Modern smartphones Samsung Galaxy have impressive amounts of built-in storage, but over time, even 256 GB or 512 GB may become crammed to capacity. Users often encounter a situation where the system notifies that there is not enough space, which leads to a slowdown of the device, the inability to update applications or take new photos. The problem is aggravated by the fact that standard methods for deleting files do not always affect deep layers system cache and service data.
Cleaning system memory on devices with a shell One UI requires an integrated approach, since simply deleting pictures from the gallery is not enough. In this article, we will look in detail at how to identify hidden sources of memory filling, safely delete temporary files and optimize the operation of your Androidsmartphone without losing important data.
Diagnostics of storage and identification of space "eaters"
Before taking active steps to delete files, you need to determine exactly what is taking up precious space. Built-in diagnostic tools Samsung provide a detailed map of memory usage, allowing you to see not only the total volume, but also the distribution by category. Go to Settings → Device maintenance → Memoryto get the initial summary.
Pay attention to the “Applications” section. Often it is social networks and instant messengers, such as Telegram or WhatsAppthat accumulate gigabytes of media files in their hidden folders. The system may classify this data as “Other”, which confuses many users. Consumption analysis At this stage it is critically important, since deleting one heavy application can free up more space than clearing the entire gallery.
It is also worth checking the “Downloads” section, where installation files often accumulate files APKthat have already been used but not deleted. These files lie dead in memory, taking up space that can be used for more important tasks. A visual assessment of the storage structure helps to understand the strategy for further cleaning.
Usage built-in One UI optimizer
The Company Samsung has introduced a powerful tool for automatic system maintenance into its shell. This tool can not only speed up the processor, but also effectively manage the file system. To start manual optimization, go to the menu Settings → Device Maintenance and click the “Optimize Now” button.
However, for deep memory cleaning, it is better to use the advanced functions of the same section. Click on the "Storage" icon and then select the "Clear Now" option. The system will analyze background processes and offer to delete unused files. It is important to understand that this action is safe for personal data, since the algorithms are aimed specifically at temporary files and cache.
⚠️ Attention: Automatic optimization may not delete the cache of some specific applications that store data in non-standard directories. Always check the result manually.
In the same menu, the function for managing application autostart is available. Disabling unnecessary apps from startup will not only free up RAM RAM, but will also reduce the load on the processor, indirectly affecting the speed of writing temporary files to internal storage. Regular use of this tool should become a habit to maintain the health of the device.
☑️ Samsung Weekly Optimization
Manually clearing the application cache and system services
The most effective method of freeing up space is to manually clear the cache of specific applications. Unlike application data, the cache can be deleted without fear of losing logins, passwords or correspondence. To do this, open Settings → Applications, select the desired app (for example, YouTube or Instagram) and go to the “Storage” section.
Here you will see two buttons: “Clear data" and "Clear cache". Click only on the second option. If you accidentally choose to clear data, the application will return to the state immediately after installation, and you will have to re-enter all settings. Application cache can take up from several megabytes to several gigabytes, depending on the frequency of use of the service.
Particular attention should be paid to the system application "Gallery" and "File Manager". They often cache thumbnails of photos and videos, which can become a significant amount of wasted space when the media is large. Clearing the cache of these services will force the system to regenerate the thumbnails, but will immediately free up space.
What is Dalvik Cache?
Dalvik Cache is optimized application code that is stored in the system partition. Clearing it requires going into Recovery mode and may slow down application launches the next time you boot, as the system will recompile the code again. It is not recommended for the average user to touch this section.
For advanced users, it is possible to clear the cache of all applications at once through the developer menu or special engineering codes, but we recommend doing this selectively. Mass clearing may result in the device starting to get very hot the next time you launch heavy applications due to active data processing.
Manage Secure Folder and duplicate files
The Secure Folder (Secure Folder) function creates an isolated space on your device that encrypts data. Files moved to this folder take up space twice: the original in shared memory and a copy in the encrypted container. If you have moved heavy videos or archives to a protected folder, do not forget to delete their originals from the shared gallery.
