Modern smartphones have an impressive amount of built-in memory, but over time, even 256 or 512 gigabytes may be too much. Users are especially irritated by the situation when a category “Other” occupies a disproportionate amount of space in the storage settings, sometimes reaching tens of gigabytes. This mysterious folder often becomes a “black hole” where free space irretrievably leaks, slowing down the device.
Understanding what exactly is hidden behind this term is not always easy, since the Android system classifies files there that do not belong to standard media or applications. This includes temporary data, remnants of deleted apps, cache of streaming services and system logs. Google and shell manufacturers like MIUI or One UI interpret this section differently, which complicates the diagnostic process.
In this material we will analyze effective and safe methods freeing up space. You'll learn how to manually find hidden files, use built-in cleaning tools, and avoid common mistakes that can lead to the loss of important data or unstable operation of the operating system.
What's hidden in the "Other" section
Before you begin drastic removal measures, you need to understand the nature of the files taking up space. Category "System data" or “Other” is a hodgepodge of various types of information. Most often, the application cache is stored here, which should be cleared automatically, but due to software failures it accumulates for years.
A significant part of the volume can be occupied by offline maps of navigation apps, downloaded episodes in video services and temporary messenger files. For example, Telegram or WhatsApp save viewed media files in hidden directories, which the system does not always correctly identify as “Images” or “Videos.”
Also included here are error logs, media file indexing data, and remnants of previous firmware updates. If you recently updated_android_, files from the old version of the system may temporarily remain in memory for rollback, taking up gigabytes of space.
⚠️ Attention: Do not delete files from system folders manually through the file manager if you are not 100% sure of their purpose. This may result in the device rebooting cyclically or losing settings.
It is important to note that the scope of this category is dynamic. It may rise sharply after actively using the browser or watching high-definition videos, and then decrease after a reboot. However, if the value is consistently high and does not decrease, user intervention is required.
Basic cleaning through the smartphone settings
The safest and first step that every smartphone owner should take is the use of built-in utilities. Manufacturers of devices based Android integrate optimization tools directly into the settings menu. These tools can safely delete temporary files without affecting important user data.
To start the procedure, you need to go to the menu Settings → Storage. In this section, the system will analyze memory usage and offer to clear the cache of unnecessary files. On devices Samsung this function is located in the “Device Maintenance” section, and on Xiaomi in the “Security” application.
Built-in cleaners often offer to remove large files, duplicate photos and rarely used applications. This helps to quickly free up a few gigabytes without diving deep into the file system. Regular use of this function once a month helps keep the system in good shape.
Before running a full cleanup, close all running applications so that the system can correctly terminate background processes and free locked files.
It is worth paying attention to the “Application Cache” item. In some versions Android you can clear the cache for all apps at once with one click. This action is safe: it will not delete your logins, passwords or correspondence, but will only reset temporary data, speeding up the operation of the software.
Manual garbage removal through a file manager
If automatic means did not cope with the task, you will have to use the manual method. To do this, you will need an advanced file manager, for example Files by Google or Solid Explorer. Standard Explorer may not display hidden system folders, where the bulk of garbage is often hidden.
First of all, pay attention to the folder Android/data. Data of installed games and applications is stored here. Deleting the contents of this folder for apps that have already been removed is safe and effectively frees up space. However, be careful: deleting active application folders will reset their settings to factory settings.
Another “gold mine” for finding excess weight is the folder Download. Users often forget about downloaded installation files APK, presentations and archives that were needed once. Also check the folder DCIM/.thumbnailswhere the thumbnails of your photos are stored; Over time, this cache can grow to incredible sizes.
- 🗑️ Look for files with the extension
.logand.tmp—these are technical logs that can be safely deleted. - 📁 Check the folder
Bluetooth, where received files are often automatically saved. - 🎵 Scan the folder
Musicfor broken or incomplete track downloads. - 📹 Don't forget about the folder
Video, where video clippings may be located after installation.
☑️ Manual cleaning checklist
When working with the file system, it is important to follow consistency. First, we free up space from what is obviously superfluous, then move on to more specific data. Remember that deleting system files from the root directory without rights Root is usually impossible, which serves as additional protection against accidental errors.
Cleaning data from instant messengers and social networks
Messengers are the main culprits in filling the category "Other". Applications like Telegram, Viber i WhatsApp caches every photo and video you view, even if you didn’t save them to the gallery. Over time, this cache can occupy 10, 20 or more gigabytes.
In the settings itself Telegram there is an excellent built-in tool: Settings → Data and memory → Memory usage. Here you can not only clear the current cache, but also set a limit or auto-delete old files. This allows the application to work quickly, but not to fill up the device's memory.
For WhatsApp the process is a little more complicated. You need to go to Settings → Data and storage → Storage management. The application will show a list of chats that take up the most space and allow you to delete media files selectively. This is convenient, as you can delete heavy videos from work chats, while saving important photos from loved ones.
