Old Android update files take up gigabytes of memory, although it has been a long time since have lost relevance. After each system update, temporary packages, caches and backups remain on the phone, which are never deleted automatically. This "digital waste" not only eats up precious space, but can also slow down the device - especially on budget smartphones with built-in memory. 8-16 GB built-in memory.

The problem is that Android does not provide a direct way to delete these files through the standard settings. Depending on the OS version and manufacturer (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel etc.), cleaning methods vary. In this article we will look at all working methods from manual cleaning through a file manager to using hidden commands ADB and third-party utilities. You will also learn which files can be deleted without risk to the system, and which files should absolutely not be touched.

Why old updates remain on the phone

Every time your smartphone receives an update over the air (OTA), the system saves several types of files:

  • 📦 Update packages (.zip) - archives with new firmware, which are downloaded to the folder /cache or /data/ota_package. Even after installation, they often remain on the device.
  • 🗑️ Temporary files - remnants of unpacked data that should have been deleted automatically, but due to failures remained in memory.
  • 🔄 Backups - some manufacturers (for example, Samsung i OnePlus) create backups of the current firmware before updating in case of a rollback.
  • 📂 Update cache - folders like /data/dalvik-cachethat accumulate garbage after several updates.

The main reason why these files are not deleted themselves is Android fault tolerance policy. The system leaves backup data so that if the update fails, the device can be restored to functionality. However, in practice, these files are rarely used, and the space they occupy can reach 3–5 GB on devices with several major updates.

📊 How often do you update the firmware on your phone?
Automatically, as soon as a new version is released
Manually checked once a month
Only if critical bugs appear
I never update

How to check how much space old updates take up

Before you start cleaning, you need to understand whether there is a problem. On some phones, update files only take up 200–300 MB, and deleting them will not have a noticeable effect. You can check this in several ways:

  1. Through storage settings: go to Settings → Memory (or Storage). Here you will see the memory distribution by category. Look for sections like "System data", "Cache" or "Others" —this is where the remains of updates are most often hidden.
  2. File manager: use Total Commander, FX File Explorer or standard explorer with rights root (if available). Check the folders: 
    /cache

    /data/ota_package
    

    /data/dalvik-cache
    

    /system/priv-app/OTAUpdates

  3. Via ADB: connect the phone to the PC and run the command: 
    adb shell df -h

    This will show the occupied space in the system partitions.

Pay attention to folder /cache —if its size exceeds 1 GB, most likely, old update packages have accumulated there. On Samsung it is also worth checking the folder /data/lineageos_updates (even if you do not LineageOS - some firmware uses it to store backups).

What to do if the /cache folder is empty?

This is normal - modern versions of Android (starting from 10) can store temporary update files in protected sections that are inaccessible without root. In this case, try the methods from the following sections, especially clearing via ADB or resetting the cache in recovery.

Method 1: Manual deletion through a file manager (without root)

If you do not have superuser rights, you can still delete some unnecessary files manually. Any file manager with access to system folders is suitable for this (for example, Solid Explorer or MiXplorer).

Make a backup copy of important data

Charge the phone at least 50%

Disable automatic updates in settings

Check the free space on the device-->

  • 🗂️ Folder /cache: files with the extension .zip or .tmpare often located here. They can be deleted without risk. The exception is files with names like recovery.log or last_kmsg (these are system log files).
  • 📁 Folder /data/ota_package: if it exists, it stores downloaded but not installed update packages. All files here can be safely deleted.
  • 🔍 Folder Download: sometimes updates are downloaded there. as files update.zip. Check and delete them if they are old.
⚠️ Attention: Do not delete files in folders /system or /vendor - this may lead to data-i="117">Also avoid files with extensions loss of device functionality. Also avoid files with extensions .odex, .apk (if they are not in /cacheand .img.

After deleting, reboot your phone. If the system starts to work slower or errors appear, it means that you deleted something important. In this case, it will help resetting the cache via recovery (described in the following method).

