Owners of modern smartphones Samsung often face a mysterious situation when the internal memory of the device is full, but upon detailed analysis of the storage it turns out that photos, videos and installed applications take up only a small fraction of the space. The main “sink” of gigabytes becomes the partition, which in the settings is designated as Other or Other. This category of files is a hodgepodge of system cache, remnants of uninstalled apps, temporary instant messenger files and data that the operating system Android cannot classify in a standard way.
Users are naturally concerned with the question: is it possible to open this folder, view its contents and safely delete the excess to free up space? The answer is not as simple as it seems at first glance, since access to system directories in modern versions is One UI restricted by security policies Google. However, there are proven methods for analyzing and cleaning this section, which allow you to return your smartphone to its former performance without the need to obtain root access or reset the settings to factory settings.
In this guide, we will analyze in detail the architecture of data storage on devices Samsung Galaxyand explain the nature of the problems that arise volumes in the category Other and provide a step-by-step algorithm of actions for safe memory optimization. You'll learn which built-in shell tools are most effective, and when to turn to third-party solutions for deep cleaning.
The nature of the partition Other: what's hidden inside
A partition Other is not one specific folder that can be found along a path in the file system, but rather a logical category formed by counting algorithms memory. This includes cache files of system services, clipboard data, error logs, temporary update files and remnants of uninstalled applications. Often the volume of this section is inflated by instant messengers, such as Telegram or Viber, which store media files in their hidden directories, not visible to the standard gallery.
Another source of filling is firmware files and system data Android. With each software update, older versions of packages can be stored as backup copies in case of a rollback, taking up several gigabytes of space. This also includes database markup files, which are created by applications to speed up work, but over time can become fragmented and take up an unreasonably large volume.
⚠️ Attention: Attempts to manually delete files from system directories through third-party file managers with superuser rights can lead to unstable system operation or a complete failure of the device to turn on (bootloop). Proceed with caution.
Understanding the structure of this section is critical before beginning any cleanup. If you see that a category Other occupies more than 10-15 GB, this is a signal of the accumulation of digital garbage that requires intervention. In normal condition, this partition should not exceed 5-7 GB on a typical mid-segment smartphone.
Standard cleaning tools on Samsung One UI
The company Samsung has implemented into its shell One UI a powerful built-in memory management tool that in most cases, it allows you to safely clear a significant part of the partition Other. To access it you need to go to menu Settings → Device maintenance → Memory. Here the system automatically analyzes the contents of the storage and suggests optimization.
Press the button Clear nowto delete temporary files and application caches that have not been used for a long time. This process takes a few seconds and does not affect your personal photos or contacts. However, it is worth noting that this method works superficially and does not always affect the deep cache of heavy applications, such as browsers or social networks.
☑️ Checking memory status
For more detailed work, use the built-in file manager My Files (My files). Open the application, scroll down to the Storage analysissection. Here you will see a visualization of the occupied space. Clicking on a category Otherwill not take you to a specific folder, but the system will show a breakdown by file type if they can be classified. Often here you can find large files forgotten in downloads or unnecessary archives.
Manual search through the file manager
Although direct access to the system folder /data is closed to the average user, you can manually check user directories, where often garbage accumulates. Open the application My Files and go to the section Internal memory. Pay attention to the folders Android/data and Android/obb. In versions Android 11 and higher, access to them is limited, but viewing the contents is still possible.
Inside the folder data there are subfolders with the names of packages of installed applications (for example, com.instagram.android). If you've already uninstalled an app but its folder remains and is taking up space, it's safe to delete it. Also check your messenger folders if they are not hidden by the system: Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber. This is where watched videos and pictures that formally belong to the section are often stored Other.
- 📁 Folder
Download—often contains forgotten APK installation files and documents. - 📁 Folder
DCIM/.thumbnails—a hidden folder with thumbnails that can grow to gigabytes. - 📁 Folder
Bluetooth—all received files that you might have forgotten about are saved here.
To find the largest files, use the sorting function. In the application My Files click on the three dots in the corner of the screen, select Sorting and specify the parameter Size. This will allow you to instantly identify giant files that are hidden in the depths of directories and consume partition space Other.
Use the search by file extension in the "My Files" menu. Enter .log or .tmp in the search to find and delete temporary technical files left by various applications.
Clearing the cache of specific applications
A significant portion of the partition Other is the cache of popular applications. Browsers (Chrome, Samsung Internet), social networks (VK, Instagram) and streaming services (YouTube, Spotify) store huge amounts of temporary data to speed up content loading. Clearing this cache is the most effective way to reduce the size of a category Other.