In addition, when using a smartphone, duplicate photos often form, especially if you use multiple cameras or photo editing applications. The built-in My Files tool from Samsung has a search function for similar files, but it is not always ideal. It is recommended to use third-party utilities or carefully view the albums manually.
| Data type | Where it is located | Can be deleted | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application cache | Settings → Applications | Yes | No |
| Application data | Settings → Applications | With caution | High (reset settings) |
| Download folder | My files → Downloads | Yes (settings files) | Low |
| Trash Galleries | Gallery → Menu → Cart | Yes | Medium (recovery impossible) |
Don't forget to check the folder DCIM/.thumbnails. This is a hidden directory where thumbnails of all your photos and videos are stored. Over time, it can grow to incredible sizes. To access it, you will need a file manager with rights to display hidden files, but it is better to clean it through the gallery settings or special scripts so as not to disrupt the system.
If you use cloud services (Google Photos, Samsung Cloud), enable the “Free up space” function. It will automatically delete from the device those photos and videos that have already been successfully uploaded to the cloud.
Cleaning the system partition through Recovery mode
The most radical, but also the most effective way to clean up system garbage is to use the recovery mode Recovery Mode. This method allows you to clear a partition Cache Partitionthat is not accessible from the regular settings menu. Temporary system files, update logs and remnants of old firmware versions are stored here.
To get into this mode, you must turn off the smartphone. Then, depending on the model, hold down the key combination (usually for new models without a Home button, or for old ones). Some new models Volume Up + Power Button for new models without Home button, or Volume Up + Home + Power for old ones). On some new models Samsung require connecting a USB cable to the computer before entering the mode.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, control is only carried out volume buttons (up/down) and power button (select). Do not press the “Wipe Data/Factory Reset” button if you do not want to completely reset your phone to factory settings and lose all data!
In the menu that appears, select item Wipe Cache Partition. Confirm the action with the Power button. The process will take a few seconds or minutes, depending on the amount of accumulated garbage. Once completed, select option Reboot System Now. This method is especially useful after major system updates One UI or Android, when old system files may conflict with new ones.
Cleaning the Cache Partition is safe for personal data (photos, contacts, applications), but deletes only system temporary files, which often solves problems with brakes after updates.
Transferring data and using a memory card
If the internal memory of the device is constantly full, you should consider expanding the storage. Many models Samsung Galaxy support the installation of standard memory cards microSD. This is an ideal solution for storing photos, videos, music and documents that do not require high access speed.
To transfer files, use the My Files application. Select the desired media files in the internal memory, select the “Move” option and specify the path to the memory card SD card. It is not recommended to transfer the applications themselves to the memory card, as this can significantly slow down their operation and lead to system instability.
You can also configure the camera so that new pictures and videos are saved directly to the memory card. Go to the “Camera” application, click on the settings gear and find the “Save location” option. Change the value from "Device Memory" to "SD Card". This will prevent the internal storage from quickly filling up in the future.
Formatting a memory card as internal memory
Some versions of Android allow you to format an SD card as an extension of internal memory. However, Samsung has limited this feature in the latest versions of One UI. The card only works as portable storage.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to delete the Android folder on a Samsung phone?
No, you absolutely cannot delete the entire folder. It stores the data of all installed applications, their cache and configuration files (folders Android absolutely not possible. It stores the data of all installed applications, their cache and configuration files (folders data and obb). Deleting this folder will reset all applications and possibly cause the system to become unusable. You can clear only the contents of subfolders cache within specific application directories, but it is better to do this through the settings.
Why does the memory quickly fill up again after cleaning?
This is normal system behavior. Applications constantly create new temporary files for their work. If the memory fills up abnormally quickly (within a few hours), it is possible that some application is not working correctly (“memory leak”) or you are actively downloading heavy content. Check memory usage statistics for the last 24 hours.
How to clear the DNS cache on Samsung?
You can use airplane mode to clear the DNS cache. Turn Airplane Mode on for 10 seconds and then turn it off. This will restart the network interfaces and clear the permission cache. Deeper cleaning is possible through the developer menu or rebooting the router.
Is it possible to remove Samsung system applications to free up space?
Without obtaining root access you cannot completely remove system applications, you can only disable them. Disabling hides the application from the menu and prevents it from launching, which saves RAM and battery power, but frees up little space in the internal storage. Be careful: disabling critical system components can lead to failures.
Does full memory affect the speed of the smartphone?
Yes, it does critically. When the free space on flash memory is less than 10-15%, the speed of writing and reading data drops. This leads to the fact that the phone starts to slow down, applications take a long time to open, and the camera may freeze when saving photos. Regular cleaning is necessary to maintain high performance.