How to free up memory on Samsung Galaxy A5: a complete guide with proven methods

Owners Samsung Galaxy A5 (including models A5 2015, A5 2016, A5 2017, A50, A51, A52, A53, A54) often face a lack of internal memory, even if the device is relatively new. The system starts to slow down, applications crash, and the "Memory is full" notification appears at the most inopportune moment. The reasons for the problem lie not only in the small volume of the built-in storage (especially in older versions with 16 GB), but also in the operating features of Android and the shell One UI.

In this article we will examine 7 proven methods free up memory on Galaxy A5 —from basic (deleting cache and garbage) to advanced (transferring applications to an SD card and resetting to factory settings). All methods are tested on real devices and do not require root access. Important: before you start cleaning make a backup copy important data (photos, contacts, messages) through Settings → Accounts and archiving → Backup and recovery.

If your Galaxy A5 gives the error "Insufficient memory" when installing applications or updating the system, first check how much space is occupied. To do this, go to Settings → Device care → Memory. Here you will see a diagram of memory distribution by categories: "System", "Applications", "Images", "Documents" and "Other". As a rule, the most space is taken up by application cache, duplicate photos and unused APK files.

1. Removing cache and junk files using built-in tools

The fastest way to free 1-3 GB of memory is to clear the application cache and system temporary files. On Galaxy A5 this can be done without third-party apps, using the built-in utility "Device Care" (previously called "Optimization").

Instructions:

• 📱 Open Settings (gear icon on the main screen).
• 🔍 Select section Device care (on older versions One UI — Device maintenance).
• 🗑️ Press Memory, then Clear (or Clear now).
• ⚙️ Confirm deleting the cache for all applications (this is safe and will not delete your data).

After cleaning, the system will show how much memory has been freed. If the amount is less than 500 MB, proceed to the next method. Attention: application cache (for example, YouTube or Instagram) will accumulate again, but not so quickly.

Deletes the cache of all applications|Clears temporary system files|Removes image thumbnails|Resets data on unsuccessful ones downloads-->

For deeper cleaning, go to Settings → Applications, select any application (for example, Chrome or Facebook) and press Memory → Clear cache. Repeat for 5-10 of the “heaviest” apps. For Galaxy A5 2017 and older, after this procedure you can free up to 4-5 GB if you haven’t cleaned the device for a long time.

2. Removing unnecessary applications and them. leftovers

Many users install applications and then forget about them. Even unused apps take up space with their data and updates. Social networks, instant messengers and games leave a lot of waste. Galaxy A5 Social networks, instant messengers and games especially leave a lot of garbage.

How to find and remove unnecessary applications:

• 📊 Go to in Settings → Applications and sort the list by size (click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Sort by size).
• 🗑️ Remove apps that you no longer use months. Pay special attention to games (they often weigh 100+ MB).
• 🔄 For system applications (for example, Samsung Knox or Bixby) press Disableif there is no delete button.
• 🧹 Use the utility Files by Google (free in Play Market) to search for "duplicate files" and "large files".

Some applications (for example, Facebook or TikTokafter deletion leave folders with data in the device memory. To delete them completely:

1. Open a file manager (for example, My files from Samsung).
2. Go to Internal memory → Android → data.
3. Find folders with the names of deleted applications (for example, com.facebook.katana) and delete them.

3. Transfer data to an SD card or cloud

If your Galaxy A5 has a slot for microSD (available in all models except A50 and newer in some regions), transfer photos, videos and music to it. This will free up several gigabytes internal memory.

How to transfer files to an SD card:

• 📁 Open the application My files.
• 🖼️ Select a category (for example, Images or Audio).
• ✅ Mark the files you want to transfer (or click Select all).
• 📤 Click More → Move → SD card.

For applications, the process is more complicated: Samsung blocks the transfer of most apps to SD card starting from Android 6.0. However, you can use a workaround:

1. Install AppMgr III (or Link2SD for root users) from Play Market.
2. Select the application you want to transfer.
3. Click "Transfer to SD" (does not work for all apps).

An alternative is to upload files to the cloud:

Service	Free place	Startup	Application link
Google Photos	15 GB (shared with Google Drive)	Yes (photo/video)	Play Market
Samsung Cloud	5 GB (for devices only Samsung)	Yes (photos, contacts, notes)	Built in Settings → Accounts
Yandex Disk	10 GB	Yes (any files)	Play Market

How to enable auto-upload in Google Photos

Open the application Google Photos → click on avatar in the upper right corner → Settings photos → Backup and synchronization → turn on the switch. Select "High quality" for free unlimited storage (photos are compressed to 16 MP, videos up to 1080p).

4. Cleaning downloads, duplicates and temporary files

Folder Download (Downloads) - one of the most clogged spaces on Galaxy A5. APK files, documents, archives and other files that you have long forgotten accumulate here. Often this folder takes up 1-2 GB memory.

How to clear downloads:

• 📂 Open My files → Internal memory → Download.
• 🗑️ Delete everything unnecessary (especially files with the extension .apk, .zip, .rar).
• 🔍 Use a keyword search: "temp", "cache", "backup" - this will help find hidden temporary files.

To search for duplicate photos and videos:

• 📷 Install Files by Google or CCleaner.
• 🔍 Start scanning for duplicates in the "Cleaning".
• 🗑️ Delete duplicate files (check which of them are important first).

Pay special attention to the folders:

• 🎵 Music — audio files from instant messengers may be located here.
• 📺 Movies or Video — video from WhatsApp/Telegram.
• 📁 Android → data —remnants of deleted applications.

