the storage menu is designated as “Other” or “System Data”. This category acts as a black box where application caches, temporary files, remnants of uninstalled apps and old firmware versions are stored.
The accumulation of garbage in this section inevitably leads to a slower interface, long loading times for applications, and even camera malfunctions. Understanding the structure of this storage is the first step to solving the problem. Unlike explicit multimedia files, the contents of the folder “Other” hidden from the eyes of the average user, but available for deep cleaning with the right approach.
The nature of the system partition and hidden files
The term “Other” in the operating room system One UI from the company Samsung is a collective concept. This includes data that the system cannot classify as images, video, audio or documents. Most often, these are fragmented database files of messengers, caches of streaming services and temporary logs of system operation.
Caching data occurs automatically to speed up the work of apps. However, over time, the cache size can reach tens of gigabytes, especially if you actively use social networks or games. These files are useful only in the short term, but their long-term storage only clogs up internal memory devices.
Another reason for the growth of this section is the remains of deleted applications. When uninstalling the app through the standard menu, some configuration files may remain deep in the file system. They are invisible to the user, but continue to take up precious space in the partition /data.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to delete files from system folders manually through Explorer without root access. This may lead to a violation of the integrity of the operating system and loss of warranty for the device.
The “Storage” menu interface may differ slightly depending on the version of the One UI firmware installed. If you do not find an exact match of menu items, focus on the semantic content of the sections.
Clearing the cache of individual applications
The safest and most effective way to free up space is to specifically clear the cache of the most “gluttonous” applications. In the case of Samsung A20, the leaders in space consumption are usually instant messengers and browsers. You do not need to delete the application itself, just erase the temporary data.
To do this, you need to go to the settings and find the specific application. In the app management menu that opens, you will see a clear button. Clicking on it will delete only temporary files, without affecting your personal correspondence or saved passwords (if they are synchronized with your account).
Particular attention should be paid to applications for watching videos and social networks. They save thumbnails and movie clips for quick loading when opened again. Clearing this data regularly can free up up to 2-3 GB of space instantly.
Periodically clear your Chrome or Samsung Internet browser cache. These applications accumulate gigabytes of data over several months of active surfing.
- 📱 Go to
Settings → Applications. - 🔍 Select the application with the largest size (for example, Telegram or YouTube).
- 🗑️ Click
Storage, and then the buttonClear cache.
Deleting old versions of software
One of the most hidden reasons for filling out the “Other” section is storing installation files for system updates. When your Samsung A20 receives an over-the-air (OTA) update, the downloaded installation package often remains in memory even after the new version is successfully installed.
These files can take up anywhere from 500 MB to 2 GB of space. It is impossible to remove them using standard means through the app menu, since they are marked as system ones. However, there is a proven method through recovery mode that allows you to erase this digital junk safely.
The procedure requires entering a special service mode. This is not a factory reset, but rather clearing the temporary system cache. It is important to follow the sequence of actions so as not to activate the full reset function (Wipe Data), which will delete all your personal data.
Why are updates not deleted themselves?
The system saves the installer in case of rolling back the version or reinstalling it in case of failure, but in 99% of cases these files will never be needed by the user again.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, navigation is carried out with the volume buttons, and selection is carried out with the power button. Be extremely careful and do not select item
Wipe Data/Factory Resetif you want to save your photos and contacts.
Using the built-in Device Care optimizer
The company Samsung has built into the shell One UI a powerful tool for automatic device maintenance. The function Device Care (Device Care) is capable of analyzing the memory state and suggesting the removal of unused files, which are often hidden in the “Other” category.
Starting optimization takes just a couple of minutes. The algorithm scans the storage, finds duplicates, large files that you have not opened for a long time, and remnants of deleted applications. This is the best option for users who do not want to delve into technical settings.
In addition, this menu has a “Memory” function that shows detailed statistics. Here you can see which categories are taking up the most space. Sometimes the system offers to clear the cache of all applications with one click, which is very convenient for quick prevention.
☑️ Checking through Device Care
Storage analysis via computer
Sometimes the built-in tools of a smartphone do not show the full picture. Connecting Samsung A20 to a computer allows you to see the file system from a different angle. Some folders that the phone considers to be system folders actually contain user garbage, for example, downloaded attachments from instant messengers.
When connecting via USB, select file transfer mode (MTP). Using File Explorer on your PC, you can find folders with application names where media files are stored. Often, messenger folders contain thousands of viewed pictures and videos, which the system classifies as “Other” because they were not included in the general gallery.
It is also convenient to search for files on the computer with the extension .tmp or files without a large extension. Deleting them directly through a PC is often faster and more efficient than through the phone interface, especially if the sensor responds with delays due to lack of memory.
| Data type | Where to look (path) | Can I delete? | Approximate weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telegram cache | Android/data/org.telegram.messenger | Yes (inside the cache) | 1-5 GB |
| Whatsapp attachments | Android/media/com.whatsapp | Yes (old files) | 500 MB - 3 GB |
| Temporary files | Folder Download / Temp | Yes | 100-500 MB |
| System logs | Folder Log / crash | Yes | 50-200 MB |
Extreme measures: Reset to factory settings
If none of the above methods helped reduce the size of the “Other” partition, it is possible that critical errors have accumulated in the file system or fragmentation has reached limit. In this case, the only solution is to completely reset the device.
This procedure will return the smartphone Samsung A20 to the state it was in when purchased. All user data, applications and settings will be permanently deleted. The “Other” section will disappear, giving way to a clean system.
Before starting the procedure, it is critical to create a backup copy of all important data. Use a cloud service Samsung Cloud or Google Drive, and also copy photos and documents to your computer. After the reset, you will be able to restore data from the copy, but junk files will not be restored.
Factory Reset is a radical, but the most effective way to deal with software errors in the file system and the irreducible “Other” partition.
⚠️ Attention: Before resetting, make sure that the battery is charged at least 50%. Turning off the power during the formatting process can turn the phone into a “brick.”
Prevention and maintenance of cleanliness
To prevent the memory overflow problem from returning, you need to change your smartphone usage habits. Regular prevention takes less time than dealing with the consequences. Try not to store huge archives of files that are rarely used in the device’s memory.
Set up automatic cleaning in instant messengers. For example, in Telegram and WhatsApp you can set a limit on the storage period of media files. This will prevent the uncontrolled growth of folders with data from these applications, which most often form the basis of the “Other” section.
It is also recommended to restart the phone once a month. This allows the system to correctly terminate all background processes and clear RAM, which indirectly affects the stability of the data storage.
Why does the “Other” section grow again immediately after cleaning?
This is normal system behavior. Applications begin to re-create the cache for faster operation. If the growth occurs abnormally quickly (gigabytes per day), check the specific application, which may have a bug in the code.
Is it possible to delete the Android folder on Samsung A20?
Complete deletion of the folder Android will lead to inoperability of all installed applications. You can clear only the contents of subfolders cache within specific application directories.
Does the overflow of the "Other" section affect the Internet speed?
There is no direct effect on the connection speed, but overflowing memory slows down the processor and the recording of temporary browser files, which can create a feeling of "brakes" when loading pages.
Is it safe to use third-party cleaner applications?
Most popular cleaners simply duplicate the function of the built-in Samsung optimizer. Some of them may contain advertising or take up a lot of space themselves. Built-in tools are usually sufficient.