Have you ever looked into the storage of your Android smartphone and wondered where these mysterious “Other files”. sometimes occupying up to 10–20 GB of memory? This folder is a real “black hole” for many users: it does not have a clear structure, cannot be opened through a standard explorer, and stubbornly resists attempts to clean it. Unlike photos, videos or applications, the contents of “Other files” are not always obvious, and its volume can grow by leaps and bounds - even if you haven’t installed new apps for a long time.

In this article we will look into What exactly is hidden under the “Other files” label different versions of Android (from Android 10 to Android 14), why the system assigns certain data there and how to safely delete it. You'll learn about hidden caches, temporary files, update artifacts, and even how some apps disguise their data as "others." And most importantly, get step-by-step guide taking into account the features of firmware from Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel and other brands.

We warn you right away: not all files in this folder can be deleted without consequences. For example, Deleting files from the directory /data/dalvik-cache will lead to application crashes until the next reboot, and clearing some system caches can slow down your smartphone. Therefore, we will analyze in detail what can be touched and what is better left alone.

What is the “Other Files” folder on Android and why does it take up so much space

Let's start with the main thing: "Other files"** - this is the collective name for all data that Android cannot classify into standard categories (photos, videos, audio, documents, applications). This pile includes everything that does not fit into the system templates:

  • 🗃️ Application cache and system cache —temporary files that are created to speed up apps (for example, image thumbnails, web page data in the browser, cache Google Play Services).
  • 🔄 Residual files after uninstalling applications — “tails” that remain in memory even after uninstallation (settings, databases, log files).
  • 📦 Archives and backups —for example, backups WhatsApp, Telegram or system dumps created before updating OS.
  • 🖥️ Virtual machine and container files —if you use Termux, UserLAnd or other tools to run Linux on Android.
  • 🔧 System logs and dumps —error reports (/data/tombstones), kernel logs and other technical data.

Interesting fact: on smartphones Samsung with a shell One UI data from the folder often ends up in “Other files” /data/media/0/Android/obb are additional game files (for example, graphic packages for Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile). And on Xiaomi s MIUI backup copies of themes and system update files can be “hidden” there.

Why folder is it growing? There are different reasons:

  • 📈 Applications do not clear the cache —many apps (especially social networks and instant messengers) accumulate gigabytes of temporary data.
  • 🔄 Incomplete deleting applications —some apps leave behind up to 500 MB of garbage.
  • 🔄 System updates — after major updates (for example, from Android 12 to Android 13), old versions of libraries remain.
  • 🛠️ File system errors — sometimes Android loses links to files, and they end up in “Others.”
📊 How often do you clear the memory on your smartphone?
Once a week
Once a month
Only when space runs out
Never

How to see what exactly is taking up space in “Other files”

Before deleting something, you need to understand which files are taking up space. placeUnfortunately, the standard “Storage Analysis” in the Android settings shows only the total volume of the category, but not its contents. Here's how to get detailed information:

Method 1: Through the built-in explorer (for advanced users)

If you have root access, you can manually go through the system folders. Without root, many directories will be hidden, but some of the data is still available:

  1. Open any file manager (for example Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
  2. Go to the root directory (/) and open the folder /data (root access required).
  3. Check the following subfolders:
    • /data/dalvik-cache — virtual machine cache ART/Dalvik (you can delete it, but it will be restored after a reboot).
    • /data/media/0 —there may be hidden application folders (for example, .thumbnails for thumbnails).
    • /data/system — system settings and cache (it is not recommended to touch!).
💡

If you do not have root, try connecting your smartphone to the PC via ADB and run the command 

adb shell du -h -d 1 /data | sort -h
- this will show the folder sizes in /data without the need for full access.

Method 2: Using third-party applications

There are several utilities that can analyze “Other files” without root (although not so deeply):

  • 🔍 Files by Google — in the “Cleaning” section shows large and unnecessary files, including some of the “others.”
  • 📊 DiskUsage — visualizes the occupied space by folder (requires access to storage).
  • 🛠️ SD Maid - searches for garbage, duplicates and residual files (there is a paid version with advanced features).