5. Optimizing the operation of instant messengers and social media. networks

Applications like WhatsApp, Telegram, VK and Instagram are the main "eaters" of memory on Galaxy A5. They automatically download media files (photos, videos, stickers) and cache data. For example, Telegram may. occupy 5+ GB for six months of active use.

How to reduce the weight of messengers:

• 📱 In WhatsApp: go to Settings → Storage → Storage management. Sort files by size and delete unnecessary ones (especially videos).
• 📎 In Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Storage. Click "Clear cache" and turn on "Auto-clean media".
• 📷 B Instagram: the cache is cleared through Settings → Account → Storage (or via Phone settings → Applications → Instagram → Memory).

To prevent messengers from filling up memory in the future:

• 🚫 Disable auto-downloading of media in mobile data (in the settings of each application).
• 🔄 Regularly (once a week) clear the cache via Settings → Applications.
• 📁 Move chats with a large amount of media to the archive (in WhatsApp and Telegram).

For VK and Facebook use lite versions applications:

• 📱 VK Lite (weighs 3 MB instead of 100+ MB).
• 📱 Facebook Lite or Hermit (for creating lightweight web applications).

6. Reset to factory settings (last chance)

If after all the manipulations there is less than 1 GB of free memory, and the device is slow, will help hard reset (hard reset). This is a radical method that deletes everything dataincluding applications, settings and files, but returns Galaxy A5 to a "clean" state.

How to reset:

1. 🔒 Create a backup (via Samsung Cloud or Google Account).
2. 📱 Go to Settings → General settings → Reset.
3. 🔄 Select Reset data (or Reset settings).
4. 🔐 Enter the PIN code/password and confirm the action.

After reset:

• 📱 Install only necessary applications.
• 🚫 Do not restore the backup completely - select only contacts and photos.
• 🔄 Regularly clear the cache (once every 1-2 weeks).

What to do if the reset did not help?

If after the reset the memory quickly fills up again, the problem may be:

- Faulty flash memory (diagnostics required at a service center).

- Viruses (check the device via Malwarebytes).

- Firmware error (update the software via Settings → Software update).

⚠️ Attention: On Galaxy A5 2015-2017 after the reset, you may need to re-authorize in Google Account. If you have forgotten your password, restore it in advance on the site accounts.google.com.

7. Additional methods: for advanced users

If standard methods do not help, try these advanced techniques (require caution):

A. data-i="292">Some pre-installed apps (

Some pre-installed apps (Samsung Free, Bixby, Samsung Pay) cannot be removed, but can be disabled:

• 📱 Go to Settings → Applications.
• 🔍 Find an unnecessary application (for example, Game Launcher).
• 🚫 Click Disable (this will remove updates and freeze the app).

B. Using ADB to clean up garbage

If you are familiar with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), run these commands for a deep clean:

adb shell pm trim-caches 256m
adb shell cmd package bg-dexopt-job

This will force clear the cache and optimize the performance of applications.

B. Transferring applications to an SD card via ADB

For Galaxy A5 s Android 8.0+ i root:

adb shell pm set-install-location 2

This command will force the system to install new applications on the SD card by default.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use ADB may lead to system malfunctions. If you are not sure of your actions, skip this method.

D. Replacing the standard launcher

Launcher One UI Home from Samsung consumes a lot of resources. Install a lightweight alternative launcher:

• 📱 Nova Launcher (customizable, lightweight).
• 📱 Lawnchair (minimalistic, open source).
• 📱 Microsoft Launcher (optimized for performance).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about clearing memory on Samsung Galaxy A5

🔹 Why does the memory fill up on its own, even if I don’t download anything?

This happens due to:

• Automatic caching of applications (especially Google Play Services and social networks).
• Hidden system and application updates.
• Log files and memory dumps (created when failures).

Solution: disable auto-update of applications in Play Market and regularly clear the cache through Settings → Device care.

🔹 Is it possible to increase the memory on the Galaxy A5 using a flash drive?

Yes, but with reservations:

• On Galaxy A5 2015-2017 you can transfer some applications to an SD card (required Android 6.0+ and support Adoptable Storage).
• On Galaxy A50/A51/A52 transfer of applications to SD is blocked, but you can store photos, videos and music on it.

To fully expand the memory, you will need root modification of the system (not recommended for beginners).

🔹 Why does it quickly fill up again after clearing the memory?

Blame:

• 📱 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) - automatically download media.
• 📷 Social networks (Instagram, TikTok) - cache videos.
• 🔄 System processes - create logs and temporary files.

Solution: set up auto-cleaning in messengers and disable auto-downloading of media in mobile data.

🔹 How to clear memory if the phone does not turn on?

If Galaxy A5 stuck on the logo or not reacts:

1. 🔄 Press Power button + Volume up for 10 seconds to force a reboot.
2. 🛠️ If that doesn’t help, go to Recovery Mode (press Power + Volume up + Home with the phone turned off).
3. 🗑️ Select Wipe cache partition (clearing cache, data will not be deleted).

If the phone still does not turn on, you will need firmware via Odin (only for experienced users).

🔹 Which applications are best not to delete on the Galaxy A5?

Do not delete or disable:

• 📱 Google Play Services —responsible for operation Play Market and updates.
• 📱 Samsung Experience Service (or One UI Home)—system launcher.
• 📱 Android System WebView —needed for displaying web pages in applications.

Removing these components will lead to system failures.