Over time, any smartphone based on Android accumulates gigabytes of hidden data that are not visible during normal viewing of the gallery or file manager. One of the largest categories of such files are old backup copies of the system, settings and application data. Many users are faced with a situation where the storage is full, but when deleting photos and videos, little space is freed up. Often the reason lies precisely in outdated backups, which the system continues to store “just in case.”
The process of clearing backups requires caution, since deleting a current backup can lead to the loss of important contacts, chat history or home screen settings when resetting the device. However, storing dozens of outdated versions of the system does not make any practical sense and only takes up valuable space. In this article, we will look in detail at how to find and safely delete unnecessary copies, using both built-in tools Google accountsand third-party tools.
Before starting the procedure, you need to understand the difference between local storage and cloud storage. Local copies take up space in the internal memory of the phone itself, while cloud data is stored on servers Google Drive or other services. Cleaning one type does not always affect the other, so both sources need to be tested for maximum effect. Proper organization of this process will help restore the device's performance and free up space for new files.
Analysis of backup types in the Android system
Modern smartphones use several mechanisms to save user data. Understanding their differences is critical before proceeding with removal. The main de facto standard is synchronization via Google One, which saves a list of contacts, call history, SMS and device settings. This data usually does not take up much space in local storage, since it is duplicated in the cloud, but the cache for processing it can grow.
The second type is full system images created through recovery mode (Recovery Mode) or third-party utilities like TWRP. Such files have the extension .tar or .img and can weigh from 10 to 50 gigabytes each. They represent an exact copy of an entire section of memory at a specific point in time. Storing more than one such image is impractical for the average user, since each new snapshot of the system makes the previous one hopelessly outdated.
⚠️ Attention: Before deleting any files with the extension
.tar,.bakor folders with the namebackupmake sure that you have an up-to-date copy of important data in another place. Deleting the only working backup will make it impossible to restore the system in the event of a critical failure.
The third type is local copies of specific applications. Messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram often create daily archives of chats in internal memory. Over time, seven or more such files can accumulate (in a week), and each of them contains a complete history of correspondence at the time of creation. By clearing this partition, you can free up a significant amount of space, leaving only the latest version.
Where are local backups physically stored?
Local copies are usually located in hidden directories of internal memory. The path to them often looks like /Android/data/com.whatsapp/files/Backups or in the root of the memory in the /backup folder. Access to some of these folders in new versions of Android (11 and higher) may be limited without the use of special file managers with access rights to system folders.
Cloud management via Google Account
The most common method of backing up data on Android is closely integrated with the Google ecosystem. To check how much space your copies take up in the cloud and manage them, you need to go to the settings of the account itself. This action will not free up space in the phone’s internal memory directly, but it will allow you to delete old versions of backups from the server if you decide to change your device or tariff plan.
Go to the menu Settings of your smartphone and find the section Google. Inside this section, select item Backup (or Backup). Here you will see a list of devices linked to your account and the date of the last successful save. By clicking on the device name, you will get detailed information about what data is saved: settings, call log, SMS or application data.
If you see devices in the list that you no longer use, or old copies from your previous phone, you can safely delete them. To do this, click on the three dots in the corner of the screen or the Delete backupbutton. Confirmation of the action will require you to enter your account password for security. Once deleted, this data will disappear from the cloud Google Drive, but the current data on your active smartphone will remain untouched.
It is worth noting that disabling the automatic backup function will not delete already created archives. They must be erased manually through the storage management interface. Also in this menu, you can see which applications consume the most space in the cloud due to their data, and if necessary, exclude them from the list of synchronized ones.
Cleaning local copies and application cache
The internal memory of a smartphone is often clogged with temporary files that applications create during operation, including intermediate versions of backup copies. Messengers are the leaders in creating such garbage. For example, WhatsApp by default stores local copies of the database for the last 7 days. If you are actively texting and sending media files, these archives can take up several gigabytes.
To clear this data, it is not necessary to delete the application itself. Just go to the storage settings of a specific messenger. In WhatsApp this is done through the path Settings → Chats → Chat backup. Information about local copies is often displayed at the bottom of the screen. Deleting old copies here is possible through the file manager, since the application interface usually allows you to manage only the cloud version.
Use the built-in file manager or a third-party application, for example, Files by Googleto find folders with backups. Look for directories with application names, such as com.whatsapp, com.telegram or com.viber. Inside them there is often a folder databases or backups. Deleting files with dates in the name other than today is safe if you are sure that the last copy was created successfully.
☑️ Check before deleting local files
In addition to messengers, it is worth checking the cache of system services. Go to Settings → Applications, find Google Play Services and clear the cache. This will not delete your data, but it will clear temporary files that may have accumulated during the synchronization process and the creation of shadow copies of data. A similar procedure can be carried out with the application Google Photosif you use it to backup media.