Method 2: Clearing the update cache via Recovery Mode

If manual cleaning did not help or you are afraid of accidentally deleting important files, use the built-in recovery mode (Recovery ModeThis method works on all phones, including devices without root access, and does not require connecting to a PC.

Instructions:

  1. Turn off the phone.
  2. Hold down the combination of buttons to enter Recovery (depending on the model):
    • Samsung: Power + Volume up + Bixby (or Home on old models).
    • Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco: Power + Volume up.
    • Google Pixel, OnePlus, Motorola: Power + Volume down.
    • Huawei/Honor: Power + Volume up (hold 10 seconds).
  • In the menu Recovery select item Wipe cache partition (on some phones it may be called Clear CacheTo navigate, use the volume buttons, to select - the button). power supply.
  • Confirm the action and wait for the process to complete.
  • Select Reboot system now to restart.

    • This method cleans cache onlywithout affecting user data or installed applications. However, it deletes everything. temporary files, including the remains of updates. If after the procedure the phone began to work faster, then the problem was precisely in the clogged cache.

    ⚠️ Attention: On some phones (for example, Samsung c One UI) item Wipe cache partition may be missing. In this case, use the method from ADB from the next section.

    Method 3: Removal via ADB (for experienced users)

    If the previous methods did not work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) a debugging tool that allows you to control your phone via the PC command line. This method is suitable for removing hidden update files that are not available through standard tools.

    What you will need:

    • 💻 A computer with installed drivers for your phone.
    • 🔌 USB cable (preferably original).
    • 📥 Utility ADB (you can download from the official website Google).
    • 🔧 Enabled USB debugging on the phone (Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times) → Settings → System → For developers → USB debugging).

    Step-by-step guide:

    1. Connect the phone to the PC and open the command line (cmd in Windows or Terminal in macOS/Linux).
    2. Go to the folder with ADB and run the command: 
      adb devices

      Make sure that your device is shown in the list.

    3. Enter the command to clear the update cache: 
      adb shell pm clear com.android.updater

      This will reset the data of the standard update application.

    4. Delete temporary files in the folder /cache: 
      adb shell rm -rf /cache/*
    5. For devices Samsung Additionally run: 
      adb shell rm -rf /data/lineageos_updates/*
    6. Reboot your phone: 
      adb reboot

    If you receive an error Permission denied, it means that access to system folders without rootis disabled on your phone. In this case, try the alternative command:

    adb shell "su -c 'rm -rf /cache/*'"

    (requires superuser rights).

    💡

    If ADB does not recognize the device, try reinstalling the drivers or using a different USB cable. Also check if the file transfer mode (MTP) is enabled in the notification shade.

    Method 4: Using specialized utilities

    If you are uncomfortable working with ADB or file managers, you can use third-party applications that automate the cleaning process. However, be careful: many "cleaners" from Google Play collect user data or show annoying ads. We recommend only proven utilities:

    Application Functions Does root required? Link
    SD Maid Clear cache, remove residual updates, search duplicates No (but more efficient with root) Google Play
    Files by Google Simple interface, cleaning junk files, including temporary update data No Google Play
    CCleaner Deleting cache, optimizing memory, clearing Dalvik-cache No Google Play
    Root Cleaner Deep cleaning of system folders, deleting old OTA files Yes Google Play

    For use SD Maid or Root Cleaner:

    1. Install the application and provide the necessary permissions.
    2. Select a section "CorpseFinder" (in SD Maid) or "System Clean" (in Root Cleaner).
    3. Run a scan for old update files.
    4. Delete found items (the application itself will determine which files are safe to touch).
    ⚠️ Attention: Applications like Clean Master or DU Speed Booster often delete not only garbage, but also useful data (for example, messenger caches). After using them, saved passwords or application settings may be lost.

    Method 5: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

    If none of the methods helped, and old updates still take up gigabytes of memory, the last option remains - full phone resetThis method is guaranteed to delete all unnecessary files, but also. erased all user data, including photos, messages and installed applications.

