File manager Total Commander for the Android platform has long established itself as a powerful tool for working with the file system, surpassing standard operating system tools in functionality. When using a smartphone for a long time, folders with temporary data grow to gigabytes, taking up valuable space in the internal memory. Using Total Commander allows you not only to see these files, but also to selectively delete them, freeing up space for applications and multimedia.
Unlike built-in cleaning utilities, a third-party file manager gives the user full control over the directory structure. You can manually check the contents of the folders Android/data and Android/obb, making sure that you are deleting junk and not important game saves or app settings. This approach requires some caution, but ensures maximum cleaning efficiency.
In this article we will look at how to correctly configure access to system partitions in the new version of Android, find hidden cache files and safely delete them. We will also look at the specific settings of Total Commander, which simplify navigation through cluttered directories.
Preparing a file manager and setting up access
Modern versions of Android, starting with the 11th, have introduced strict restrictions on application access to the root folder. Android. In order Total Commander to work with the system application cache, it must be granted special access rights when first launched. Without this step, you will see empty folders or an error message when trying to enter system directories.
When you first open the application, the system will ask for permission to access files. You must click the "Allow" button and select the root directory of the internal memory in the system navigation window that opens. After that, confirm your choice by clicking the "Use this folder" button at the bottom of the screen. This action is critical for full operation.
⚠️ Attention: Granting full access to files gives the application the ability to delete any data. Be extremely careful when navigating so as not to accidentally erase personal photos or documents.
For ease of use, it is recommended to enable the display of hidden files and folders, since many cache directories begin with a dot. Go to settings Total Commander through the menu and activate the corresponding item. Now the file system will be displayed in full.
☑️ Preparing for cleaning
Search and analyze the user application cache
The bulk of temporary files accumulate in user directories created by the apps themselves. Most often these are folders with the names of social networks, instant messengers or graphic editors, located in the root of the internal memory. Analysis of these directories allows you to delete gigabytes of data that the system no longer needs.
The most voluminous data is often stored in the folder Android/data. Here, each application creates its own subdirectory, usually named according to the scheme com.company.appname. Inside these folders there is a subdirectory cachethe contents of which can be safely deleted. However, it is worth remembering that emptying a folder files may result in the loss of downloaded offline maps or cached videos.
Use the built-in sorting by size feature to quickly identify the most power-hungry applications. In Total Commander this is done through the file sorting menu. You will immediately see which apps take up the most space, and you can specifically go to their directories for cleaning.
Particular attention should be paid to messengers like Telegram or Viberwhich often store cache not only in the system folder, but also in its own root directories. Manually checking these places allows you to free up significantly more space than standard cleaning through the phone settings.
Cleaning the system cache and Dalvik folder
The system cache, which includes art cache data and temporary operating system files, is located deep in the file structure. To access it, superuser rights (Root) are often required, but some of the data is also available to the average user through certain paths in Android. Clearing this area can solve problems with interface slowdowns.
The folder Android/data also contains a cache of Google system services. Files in the directory com.google.android.gms can occupy a significant amount of space. Deleting them is safe: the system will automatically recreate the necessary temporary files the next time you start services, but the old “tails” will disappear.
| Cache type | Location | Deletion security | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application cache | Android/data/[pkg]/cache |
High | The application will take a little longer to load |
| Media cache | DCIM/.thumbnails |
High | The gallery will build the preview again |
| Browser cache | Browser folders in Android/data |
High | Sites will be loaded from the network |
| System log | data/tombstones (Root required) |
Average | Loss of error reports |
If you have root access, Total Commander can mount the system partition in write mode. This allows you to get to the folder dalvik-cachewhere the optimized application code is stored. Cleaning this folder requires rebooting the device and takes a long time when you first turn it on, but sometimes helps fix critical errors after updating the firmware.
What is the .thumbnails folder?
This hidden folder in the DCIM directory contains thumbnails of all your photos and videos. With a large number of media files, it can grow to several gigabytes. Deleting content is safe, but the next time you open the gallery, the phone may temporarily freeze, creating the preview again.
Using plugins and extensions for in-depth cleaning
The basic version Total Commander has extensive capabilities, but there are special plugins for specific cleaning tasks. One of the most useful is a plugin for working with a database of media files or a plugin for working with archives, which allows you to compress old logs and text reports before deleting.
Plugins are installed through the internal app menu or by copying extension files .tcp to a special app directory. After activating the plugin, new items appear in the menu that allow, for example, bulk renaming of files or searching for duplicates using a checksum, which indirectly helps in the fight for free space.
There are also third-party scripts for Total Commanderthat automate the process of searching for empty folders. Empty directories often remain after applications are uninstalled and clog up the file system. Removing them does not free up much space, but it does keep the file structure organized.
Use the Text Search feature in Total Commander to find old log files with the .log extension. Often applications write error reports for years, which take up space, but are never read by developers.
Automating the process and creating cleaning profiles
For users who want to clean up regularly, Total Commander offers the ability to save paths to bookmarks. Create a bookmarks bar with direct links to folders cache major heavy applications. This will save time during each subsequent smartphone maintenance procedure.
Some advanced users set up search profiles with file masks. For example, you can create a search by mask .tmp or .journal in the entire internal memory. Found files can be selected as a group and deleted with one click, which is much more effective than manually sorting through folders.
⚠️ Attention: Files with the .journal extension are often used by messenger databases for transactions. Deleting them is possible, but it is better to do this with the messenger application closed, so as not to damage the correspondence database.
The regularity of cleaning depends on the intensity of use of the smartphone. If you actively use social networks and browsers, the procedure should be repeated once every two weeks. For passive users, once a month is enough.
Possible problems and solutions
When you try to delete some files, you may encounter the “No access rights” or “File busy” error. This means that the application that created the cache is currently actively running in the background. The solution is simple: force stop the application through the Android settings before deleting its files in Total Commander.
Sometimes after clearing the cache, the application may become unstable or require re-authorization. This is a normal reaction because the temporary session data has been deleted. Simply log in to your account again. If the application crashes on startup, try also clearing the folder code_cacheif it is present.
In rare cases, deleting the system services cache may lead to resetting some interface settings. For example, widgets on the desktop or the order of icons may be reset. Keep this in mind and be prepared to quickly restore the launcher to its usual appearance.
The main cleaning rule: if you are not sure of the purpose of a folder or file, it is better to skip it. Removing system libraries may result in the phone not working, requiring flashing.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to delete the entire Android/data folder?
Deleting the entire folder is not recommended. It stores not only the cache, but also important application data (game saves, offline maps, downloaded files). Delete only the contents of subfolders cache within specific application directories.
Why does Total Commander not see files in the Android folder on a new phone?
Starting with Android 11, access to this folder is limited by the Scoped Storage security policy. You need to manually grant permission the first time you enter this folder through the system dialog by selecting "Use this folder."
Will deleting the cache speed up the phone?
Yes, if the memory was more than 90% full. Freeing up space allows the system to write new temporary files faster and reduces the load on the memory controller, which has a positive effect on the overall responsiveness of the interface.
Do you need Root to clear the cache through Total Commander?
To clear the user application cache, Root is not needed. Superuser rights are required only to access the system cache in the section /data (not to be confused with /sdcard/Android/data) and to delete protected system files.