The situation when the smartphone’s memory is filled with incomprehensible data is familiar to many gadget owners. You open the storage settings and see that a significant part of the space is taken up by category "Other files". This mysterious storage often contains from 5 to 30 GB of data that the system cannot attribute to photos, videos or applications.
Understanding what exactly is hidden under this name can be difficult without special knowledge. Typically, cached messenger data, remnants of deleted apps and system logs accumulate here. We will analyze in detail the reasons for the appearance of this garbage and provide step-by-step guide on how to safely clear the device's memory.
You do not have to be an expert in programming to solve this problem. Modern tools Android allow you to manage storage quite flexibly. The main thing is to act consistently so as not to delete important documents along with unnecessary junk.
What is hidden in the "Other files" category
Before you begin deleting, you need to understand the nature of this data. Category "Others" is a kind of “black box” of the file system. Here the operating system places everything that does not fall under the standard definitions of media files or installed applications.
Most often, the volume of this folder is inflated by instant messengers. Telegram and WhatsApp save received photos and videos in temporary storage, which the system perceives as system garbage if the files were not explicitly saved to the gallery. There may also be data archives, downloaded documents and temporary update files here.
Sometimes data from deleted games or apps ends up in this section. If you uninstalled the application incorrectly, its settings and cache folder may remain a dead weight. The system sees the files, but does not see the application attached to them, so it classifies them as unknown type.
Here are the main types of data that take up space in this section:
- 📦 Cache of system services and third-party applications
- 📱 Temporary operating system update files systems
- 💬 Media files from instant messengers (stickers, voice messages)
- 🗑️ Residual files from deleted apps
⚠️ Attention: Before mass cleaning, make sure that there are no important documents in the "Downloads" folder or in the browser cache that you downloaded it, but forgot to move it to a safe place.
Standard cleaning tools in Android settings
The safest way to free up space is to use the system's built-in tools. Smartphone manufacturers, be it Samsung, Xiaomi or Pixelintegrate utilities to maintain the device. They can analyze the storage and suggest deleting safe temporary files.
To begin, go to the menu Settings → Device maintenance → Memory. Here you will see a "Clear Now" button. By clicking on it, you will start the process of deleting the cache and residual files. The system itself will decide which data can be deleted without harming the operation of the apps.
If the built-in utility cannot cope with the volume of the “Other” category, try clearing the cache of specific applications manually. Go to Settings → Applications, select the heaviest application (often a browser or social network) and press "Storage". There will be a "Clear cache" button.
☑️ Check before clearing
Do not confuse clearing the cache with resetting data. The cache is temporary information to speed up work, and the data is your logins, settings and progress in games. Delete only what is marked as cache.
Using file managers for deep cleaning
Standard Explorer does not always show the full picture. For a more detailed analysis, it is recommended to install a third-party file manager, for example Files by Google or Solid Explorer. These applications have functions for analyzing occupied space and searching for duplicates.
Using an advanced manager, you can go to the root directory and find folders with the names of deleted applications. Often they are located in a directory /Android/data/ or in the root of the internal memory. If you see a folder with the name of a game that was deleted a month ago, you can safely erase it.
Pay special attention to the folder Download. Users often forget about downloaded installation files APK, presentations or archives that are no longer needed. The file manager will help you sort files by date they were added to find the oldest junk.
Use the Storage Analysis feature in the Files by Google app - it automatically finds large files that you haven't used for a long time and suggests deleting them.
Be careful when deleting files from system folders. If you are not sure about the purpose of a file with the extension .obb or .dex, it is better to leave it alone. Removing critical libraries can lead to application crashes.
Cleaning messengers: Telegram and WhatsApp
Messengers are the leaders in clogging the “Other” category. They cache every image and video you view so that when you reopen the chat, the content loads instantly. Over time, this cache can reach tens of gigabytes.
