Samsung smartphone owners often encounter the mysterious “Other” category in storage, which can take up gigabytes of valuable space. This section does not display a specific file type, hiding behind it the application cache, temporary data, remnants of uninstalled apps and downloaded messenger files. When the memory is full, the system begins to work slower, and there is simply nowhere to save new photos or applications.
The problem is aggravated by the fact that standard cleaning tools do not always see the contents of this folder, considering it system or protected. However, there are many proven ways to safely free up space without losing important data. In this article, we will analyze in detail what this section on devices consists of Samsung Galaxy, and will provide step-by-step guide for completely clearing it.
What is hidden in the “Other” section on Samsung
Before you start deleting, you need to understand the nature of these files. Category "Other" is formed automatically by the Android operating system to store data that does not belong to standard types: photos, videos, audio or documents. The bulk of the volume here falls on application cache, which accumulates in the process of using social networks, browsers and streaming services.
Temporary system update files and remnants of uninstalled apps also occupy a significant share. Messengers like Telegram and WhatsApp save all downloaded media files in this area, even if you have only viewed them once. Over time, this data turns into digital garbage, which continues to take up space on your drive Samsung.
⚠️ Attention: Some files in the “Other” section are critical for the operation of the system. Deleting system logs or databases can lead to unstable operation of the phone.
Samsung's shell interface One UI groups this disparate data into a single category for easier display, but makes manual management more difficult. Understanding the structure will help you choose the right cleaning method without accidentally deleting important settings or game saves.
Using the built-in device optimizer
The safest and easiest way to start fighting for free space is to use the standard tool from Samsung. The built-in optimizer can analyze the storage and suggest deleting unnecessary files that the system classifies as garbage. To start, go to Settings → Device maintenance → Memory.
Here you will see a button Clear nowthat will delete background processes and some temporary files. However, to work deeply with the “Other” section, it’s worth going into a detailed analysis. Click on the item Filesto see the breakdown by category. The system may offer to delete duplicate images or rarely used applications, which will indirectly reduce the amount of hidden data.
This method is good for its security: algorithms Samsung will not allow you to delete anything that could disrupt the operation of your smartphone. Regular use of the optimizer prevents critical memory fill. However, this may not be enough to deeply clear the cache of specific applications.
Run the built-in optimizer once a week before rebooting the phone - this helps reset accumulated temporary processes and free up RAM.
Manually clearing the cache of individual applications
The most effective method for reducing folder size “Other” is a targeted clearing of the cache of “heavy” applications. Social networks and video services are the main culprits of memory filling. To perform this procedure, open Settings → Applications and select the desired app from the list.
In the menu of the selected application, find the section Storage. You will see two buttons: “Clear cache” and “Clear data”. It is important to understand the difference between them. Clearing the cache deletes temporary files (images, scripts) without affecting your logins and settings. Clearing data resets the application to the “as after installation” state, deleting all your history and authorization.
- 📱 Telegram: stores gigabytes of cache of watched videos and photos, which can be safely deleted through the settings of the messenger itself.
- 🌐 Chrome / Samsung Internet: browser cache bloats due to saved versions of sites and advertising banners.
- 🎵 YouTube / Spotify: offline content and video buffering take up huge amounts of space in the “Other” section.
- 📷 Instagram / TikTok: feed previews and downloaded videos quickly fill hidden folders.
It is recommended to start with messengers, as they often take up up to 40-50% of the total space in “Other”. In the settings itself Telegram, for example, there is a convenient “Storage Usage” tool, where you can clear the cache with one button and even configure automatic deletion of files after 3 days.
☑️ Procedure for clearing applications
Deleting hidden files through the My Files application
Standard Explorer My Files (My Files) on Samsung smartphones has functions that often go unnoticed by users. With its help, you can find and delete large files that the system has incorrectly classified. Open the application and scroll down to the section Storage Analysis.
Here you will find the categories “Large files” and “Infrequently used applications”. Often hidden in the Other section are forgotten downloaded archives, APK installation files, or old backups. Removing these objects instantly frees up space. It is also worth checking the folder Download (Downloads), since everything that is downloaded from the Internet ends up there by default and can be taken into account in the overall balance.