⚠️ Attention: Clearing messenger data through the Android settings (and not inside the application) will delete the entire correspondence history without the possibility of recovery. Proceed with caution!
Social networks, such as VK or Instagramalso actively use cache to quickly load the feed. If you frequently scroll through your feed, the application's cache may grow large. The settings of these applications rarely have a “Clear cache” button, so it’s easier to do this through the system menu: Settings → Applications → [Application name] → Storage → Clear cache.
Using developer mode and ADB
For advanced users, For those who want to achieve maximum system cleanliness, there are debugging tools. Connecting your smartphone to a computer and using the console utility ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to remove system junk that is not accessible in the usual way.
First you need to activate developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the “Build number” item. After this, a new section “For Developers” will appear in the menu, where you need to enable "USB Debugging".
By connecting the phone to the PC, you can run a command to clear the package installer cache or other system services. This requires care, as a mistake in the command can lead to unpredictable consequences. This method is recommended only for those who understand the structure of the command line.
adb shell pm trim-caches 999999999This command attempts to trim the cache of all applications to a minimum. However, effectiveness depends on the version Android and access rights. On new versions of the system, some commands may be blocked for security reasons.
Risks of using ADB
If you enter commands incorrectly, you can remove the necessary system components, which will lead to the device being “bricked” or the need for flashing. Always check the command syntax on specialized forums.
If you are not willing to take risks, it is better to limit yourself to standard methods. Developer mode provides powerful tools, but the cost of error is too high for the average user. Use this method only in extreme cases, when other methods have been exhausted.
Analysis of occupied space and table of sources
To effectively deal with the problem, you need to see the enemy in the face. Different types of files take up space at different rates. Below is a table that will help you navigate which sources most often form the volume of the “Other” category.
| Data type | Source | Accumulation rate | Deletion security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application cache | Social networks, browsers | High | Safe |
| Offline maps | Navigators | Medium | Safe (if not needed) |
| System logs | Android OS | Low | Requires Root/ADB |
| Media cache | Streaming, messengers | Very high | Safe |
| Remaining updates | System partition | One-time | Automatic |
As can be seen from the table, the main blow to memory is caused by user applications, and not the system itself. Regular monitoring of these sources helps prevent critical memory fill. Use the built-in storage statistics to track growth dynamics.
90% of the space in the “Other” section is occupied by the cache of instant messengers and streaming services. Regular cleaning of them solves the problem in most cases.
Do not forget that after a large-scale cleaning, the system may temporarily work slower until it rebuilds the file indexes and cache. This is normal behavior that goes away within 10-15 minutes of active use.
Prevention and optimization of storage
The best way to deal with memory overflow is prevention. Set up automatic uploading of photos and videos to cloud services, such as Google Photos or Yandex.Disk. This will allow you to store the originals in the cloud, and leave only thumbnails on the device or completely delete local copies.
Enable the “Delete Deleted” function in the gallery recycle bin. Many users delete photos but forget to empty the trash, where they are stored for another 30 days, continuing to take up space. It is also useful to disable autosaving of media from instant messengers to the gallery.
Periodically review installed applications. Uninstall those apps that you have not used in the last three months. Often forgotten games or utilities continue to collect data and update in the background, consuming resources.
- ☁️ Set up synchronization with the cloud to automatically free up space.
- 🚫 Disable auto-downloading of videos on social networks to save traffic and cache.
- 📅 Once per month, check the “Downloads” folder for old files.
⚠️ Attention: Menu interfaces and item names may differ depending on the Android version and the manufacturer’s shell (Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme). If you do not find the specified item, use the settings search.
Following these simple rules will help your smartphone remain fast and responsive throughout its entire service life. A clean system is the key to stable operation and long battery life.
Is it possible to completely delete the "Other" partition?
It is impossible to completely delete this partition to zero, since it includes the necessary system files and the cache of running applications. However, you can reduce its volume to a minimum (several hundred megabytes) by clearing the cache and removing unnecessary data.
Is it safe to use third-party cleaner applications?
Most popular cleaners (for example, CCleaner, Clean Master) are safe, but often contain intrusive advertising. They don't provide miraculous performance gains over the built-in Android tools. Use them with caution and do not grant unnecessary permissions.
Why do I quickly run out of space again after cleaning?
This happens due to aggressive caching by modern applications. Messengers and social networks immediately begin to re-download previews and media files. The solution is to configure auto-cleaning of the cache within the applications themselves or limit background data transfer.
Does the overflow of the “Other” section affect the speed of the phone?
Yes, when the internal memory is more than 90% full, the speed of writing and reading data drops. This leads to interface sluggishness, long application opening times, and problems installing updates. Free space is necessary for the correct operation of flash memory.
Do you need to do a factory reset to clean it?
A factory reset (Hard Reset) is a radical measure that is guaranteed to clear the “Other” section. However, this will delete all your data. You should resort to this only if other methods have not helped and the phone is unstable.