Has your Samsung Galaxy become slower, applications freeze, and memory runs out for no apparent reason? The reason most often lies in the accumulated system garbage temporary files, remnants of deleted applications, caches and duplicates. Even new models like Galaxy S23 Ultra or Galaxy A54 over time suffer from this problem if you do not regularly clean it.

Unlike the iPhone, Android devices (especially with the shell One UI) actively use the cache to speed up work, but over time it turns into ballast. In this article we will look at 7 proven methods cleaning - from standard tools to hidden functions that are not written about in official guides. You will learn how to safely remove garbage without data loss i without root accesseven if the phone displays a "Memory Full" error.

Important: the methods are suitable for all current models Samsung (2018–2026), but the interface may differ slightly depending on the version One UI (from 2.5 to 6.1). If your device is older Galaxy S8, some features may be missing.

1. Built-in utility "Device Optimization"

Samsung equips its smartphones with a proprietary cleaning tool - Device Care (in Russian firmware - "Device Optimization"). This is the first thing worth trying, since the utility analyzes cache, unnecessary files and background processes without the risk of damaging the system.

How to run:

  • 📱 Open Settings → Device maintenance (or "Optimization device").
  • 🔍 Click Memory → Clear now.
  • ⚙️ For a deep check, tap Advanced → select file categories (for example, "Unused applications" or "Duplicates").
  • 🗑️ Confirm deletion by clicking Clean.

Utility automatically deletes:

  • 🧹 Application and system cache.
  • 📁 Temporary files of downloads and updates.
  • 🗃️ Remains of deleted APK files.
  • 📸 Thumbnails and cached images from galleries.
⚠️ Attention: If after cleaning the memory is freed up by less than 1 GB, the problem may be hidden system logs or damaged files. Proceed to method No. 4.

Random access memory (RAM)

Internal memory

Battery (energy efficiency)

Security (viruses and malware)-->

2. Manually clearing the application cache

The cache speeds up the launch of apps, but over time it grows to gigantic proportions. For example, cache Facebook or Instagram can take up 500 MB–1 GB, and games like Genshin Impact can take up to 3–5 GB. Manual cleaning helps free up space without deleting the applications themselves.

Instructions:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications.
  2. Tap on the three dots (⋮) → Sort by size.
  3. Select an application with a large cache (for example, Google Play Services or Chrome).
  4. Tap Memory → Clear cache.

Which applications to clean first:

Application Typical cache size Can it be cleared
Google Play Services 200–800 MB Yes (safe)
Facebook/Instagram 300 MB–1.5 GB Yes (but you will have to log in again)
YouTube 100–500 MB Yes (browsing history will be reset)
WhatsApp/Telegram 50 MB–1 GB Yes (but downloaded media will be deleted)
⚠️ Attention: Do not clear the cache for system applications like Android System WebView or Samsung Knox —this may cause the phone to malfunction.
💡

If after clearing the cache the application begins to run slower, restart the phone. The cache will be restored automatically the next time you start it. apps.

3. Removing unnecessary files through "My Files"

Samsung preinstalls a file manager My Files (in the Russian version - "My Files"), which can find and delete garbage better than the standard Android explorer. It analyzes. data-i="120">downloads, duplicates, large files and unused documents downloads, duplicates, large files and unused documents.

How to use:

  1. Open the application My files (folder icon with a blue mark).
  2. Go to the tab Memory Analysis.
  3. Select a category:
    • 📁 Unused files - documents that have not been opened for >30 days.
    • 🖼️ Duplicate images - identical photos and screenshots.
    • 🎵 Large files - videos and archives >100 MB.
    • 📥 Downloads - APK, PDF and other downloaded files.
  • Tick the unnecessary files and click Delete.

    • Important: The "Unused files" category often includes chat backups (WhatsApp, Viber) and saved passwords. Before deleting, check the contents!

    Once a week

    Once a month

    Only when space runs out

    Never cleaned-->

    4. Cleaning hidden system files (without). root)

    Even after use Device Care hidden files remain in the system:

    • 📂 Error logs (.log, .tmp).
    • 🗑️ Remaining updates (OTA-files).
    • 🔑 Cache Samsung Knox i Secure Folder.

    You can delete them through recovery mode or special commands.

    Method 1: Through Recovery Mode

    1. Turn off the phone.
    2. Hold Volume up + Power button until the logo appears Samsung.
    3. In the recovery menu, select Wipe cache partition (control volume buttons, confirmation - power button).
    4. After cleaning, reboot (Reboot system now).

    Method 2: Via ADB (for advanced)

    If you have a PC, connect your phone via USB with debugging enabled (Settings → About phone → Build number — tap 7 times, then Settings → System → For developers → USB debugging).

    adb shell pm clear com.sec.android.app.launcher

    adb shell rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*
    

    adb shell rm -rf /cache/*

    ⚠️ Attention: ADB commands are deleted all temporary system files, including widget data and some settings. After execution, the phone may take longer to reboot than usual.
    What happens if you delete files from the /cache folder?

