Clogged memory on a smartphone is one of the most common user problems Android. Even on devices with 128 GB and more free space is melting before our eyes: photos, videos, application updates, cache and system garbage take up precious gigabytes. As a result, the phone starts to slow down, applications crash, and the camera refuses to shoot video due to lack of space.

In this article we will look at all possible ways to free up memory from basic (deleting unnecessary files) to advanced (transferring applications to an SD card and resetting to factory settings). Each method is tested on current versions Android 12–14 and works on smartphones Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, Oppo, Google Pixel and other brands. You will learn how to clear the cache without harming the system, which files can be safely deleted, and what to do if the memory fills up on its own.

We will pay special attention hidden folders and system files that occupy up to 30% of memory, but are not displayed in the standard file manager. Let's also look at myths: for example, why clearing the cache does not always help, and moving applications to an SD card can worsen performance.

1. Analysis of occupied space: what exactly is taking up memory?

Before clearing memory, you need to understand which files and applications it is being clogged. There are built-in analysis tools, but they often hide some of the data. Here's how to get the full picture: Android There are built-in analysis tools, but they often hide some of the data. Here's how to get the full picture:

Open Settings → Storage (on some smartphones the path may be different: Settings → Memory and storage or Settings → Device → Memory). Here you will see a diagram with the distribution of memory by category: Applications, Multimedia, Files, Cache, System.

  • 📱 Applications - occupy from 10 to 50% of memory. This includes the APK files themselves, user data (game saves, settings) and cache.
  • 📷 Media - photos, videos, music. They often take up the lion's share (up to 70% on devices with a good camera).
  • 🗑️ Cache and garbage —temporary files that are created by applications. They can weigh up to 5–10 GB, but not all of them can be safely deleted.
  • 🔧 System —OS files, updates, log files. Usually they occupy 8–15 GB, but on some firmware (for example, MIUI or ColorOS) they can swell up to 20+ GB.

If the built-in analyzer is not enough, use third-party utilities:

  • 🔍 Files by Google —shows large and rarely used files, offers garbage cleaning.
  • 📊 DiskUsage —visualizes occupied space in the form of an interactive map.
  • 🛠️ SD Maid —finds duplicates, empty folders and residual files deleted applications.

⚠️ Attention: Some system folders (for example, /data/dalvik-cache or /system) may appear as busy, but you cannot delete them manually - this will lead to a crash of the OS. Clean only those files that the system or trusted utilities suggest.
📊 How often do you clear the memory on your phone?
Once a week
Once a month
Only when running out of space
I never clean

2. Removing unnecessary files: photos, videos, documents

Multimedia is the main “eater” of memory. Even if you don't shoot video in 4K, photos in HEIF/HEIC (used in new iPhone and some Android) or RAW formats can weigh 10–20 MB each. Here's how to free up space:

2.1. Cleaning the gallery

  • 📸 Remove duplicates —use Google Photos ("Utilities" tab → "Clean") or applications like Duplicate Files Fixer.
  • 🎥 Compress the video —applications like Video Compress or InShot will reduce the size without critical loss of quality.
  • 🗃️ Transfer files to the cloud — Google Photos (free up to 15 GB), Yandex Disk (10 GB), Mega (20 GB). After downloading, delete local copies.
  • 🔄 Set up automatic cleaning —in Google Photos turn on “Free up space” (Settings → Free up space on your device).

2.2. Cleaning downloads and documents

The (Downloads) folder often contains unnecessary PDFs, APKs, archives and other files. Go through it and delete: Download (Downloads) often contains unnecessary PDFs, APKs, archives and other files. Go through it and delete:

  • 📄 Old ones. tickets, receipts, screenshots of instructions.
  • 📦 Archives (.zip, .rar), which have already been unpacked.
  • 📱 APK files of installed applications (they remain after installation).

For convenience, sort the files by size: most file managers (including the built-in one) have the “Sort → By size” option. Delete everything that weighs more 50 MB and is not used.

Delete duplicate photos|Compress video to Full HD|Transfer old photos to the cloud|Empty folder Downloads|Delete unused documents-->

3. Clearing cache and application data

Caches are temporary files that applications create to speed up work. Over time, they accumulate and can take up 5–15 GB. However not the entire cache can be deleted: some applications (for example, maps). or messengers) after cleaning will take longer to load or will require re-authorization.

3.1 Clearing the cache manually

Go to Settings → Applications → [Select application] → Storage → Clear cache. For bulk cleaning:

  1. Open Settings → Storage → Data cache.
  2. Click “Clear” (on some phones the option is called “Clear cache”)

3.2. Deleting application data

If the cache takes up little space, but the application itself is “bloated”, try clearing its data. This will reset all settings and saves (for example, in games or messengers). Path: Settings → Applications → [Application] → Storage → Clear data.

⚠️ Attention: Clearing data in WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber will delete all correspondence and media files. Make a backup copy first. to the cloud!

