The "Other"** section in Android memory is a real “black hole” for most users. It takes up gigabytes of space, but does not show specific files that can be deleted manually. According to research Android Authority, on devices with 128 GB of memory up to 30-40% of the volume can fall on this mysterious section, and its size often grows even without installing new applications.

The problem is complicated by the fact that manufacturers (for example, Samsung, Xiaomi or Realme) display this section in the settings differently. Somewhere it is called “System Data”, somewhere it is called “Other”, and in some firmware (for example ColorOS) there is no detail at all. In this article, we will look at what is hidden under the term "Other"**, why it cannot be cleared using standard means, and what tools actually work - from built-in functions to advanced ADB commands.

What is the "Other" section in Android memory and why does it fill up?

Technically "Other"** is a collection of files that the system cannot classify into standard categories (“Applications”, “Media”, “Documents”). This includes:

  • 📁 System application cache (for example, com.android.systemui or android.process.media), which is not cleared through "Settings → Storage".
  • 🔄 Residual data from deleted apps (folders /data/data/ and /data/app-lib/ often remain uncleaned).
  • 📊 Logs and dumps (files .log, .dumpstate), which are created during failures or diagnostics.
  • 🔐 Encrypted files (for example, data Google Play Services or Samsung Knox).
  • 🖼️ Thumbnails and metadata media files (folder .thumbnails in the root storage).

The main feature of this section is dynamic growth. For example, after updating Android to a new version (say, from Android 12 to Android 13), the system can create backup copies of old configurations that will remain in “Other” forever. The same thing happens when you reset the settings: not all files are deleted correctly, and their “tails” accumulate for years.

📊 How often do you clear memory on Android?
Once a week
Once a week month
Only when space runs out
Never clear

Method 1: Clearing the system application cache (without root)

The safest method is to delete the cache of built-in services, which most often “clog” the For. this:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Show all applications.
  2. Sort the list by size (click on the three dots in the upper right corner).
  3. Select system applications from the list below and click "Clear" cache":
ApplicationPotential cache sizeIs it possible to clear
Google Play Services500 MB - 2 GBYes (without consequences)
Android System WebView100–300 MBYes
Download Manager50–200 MBYes
Media Storage (android.process.media)up to 1 GBYes, but may slow down media scanning
Samsung Knox (on Samsung)300 MB - 1 GBYes, but requires a reboot

⚠️ Attention: Do not clear data (Clear Data) from Google Play Services or Android System WebView —this will lead to application failures. The cache (Clear Cache) is safe.

Clear cache Google Play Services

Clear cache Download Manager

Check Media Storage (if there are a lot of media files)

Reboot the device after cleaning-->

Method 2: Removing residual files through Storage Analyzer

If manually searching for “garbage” is inconvenient, use storage analyzer applications. The best options:

  • 🔍 Files by Google (Cleaning tab) - shows large files and duplicates.
  • 📊 Storage Analyzer & Disk Usage - visualizes the occupied space by folder.
  • 🗑️ SD Maid (requires root for deep cleaning) - finds residual files of deleted applications.

Instructions for Files by Google:

  1. Install the application from Google Play.
  2. Open the tab Cleaning → Free up space.
  3. Select a category Other files or Unused applications.
  4. Delete files marked Residual data or System cache.

💡 Tip: In Storage Analyzer pay attention to the folders:

  • /data/log/ — system logs;
  • /data/tombstones/ — error dumps;
  • /data/misc/ —temporary service files.

You cannot delete them manually without root, but the analyzer will show how much they take up.

💡

If, after cleaning via Files by Google, the “Other” section has not decreased, check the folder Android/obb/ — sometimes files from deleted games remain there (for example, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile).

Method 3: Reset settings to factory settings (radical method)

If “Other” takes more than 10-15 GB, and other methods do not help, remains hard reset. This method deletes all user data, including files in “Other”, but requires a full backup.

How to reset:

  1. Save important data (photos, contacts, messages) on a PC or to the cloud.
  2. Go to Settings → System → Reset settings.
  3. Select Delete all data (factory reset).
  4. Confirm the action (you may need to enter a PIN code).

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Xiaomi s MIUI) after the reset, the “Other” section may become full again due to restoring backups Mi CloudBefore. by resetting, disable automatic recovery in your account settings.

What should I do if, after resetting, “Other” is full again?

This means that the problem lies in the firmware or system updates Try:

1. Update Android to the latest version.

2. Install custom recovery (for example, TWRP) and manually clear the folders /cache i /data/backup.

3. If the device supports it, roll back to an older firmware version (down grade).

Method 4: Cleaning via ADB (for advanced users)

If you have a PC and have ADB Toolsinstalled, you can delete unnecessary files through the command line. This method does not require root, but requires caution.