To clear it, follow the path Settings → Applications. Select the leading application in terms of memory consumption (usually a browser or instant messenger). Click on item Storage. You will see two buttons: Clear data and Clear cache. It is important to press the second button. The first will delete your logins, settings and correspondence, while the second will delete only temporary files.
| Application | Type of data in the cache | Clearing security | Possible volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Chrome | Images, website scripts | Complete safe | Up to 2 GB |
| Telegram | Media files from chats | Safe (files will be downloaded again) | Up to 10 GB+ |
| YouTube | Thumbnails, buffer video | Completely safe | Up to 1 GB |
| Feed, stories, interface cache | Completely safe | Up to 500 MB |
Particular attention should be paid to the messenger Telegram. Unlike other applications, it has a built-in cache management mechanism. Go to the settings of the application itself (Settings → Data and memory → Memory usage) and set it to automatically clear the cache, for example, after 3 days. This will prevent future growth of the section Other.
Using developer mode and ADB
For advanced users for whom standard methods are not enough, there is the possibility of deeper analysis through USB debugging. This method allows you to see the real structure of memory, which is hidden by the interface One UI. First you need to activate developer mode: go to Settings → Phone information → Software information and quickly click 7 times on the item Build number.
After activation, a new one will appear in the main settings menu section Developer options. Include the item USB debuggingin it. Connect your smartphone to your computer and use the utility ADB (Android Debug Bridge). Using the command adb shell dumpsys diskstats you can get detailed statistics on disk usage by each application, including hidden partitions.
adb shell dumpsys diskstats | grep -A 5"Total"This method requires a PC and basic knowledge of working with the command line, but it gives the most accurate picture. You will be able to identify a specific application package that is abnormally consuming space in the partition Other, and decide whether to reinstall it or completely clear the data.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and menu names may vary slightly depending on the version One UI and model of your device Samsung. Always check the current settings of your smartphone before making changes to the system parameters.
Extreme measures: resetting and flashing
If none of the above methods helped reduce the volume of the partition Other, and it continues to occupy a critical part of the memory (more than 30-40%), perhaps file The system is damaged or has accumulated unerasable errors. In this case, the only effective solution is a complete reset to factory settings.
Before performing this procedure, be sure to create a backup copy of all important data in cloud storage Samsung Cloud or Google Drive, and also copy photos and documents to your computer. The reset will delete absolutely all data, including contacts, messages and applications, returning the phone to the “as from the store” state.
How to perform a hard reset
Turn off the phone. Press the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously (some models require a connection to a PC via USB). In the Recovery menu that appears, select Wipe data/factory reset using the Volume buttons and confirm with the Power button. After completion, select Reboot system now.
After the reset, the partition Other is usually reduced to the minimum values (1-2 GB) required for the system to operate. If the problem returns immediately after installing a couple of applications, this may indicate a malfunction of the device’s flash memory, which requires contacting a service center.
Full reset is a radical, but the most reliable way to eliminate file system errors that lead to incorrect display and growth of the Other partition.
Prevention of memory filling
In order not to encounter the problem of an overcrowded partition in the future Other, it is recommended to follow a few simple rules for using your smartphone Samsung. First, regularly (once a month) clear the cache through the built-in device maintenance menu. This takes a minute, but prevents the accumulation of gigabytes of garbage.
Secondly, set up automatic cleaning in instant messengers. You can set a limit on the storage of media files in the phone’s memory, redirecting them directly to the cloud or deleting them after viewing. Thirdly, avoid installing dubious applications from unverified sources that can create hidden files and processes in the background. Telegram And WhatsApp You can set a limit on the storage of media files in the phone's memory, redirecting them directly to the cloud or deleting them after viewing. Third, avoid installing dubious applications from unverified sources that may create hidden files and processes in the background.
- 🗑️ Remove unnecessary applications immediately, without leaving them “just in case.”
- ☁️ Use cloud galleries to store photos and videos, deleting local copies.
- 🔄 Regularly reboot your smartphone - this helps the system to correctly terminate processes and clear temporary buffers.
Following these recommendations will keep the file system clean and ensure stable operating speed of your Samsung Galaxy during its entire service life.
Why, after deleting applications, the Other section does not decrease?
When deleting an application through the standard menu, some files may remain in folders Android/data or in shared directories if the developer has not provided for their automatic deletion. Also, the system memory indexer may have a delay in updating statistics. Try rebooting the device or clearing the application cache Media storage in the settings.
Is it possible to transfer the Other section to a memory card?
No, the section Other consists mainly of system ones files and application cache, which by architecture Android must be located in internal memory to ensure performance. Transferring this data to a microSD card is impossible without obtaining root access and deep modification of the system, which is not recommended for ordinary users.
Is it safe to use cleaner applications from the Play Market?
Most popular cleaners (for example, CCleaner, Clean Master) work on the same principle as the built-in tool Samsung, but often contain advertising and unnecessary functions. They can be useful for finding duplicate photos, but for clearing the system cache the built-in tool is usually sufficient. Avoid applications that require suspicious permissions.
What to do if the Other section takes up more than 50 GB?
Such a volume is abnormal and indicates an accounting error or the presence of very large files (for example, downloaded offline maps, navigator databases or game caches). Check the folder Android/obb for heavy game data. If it is clean, reset the settings to factory settings, having first made a backup.