Owners of smartphones based on Android often face a sudden message about a lack of memory, although photos and applications seem to have not gone away. A detailed analysis of the storage reveals a mysterious category that can occupy tens of gigabytes of free space. This section, often called “Other” or “System,” becomes a repository for temporary data that the system cannot automatically classify.
The accumulation of such files leads to slowdown of the device, problems with installing updates and the inability to take new pictures. Cleaning the "Other" tab is not just removing garbage, but an important optimization procedure that allows you to return the gadget to its former speed. In this article, we will look at proven methods for safely deleting unnecessary data without the risk of losing important information.
What is hidden in the Other section on Android
The "Other" section is a system category where operating system places files that do not fit the standard types like images, video or audio. This includes cached data from applications, remnants of deleted apps, temporary browser files and system operation logs. Often, users do not even suspect that streaming services or instant messengers can save gigabytes of viewed content in this folder.
The mechanism for forming this category depends on the version Android and shell of the manufacturer. For example, on smartphones Samsung or Xiaomi the grouping logic may differ from pure Android on devices Google Pixel. It is important to understand that not all the contents of this section are garbage: some of the files are necessary for the correct operation of installed apps.
⚠️ Attention: Blindly deleting all files from system folders through the file manager can lead to unstable operation of the OS. Always check the purpose of the file before cleaning it.
Analysis shows that the lion's share of the volume is accounted for by the social network cache and junk files after unsuccessful updates. System cache Designed to speed up the loading of frequently used items, but over time it becomes bloated and ceases to be useful. It is this data that we will target delete first.
Storage analysis: searching for sources of garbage
Before taking decisive action, it is necessary to determine exactly which applications generate the most hidden garbage. Standard tools Android provide basic statistics, but for in-depth analysis it is better to use specialized utilities. Disk space Often used unevenly, and one or two “heavyweights” can cause overflow.
Use built-in storage analyzer to see a visual map of occupied space. Pay attention to applications in the Social Networks and Multimedia categories, as they most often abuse the creation of temporary files. If you see that a particular application takes up a disproportionate amount of space in the “Other” category, this is a signal to action.
For a more detailed study of the file structure, you can use third-party analyzers, such as Files by Google or DiskUsage. These tools show the hierarchy of folders and allow you to find hidden directories that are not visible in the standard Explorer. The largest volume is usually occupied by folders with application names where downloaded files and caches are stored.
Basic cleaning through system settings
The safest way to free up space is to use the built-in cleaning tools. Modern shells Android have “Smart Cleanup” functions that automatically find temporary files. This method is ideal for users who do not want to risk deleting important system components.
To start the procedure, go to Settings → Memory (or Storage). The system will scan and offer to delete unnecessary files. It’s also worth checking the “Cache” section, where data from all installed applications often accumulates at once.
☑️ Basic cleaning algorithm
Do not forget to regularly check the "Downloads" section, as installation files often end up there files APK and documents that are no longer needed. Automatic cleaning may not affect this folder, so manual control is necessary here. Removing old documents from downloads often gives instant results.
Cleaning the cache and data of individual applications
If system cleaning did not help radically solve the problem, you will have to work with each application individually. This is especially true for instant messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp, which store the history of media files in hidden folders. They are often the main culprits behind the bloat of the “Other” section.
To clear the cache of a specific application, follow the path Settings → Applications → [Select an application] → Memory. Here you will see two buttons: “Clear cache” and “Clear data”. The first one deletes temporary files, the second one resets the application to the state immediately after installation.
| Cleaning type | What is deleted | Impact on account | Recommended frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cache clearing | Temporary files, thumbnails | No | Once a month |
| Data clearing | Logins, settings, correspondence | Full reset | If there are problems with the software |
| Deleting the application | All app files | Login required again | If the application is not needed |
Be extremely careful with the “Clear data” button, as it can delete the entire chat history or game settings. Backup important chats before this procedure is a mandatory step. For instant messengers, it is better to use the built-in cache clearing functions inside the application itself.
What to do if the cache clearing button is inactive?
If the button is inactive, it means that the application is system or running in the background. Try to force stop the application before cleaning or get root access to access system files.
Using file managers for deep cleaning
Standard tools Android often hide the real amount of space occupied. For advanced users, a file manager with access to system folders, for example Total Commander or FX File Explorerwill be an indispensable tool. These tools allow you to see hidden directories starting with a dot.