    The /cache folder contains temporary data to speed up the system. Cleaning it will not harm the phone, but the first launch after this may take longer, since the system will have to restore the cache again. User data (photos, contacts, messages) are not affected.

    5. Removing the remains of deleted applications

    When you delete an application via Settings or Google Play, the following remain in the system:

    • 📂 Folders with settings (/data/data/package_name).
    • 🗃️ Cache and data in /sdcard/Android/data.
    • 🔗 Symbolic links in /data/app-lib.

    These files are not visible through the standard explorer, but take up space.

    How to delete:

    1. Install a file manager with access to root folders, for example FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer (you need to enable Show hidden files).
    2. Go to /sdcard/Android/data and delete application folders that are no longer on the phone.
    3. To clean /data/data you will need root access or ADB command: 
      adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 package name

    Examples of "garbage" folders after uninstallation:

    • 🎮 com.tencent.ig — leftovers PUBG Mobile.
    • 📺 com.netflix.mediaclient — cache Netflix.
    • 💬 com.whatsapp — backups, if the application deleted.
    💡

    Remaining applications can take up to 2-3 GB of memory, especially if you often install and uninstall games or social networks.

    6. Optimizing storage through Google Files

    The application Google Files (former Files Go) is more effective than the built-in one My Files in finding garbage, especially if applications from Googleare installed on the phone. It is free and works without registration.

    What it can do Google Files:

    • 🔍 Memory analysis - shows what is taking up space (photos, videos, APK, documents).
    • 🗑️ Junk cleaning - deletes cache, duplicates and temporary files.
    • 📁 File management —sorting by size and date.
    • 🔗 Cloud cleaning —moving rarely used files to Google Drive.

    How use:

    1. Download Google Files from Play Market.
    2. Open the tab Cleaning.
    3. Select categories to delete (for example, "Unused applications" or "Large files").
    4. Confirm cleaning.
    ⚠️ Attention: If Google Files prompts you to delete files from the folder Android/obb, check them manually - game data is stored there (for example, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile). Deleting them will require you to download them again.

    7. Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

    If none of the methods helped, and the phone still slows down or gives the error "Memory full", remains hard reset. This will delete all dataincluding applications, photos and settings, so use the method only as a last resort.

    How to reset:

    1. Back up important data (contacts, photos, messages) via Samsung Cloud or Google Drive.
    2. Go to Settings → General settings → Reset.
    3. Select Reset data (or "Reset settings").
    4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-15 minutes).

    After the reset:

    • 🔄 The phone will be like new, with standard settings.
    • 📥 When you turn it on for the first time, you will be offered to restore the data from a backup.
    • ⚙️ It is recommended to immediately disable the automatic installation of unnecessary applications (Settings → Applications → Auto installation).
    ⚠️ Attention: On some models Samsung (for example, Galaxy J-series or Galaxy A20) after the reset, you may need to re-authorize your account Samsung to unlock functions like Samsung Pay or Secure Folder.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions

    Is it possible to clear garbage without losing data?

    Yes, all the methods in this article (except for resetting to factory settings) are safe for your files. We recommend starting with Device Care manual cleaning. cache, and then use Google Files or My Files to delete unnecessary documents.

    Why does the memory quickly fill up again after clearing?

    Reasons:

    • 📱 Background synchronization (for example, Google Photos or WhatsApp download media automatically).
    • 🎮 Games caching data (for example, PUBG Mobile or Free Fire).
    • 📁 System logs (on some firmware they are restored after a reboot).

    Solution: disable auto-update of applications and media synchronization in the account settings.

    Do you need root access for a complete cleanup?

    No, all the described methods work without root. However, with root access you could remove system applications (bloatware) like Samsung Free or Bixby, which take up space and are not removed by standard methods. But this is risky - you can disrupt the work. phone.

    How to clear garbage on a memory card (SD-card)?

    To clean the SD card:

    1. Open My files → Memory card.
    2. Delete folders .Trashes, .thumbnails and Android/data (if applications have already been deleted).
    3. Use Google Files to search for duplicates and large files.
    Attention: Do not format the card through the phone - this may lead to reading errors. It is better to use a PC.

    Do "cleaners" from the Play Market help?

    Most applications like Clean Master or CCleaner not only are ineffective, but can also harm:

    • 🚫 They often delete useful files (for example, cache Google Play Services, which leads to crashes).
    • 📊 Many show false data about “freed memory”.
    • 🛡️ Some contain advertising or collect user data.

    It is better to use built-in tools Samsung or Google Files.