Modern smartphones ASUS ZenFone have powerful hardware and excellent screens, but even they begin to “slow down” over time due to lack of free space. When the internal memory is full, the operating system Android cannot effectively manage resources, which leads to application freezes and long loading times. Users often notice that the camera works slower, and new apps simply are not installed.
The problem of full storage is relevant for all models, from budget series to flagships. The system accumulates a huge number of temporary files, caches and logs, which are necessary for operation, but over time become ballast. In this article, we will look at not only standard cleaning methods through settings, but also advanced ways to free up gigabytes of space that are often overlooked.
It is important to understand that simply rebooting the device does not radically solve the problem. It is necessary to conduct a comprehensive audit of the content, removing duplicates, unused applications and heavy media files. We'll look at how to find hidden folders, clear the cache of specific services, and set up automatic optimization so that your ASUS works quickly again.
Analyzing internal storage usage
The first step before any data deletion actions should be diagnostics. You need to understand exactly what is taking up precious gigabytes. The interface Android has a built-in convenient statistics tool that visualizes memory distribution. This avoids accidentally deleting important documents when trying to free up space.
Go to menu Settings → Storage. Here you will see a color chart where each sector is responsible for a specific type of data: applications, images, videos, audio or system files. By clicking on any of the sections, you will be taken to a detailed list. For example, the “Applications” section will show a list of apps sorted by the size of the space occupied.
It often turns out that the lion's share of memory is occupied by messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp, which automatically save all received media files. Also, a significant amount may be hidden in the folder Downloadwhere APK installation files and documents that have not been needed for a long time have been downloaded for years. Analysis helps to identify such “eaters” of space.
⚠️ Attention: When analyzing the “Miscellaneous” or “Other” section, be careful. Game cache files or offline map data may be stored there. Deleting this data without understanding its purpose can lead to the need to re-download huge amounts of information.
Clearing the application cache and system data
Cache is temporary data that applications save to speed up their work. Over time, these files can grow to incredible sizes, especially in browsers, social networks and video players. Clearing the cache is a safe procedure that does not delete your personal logins, passwords or correspondence, but instantly frees up space.
For manual clearing, go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Select a app that takes up a lot of space (for example Chrome or YouTube). Inside the application menu, find the item Storage and press the button "Clear cache". Do not confuse this button with the “Clear data” option, which will reset the application to its factory state.
In smartphones ASUS there is also a built-in utility “Phone Master”. It allows you to clean system junk in one click. Launch the application, select the cleaning option and wait for the scan to complete. The system itself will offer to delete temporary files, remnants of uninstalled apps and advertising junk.
Use the “Deep Cleaning” function in the Phone Manager application once a week. It finds hidden temporary files that are not visible during standard folder browsing.
If you use the browser intensively, its cache can occupy several gigabytes. Regularly clearing history and cached images in the browser settings also helps keep the system in good shape. This is especially true if you often watch videos online or visit “heavy” sites with a lot of graphics.
Managing photos, videos and media files
Media files traditionally take up the most space in the internal memory. Modern smartphone cameras ASUS take pictures in high resolution, and video can be recorded in 4K format. One minute video can weigh hundreds of megabytes, so control over the gallery is critical.
Start by looking for duplicates. Often, users take a series of identical pictures, choosing the best one, and forget to delete the rest. Also check the folder Screenshots (Screenshots) and Downloads. Images from the Internet and documents that were needed only once often accumulate there. Removing this visual noise can free up gigabytes.
Use cloud services to offload your device. The service Google Photos offers the “Free up space” function, which deletes from the device those pictures and videos that have already been successfully uploaded to the cloud. This allows you to store your entire photo history safely without taking up the local memory of your smartphone.
| File type | Approximate size | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Photo (12 MP) | 3–5 MB | Store in the cloud, delete unsuccessful frames |
| Video (1080p, 1 min) | 60–100 MB | Transfer to PC or external drive immediately |
| Video (4K, 1 min) | 300–400 MB | Delete after editing or viewing |
| RAW pictures | 20–30 MB | Process and convert, delete originals |
☑️ Audit of media files
⚠️ Attention: Before mass deleting photos, make sure that synchronization with the cloud was successful. Check the web version of your Google Photos account to make sure that all important photos are there.
Uninstalling unused applications and games
Applications and games are not only an installation file, but also additional data that they download during use. Heavy games like PUBG or Genshin Impact can take up 10–15 GB of space each. If you haven't played them in the last couple of months, it's wise to delete them and reinstall them if necessary.
