Smartphone owners Samsung Galaxy often face a situation when the internal memory of the device is critically full. One of the common but hidden reasons for this phenomenon may be the accumulation of versions system updates. After successful installation of new firmware, old data packages are not always deleted automatically, taking up gigabytes of valuable space.
You can free up space in several ways, ranging from standard cache clearing tools to more complex reset procedures through recovery mode. In this article, we will analyze in detail the mechanisms of memory operation during updating One UI and provide instructions for safely deleting outdated files.
It is worth understanding that the removal process depends on the specific model of your device and software version. If you use Galaxy S21 or a newer model with an interface One UI 5.0 and higher, some menu paths may differ from the classic layouts familiar to older devices.
Why do old updates take up space
Operating system architecture Android on devices Samsung implies the creation of temporary partitions for downloading and testing new versions of software. After successful installation, these files may remain in the system cache or in a hidden partition OTA (Over-The-Air).
Sometimes the system daemon responsible for cleaning fails. As a result, the device stores archives of previous firmware versions, believing that they may be needed for an emergency rollback, although in practice such a function is not available to the user through the standard menu.
This leads to the user seeing a message about low memory, although there seems to be nothing to delete. An analysis of the storage shows that a significant amount is occupied by the “System” or “Other” category, where these residual update files are hidden.
⚠️ Attention: An attempt to delete system files manually through file managers with root access without understanding the partition structure can lead to loss of warranty and inoperability of the device.
Before any manipulations with system partitions, be sure to back up important data to the Samsung Cloud or to your computer.
Clearing the update cache through settings
The safest and first step to take is to use the built-in optimization tools. The manufacturer has provided mechanisms for deleting temporary data, but they do not always work automatically.
You will need to go to the device management menu. Navigation is as follows: open Settings, then select Device maintenance (or Battery and device on new models). Next, go to the section Memory.
Here the system will analyze the space. Click on the button Clear now. If standard cleaning does not help, try a deeper method through application settings.
- 📱 Go to
Settings→Applications. - 🔍 Find the application in the list
Software Update(Software update). You may need to tap the three dots in the corner and select "Show system apps". cache - 🗑️ Go to
Storagethis application and pressClear cacheAndClear data.
This procedure resets the update manager settings and deletes downloaded but not yet installed packages, and can also clear logs of previous installations. This will not remove the firmware itself, but will remove the “garbage” left after the process.
Using Recovery mode to reset the cache
If software cleaning through the interface does not produce results, you need to use recovery mode Recovery Mode. This is a special diagnostic mode built into the device bootloader, which allows you to perform low-level operations.
To enter this mode on modern smartphones Samsung s Android 11 and above, you often need to connect to a computer via a USB cable. First, turn off the device completely.
Then hold down the key combination. On most models, this is a button Volume up and a button Power at the same time. Hold them until the logo appears Samsung, then release the power button, but continue to hold the volume.
Input combination: Vol Up + Power (with USB connected)In the menu that appears, navigation is carried out using the volume buttons, and selection is made using the power button. You need to find the item Wipe cache partition. Be extremely careful: do not confuse this item with Wipe data/factory reset, which will delete all your personal data.
| Action | Result | Data security |
|---|---|---|
| Wipe cache partition | Removing temporary system files | Safe (data saved) |
| Reboot system now | Normal reboot | Safe |
| Wipe data/factory reset | Full reset to factory settings | Danger (all data will be deleted) |
| Mount /system | Mounting the system partition | Only for advanced users |
After selecting the clear cache option, confirm the action. The process will take a few seconds. When finished, select Reboot system now. The device will reboot, and for the first few minutes it may work slower, as the system will recreate the cache again.
☑️ Check before entering Recovery
Rolling back the software version via Odin (for advanced)
A radical way to remove the current update and return to the previous version is flashing the device using a proprietary utility Odin. This method allows you to completely replace the current system image with an older one, thereby “uninstalling” the new update.
To do this, you will need a computer with the OS Windows, installed drivers Samsung USB Driver and the app itself Odin3. You also need to find and download the previous version firmware file for your specific model and region.
Boot the phone into Download Modemode. This is usually done by pressing the Volume down and Volume up buttons when connecting the cable to the PC. In the menu that appears, press the volume button to continue.
⚠️ Attention: Flashing via Odin resets the Knox counter. This permanently disables features such as Samsung Pay, Secure Folder and some banking applications on this device permanently.
In Odin, upload the firmware files to the appropriate fields (BL, AP, CP, CSC). Using the file HOME_CSC will allow you to save user data, but to ensure that errors are cleared, it is better to use a regular one CSC, which will lead to a complete reset.
Where to download the firmware?
Official firmware can be found on specialized resources such as SamMobile or SamFw. Enter the exact device model (for example, SM-G991B) to search for compatible software.
Analysis space and hidden partitions
Sometimes users confuse update files with other system data. It is important to correctly diagnose what exactly is taking up space. To do this, you can use disk analysis applications, such as DiskUsage or the built-in storage analyzer.
Pay attention to the section System. If it takes up an abnormally large volume (for example, more than 15-20 GB on a standard model), this may indicate the presence of several system images or an unsuccessful update attempt that left “tails.”
In some cases, resetting network settings or deleting accounts that can synchronize large amounts of data, masquerading as system files, helps. However, this is rarely associated with update packages One UI.
- 📊 Check the size of the "System" section in the memory settings.
- 🔍 Use the application
Files by Googleto search for duplicates and large files. - 🔄 Reset application settings if the problem occurs immediately after updates.
If you find that space is freed up immediately after a reboot, but fills up again after a while, the problem may not be with old updates, but with the cache of media files or instant messengers.
Preventing and managing auto-updates
To avoid the accumulation of unnecessary data in the future, it is recommended to configure automatic update settings. You can prevent the device from downloading firmware automatically via a mobile network, leaving this option only for Wi-Fi.
Periodic manual checking for updates allows you to control the process. If you see that a major update has been released, make sure that you have enough free space (minimum 5-6 GB) before installing it so that the system can properly clean up after completion.
Regularly rebooting your smartphone at least once a week helps the system independently carry out maintenance procedures and delete temporary files that may be stuck in RAM or permanent memory.
Regularly clearing the cache via Recovery Mode (once every 3-4 months) is the best prevention of memory problems on Samsung smartphones.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will clearing the cache delete my photos and contacts?
No, operation Wipe cache partition in Recovery mode affects only temporary system files. Your personal data, such as photos, contacts, messages and installed applications, will remain completely safe.
Is it possible to completely remove Android and return the old version without a computer?
No, it is impossible to roll back to a previous version of Android or One UI using standard phone tools. This requires the use of a computer and the Odin app, which carries the risk of losing the warranty.
Why is the memory not freed up after the update?
Sometimes the system does not immediately recalculate the occupied space. Try rebooting your device. If the problem persists, it may be that the new update features are taking up more space than the old files that were deleted.
Is it safe to delete the update installation package if I downloaded it, but I don't want to install it?
Yes, it is safe. You can go to the settings of the Software Update application and clear its data. This will remove the downloaded installation file, but will not affect the current version of the system.
⚠️ Attention: The menu interface and item names may vary slightly depending on the version of One UI and the model of your Samsung smartphone. Always check the official guides for your specific modification.