Owners of budget smartphones such as Samsung Galaxy A10are often faced with a critical lack of free space. The system starts to slow down, applications crash, and memory full notifications appear with alarming regularity. Of particular concern is the “Other” section in the storage settings, which can take up gigabytes of valuable space, while the user does not see specific files that could be deleted.
This category is a hodgepodge of the system cache, temporary messenger files, residual data from remote apps and downloads that the operating system cannot classify as media or documents. Cleaning up the Other section requires an integrated approach, since a single “Delete all” button is usually not provided in the standard interface. In this article, we will look at safe and effective methods for freeing up space on your device.
Before taking drastic measures, it is important to understand the nature of these files. They are not viruses, but their accumulation over time turns a fast smartphone into a clumsy device. Correct diagnostics and consistent cleaning will help return Galaxy A10 to life without losing important personal data.
Diagnostics of the fullness of the internal memory
The first step towards freeing up space is to accurately determine what exactly is taking up space. The standard Android settings menu provides basic information, but in-depth analysis often requires additional tools. Go to Settings → Device maintenance → Memoryto see the overall picture of data distribution.
The system will show you a graph where that same mysterious category will be highlighted in gray. Users often mistakenly believe that these are system files that should not be touched. However, in most cases, this is user garbage generated as a result of the active operation of applications. Memory analysis allows you to identify the largest consumers of resources.
For a more detailed picture, it is recommended to use third-party visualization utilities, such as DiskUsage or Files by Google. These applications build a memory map where the size of the square corresponds to the size of the file or folder. You will immediately see that the Telegram cache folder or residual files from games can weigh more than your entire photo gallery.
⚠️ Attention: Do not delete files from system foldersAndroid/dataorAndroid/obbmanually if you are not 100% sure of their purpose. This may lead to incorrect operation of installed applications.
Remember that the scope of the "Other" category may change dynamically. If you have just watched a movie in an online cinema or updated the map in your navigator, this section will temporarily increase. Memory optimization should become a regular procedure, not a one-time event.
Clearing application cache and system data
The safest and most effective way to reduce the size of the "Other" partition is to clear the application cache. Cache is temporary data that apps save to speed up their work. Over time, these files become outdated, but continue to take up space. On Samsung A10, this is done through the standard settings menu.
Go to the Applications section in the smartphone settings. Sort the list by size to find the most memory-hungry users. Usually the top ones are social networks, browsers and instant messengers. Go to the specific application card, select the item Memory and press the button Clear cache.
It is important not to confuse this button with the "Clear data" option. If you press the second button, the application will be reset to factory settings and you will lose your chat history, logins and saved settings. Reset cache absolutely safe and does not affect your personal information.
☑️ Cache clearing plan
There is also the possibility of mass clearing. The menu Device maintenance often has a "Clean Now" button, which removes background processes and some temporary files. However, manually checking each heavy application gives a much better result. A regular procedure helps maintain system performance at a high level.
⚠️ Attention: After clearing the cache, applications may load a little slower when first launched, since they will have to regenerate temporary files. This is normal.
Do not forget about the system partition cache. Although access to it is limited on modern versions of Android, Samsung's standard optimization tools do a good job of this task. Use the built-in cleaning wizard regularly to prevent critical memory filling.
Removing residual files and messenger junk
Messengers are the main culprits in the growth of the “Other” category. WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber save not only messages, but also all received media files, documents and voice messages in hidden folders. Even if you deleted the correspondence in the application itself, the files may remain in the phone’s memory.
To clear Telegram, go to the settings of the messenger itself: Settings → Data and memory → Memory usage. Here you can clear the cache and set up automatic deletion of old files. For WhatsApp, the situation is more complicated, since there is no built-in powerful cache clearing, and you have to work with the file system.
Use the file manager My filespre-installed on Samsung. Go to the folder Android/media or WhatsApp/Media. Here you can find folders WhatsApp Images, WhatsApp Video and others. Removing duplicates and unnecessary files from these directories will significantly reduce the amount of space occupied.
Where to look for hidden messenger folders?
In new versions of Android, access to the Android/data folder is limited. Use the built-in explorer or connect your phone to a PC to directly access the file structure and remove garbage from messenger folders.
It’s also worth checking the folder Download (Downloads). Often, users download APK installation files, documents and pictures that are no longer needed. The system often classifies these files as “Other.” Manual sorting downloads allows you to find and remove gigabytes of useless content.
| File type | Where to look | Security deletion | Potential volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application cache | Settings → Applications | Safe | 100 MB - 2 GB |
| Messenger media | Whatsapp/Telegram folders | Safe (if not needed) | 1 GB - 10 GB |
| APK balances | Download folder | Safe | 50 MB - 500 MB |
| System logs | System folders | Only via reset | Up to 1 GB |
Pay special attention to files with the extension .tmp or files without an extension in the root directories. They are often the result of apps closing incorrectly. Removing them in most cases does not pose any risks to the stability of operation Galaxy A10.