W Telegram cleaning is done as conveniently as possible. Go to Settings → Data and memory → Memory usage. Here you will see a Cache slider and a Clear Cache button. You can also set up automatic cleaning, for example, deleting the cache if it has not been used for 3 days.
In WhatsApp the process is a little more complicated. You need to go to Settings → Data and storage → Storage management. The application will show a list of chats sorted by the amount of space they occupy. You can go into a specific dialog and delete only media files, leaving text correspondence.
| Messenger | Path to cleaning | Deletion security |
|---|---|---|
| Telegram | Settings → Data and memory | Completely safe, files will be downloaded again if necessary |
| Settings → Storage | Safe for cache, media is deleted forever | |
| Viber | Settings → Memory | Requires confirmation of cache deletion |
| Discord | Application settings → Cache | Safe, clears only pictures and avatars |
Remember that clearing the messenger cache does not delete your correspondence from the server. However, if you delete media files through storage management WhatsApp, they will disappear from the chat forever if they were not saved to the gallery.
Advanced method: cleaning via ADB and PC
If standard methods do not help remove the bloated "Other" category, you can use tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and enabling USB debugging, but it gives access to hidden system files.
First, enable developer mode by clicking 7 times on the build number in the menu About phone. Then activate USB debugging. Connect your phone to the PC and enter the command to enter the shell:
adb shellAfter that, you can go to the list of packages and find those that take up a lot of space. The command pm list packages -s will show system applications. To clear the cache of a specific application, use the command:
pm clear com.package.nameRisks of using ADB
Using the ADB command line requires care. An error in the package name or deletion of a system process can lead to unstable operation of the phone or the need for flashing. Use this method only if you are confident in your actions.
This method allows you to clear the cache even of those applications that do not have a clear button in the regular menu. However, be extremely careful: deleting system service data Google Play Services or SystemUI may cause interface malfunctions.
⚠️ Attention: Menu interfaces and item names may differ depending on the version of Android and the manufacturer’s shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS). Always check the latest information for your device model.
Prevention: how to avoid garbage accumulation
It is easier to prevent a problem with memory overflow than to solve it after the fact. Set up automatic cleaning in the applications you use. For example, in your browser Chrome you can enable the function to automatically delete old downloads.
Check the folder regularly DCIM/.thumbnails. Thumbnails of your photos are stored here. If you have thousands of pictures in your gallery, this hidden folder can grow to several gigabytes. It can be safely deleted, the system will re-create it when you open the gallery.
Use cloud storage to archive old photos and documents. Services like Google Photos or Yandex.Disk allow you to free up space on your device with one click of a button, uploading originals to the cloud and deleting them from the phone.
Regularly clearing the messenger cache once a month will prevent critical filling of the "Other files" section and preserve the performance of the smartphone.
Do not install dubious cleaning apps that promise to "speed up your phone 5 times." Often they themselves are a source of advertising garbage and only take up space in RAM without bringing real benefit.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to completely remove the "Other files" category?
It is impossible to completely remove this category to zero, since the system will always store some temporary data for its work. However, you can reduce its volume to a minimum (1-2 GB) by deleting the cache and garbage.
Why is the space not freed up after cleaning?
You may have cleared only the visible cache, but did not affect the hidden messenger folders or the remains of deleted games. It is also worth checking the trash in the gallery and file manager, since deleted files are often stored there for another 30 days.
Is it safe to delete files from the Android folder?
Deleting files from the folder Android/obb and Android/data is safe only for those applications that you have already deleted or which you don’t mind resetting to factory settings. Deleting data from active games will result in loss of progress.
How to find out which application creates the most garbage?
Go to the storage settings and sort applications by size. Often an application is lightweight, but its data takes up a lot of space. It is the “Data” section of the application that most often forms the “Other” category.
Do you need to do a factory reset?
A factory reset is a radical measure that is guaranteed to clear the “Other” section. But you should only resort to it if other methods have not helped and the phone is not working correctly. Don't forget to make a backup copy before resetting.