For more advanced users, a mode for displaying hidden files is available. In the Explorer menu, select Settings → Show hidden system files. Be extremely careful: you will see folders with names like .thumbnails or android/data. Deleting the contents of a folder .thumbnails is safe (these are photo thumbnails), but you should not touch other system directories without understanding their purpose.
⚠️ Attention: The Explorer interface and menu location may differ depending on the version of the One UI shell. If you do not find an item, check system updates or look for a similar function in the settings search.
Pay special attention to the folder DCIM/.thumbnails. Sometimes this hidden cache of thumbnails grows to incredible sizes after deleting thousands of photos. Clearing it may free up a few gigabytes, but the next time you open the gallery, the system will be forced to recreate these thumbnails, which will temporarily load the processor.
Why is the .thumbnails folder filling up again?
The Android system automatically creates thumbnails for each image in the gallery for quick viewing. If you have thousands of photos, this file will grow again. The solution is to use a cloud gallery or third-party applications to block the creation of thumbnails.
Comparison of memory cleaning methods
Various approaches to freeing up space have their advantages and disadvantages. Built-in tools are safe, but superficial, while manual removal through a file manager gives the maximum result, but requires care. Below is a table to help you choose the best method for your situation.
| Clearing method | Efficiency | Risk of data loss | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in optimizer | Low | None | Minimum |
| Clear application cache | High | Minimum (settings only) | Medium |
| Delete via “My Files” | Medium | Medium (you can delete the desired one) | Medium |
| Reset to factory settings | Maximum | High (everything is deleted) | High |
As can be seen from the table, the “golden mean” is a combination of clearing the application cache and manual file analysis. Resetting to factory settings should be used only as a last resort, when other methods have not helped or the system is working with critical errors.
Regular spot clearing of the messenger cache is more effective and safer than rare full system resets.
Radical measures: resetting and transferring data
If the size of the “Other” folder continues to grow despite all attempts at cleaning, it is possible that errors or “bad” sectors have accumulated in the file system that the OS cannot process correctly. In this case, the only solution is to completely reset the device. Before this procedure, be sure to create a backup copy all important data.
To perform a reset, go to Settings → General settings → Reset → Reset data. The device will return to its original state and the Other category will disappear as all temporary files will be destroyed. After setting up your phone, reinstall only the necessary applications so as not to return junk back.
An alternative to resetting can be to transfer media files to a memory card microSD or to cloud storage. While this won't directly shrink the Other partition itself, it will free up overall space, allowing the system to handle temporary files more correctly. Modern Samsung smartphones integrate well with Google Photos and OneDrive services.
⚠️ Attention: Before resetting the settings, make sure you remember the password for your Google account and Samsung account. Without them, it will be impossible to activate the phone after a reset due to FRP protection.
Sometimes the problem lies not in the files, but in a bug in a specific firmware version. Check for software updates in the Settings → Software updatesection. Samsung engineers regularly release patches that correct memory management errors and incorrect storage calculations.
What to do if space is freed up, but immediately filled up again?
This is a sign of malware or a failure in the logging cycle. Try booting into safe mode (hold down the power button, then hold the “Shut down” icon on the screen for a long time). If the memory is clear in safe mode, delete recently installed applications.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to completely delete the “Other” folder without losing personal photos?
Yes, you can. The “Other” folder consists mainly of cache and system garbage. Clearing the application cache and deleting temporary files through Explorer does not affect your personal photos, contacts and messages unless you click the “Reset data” button.
Why, after clearing the cache, the volume of “Other” has not decreased?
Some applications, immediately after cleaning, begin to re-download the necessary data for work. Additionally, the system may have a delay in updating the storage index. Try rebooting your smartphone after cleaning so that the numbers are updated correctly.
Is it safe to delete files in the Android/data folder?
Deleting files inside subfolders of specific applications (for example, com.telegram.messenger) is relatively safe - this will reset the settings and cache of this application. However, deleting the folder structure itself or files in Android/obb is not recommended, as this may make it impossible to launch games and apps.
Does full memory affect the speed of Samsung?
Yes, critically. When the internal storage is more than 90% full, the speed of writing and reading data drops significantly. This leads to interface freezes, long opening times for applications, and problems with system updates.
How to prevent the “Other” section from quickly filling up in the future?
Set up automatic cache clearing in messengers (for example, in Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Auto-delete media). Regularly delete downloaded files from the “Downloads” folder and use cloud services to store photos and videos instead of a local drive.