Galaxy A series smartphones such as Samsung Galaxy A12offer excellent value for money, but can become slower over time. This happens due to the accumulation of temporary files, application cache and system junk that takes up precious space in the internal memory. Users often wonder how to effectively free up space without using third-party apps, which themselves can consume resources.
Cleaning the system on a device with a shell One UI is not just deleting photos, but a comprehensive approach to optimization. In this article we will look at the corporation's built-in tools that allow you to safely delete unnecessary data. You will learn to distinguish between file types and understand which of them can be deleted without risking the stability of the operating system Samsung, which allow you to safely delete unnecessary data. You will learn to distinguish between file types and understand which of them can be deleted without risking the stability of the operating system Android.
Regular maintenance of the device extends its service life and maintains performance at a high level. We will look at both automatic and manual cleaning methods, and also answer frequently asked questions from owners of this model. Follow the instructions to restore your gadget to its former speed.
Using the built-in device maintenance tool
Samsung has integrated a powerful optimization tool into its shell, which is located in the settings menu. This section allows you to analyze the status of memory, random access memory (RAM) and battery charge in one click. To access it you need to go to Settings → Device maintenance. Here the system will automatically offer to optimize the current state.
By pressing the button Optimize, you will launch a process that will close background applications and clear some temporary files. However, for deeper cleaning, you should go to the Memorysubsection. This menu displays detailed statistics on internal storage usage. The system will show how much space is taken up by applications, images, videos and system files.
⚠️ Attention: The automatic optimization feature does not delete your personal files, such as photos or documents. It only works with the system cache and background processes.
A button Clean nowis often available inside the memory section, which allows you to delete useless files found by the system algorithms. These could be remnants of deleted applications, empty folders, or advertising files. Regular use of this tool helps maintain the amount of free memory within 15-20% of the total volume, which is critical for stable operation flash memory.
Enable the "Auto-optimization" function in the device maintenance settings so that the phone itself cleans up garbage at night when it is not in use.
Manually clearing the application and data cache
The largest amount of “garbage” on a smartphone Samsung A12 usually generated by social networks and instant messengers. Applications like Telegram, WhatsApp or TikTok save a huge amount of images and videos in temporary storage. To clear them, you need to go to Settings → Applications. Here is a complete list of installed software.
Select an application that consumes a lot of space and click on the item Memory. You will see two main buttons: "Clear cache" and "Clear data". It is important to understand the difference between them. Clearing the cache removes temporary files that speed up content loading, but does not affect your personal conversations or settings. This is a safe procedure that can be performed regularly.
- 🗑️ Cache: Temporary files that can be deleted without consequences for the account.
- 💾 Application data: Complete clearing, which will reset the application to the “as after installation” state (will delete logins, settings, correspondence).
- 🚀 Force stop: Useful if the application is frozen or consuming resources in the background.
Use the button Clear data with extreme caution. This action only makes sense if you want to completely reset a specific application or if it is not working correctly. Before doing this, make sure you have a backup of important chats or settings. For most cases of cleaning the system, it is enough to work only with the cache.
Why does the cache appear again?
Caches are service files that applications create anew during operation for quick access to information. Its reappearance is normal system behavior and not a sign of a virus or error.
Deleting duplicates and similar files in the Gallery
Owners Samsung Galaxy A12 often face a lack of space due to the large number of photos. One UI has a built-in smart algorithm that finds similar shots and duplicates. To use this feature, open the application Gallery and go to the menu (three bars at the bottom right), then select Suggestions.
The system will analyze your media library and offer to delete blurry photos, screenshots that are no longer needed, and duplicates files. This is one of the most effective ways to quickly free up several gigabytes of space. You can view groups of similar images and choose which versions to keep and which to delete.
| File type | Where it is stored | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Screenshots | Screenshots folder | Delete old ones, leave current ones |
| Downloaded files | Download folder | Check and delete APK installers |
| Thumbnails | System DCIM folder | Can be deleted, the system will create new ones |
| Videos from instant messengers | WhatsApp/Telegram folders | Delete via messenger settings |
It is also worth paying attention to folder Trash in the Gallery. Deleted photos do not disappear immediately, but are stored there for 30 days, continuing to take up space. To completely clean the system, you need to go to the Recycle Bin and select the “Clean” option. This action is irreversible, so first check if there is anything important among the deleted files.