Example report SD Maid for a smartphone with 128 GB of memory:

File typeSizeCan I delete
Cache Google Play Services1.2 GBYes (via application settings)
Residual files Facebook850 MBYes (manually or via SD Maid)
System log files (/data/tombstones)300 MBYes (will delete the system upon reboot)
Cache Chrome i WebView1.5 GBYes (clearing history in the browser)
OTA update files2.1 GBYes (after a successful update)
⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example, SD Maid) require superuser rights for deep scanning. Without root, they will show only part of the data. Also, be careful with deleting files in the /data/app and /data/data folders. may break the operation of apps.

How to safely clear the “Other Files” folder without root

If you do not have root access, do not despair: most of the garbage can be removed using standard means. The main thing is to act carefully and not touch system files. data-i="140">Method 1: Clearing the application cache

Method 1: Clear application cache

The simplest and safest method is to delete the cache of individual apps. This will not affect their operation, but will free up space:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications.
  2. Select an application (for example, Facebook, Instagram, Google Chrome).
  3. Click Storage → Clear cache.

Pay special attention to these applications - they most often accumulate gigabytes of cache:

  • 🌍 Browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Opera) - web page cache, cookies, data WebView.
  • 📷 Social networks and instant messengers (Facebook, Instagram, Telegram) - thumbnails, media files, chat databases.
  • 🎮 Games (PUBG Mobile, Free Fire, Genshin Impact) - graphics packages, shaders, cache downloads.

☑️ Clearing the cache without risk

Done: 0 / 4

Method 2: Removing residual files after uninstallation

When you delete an application through Google Play or settings, it often leaves behind folders with data. To find them:

  1. Open a file manager (for example, Files by Google).
  2. Go to Internal memory → Android → data.
  3. Look for folders with the names of deleted applications (for example, com.facebook.katana for Facebook).
  4. Delete them manually (if the folder is empty, you can leave it alone).

On Xiaomi and Redmi residual files are often hidden in the folder /MIUI/backup/AllBackup — backup copies of applications created by the system are stored there.

Method 3: Cleaning downloads and temporary files

Folder Download and directory /Android/data often contain unnecessary files:

  • 📁 Check Internal memory → Download —delete old APKs, archives, documents.
  • 🗑️ In the folder /Android/data look for files with extensions .tmp, .temp, .bak are temporary or backup copies.
  • 🎵 Delete the cache of music applications (Spotify, Yandex Music) - it can weigh several gigabytes.
💡

Do not delete folders with names like com.android.vending are system data Google Play, deleting them will lead to application installation errors.

Cleaning “Other files” with root access: risks and opportunities

If you have root access, you can remove much more garbage, but here it is important to understand which files are critical for the system and which are not. For example, clearing a folder /data/dalvik-cache will lead to a cache rebuild the next time you start applications, which will slow down the smartphone for 5-10 minutes. And deleting content /data/system can cause a cyclic reboot (bootloop).

Here is what can be safely cleared with root:

Folder/fileWhat it storesCan it be deletedConsequences
/data/dalvik-cacheVirtual machine cache ARTYesSlowing down applications until the cache is rebuilt
/data/tombstonesSystem crash log filesYesNo
/data/local/tmpTemporary filesYesNo
/data/logSystem and application logsYesNo (the log will be recreated)
/data/app-libDeleted application librariesYesNo

For cleaning it is convenient to use Root Explorer or commands ADB:

adb shell

su


rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*


rm -rf /data/tombstones/*


rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*
⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders /data/data and /data/app entirely - this will lead to the deletion of all user applications and their data! Also, do not touch the files in /systemif you are not sure of their purpose.
What will happen if delete /data/system?

This folder contains critical system settings, including account data, application permissions and network settings. Deleting it will reset all settings to factory settings, and in some cases, make it impossible to boot Android (reflashing is required).

Specific cleaning on smartphones of different brands

Manufacturers often modify Android to suit their needs, so the methods for clearing “Other files” may differ. Let’s consider the features of popular brands:

Samsung (One UI)

On devices Samsung Galaxy Other files often include:

  • 📁 Backup copies Samsung Cloud (/data/media/0/Samsung/Backup).
  • 🎨 Theme files (/data/media/0/theme).
  • 🔄 Residual files Samsung Knox (/data/media/0/Knox).