3.3. Automatic cleaning

Some firmware (for example MIUI or One UI) have built-in tools for automatic cleaning. them:

  • 🤖 On Xiaomi: Settings → Cleaning → Auto cleaning (set up the schedule).
  • 📱 On Samsung: Settings → Device maintenance → Optimization → Auto-optimization.

For deep cleaning, use SD Maid or CCleaner (but be careful - they can delete important files).

File type Is it possible delete? How to clear
Application cache Yes, but some applications will take longer to load Settings → Applications → Clear cache
Data applications Yes, but settings and saves will be reset Settings → Applications → Clear data
System cache (/cache) Yes, but only through Recovery Mode Turn off the phone → Press Power + Volume Up → Wipe Cache Partition
Files .nomedia No, they hide folders from the media scanner Do not delete
💡

If after clearing the cache the application begins to run slower, reboot your phone - this will help restore performance.

4. Removing and optimizing applications

Applications take up space not only with their APK files, but also with user data, cache, and updates. The average weight of a game is type Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile — 2–4 GB, and over time (taking into account updates) it can grow to 10+ GB.

4.1. Removing unnecessary applications

Go through the list of installed apps (Settings → Applications) and delete:

  • 🎮 Games you don’t play (even if they are “light”, they take up space with updates).
  • 📱 Pre-installed applications (bloatware) that cannot be removed by standard means (use ADB or Debloater tools).
  • 🔄 Duplicate applications (for example, two file managers or two browser).

4.2. Disabling pre-installed applications

Many manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei) install applications that cannot be removed. disableso that they do not take up space with updates:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications.
  2. Select an unnecessary application (for example, Samsung Free or Mi Video).
  3. Click “Disable” (on some phones - “Uninstall updates” → “Disable”)

4.3. Transferring applications to an SD card

If your phone supports Adoptable Storage (to Android 6.0–8.1), you can transfer some applications to an SD card. please note:

  • ⚠️ Not all applications support transfer.
  • ⚡ Performance may drop if the card is slow (lower class UHS-I).
  • 🔄 After removing the card, applications will stop working.

How to transfer:

  1. Insert an SD card (preferably UHS-I/UHS-II).
  2. Go to Settings → Applications → [Select an application] → Storage → Edit → SD card.
  3. Confirm the transfer (may be required reboot).
⚠️ Attention: On Android 9.0+ the function of transferring applications to the SD card is limited. Instead, use the card as portable storage for photos and videos.
💡

Disabling unnecessary applications frees up not only space, but also RAM, which speeds up the phone.

5. Cleaning system files and hidden folders

Even after deleting applications and files, “tails” remain on the phone: residual files, log files, temporary folders. They are not displayed in the standard file manager. but can take up to 1–3 GB.

5.1. Cleaning the folder Download The folder DCIM/.thumbnails

Folder DCIM/.thumbnails stores thumbnails of photos and videos. It can be safely cleared. data-i="224">Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (for example,

  1. Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (for example, Solid Explorer).
  2. Go to /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails.
  3. Delete all files inside.

5.2. Deleting update files (/cache and /data/ota)

After updating the OS, files weighing 1–3 GBremain. They can be deleted manually:

  • 📱 Via Recovery Mode: turn off the phone, hold down Power + Volume Up, select Wipe Cache Partition.
  • 🖥️ Via ADB (for advanced users):
adb shell

su


rm -rf /data/ota/*


rm -rf /cache/*

5.3. Cleaning log files

System logs (/data/log, /data/anr) can weigh up to 500 MB. You can delete them through ADB or special utilities like SD Maid ("CorpseFinder" section).

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete files in folders /system or /vendor —this will cause the OS to crash. Work only with folders in /data or /cache.
How to find hidden folders on Android?

To see hidden folders, enable the display of hidden files in your file manager:

1. Solid Explorer: click on the three dots → “Settings” → “Hidden files” → enable the option.

2. A Files by Google: go to “Settings” → “Show hidden files”.

3. On a PC: when connecting your phone via USB, select the file transfer mode (MTP) and enable the display of hidden files in Windows Explorer (View → Hidden items).

6. Using cloud storage and external drives

If the internal memory is sorely lacking, transfer some of the data to external media. Options:

6.1. Cloud storage

  • 🌥️ Google Photos —automatically downloads photos and videos (quality settings: “High” or “Original”)
  • ☁️ Yandex Disk — gives 10 GB free, there is auto-upload of photos.
  • 🗄️ Mega — 20 GB free, data encryption.

After uploading files to the cloud, delete them from the phone, but leave the “stubs” (in Google Photo this is the “Free up space” option).

6.2. External storage

  • 📁 SD card - suitable for photos, videos, music. Choose class cards A2 or UHS-I for speed.
  • 💽 USB drive (OTG) — via the adapter you can connect a flash drive and transfer files to it.
  • 🖥️ Hard drive — for backups (connected via OTG).

To automatically save files to the SD card:

  1. Open the camera settings.
  2. Select “Save location” → “SD card”.
  3. For downloads: in the browser (for example Chrome) select “Settings → Downloads → Save location → SD card."

