Budget segment smartphones, such as Samsung Galaxy A01, often face the problem of lack of free space after just a few months of active use. Built-in storage of 16 or 32 gigabytes quickly fills up with system files, application cache and user content. When free space runs out, the device begins to work slowly, freezes, or refuses to install updates at all.
In this article, we will look at a comprehensive approach to solving the problem, starting from simple methods for deleting temporary files and ending with radical measures to reset the system. You will learn how to properly manage files, use built-in optimization tools and transfer data to external media without losing important information.
Storage diagnostics and analysis of occupied space
Before you start deleting data, you need to understand what exactly is taking up precious gigabytes on your device. The system Android provides built-in tools for visualizing memory allocation. Go to Settings → Device maintenance → Memoryto see detailed statistics. Here you will see a division into system files, applications, images, videos and other content.
Users are often surprised to find that a significant part of the space is occupied not by photos, but by messenger data or social network caches. For example, Telegram or Viber can quietly save gigabytes of watched media files. Analysis of the memory structure allows you to specifically remove unnecessary items without affecting important system components.
Pay attention to the “Other” category. This section often contains archived files, installation packages APK and documents that you downloaded from the Internet and forgot. Regularly checking this category helps maintain cleanliness in the file system.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to manually delete files from system folders through the file manager if you are not sure of their purpose. This can lead to unstable operation of operating system.
Using the built-in Samsung optimizer
The company Samsung has integrated into the shell One UI a powerful tool for automatic device maintenance. The Optimize feature scans your phone for junk files, background processes, and malware. Running this utility is the fastest way to free up several hundred megabytes in a couple of clicks.
To launch, go to Settings → Device Maintenance and click the “Optimize Now” button. The system will automatically close unnecessary applications, clear the cache and check security. After the process is completed, you will see a message indicating how much space has been freed.
In the same menu, the “Memory” function is available, where you can delete unused applications and duplicate files. The algorithm itself will offer you candidates for deletion, based on the frequency of use of the apps. This is convenient for those who rarely monitor the installed software.
Set up automatic optimization in the “Auto Optimization” menu so that the phone clears the cache every night when you do not use it.
It is important to understand that the built-in optimizer does not delete your personal files, such as photos or documents. It works exclusively with temporary data and system garbage. Deep cleaning will require a manual approach, which we will discuss next.
Clearing the application cache and deleting temporary files
Cache accumulation is one of the main reasons for lack of space on budget smartphones. Cache is temporary data that applications store to speed up their work. Over time, these files grow to huge sizes, especially in browsers and video services.
To clear the cache of a specific application, follow these steps:
- 📱 Open
Settings → Applications. - 🔍 Select an application that takes up a lot of space (for example, YouTube or Chrome).
- 🗑️ Click
Storage → Clear cache.
Do not confuse the “Clear cache” button with the “Clear data” button. The second option will completely reset the application to factory settings, deleting your logins, passwords and saves. Use it only in extreme cases when the application does not work correctly.
For mass cleaning, you can use the “Delete unused applications” function in the maintenance menu. The system will show a list of apps that you have not used for more than a month. Removing such applications will not only free up space, but will also speed up the processor.
☑️ Weekly clear cache
Transferring photos and videos to a memory card
Media files usually take up the lion's share of the internal memory. The model Samsung Galaxy A01 supports the installation of memory cards microSD up to 512 GB. Transferring the gallery to an external drive is the most effective solution to the problem of lack of space.
To change the default save path, go to the application Camera → Settings (gear) → Saving location and select Memory card. All new pictures and videos will now be recorded directly to the card, without taking up internal storage.
To transfer existing photos, use the built-in file manager My files. Select the desired folders (usually these are DCIM and Pictures), select the “Move” option and specify the path to the memory card. The process may take some time depending on the amount of data.
| Data type | Average size | Recommended storage location | Importance of backup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photos (JPEG) | 2-5 MB | Memory card / Cloud | High |
| Video (Full HD) | 50-150 MB/min | Memory card | Critical |
| Documents (PDF) | 1-10 MB | Internal memory | Average |
| Application cache | 100-500 MB | Does not require storage | None |
Remember that memory cards are less reliable than phone internal memory. Always back up important photos to cloud storage or to your computer to avoid data loss if the card is damaged.
Deep cleaning of instant messengers: WhatsApp and Telegram
Messengers have become real memory hogs. They automatically download all sent and received images, videos and voice messages. Without regular cleaning, folders WhatsApp Media or Telegram can take up tens of gigabytes.
In the application Telegram cleaning is implemented most conveniently. Go to Settings → Data and memory → Memory usage. Here you can configure automatic deletion of the cache after a certain period of time (for example, after 3 days or a week). A “Clear Telegram Cache” button is also available, which will safely delete temporary files, but leave your conversations intact.
In WhatsApp the process is a little more complicated. Open a chat with a contact or group, tap the person's name, and select Media, Links and Documents. Here you can selectively delete heavy videos or clear all media files at once. Also in the general settings there is a “Storage and Data” section, which shows statistics for each chat.
⚠️ Attention: Before mass clearing messengers, make sure that important documents and photos are saved in the gallery or sent to “Favorites”. Deleting them in the messenger can erase them from the correspondence history.
How to find hidden large files?
Use the Disk Needs application from Google. It scans your memory and shows files sorted by size, helping you find forgotten movies or archives.
Dramatic measures: Reset to factory settings
If none of the above methods helped free up enough space, the system may have accumulated a lot of errors and hidden files. In this case, the only effective solution is to completely reset the device to factory settings.
This procedure will completely delete all data from the phone, returning it to the “as from the store” state. Before you begin, be sure to back up your contacts, photos, and important documents. Synchronize the data with your account Google or copy it to your computer.
To perform a reset, go to Settings → General settings → Reset → Reset data. Confirm the action by entering your PIN code or pattern. The process will take a few minutes, after which the phone will reboot and require initial setup.
After the reset, do not restore all applications from the backup at once. Install only the most necessary apps and observe the speed of the device. Often, a “clean” system works much faster even on older models.
A full reset is an extreme measure that is guaranteed to solve the problem of lack of space, but requires careful preparation and saving of personal data.
Prevention and good habits
To prevent the problem of lack of memory from returning in a month, you need to develop habits of competent use of your smartphone. Regularly check the folder Downloadswhere installation files and documents from the Internet are accumulated.
Disable automatic downloading of media in instant messengers. This will not only save space, but also reduce mobile traffic consumption. Configure notifications so that they do not store a year's history, but are limited to the latest months.
Use cloud services such as Google Photoswith the "Free up space" function. The application will upload the original photos to the cloud and delete them from the phone's memory, leaving only compressed thumbnails for viewing. This allows you to store thousands of pictures without taking up a single byte of internal memory.
Is it possible to delete system applications on Samsung A01?
Removing standard system applications (for example, Samsung Pay, Bixby) without root access is impossible. Attempts to disable them through the settings may lead to errors in the system. It is recommended to simply hide them from the main screen.
Why does the memory fill up on its own after cleaning?
This happens due to background processes and data caching by applications. Social networks and browsers are constantly uploading new content. Regularly clearing the cache once a week solves this problem.
Does full memory affect Internet speed?
There is no direct effect on connection speed, but full memory slows down the browser and the processing of network requests. The phone begins to “slow down”, creating the feeling of a slow Internet.
Is it safe to use cleaner applications from the Play Market?
Most third-party cleaners work aggressively and can delete the necessary files. Samsung's built-in tools are quite sufficient for maintenance. Third-party apps often contain advertising and consume resources themselves.