How to clear “Other” on an Honor smartphone: a complete guide

The “Other” section in the smartphone’s memory Honor is a real “black hole” for most users. It takes up gigabytes of space, but does not contain any photos, applications, or downloads. What are these files? Why do they accumulate? And most importantly, how to safely remove them without breaking the system? In this article, we will look at all the ways to clear “Other” on devices Honor (including models Honor 50/60/70/80/90/Magic), and also explain which files can be touched and which are better left.

The problem is not that Android is “littering” - the point is that the operating system and applications create temporary files, caches, logs and backups that turn into digital ballast over time. For example, instant messengers can store gigabytes of media files in hidden folders, and games can save installation packages after updates. But there is good news: up to 70% of this “garbage” can be removed manually or using built-in tools.

What is the “Other” section and why does it clog up memory

In the data storage menu Honor (path: Settings → Memory) you will see a graph where part of the memory labeled as "Other", "System Data" or "Other Files". This is not an interface error, but real files that do not fall into standard categories (photos, videos, applications). These include:

• 📁 Application and system cache —temporary files to speed up apps. For example, Instagram or TikTok caches videos so that they load faster when viewed again.
• 🗃️ Residual files of deleted applications - “tails” that remain after uninstalling apps (settings, databases, cache).
• 📄 System logs and dumps —error report files that Android creates for diagnostics. Especially a lot of them accumulate after failures or updates.
• 🎮 Game data - saves, downloadable resources (textures, sounds), installation packages (.obb files).
• 🔄 System updates - downloaded, but not installed update packages EMUI/Magic UI.

On devices Honor s Magic UI 7.0+ (for example, Honor 90 or Honor Magic V2) the system automatically cleans some of this garbage, but not all. For example, messenger caches or residual game files will have to be deleted manually. The worst part is that “Other” can take up to 15–20 GB on devices with 128 GB memoryif you never clear it.

Method 1: Built-in memory cleaning in Honor

The safest method is to use the built-in tool Honor to clean up garbage. It will not delete critical system files, but will help get rid of unnecessary cache and residual data. Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Memory.
2. Tap on the section "Storage & Performance" (or "Optimization" in new versions Magic UI).
3. Wait for analysis. The system will show how much space is taken up by:
   • 🗑️ Unneeded files (cache, temporary data)
   • 📱 Residual application files
   • 📁 Duplicate files (if function enabled)

Click “Clean" and confirm the action.

This method will remove up to 1–3 GB garbage, but will not touch deep system files or application data If the “Other” section. still takes up a lot of space, proceed to the following methods.

Method 2: Manually clearing the application cache

Many applications (especially social networks, instant messengers and games) accumulate gigabytes of cache. For example, Telegram can store up to 5-10 GB media files in a hidden folder, and Facebook can cache videos and images. To clear the cache:

1. Go in Settings → Applications → Manage applications.
2. Select an application (for example, WhatsApp or YouTube).
3. Tap "Memory» → «Clear cache».
4. For complete clearing, click "Clear data» (⚠️ Attention: this will delete all settings and logins to accounts!).

Special attention pay attention to these applications (they most often “litter”):

• 📱 Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber — store media files in a folder /storage/emulated/0/Telegram.
• 🎵 Spotify, Yandex Music — cache songs for offline listening.
• 🎮 Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile — download gigabytes of textures and updates.
• 📺 TikTok, YouTube —save videos for quick loading.
💡

To Telegram not fill up the memory, go to its settings → “Data and memory” → “Memory usage” and set a cache limit (for example, 500 MB).

If after clearing the cache the application starts to run slower, this is normal. The cache is needed to speed up, but it can be restored by simply working in the app for 5-10 minutes.

Method 3: Removing residual files of deleted applications

When you delete the application via Settings or Google Play, Android does not always clear all files associated with it. The following remain:

• 📂 Folders in /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/[package_name].
• 🗄️ Files in /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/[package_name] (usually large .obbgame files).
• 📄 Settings and databases in /data/data/[package_name] (available only with root access).

To delete these files:

1. Connect your smartphone to the PC and turn on the mode File transfer (MTP).
2. Open the folder Internal storage → Android → data.
3. Delete folders with the names of applications that you deleted long ago (for example, com.tencent.ig for PUBG Mobile).
4. Check the folder Android → obb and delete unnecessary .obbfiles (they can weigh up to 1–2 GB!).

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders of current applications - this may break their operation. Also, do not touch files with the extension .odex or .vdex - they are needed for the system to function.

File type	Where to look	Can I delete	How much space will it free up
Messenger cache	/storage/emulated/0/Telegram/Telegram Images	Yes	1–10 GB
OBB game files	/storage/emulated/0/Android/obb	Yes (only for remote games)	1–3 GB per game
System logs	/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.huawei.logs	Yes (but not all)	0.5–2 GB
EMUI/Magic UI updates	/storage/emulated/0/HWOUPDATES	Yes (if the update is installed)	1–4 GB

Method 4: Cleaning via Safe Mode (safe mode)

If your smartphone starts to slow down, and the “Other” section has grown to incredible sizes, try booting into Safe Mode (safe mode). In this mode, only system applications work, which helps to identify the culprit of the “garbage.” Instructions: Turn off your smartphone.