Steps:

  1. Turn on USB debugging in Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times) → For developers.
  2. Connect your phone to the PC and run the command: 
    adb shell pm list packages -f | grep -E 'deleted|backup|log'

    It will show packages with residual data.

  3. Delete the cache of a specific package (for example, com.google.android.gms): 
    adb shell pm clear com.google.android.gms

⚠️ Attention: Do not use the command adb shell rm -rf /data/data/* —this will delete the data of all applications and make the system inoperable. Work only with specific folders that the analyzer has identified.

💡

ADB commands allow you to clear the cache of system applications that are not available in the standard interface. However, incorrect use can lead to failures - always check the commands before. execution.

Method 5: Manually deleting files via TWRP (requires root)

If custom recovery is installed on the device (TWRP), you can manually delete files from the partition /dataThis method is risky, but effective for. deletion:

  • 🗃️ Residual data (/data/data/ — folders of deleted applications);
  • 📜 Logs (/data/log/, /data/tombstones/);
  • 🔄 Backups (/data/backup/).

Instructions:

  1. Boot into TWRP (press Power + Volume Up when turning on).
  2. Select Advanced → File Manager.
  3. Go to /data/data/ and delete folders with the names of deleted applications (for example, com.whatsapp, if WhatsApp has been uninstalled).
  4. Clean up the folders /data/log/ and /data/tombstones/.

💡 Tip: Before deleting, make a backup via TWRP → BackupIf after cleaning the system does not boot, restore the backup one. copy.

Method 6: Disabling unnecessary system components

Some manufacturers (Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi) install duplicate services that take up space in “Other” They can be disabled without root:

BrandComponent to disableHow to disable
SamsungSamsung Free (advertising launcher)Settings → Applications → Samsung Free → Disable
XiaomiMi Video, Mi MusicVia Settings → Applications → Uninstall updates → Disable
HuaweiHuawei Mobile Services (if not used)Only via ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.huawei.hms
Realme/OppoTheme Store, Game SpaceSettings → Applications → Select → Disable

⚠️ Attention: Disabling system components may disrupt the operation of proprietary functions (for example, DeX on Samsung or Game Turbo on XiaomiBefore disabling, check whether you are using these. functions.

How to prevent the “Other” section from being filled in again

To prevent the section from being filled out again, follow simple rules:

  • 🔄 Regularly clear the cache system applications (once every 1-2 months).
  • 🚫 Avoid “cleaners” like Clean Master —they often create more garbage than they remove.
  • 📱 Update the firmware, but watch the size of the updates (sometimes they “weigh” several gigabytes due to duplication of files).
  • ☁️ Disable automatic backup in Google Drive or proprietary clouds (Mi Cloud, Samsung Cloud), if you do not use it.
  • 🔍 Check “Other” after uninstalling large applications (for example, games) - files often remain in /Android/obb/.

💡 Useful life hack: If you often install/uninstall applications, use Island (sandbox for Android) or Shelter. These tools isolate application data, and after deletion there are no “tails” left in the main storage.

💡

Regularly clearing the cache of system applications (especially Google Play Services and Media Storage) reduces the size of "Other" by 30-50% without risk to the system.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the "Other" section on Android

Is it possible to completely delete the "Other" section?

No, this is impossible - some of the files in "Other" are critical for the operation of the system (for example, data Android System or Settings StorageHowever, its size can be reduced from 10-15 GB to 1-3 GB using the methods in this article.

Why does "Other" become full again after clearing?

This is due to:

  • Automatic data recovery from the cloud (for example, Google Drive or Mi Cloud).
  • Updates of system applications (they create new cache files).
  • Logs and dumps that the system generates every time you turn on the device.

Solution: disable automatic recovery in your account settings and clear the cache regularly.

Is it safe to use applications like CCleaner to clean up “Other”?

No, such applications often delete important files or leave behind their own garbage (Files by Google) or ADB commands.

How to clear “Other” on Android without root?

The following methods are available without root:

  • Clearing the system application cache (section above).
  • Use Files by Google or Storage Analyzer.
  • ADB commands to delete the cache of specific packages.
  • Reset to factory settings (last resort).

Root gives access to deep cleaning, but the risks are higher.

Why on different devices different size of “Other”?

It depends on:

  • Firmware (for example, One UI from Samsung creates more service files than Stock Android).
  • Number of installed/deleted applications.
  • Android versions (new versions better optimize data storage).
  • Manufacturer (for example, Xiaomi and Oppo actively use caching to speed up work).