    How to reset correctly:

    1. Create a backup copy of important data (you can use Google Drive, Samsung Cloud or Mi Cloud).
    2. Go to Settings → System → Reset settings (item name may vary).
    3. Select "Delete everything" or "Reset to factory settings".
    4. Confirm the action. The phone will reboot and begin the cleaning process (may take up to 10-15 minutes).

    After After resetting, the phone will be like new - without old updates, garbage and unnecessary files. However, this method should be used only as a last resort, since:

    • 🔄 You will lose all unsaved data.
    • 🔒 You will have to set up accounts and applications again.
    • ⚠️ On some phones (for example Xiaomi with a locked bootloader) a reset can lead to blocking the device if it was linked to an account Mi.
    💡

    Resetting to factory settings is a “nuclear” method. Use it only if other methods have not worked, and you are ready to spend time restoring the data.

    Common errors and how to find them. avoid

    When deleting old updates, users often make mistakes that can lead to malfunctions of the phone. Here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

    • 🚫 Deleting files from /system: This folder contains critical OS components Even if you see files there named update or ota. do not touch them without fully understanding the consequences.
    • 🔄 Interrupting clearing the cache in Recovery: If you have started the process Wipe cache partition, wait for it to complete. Interruption may lead to a cyclic reboot of the phone.
    • 📱 Use of unofficial "cleaners": Many applications from Google Play promise to "speed up your phone by 300%", but in reality they only fill it with advertising. Before installing, check the reviews and ratings.
    • 🔌 Power failure while working with ADB: If the phone is discharged or disconnected from the PC in while executing commands, this can lead to damage to system files.

    Another typical problem is reappearance of update files after cleaning. This happens if automatic downloading of updates is enabled in the settings. To avoid this:

    1. Open Settings → System → System update.
    2. Disable the option "Automatic update" or "Download via Wi-Fi".
    3. If this option is not available, turn off notifications from the application com.android.updater (you can via ADB: 
      adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.updater

      ).

    ⚠️ Attention: On some phones (for example, Samsung Galaxy s One UI 5.0+) disabling automatic updates may block access to some functions (for example Samsung Pay or Secure FolderBefore changing settings, check the manufacturer's policy.

    FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

    Is it possible to remove old updates if the phone is not rooted?

    Yes, most of the methods from this article (cleaning through Recovery, file manager, ADB without root) work without superuser rights. However, some system folders (for example, /data/ota_package on new versions of Android) may be inaccessible. In this case, resetting the cache or factory settings will help.

    What happens if you delete a file update.zip in the folder Download?

    Nothing critical. This file is just a downloaded update package that has not yet been installed. If you delete it, the system will simply download it again the next time it checks for updates. However, if the file is already installed, you can safely delete it - it is no longer needed.

    Why did the phone become slower after clearing the cache?

    This is a temporary effect. startup, after clearing the cache, the system and applications are forced to recompile the data, which requires additional resources. Typically, performance is restored after 10–15 minutes of active use. If the lag remains longer, check whether you have deleted important system files.

    How to find out which files in /cache can be deleted?

    Safe. delete:

    • Files with extensions .zip, .tmp, .bak.
    • Folders with names recovery, last_log, lost+found (if they are empty).
    • Files older than 1-2 weeks (check by modification date).

    Do not touch:

    • Files without or with extensions .img, .bin.
    • Folders dalvik-cache (it is better to clean it through Recovery).
    • Files associated with boot or kernel.
    Is it possible to roll back an Android update by deleting old files?

    No, simply deleting the update files will not return the previous firmware version. To roll back you need:

    1. A backup copy of the old firmware (it had to be created to updates).
    2. Unlocked bootloader (bootloader) on the phone.
    3. Utility for firmware (for example, Fastboot or Odín for Samsung).

    Without these conditions, a rollback is impossible. Deleting old update files only frees up space, but does not return the previous version of the OS.