You need to find the folder Android/data i Android/obb. This is where the caches of games and heavy applications are stored. Deleting the contents of folders containing titles of already deleted games is safe and will free up significant space. However, you cannot delete files from folders of active applications - this will disrupt their operation.
⚠️ Attention: The interfaces of file managers may differ. Before mass deletion, make sure that you do not delete system files with the .sys or .bin extension that do not belong to the application cache.
You should also pay attention to the folder Download and the root directory, where forgotten files .tmp or error logs are often located. Search by file size in the file manager helps you quickly find “heavy” objects that are hidden deep in directories. Deleting such files often gives a better effect than cleaning small things.
Use the sort by size function in the file manager to instantly find the largest files hidden in the Other folder.
Specifics of cleaning messengers and social networks
Messengers are a separate category of “memory hogs”. Telegram, for example, by default saves all viewed photos and videos in a cache, which the system assigns to the “Other” section. Without manual configuration, these applications can take up 5-10 GB of space unnoticed by the user.
In the settings itself Telegram go to Data and memory → Memory usage. Here you can clear the cache with one click and, more importantly, set up auto-delete of media files. It is recommended to set a media storage limit, for example, “3 days” or “1 week.”
For WhatsApp the procedure is similar: Settings → Data and storage → Storage management. The application will show the files that take up the most space and allow you to delete them selectively. Auto-delete messages also helps to keep the amount of data within reasonable limits.
Social networks like VK or Instagram also cache feeds for fast scrolling. Periodically reinstalling these apps or clearing them through Android settings helps clear the bloated cache. It is often easier to remove and reinstall a “heavy” social network than to try to clear its cache manually.
Setting up automatic cache deletion inside instant messengers is more effective than manual cleaning once a month.
Radical methods and resetting to factory settings
If none of the soft methods helped and The "Other" section continues to grow; errors or bad sectors may have accumulated in the file system. In this case, the only reliable solution is a full reset. Factory Reset will return the phone to its out-of-the-box state, removing absolutely all user garbage.
Before performing this procedure, it is critical to create a complete backup of the data to a cloud service or computer. The reset process will permanently delete all contacts, photos and apps. The path to reset is usually located in Settings → System → Reset settings.
After the reset, the phone will work as quickly as possible, since the file system will be reformatted. This is the best way to get rid of deep-seated system errors that cannot be removed by standard means. However, use this method only as a last resort.
⚠️ Attention: After resetting the settings, some banking applications may require you to re-pair the device or wait for a security period. Keep this in mind if you need urgent access to financial services.
An alternative to a full reset is to flash the device via a computer, but this requires technical skills and carries risks. For most users, a standard reset through the settings menu is the optimal balance between efficiency and security. Hard reset guaranteed to remove all artifacts that fall into the “Other” category.
Prevention: how to avoid overflows in the future
To prevent the problem from returning in a month, you need to introduce the habit of regular smartphone maintenance. Don't wait until the memory runs out completely. Weekly check Storage takes a minute, but saves you from a lot of problems in the future.
Use cloud services to store photos and videos by activating the “free up space” function in the application Google Photos. This will delete local copies of already downloaded snapshots. It is also worth disabling autosaving in messenger galleries so that they do not duplicate files in the phone memory.
☑️ Rules of digital hygiene
Keep an eye on system updates, as new versions often improve control algorithms memory. Android Memory management algorithms are often improved. Modern versions of Android (12+) can automatically clear the cache if free space becomes critically low, but this function does not always work perfectly. Regularly rebooting the device also helps the system reset temporary files and optimize processes.
Is it possible to delete the entire Android folder completely?
No, you cannot delete the folder itself Android as it stores data for all applications. You can only delete the contents of subfolders inside data and obbthat relate to deleted games.
Why does the Other section grow by itself?
This is due to the accumulation of cache, error logs and temporary update files. Some applications do not properly manage their temporary files and do not delete them after use.
Do you need root access to do a full clean?
root access give full access to the system and allow you to clean deeper, but for 95% of users this is not necessary. Standard methods and rights of an ordinary user are quite enough to maintain order.
Does cleaning Other affect the speed of the phone?
Yes, freeing up space improves system performance, since Android requires free space for virtual memory and temporary operations. A clogged disk always works slower.