Working with full images systems and Recovery
For advanced users who use custom_recovery_ (for example, TWRP), the issue of cleaning is especially acute. Full system dumps (Nandroid backup) are created before flashing firmware or important changes and take up a colossal amount of space. These files are usually stored in a folder TWRP/BACKUPS on the internal drive or SD card.
Each such backup is a folder with a unique device identifier and creation date. Inside there are images of sections boot.img, system.img, data.img and others. Storing more than two such sets does not make sense, since the system configuration is constantly changing. Deleting old folders in this directory is the most effective way to regain tens of gigabytes of free space.
/sdcard/TWRP/BACKUPS/serial_number/date_folder/When deleting images through a file manager on a running system, be extremely careful. Accidentally deleting the folder with the current backup at a time when the system is unstable may deprive you of your only chance to roll back. It is recommended to transfer the most recent backup to your computer or cloud drive before cleaning.
⚠️ Attention: Recovery menu interfaces may differ depending on the smartphone model and firmware version. If you are not sure which file is current, it is better to copy the entire backup folder to your PC before deleting.
Use archivers with a preview function to open the backup file and verify the date of its creation before deleting. This will help avoid errors with similar folder names.
Using third-party cleaning utilities
Manual cleaning is effective, but requires time and knowledge of the file system structure. Specialized cleaning applications can automate this process by finding duplicates and outdated backups. However, the choice of such software must be approached critically, since many “accelerators” themselves consume resources and display intrusive advertising.
Proven tools, such as SD Maid or Files by Google, have special modules for searching for “bodies” (remnants of deleted applications) and outdated logs. They scan the device and offer to delete files that have not been used by the system for more than a certain time. In the settings of such apps, you can often specify an exception for folders with important data to prevent their accidental cleaning.
Below is a table comparing popular backup cleaning methods in terms of efficiency and security:
| Cleaning method | Efficiency | Security | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual deletion in Google Account | High (for the cloud) | Maximum | Low |
| File manager (local) | Maximum | Average (risk of error) | Average |
| Third-party cleaners | Average | Low (aggressive cleaning) | Low |
| Reset to factory settings | Full | Low (loss of all data) | High |
When using automatic utilities, always check the list of files that the app offers to delete. Don't click the Clear All button without previewing it first. This is especially true for files with extensions .db i .sql, which can be databases of important applications, and not just garbage.
Automatic cleaners are convenient, but manual control through the file manager ensures that you do not delete the necessary data by mistake.
Prevention of memory overflow with backups
To prevent the problem of overflowing memory from returning, it is important to configure the system to automatically manage copies. In the settings of most instant messengers, you can limit the number of local backups saved. For example, in WhatsApp you can disable the creation of local copies, leaving only cloud copies, if you have unlimited Internet and enough space in Google Drive.
Check your synchronization settings regularly. Make sure your old devices are removed from your Google Account. If you often experiment with firmware, select a separate partition on the SD card or connect an external drive specifically for storing images. This will unload the main memory of the smartphone. OTG cable specifically for storing images Recovery. This will unload the main memory of the smartphone.
It is also useful to conduct an “audit” of the data once a quarter. Go to the storage, sort the files by size and date. Large archives created more than six months ago will most likely no longer be needed. Removing such “digital fossils” keeps the device in good shape and extends the life of the drive, since flash memory works faster when there is free space.
⚠️ Attention: Interface settings and menu layout may change with Android updates. If you cannot find the described item, use the search inside the settings menu using the keywords “backup”, “backup” or “copy”.
What should you do if the memory becomes full immediately after cleaning?
If the space runs out immediately after cleaning, some application may be creating cyclic logs or errors. Try booting your phone into safe mode and checking the memory usage speed. If the problem goes away, one of the installed applications is to blame.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to delete the Android/obb or Android/data folder?
Deleting the contents of the folder Android/obb will cause heavy Games and applications will stop launching or require additional files to be downloaded again. The folder Android/data contains settings and application cache. You can clear it, but this will reset the settings of many apps. Delete only specific subfolders of deleted applications or explicit backup files inside them.
Why, after deleting a backup in Google Drive, space was not freed up?
Deleted files in Google Drive first end up in the trash, where they are stored for 30 days. To free up space instantly, you need to go to the “Trash” menu inside the application or on the website drive.google.com and empty it completely. Only after this the storage quota will be updated.
Is it possible to transfer backups to an SD card?
Yes, many applications allow you to change the path where backups are saved. In the settings of instant messengers or backup apps (for example, Swift Backup), you can specify an external memory card as the target directory. This is an ideal way to relieve the internal memory of your smartphone without losing data.
Will a factory reset delete all backups?
A factory reset (Factory Reset) completely clears the internal memory of the device, including all local backups, photos and applications. However, it does not affect the data stored in your Google cloud account unless you manually delete it before resetting.
How can you learn how much space your backups take up?
Go to Settings → Storage. The system will show the distribution of space by category. For more detailed information, use the application Google Files or go to Google Account storage management through a browser, where the exact size of device backups will be shown.