Regularly emptying the Trash in the Gallery and the "Downloads" folder can free up to 2-3 GB of space without installing additional apps.
Cleaning downloads and management files
The Downloads (Download) folder often turns into a digital dump, where application installation files (APKs), PDF documents and archives that were needed one-time accumulate. To manage these files, use the built-in application My files. It is preinstalled on all Samsung devices and provides convenient access to all directories.
Go to the Storage analysis section inside the "My Files" application. The distribution of space by category is clearly displayed here. By clicking on the "Files" category, you will see a list of the largest files on your device. Users often forget about downloaded movies or TV shows, which take up gigabytes of memory.
⚠️ Attention: Be careful when deleting files from system folders such as Android/data. Delete only those files whose origin you know (for example, in the Download folder).
Pay special attention to files with the extension .apk. After installing the application, this file is no longer needed, but it continues to be in memory. Also check the folder Bluetoothif you frequently receive files wirelessly. Manually sorting files once a month helps maintain order and prevents the disk from becoming critically full.
☑️ Monthly memory check
Reset network settings and DNS cache
Sometimes the problem of slow operation or "garbage" in the system is not related to the amount of memory, but to errors in the network settings. On Samsung A12 you can reset your network settings, which will clear the connection cache, saved Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth settings. This will not delete your personal data, but will return the network modules to their factory state.
To perform this operation, follow the path Settings → General settings → Reset → Reset network settings. Confirm the action by entering your PIN code or pattern. After rebooting, the phone will forget all Wi-Fi passwords, so you will have to enter them again. However, this often solves problems with the network stack freezing and speeds up the connection to the Internet.
Additionally, you can clear the DNS cache through the developer menu or special applications, but the built-in network reset usually covers this need. If you use mobile data, it is also useful to switch the network mode (for example, from 5G to 4G and back) in the menu Connections → Mobile networksto update registration in the operator's network.
Transferring data to a microSD memory card
Model Samsung Galaxy A12 supports installation of microSD memory cards up to 1 TB. This is the best way to unload your internal system without deleting important files. You can transfer photos, videos, music and documents to external storage, leaving the internal memory free for running applications.
To transfer files, insert a memory card, then open the application My files. Select the desired folder in the internal storage (for example, DCIM or Pictures), press More → Move and select the SD memory card. Some applications allow you to change the default save location in their settings so that new files are immediately saved to the card.
- 📸 Photos and Video: Easily transferred and opened from a memory card without loss of quality.
- 🎵 Music: Ideally stored on an SD card to save space.
- 📄 Documents: You can move archives and work files.
It is worth noting that transferring the applications themselves to the card Memory in modern versions of Android is limited and depends on support from the application developer. However, transferring media files gives the largest increase in free space. Regularly check the memory card for errors through the storage settings to avoid data loss.
Is it possible to delete the .thumbnails folder?
Yes, the .thumbnails folder in the DCIM directory contains thumbnail images. It can be deleted to free up space, but the system will create it again the next time you open the gallery.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to use cleaner apps from the Play Market?
Most third-party cleaners on Android do not provide any real advantage over built-in Samsung tools. They often show intrusive advertising and consume battery resources themselves. Built-in optimization Settings → Device maintenance works more efficiently and safer for the system.
Why does the space quickly run out again after cleaning?
This may be due to the work of instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), which are constantly downloaded media files in cache. Check your media auto-download settings in these apps and limit it to Wi-Fi only or disable it altogether. Also, the cache volume grows as the phone is actively used.
Will clearing the cache delete my logins and passwords?
No, clearing the cache (Clear Cache) affects only temporary files. Your logins, passwords and account settings are stored in the “Application Data” section or on the service servers. To delete logins, you need to select "Clear Data", which will reset the application.
How to find out which application takes up the most space?
Go to Settings → Applications and sort the list by size. You can also see detailed information in the section Device maintenance → Memory, where the system shows a chart of space distribution by category.
Do I need to format the memory card when cleaning system?
Formatting the memory card is only required if it works with errors or you want to completely clear its contents. For normal cleaning of the phone system, formatting the SD card is not required; it is enough to transfer files to it or delete unnecessary ones through the file manager.