Go to your storage settings and sort apps by size. Look through the list carefully: often there are apps that you used once when setting up your phone or to solve a specific temporary problem. Removing such apps is the fastest way to regain free space.
Some system applications ASUS or pre-installed software from telecom operators can also take up space, but they cannot always be removed in the standard way. For such cases, you can use the “Disable” function in the application menu. This will hide the app from the menu and stop it from working, although it will still take up space.
What is an .obb file?
Files with the .obb extension are additional data for games (textures, sounds, levels). They are stored in the Android/obb folder. When you delete the game through the settings, these files are deleted automatically. If you delete a game manually through a file manager, the .obb folder may remain and take up space.
An alternative to complete removal is to use “light” versions of applications (Lite). For example, Facebook Lite or Google Go take up much less space and consume less RAM, while maintaining the main functionality. This is an excellent solution for devices with a small amount of built-in memory.
Working with the file system and the Downloads folder
The Download (Downloads) folder often turns into a digital landfill. By default, browsers save everything there: from PDF documents and APK installers to archives and pictures. Regular cleaning of this directory is necessary to maintain order in your file system ASUS.
Use the built-in file manager or the Google Files application. Go to the Downloads category and sort files by date or size. Delete old application installation files (APK) as they are useless once the app is installed. Also check the ZIP and RAR archives - often their contents are already unpacked, and the archive itself can be deleted.
Pay attention to the folder Bluetoothif you frequently receive files wirelessly. There may be forgotten videos or presentations sent by colleagues or friends a long time ago. It is also worth checking the root directory for log files or error reports, which some applications create in large quantities.
APK installation files in the Downloads folder take up space twice: the file itself in the downloads and the installed application on the system. Always delete the APK after successful installation.
If you use your smartphone to work with documents, set up automatic cleaning of the downloads folder older than 30 days. This can be done through the Files application settings or using third-party automation utilities. This approach will prevent the accumulation of digital waste in the future.
Transferring data to a memory card and to the cloud
If the internal memory is critically low, the most effective solution is to use an external memory card microSD. Many models ASUS ZenFone support the installation of cards up to 2 TB. This allows you to transfer the entire array of photos, videos and music, leaving the built-in memory exclusively for system files and applications.
In the storage settings, you can change the default save location for the camera and voice recorder. Select an SD memory card to have new photos and recordings saved there immediately. For existing files, use the file manager: select the desired folders (DCIM, Movies, Music) and select the “Move” or “Cut” function, and then “Paste” to the root of the memory card.
Cloud storage, such as Google Drive, Yandex.Disk or Dropboxalso serve as an excellent addition. Set up automatic uploading of documents and important files to the cloud and then deleting them from the device. This creates a reliable backup and frees up local space.
⚠️ Attention: Not all applications can be transferred to a memory card. Modern versions Android limit this feature to ensure stability. Transfer only media files and documents, and leave applications in the internal memory.
Format the new memory card as “Portable storage” and not as “Internal memory” if you plan to use it on other devices. This will maintain file compatibility.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to delete the Android folder on an Asus phone?
It is impossible to completely delete the folder Android as it stores the data of all installed applications and system ones files. However, it is safe to clear a subfolder Android/data of the application-specific cache if you are sure what data is there. Deleting the entire folder will reset app settings and lose progress in games.
Why does the memory fill up by itself after cleaning?
This is normal system behavior. Applications constantly create new temporary files (cache) to run quickly. Messengers upload new photos and videos to chats. System logs are updated. It is recommended to carry out preventive cleaning once every 1-2 weeks to control file growth.
How to clear the cache of all applications on ASUS at once?
In the standard settings Android there is no “Clear all” button. However, the proprietary utility Phone Master, preinstalled on ASUS smartphones, has the “Acceleration Cleaner” function, which deletes the cache of all applications with one click. You can also use third-party applications like CCleaner, but with caution. Is it safe to use applications to clean up memory? Third-party “boosters” and “cleaners” with aggressive advertising often consume a lot of resources themselves and display intrusive notifications. They can delete the necessary files if they are not configured correctly.
Is it safe to use memory cleaning apps?
Use only proven utilities, such as the built-in Phone Manager or Files by Google. Third-party “boosters” and “cleaners” with aggressive advertising often consume a lot of resources themselves and display intrusive notifications. They can delete necessary files if they are not configured correctly.
What to do if the “Clear cache” option is inactive?
If the button is inactive, it means that the application cache is already empty or equal to zero. This can also happen with system applications that do not allow the user to manage their cache directly. In this case, only rebooting the device or resetting the settings to factory settings as a last resort helps.