6.3. Backup and reset

If the memory is critically low and cleaning does not help, make a backup copy of your important data and run reset to factory settings. This will remove everything, including system junk, but return the phone to a “clean” state.

How to make a backup:

  • 📱 Via Google Account: Settings → Google → Backup (saves contacts, applications, settings).
  • 🖥️ Via PC: connect your phone and copy folders DCIM, Download, Documents.
  • 🔄 Via Titanium Backup (root access required) - saves application and game data.

After the backup, perform a reset: Settings → System → Reset → Delete all data.

7. firmware

If standard methods do not help, and there is still not enough memory, you can take radical measures. They require technical skills and may void the warranty, but give full control over the system.

7.1. root access

Root access allows you to:

  • 🗑️ Remove system applications (bloatware).
  • 🔧 Optimize the operation of the OS (for example, disable unnecessary services).
  • 📁 Transfer any applications to an SD card (including games).

How to get root:

  1. Unlock Bootloader (instructions depend on the model, for Xiaomi you need permission in Mi Unlock).
  2. Install Magisk or SuperSU via custom recovery (TWRP).
  3. Check rights using Root Checker.
⚠️ Attention: On some models (Samsung s Knox, Huawei) obtaining root access triggers the flag Knox 0x1 or blocks encryption, which can lead to problems with Samsung Pay or banking applications.

7.2 Installing a custom one. firmware

Custom firmware (for example, LineageOS, Pixel Experience) are devoid of bloatware and are optimized for performance. They take up less space and work faster. However, installation requires:

  • Unlocked bootloader.
  • Installed TWRP or another custom recovery.
  • Backup copy of data (installing the firmware erases everything from the internal memory).

Installation instructions LineageOS:

  1. Download the firmware for your model from the official website LineageOS.
  2. Download GApps (Google services) and Magisk (if you need root).
  3. Load into TWRP, do Wipe → Advanced Wipe (check Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
  4. Install the firmware, then GApps and Magisk.
  5. Reboot.

7.3. Transferring applications to an SD card using root

With root access, you can force any application to be transferred to the SD card, even if they do not support this function. Use:

  • 📱 App2SD — transfers APK, data and cache.
  • 🔧 Link2SD — creates symbolic links, saving space.

Instructions for App2SD:

  1. Open the application and provide root access.
  2. Select an application from list.
  3. Click “Move to SD card.”
  4. Confirm and reboot the phone.

8. Prevention: how to prevent memory from filling up

To prevent memory from running out suddenly, follow simple rules:

  • 📷 Set up automatic photo upload to the cloud (Google Photos, Yandex Drive).
  • 🎮 Delete game cache after completion (for example, in Genshin Impact cache weighs 10+ GB).
  • 📱 Disable auto-update of applications v Play Market (Settings → Auto-update → Only via Wi-Fi or “Do not update”)
  • 🗑️ Regularly clean out the "Downloads" folder (once a month).
  • 🔄 Use "light" application versions (for example, Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).

Also useful:

  • 📊 Monitor memory using a widget Storage Analyzer or built-in tool in Settings → Storage.
  • 🛠️ Disable saving media files in messengers:

V WhatsApp: Settings → Storage → Storage management (delete unnecessary files).

V Telegram: Settings → Data and memory → Clear cache.

If you often shoot video, set the camera to record in Full HD instead of 4K (the difference in file weight is 3–5 times).

💡

Automatically uploading photos to the cloud and clearing the cache monthly will prevent 90% of problems with low memory.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

❓ Why does the memory run out on its own, even though I don’t download anything?

This may be caused by:

  • Automatic application updates (check your settings Play Market).
  • Hidden cache (clear through Settings → Storage → Cache data).
  • System log files (use SD Maid to clean).
  • Viruses or miners (check your phone Malwarebytes).

Also on some firmware (MIUI, ColorOS) the system creates backup copies and temporary files that do not are displayed in the file manager.

❓ Is it possible to delete the Android folder in the internal memory?

The folder Android contains application data (game saves, cache, messenger files). Deleting it cannot will cause the applications to crash. However, inside it you can clear:

  • Android/obb —game files (can be deleted if the games are deleted).
  • Android/data —cache of some applications (clear selective only if you are sure).

For safe cleaning, use the built-in tools (Settings → Storage) or SD Maid.

❓ How to free up space if the phone says “Memory full”, but shows free space in the settings?

This happens due to:

  • Memory fragmentation (try rebooting the phone).
  • File system limitations (for example, F2FS on some Xiaomi).
  • System partition busy (/data).

Solutions:

  1. Reboot phone.
  2. Clear the cache via Recovery Mode (Wipe Cache Partition).
  3. Delete a few large files (even if the memory is “free”, this may help).
  4. Perform a factory reset (if the problem persists).
❓ Why is it fast again after clearing the memory is filling out?

Probable reasons:

  • 🔄 Auto-update of applications — disable in Play Market.
  • 📷 Auto-saving of media files in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
  • 🗑️ Hidden system processes (for example, logging to Samsung or Huawei).
  • 🦠 Viruses or mining bots (check your phone with an antivirus).

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