Smartphone owners Huawei i Honor often face a situation when the internal memory of the device is full, and the system begins to issue warnings about lack of space. One of the hidden reasons for this phenomenon may be old or duplicate backups that accumulate in various folders and cloud services. Understanding exactly where this data is stored is the first step to effectively optimizing space.
There are several ways to create backups: built-in utility HiSuite, cloud service Huawei Cloud, as well as automatic backup through a Google account. Each of these methods leaves its mark on the phone's memory. If you regularly update your backups or switch to a new model, old files become useless burden that must be deleted manually.
In this article we will analyze in detail all possible data deletion scenarios. You will learn how to find hidden folders, manage cloud storage, and clear system application caches. This will not only free up gigabytes, but also speed up the operation of the operating system Android or HarmonyOS.
Deleting local backups through a file manager
The easiest way to find and delete backups is to use the built-in application Files. By default, the system saves complete copies of the system and applications in a hidden directory, access to which is open to the user. You will need to go to the root directory of the internal memory.
Find a folder named HWCloud or Backup. Inside there may be subfolders with the dates of creation of copies. Before deleting files, make sure that you really don’t need them, since restoring data after physical deletion from this folder will be impossible without special software.
⚠️ Attention: Deleting a folder
Backupwill lead to the loss of all locally saved settings, SMS and call history that were not synchronized with the cloud.
To perform cleaning, follow these steps:
- 📂 Open the “Files” application and go to “Internal Memory”.
- 🔍 Find the folder
HWCloud→backup. - 🗑️ Select unnecessary archives and click the delete button.
- 🧹 Don't forget to empty the trash in the file manager to finally free up space.
Sometimes files can take up space even after deletion due to the way the file system works EMUI. In this case, it is recommended to restart the device. If the memory is not freed up, a copy may be stored in the cache of the Gallery or Contacts application.
Before deleting large archives, connect the phone to the computer and copy important files to the hard drive - this will create an additional recovery point in case of an error.
Cleaning Huawei Cloud storage
Owners accounts Huawei ID often use a cloud service to synchronize photos, contacts and notes. Data in the cloud also takes up a quota, and if it is full, new files will stop syncing. This data is managed through your account settings.
Go to the section Settings and select the top line with your name. Next, follow the menu Cloud. Here you will see detailed space usage statistics. The system will offer to delete old voice recorder backups, screen recordings or full copies of the system.
| Data type | Where is it stored | Impact on memory |
|---|---|---|
| Photo and video | Gallery / Cloud | High (GB) |
| Contact | Phone book | Low (KB) |
| Full copy systems | Cloud / Local | Critical (10+ GB) |
| Notes and voice recorder | Applications | Medium (MB) |
For delete, select “Manage Storage”. You will see a list of devices that have been backed up. Click on the name of your old smartphone and select the delete option. The process may take several minutes depending on the speed of your Internet connection.
It is important to understand the difference between deleting a copy and clearing data on the phone itself. If you delete photos from the cloud, they may also disappear from your device if synchronization is enabled. Therefore read the warnings carefully system before confirming the action.
Managing Google backups
Even if you actively use the ecosystem Huawei, the Google Play service is still active on the phone, which can create its own backups of settings and application data. This data is not visible in the file manager, but takes up space in your Google account.
To access this data, open Settings → Google → Backup. This displays a list of applications whose data is stored in the Google cloud. You can disable synchronization for specific apps or delete existing backups completely.
There is a nuance associated with versions Android. On newer versions of the operating system, control can be moved to the “System” → “Backup” menu. The interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware EMUI or Magic UI.
⚠️ Attention: The Google settings interface may change after updating Google Play services. If you do not find the menu item, use the search in settings by entering the query “backup.”
For deep cleaning, you can use the web version of Google Drive. Go to your storage settings and find the “Backups” section. Here you can delete data from deleted applications or old copies of the system that are no longer relevant.
What to do if the copy is not deleted?