To delete them:

  1. Open Settings → Device maintenance → Memory.
  2. Click Clear now (will delete the cache and temporary files).
  3. For deep cleaning, use Samsung Members → Diagnostics → Memory clear.

Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO (MIUI)

B MIUI "Other files" are often bloated due to:

  • 📦 Update files (/data/miui/ota).
  • 🎭 Theme backups (/MIUI/theme/.backup).
  • 🔍 System log files (/data/log).

Cleaning:

  1. Go to Settings → About phone → Memory.
  2. Select Cleaning → Deep cleaning.
  3. To remove old updates, use MIUI Cleaner (built-in application).

Google Pixel (Stock Android)

On “pure” Android, the easiest way is to use the built-in tool:

  1. Open Settings → Storage.
  2. Click on category Other applications or System data.
  3. Select Clear cache for unnecessary ones applications.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmwares (for example, ColorOS from Oppo/Realme) game mode data gets into "Other files". games. Game Space - game mode. Removing them may break optimization for games.

What to do if “Other files” return after cleaning

If after a day or two the folder grows again, the problem lies in background processes or application errorsThis is how it is. fix:

Cause 1: Automatic cache creation

Some applications (for example Facebook, TikTok, Google Photos) aggressively cache data. Solution:

  • 🛠️ Limit the cache for specific applications via Settings → Applications → [Name] → Storage → Limit cache (if there is such an option).
  • 🔄 Disable auto-loading of media in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
  • 🌐 In the browser (Chrome) disable Settings → Privacy → Preloading pages.

Cause 2: File system errors

If Android loses links to files, they end up in “Others”. To fix:

  1. Connect your smartphone to the PC and check the file system via CHKDSK (for Windows):
    2. chkdsk X: /f

    (where X: is the drive letter of your smartphone).

  2. On Android, run the command via ADB:
    3. adb shell fsck -f /dev/block/mmcblk0pX

    (replace X with the partition number, usually p28 for /data).

Cause 3: Viruses or malware

Some viruses disguise their files as “others”. Check the system:

  • 🛡️ Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light and scan the device.
  • 🔍 Check the list of installed applications for suspicious ones (Settings → Applications → Show system ones).
  • 🚫 Remove applications with superuser rights if you have not installed them yourself.
💡

If “Other Files” takes up more than 5 GB and does not shrink after all the manipulations, consider resetting to factory settings. Back up your important data first!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the “Other Files” folder on Android

Is it possible to completely delete the “Other Files” folder? files"?

No, this is not possible - it is part of the Android file system. However, you can clear its contents by deleting unnecessary caches, temporary files and residual data. Completely deleting the folder will crash the system.

Why does "Other files" take up a lot of space again after cleaning?

This happens. due to:

  • Automatic cache recovery by applications (especially social networks and browsers).
  • Background system or application updates.
  • File system errors, due to which files lose links and end up in “Others”.

Solution: regularly clear the cache, limit background activity of applications and check the file system for errors.

How to find out which files are taking up space in “Other Files”?

Without root access it is difficult to accurately determine the contents, but you can:

  • Use DiskUsage or SD Maid for analysis.
  • View folders /Android/data and Download manually.
  • Connect to a PC and use WinDirStat or WizTree to visualize occupied space.
Is it safe to use applications like CCleaner for cleaning?

Applications like CCleaner, Clean Master or Avast Cleanup can remove some of the garbage, but:

  • ✅ They will clear the cache and temporary files (this is safe).
  • ❌ They can delete useful data (for example, game saves or application settings).
  • ⚠️ They often consume a lot of resources and show false warnings about “critical” errors."

Recommendation: use built-in Android tools or proven utilities like SD Maid.

Why does a new smartphone already have “Other files”?

Even on a new device, “Other files” includes:

  • Pre-installed applications and their cache.
  • System logs and dumps (created upon first startup).
  • OTA update files (if the device has already received updates).
  • Data Google Play Services and other system components.

This is normal - the volume usually does not exceed 1-2 GB.