Using built-in Samsung optimization tools
Samsung has introduced powerful tools for device maintenance into the One UI shell, which are often ignored by users. Device Maintenance automatically scans your phone for malware, optimizes RAM, and cleans up storage.
Launch the tool through Settings or a widget on your home screen. Click the button Clean now. The system will offer to delete unused applications, duplicate files and large files that you have not opened for a long time. This is a quick way to get rid of obvious garbage without diving deep into the file system.
In the "Memory" section of the built-in optimizer there is a function for analyzing rarely used applications. If you have not opened a game or app for several months, the system will offer to delete or archive it. This is a great way to maintain order and prevent the “Other” category from growing due to forgotten software.
Set up automatic cleaning in the “My Files” application. Go to File Explorer settings and enable the option to automatically delete files from the Recycle Bin after 30 days.
It is also worth using the "Smart Storage" function (if available in your software version). It analyzes the content and suggests categories for cleaning, such as “Screenshots older than 1 month” or “Large video files.” Process automation saves the user’s time and nerves.
⚠️ Attention: The maintenance menu interface may vary depending on the firmware version and region. If you do not find the described function, check for system updates.
Regular use of standard optimization tools allows you to keep the system in good shape. Don't wait until the memory is full. Preventative cleaning once a week will take a minute of time, but will save you from slowdowns at an important moment.
Resetting the settings to factory settings as a radical method
If none of the above methods helped to significantly reduce the size of the “Other” partition, it is possible that critical file system errors or hidden logs have accumulated in the system. In this case, the only effective solution is a full reset to factory settings. This will return the phone to the “as from the store” state.
Before performing this procedure be sure to create a backup copy all important data. Resetting will delete absolutely everything: contacts, photos, applications, settings and passwords. The information will be irretrievably lost if you do not save it to a memory card or to the cloud.
To perform a reset, go to Settings → General settings → Reset → Reset data. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot. The process may take from 5 to 15 minutes. After turning on, the phone will be clean, and the “Other” category will occupy the minimum possible volume allocated for the system.
A full reset is a guaranteed way to remove everything unnecessary, including hidden system errors, but it requires a full backup of the data.
An alternative method of resetting through Recovery mode is useful if the phone does not boot into normal mode. Turn off the device, then hold down the buttons Volume Up + Power (some models also require a connection to a PC via USB). In the recovery menu, select Wipe data/factory reset.
Use this method only as a last resort. Often the problem is solved in less radical ways. However, if your Samsung A10 works slowly even after clearing the cache, resetting can be a salvation, extending the life of the device for another year or two.
Prevention of memory filling in the future
To prevent the problem with the “Other” category from returning in a month, you need to change your smartphone usage habits. The main recommendation is not to store everything on the internal drive. Buy a high-quality microSD memory card and transfer all media files to it.
Configure instant messengers so that they do not save media to the gallery automatically. WhatsApp and Telegram have corresponding checkboxes in their chat settings. This will prevent duplication of files: they will be stored inside the application (in the cache), but will not clog up the general gallery and file system with unnecessary copies.
Regularly check the list of installed applications. Remove what you don't use. Many games, after completion, take up space only with their cache and data. Digital hygiene This is the key to the fast operation of any Android smartphone, especially the budget segment.
Why does memory fill up so quickly?
Modern applications are becoming more and more demanding. Browser cache, offline maps and streaming video consume gigabytes. The habit of not clearing the cache for months leads to the fact that 32 GB of memory runs out in six months.
Use cloud storage for photos and videos. Services like Google Photos allow you to store photos in original quality or compressed form for free. Turn on the "Free up space" function in the Google Photos application - it will delete from the device those photos that are already securely stored in the cloud.
Why is the "Other" category not reset after clearing the cache?
Because this category includes not only the cache, but also system files, application data that is not classified as media, and hidden folders. A complete reset is only possible after a factory reset.
Is it possible to delete the Android folder completely?
No, this will lead to most applications not working. You can only delete the contents of folders inside (cache), but not the system directory structure itself.
Does memory overflow with "Others" affect the speed of the Samsung A10?
Yes, critically. When free space runs out, the system has no place to create temporary files for processes to run, which causes severe slowdowns and application crashes.
How to transfer applications to a memory card on Samsung A10?
Go to Settings → Applications, select the desired application. If the developer has allowed the transfer, the "Change" button will be active in the Memory section, where you can select an SD card.
Is it safe to use cleaner applications from the Play Market?
Most of them are useless or contain advertising. Samsung's built-in tools are quite enough for high-quality cleaning without the risk of deleting the necessary files.