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the button power and hold it until the logo appears Honor.
3. As soon as the logo appears, release the power button and immediately press volume down.
4. Hold Volume Downuntil the smartphone boots up with "Safe Mode" at the bottom of the screen.

In Safe Mode:

• 🔍 Check if the "Other" size (go to Settings → Memory).
• 📱 If the memory is free, the problem is in one of the installed applications. Delete them one by one until you find the culprit.
• 🗑️ If the memory is not freed up, it’s system garbage. Try the method with ADB (described below).

⚠️ Attention: Third-party launchers, widgets and some functions (for example, fingerprint) do not work in Safe Mode. Don’t be alarmed - this is normal.

Method 5: Using ADB for deep cleaning (for advanced)

If the standard methods did not help, and the “Other” section is still occupied 10+ GB, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) —a tool for low-level work with the system. This method requires a connection to a PC and basic knowledge of the command line.

What can be done via ADB:

• 🗃️ Delete the cache of all applications with one command.
• 📂 Clear folders with logs and dumps.
• 🔄 Forcefully delete residual files of deleted apps.

Instructions:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
2. Enable on smartphone Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times to activate developer mode).
3. Return to Settings → System → Developer Mode and enable USB Debugging.
4. Connect your smartphone to the PC and in the command line (terminal) enter:

adb devices
adb shell pm trim-caches 1000G
adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*
adb shell rm -rf /data/log/*

These commands:

• Clear cache of all applications (trim-caches).
• Delete temporary files from /data/local/tmp.
• Clear the log folder (/data/log).

⚠️ Attention: Do not use commands rm -rf for folders that are not in this instruction. An error may lead to data loss or system failure.

What to do if ADB does not see the device?

1. Check if USB debugging is enabled on your device. smartphone.

2. Install drivers for your Honor model (download from the official website).

3. Try another USB cable (preferably the original one).

4. Restart your PC and smartphone.

Method 6: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of the methods helped, and the “Other” section takes up 20+ GB, the last option remains - hard reset (reset to factory settings). This will delete all data on the smartphone, including photos, messages and applications, but will return memory. to its original state.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup copy of important data (photos, contacts, chats).
2. Go in Settings → System → Reset.
3. Select "Reset all settings" or "Reset to factory settings».
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After the reset:

• 📱 Install only the necessary applications.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache regularly (once every 1-2 weeks).
• 📁 Use cloud storage (Google Photos, Yandex Drive) for media files.

⚠️ Attention: On some models Honor (for example, Honor 8X or Honor 10 Lite) after resetting, you may need to reactivate your account Huawei ID. Make sure you remember your password!

How to prevent the accumulation of “Other” in the future

To prevent the “Other” section from growing again, follow these rules:

• 📵 Limit the cache applications (especially messengers and social networks).
• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files via the built-in file manager Honor (Files → Categories → Unnecessary files).
• 🔄 Update apps via Google Play or AppGallery —new versions often optimize memory usage.
• 📁 Use cloud storage for photos and videos (for example, Google Photos with “High Quality” compression).
• 🎮 Delete gamesthat you have not played for a long time (especially with large .obbfiles).

You can also install third-party ones utilities for monitoring memory, for example:

• 📊 Files by Google —shows which files take up the most space.
• 🛠️ SD Maid —cleanses residual files and cache (requires root for full functionality).
• 🔍 DiskUsage —visualizes memory usage in the form of a chart.

On devices Honor s Magic UI 7.0+ have a built-in function "Smart cleaning, which automatically deletes unnecessary files. To enable it:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Smart cleaning.
2. Activate the option and set up a schedule (for example, cleaning once a week).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about cleaning “Other” on Honor

❓ Is it possible to delete everything files from the “Other” section?

No, you cannot completely delete “Other” - critical system files are stored there. You can only clear unnecessary data (cache, logs, residual files). If you delete everything, the smartphone may stop turning on or work unstably.

❓ Why does “Other” appear again after cleaning?

This is normal - Android and applications constantly create temporary files. To slow down the growth of "Other", regularly clear the cache, delete unnecessary applications and check for updates. Also check if any messenger or game saves too much data.

❓ How to find out which application is the most cluttered?

Go to Settings → Memory → Applications and sort by size. You can also use utilities like DiskUsage or Files by Googlethat show which files take up the most space.

❓ Is it safe to use cleaning apps (for example, CCleaner)?

apps like CCleaner or Clean Master can remove unnecessary files, but they often overdo it and delete what the system needs. It is better to use built-in tools Honor or proven utilities. (SD Maid, Files by Google).

❓ What to do if after cleaning your smartphone starts to slow down?

This is a temporary phenomenon - after clearing the cache, applications need time to restore data. Reboot your smartphone and wait 10-15 minutes. If the brakes remain, check whether you have deleted critical files (for example, from the folder /data/data without root access).