If the system writes an error when deleting, try turning off the Internet, clearing the Google Play Services application cache and repeating the operation again.
Using the Phone application to clean
Built-in application Phone on smartphones Huawei has hidden functionality for managing call and SMS backups. Users often forget that call history and text messages can also be backed up into separate files.
Open the Phone app, tap the three dots in the corner of the screen and select Settings. Find the "Backup and Restore" section. Here you can see the date of the last created copy and the size of the space it occupied.
Click on the “Restore” or “Delete” button to manage existing files. The system will prompt you to select a specific date for deletion. This is especially convenient if you want to keep only the most recent copy and delete the last month's archive.
- 📞 Open the “Phone” application and go to settings.
- 📅 Select “Backup and Restore.”
- 🗑️ Tap on the list of available copies and select unnecessary.
- ✅ Confirm the deletion and wait until the process is completed.
This method is the most secure for ordinary users, as it eliminates the risk of deleting system files or important documents. The interface is as simplified as possible and understandable even for beginners.
Using the phone’s built-in tools ensures that you do not delete unnecessary things and do not disrupt the operation of the operating system.
Resetting network settings and resetting applications
Sometimes a problem with space arises not because of the backup files themselves, but because of bloated cache of system services responsible for synchronization. In such cases, resetting network module settings or clearing cloud service application data helps.
Go to Settings → System and updates → Reset. Select the "Reset Network Settings" option. This action will not affect your personal files, but will delete saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth settings, and may also clear temporary sync files.
A more radical method is clearing application data "Cloud" or "HiSuite". Go to Settings → Applications, find the desired application and click “Memory” → “Clear data”. Be careful: this action may require re-authorization in account.
If you use third-party launchers or optimization tools, check their settings. Some of them create their own system restore points, which the user may not be aware of.
⚠️ Attention: After resetting the network settings, you will have to re-enter the passwords for the Wi-Fi routers. Make sure you remember them or they are saved in another location.
☑️ Checklist before resetting
Cleaning via computer and HiSuite
For advanced users, the most effective way to manage backups is to use a PC. The app HiSuite allows you to see the file structure in more detail and delete large archives that are not visible through the phone interface.
Connect your smartphone to the computer via a USB cable and run HiSuite. In the main menu, select the “Backup” section. Here you will see a list of all copies saved on your computer. You can delete old versions, leaving only the current one.
Path to local backups on PC (Windows):
C:\Users\User_Name\Documents\HiSuite\backup
By following this path in Windows Explorer, you can manually delete files with the extension .hwp or .dbthat weigh the most. This will not only free up space on your computer, but will also prevent your phone from trying to sync this data back.
Using a computer also allows you to check the integrity of the remaining files. If the copy is damaged, it is better to delete it to avoid errors during future recovery. The app itself will tell you if the file is broken.
Is it possible to delete the HiSuite folder on your computer?
Yes, if you do not plan to make backups on your PC in the future. Deleting this folder will not affect the operation of the phone itself.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to delete the HWCloud folder completely?
Deleting the folder itself HWCloud is not recommended, as settings may be stored in it synchronization It is better to delete only the contents of the subfolder backup or specific files with dates. The system folder can be recreated automatically.
How much space does a full system backup take up?
The size of the full backup depends on the number of installed applications and the amount of user data. On average, a copy of the system Huawei with installed applications takes up from 5 to 15 GB of free space.
What happens if you delete the backup during synchronization?
Interrupting the synchronization process or deleting a file during recording can damage the archive. As a result, you will receive a file that cannot be used for data recovery. Wait for the process to complete.
How to find hidden backup files?
In the file manager, click on the menu (three dots) and turn on the “Show hidden files” option. Files and folders starting with a dot will become visible. Be careful when deleting system hidden files.
Do you need to delete Google backups if you have Huawei Cloud?
It depends on your preferences. If you have completely switched to the ecosystem Huawei, Google backups can be deleted to save space in your Google account. However, having double insurance is sometimes useful.