Has your smartphone on Android started to slow down, give “Not enough memory” errors, or close applications spontaneously? The reason in 90% of cases lies in a clogged storage unit. Even devices with 128 GB and 256 GB memories turn into “digital landfills” over time: here are duplicate photos from messengers, gigabytes of cache from YouTube or TikTok, and remnants of deleted applications, and system garbage that is not visible in standard explorer.

In this article - practical guide on clearing the memory of Androiddevices without losing important data. We will analyze not only the obvious methods (deleting applications and photos), but also hidden tools: from cleaning Dalvik-cache to working with folder /data/local/tmp. All methods have been tested on current versions Android 13–15 and are compatible with devices Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, Google Pixel and other brands.

Before you begin: if your phone not just slows down, but produces a critical error (for example, "The memory is full on 100%"), check the section first Emergency cleaning —there are solutions for emergency situations.

1. Diagnostics: what exactly is taking up memory?

Before cleaning, you need to understand whether which files they are eating up space. There are built-in analysis tools, but they often hide some of the data. Here's how to get the full picture: Android There are built-in analysis tools, but they often hide some of the data. Here's how to get the full picture:

Open Settings → Storage (on some devices the path may differ: Settings → Memory and storage or Settings → Device → Storage). Here you will see a diagram of memory distribution by categories: Apps, Images, Video, Audio, Cache and Other. Click on each category to see details.

  • 📱 Applications: shows not only installed apps, but also their data (for example, downloaded maps in Google Maps or offline playlists in Spotify).
  • 📷 Images: this includes not only your photos, but also screenshots, memes from chats, temporary files of editors (for example, PicsArt or Snapseed).
  • 🎬 Video: the most "gluttonous" - here can be not only your videos, but also cache TikTok, Instagram Reels or YouTube Premium.
  • 🗑️ Other: the most mysterious category includes log files, temporary data, leftovers. deleted applications and system garbage.

If the section Other is more occupied 5–10 GB, this is a signal about the need for deep cleaning. Also pay attention to the item System data —if it takes up a disproportionate amount of space (for example, 20+ GB on a device with 64 GB memory), you may need to reset the partition cache /data.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Xiaomi with shell MIUI), the built-in storage analyzer may show inaccurate data. For accurate diagnostics, use third-party applications like Files by Google or SD Maid.

2. Clearing the cache: why it is important and how to do it correctly

Caches are temporary files that applications create to speed up their work. For example, Instagram caches stories, Google Chrome web pages, and games like PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact textures and models. The problem is that many apps do not clear the cache automatically, and over time it takes up gigabytes.

There are two types of cache:

  • 📱 Cache of individual applications: you can clear it selectively for specific apps.
  • 🗃️ System cache (Dalvik-cache): accumulates in the folder /data/dalvik-cache and requires separate cleaning.

How to clear application cache:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications (or Settings → All applications).
  2. Select an application (for example, Facebook or Telegram).
  3. Click Storage → Clear cache.

For mass clearing:

  1. Open Settings → Storage → Cached data.
  2. Confirm the cleaning (on some devices you will need to enter a password or pattern).

Clearing Dalvik-cache (for advanced users):

This cache is responsible for speeding up the launch of applications. To clear it:

  1. Boot into recovery mode (usually hold down Power + Volume up with the phone turned off).
  2. Select an item Wipe cache partition (navigation is carried out with the volume buttons, selection is with the power button).
  3. Confirm the action and reboot the device.
⚠️ Attention: Cleaning Dalvik-cache may temporarily slow down the phone after a reboot - system will restore the cache again. This is normal and will go away after 5-10 minutes of active use.
📊 How often do you clear the cache on your smartphone?
Once a week
Once a month
Only when memory runs out
Never cleared

3. Removing unnecessary applications and their remnants

The average user installs 50–100 applications per year, but actively uses only 10–15. The rest take up space not only with the APK file itself, but also with data, cache and folders in /data/data. Even after uninstallation, many apps leave behind “tails” - folders with settings, logs and temporary files.

How to find and remove unnecessary applications:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
  2. Sort the list by size (click on the three dots in the upper corner → Sort by size).
  3. Delete apps that you have not used for more than a month. Pay special attention to:
  • 🎮 Games (even deleted games can leave gigabytes of data in the folder Android/obb).
  • 📺 Streaming services (Netflix, KinoPoisk, IVI —they download movies offline).
  • 📱 Launchers and themes (for example, Nova Launcher or themes for MIUI).
  • 🔧 Optimizers and "cleaners" (they themselves often become a source of garbage).

How to remove application remnants:

Standard means Android this is difficult to do. Use a file manager with rights root (for example, Root Explorer) or application SD Maid:

  1. Open SD Maid and go to the section CorpseFinder.
  2. Run scanning - the app will find folders from deleted applications.
  3. Select unnecessary files and click Delete.

For users without root access manual cleaning through a standard explorer is suitable:

  1. Open Files (or My file to Samsung).
  2. Go to Internal memory → Android → data.
  3. Delete folders with the names of deleted applications (for example, com.facebook.katana for Facebook).

☑️ Checklist for cleaning applications

Done: 0 / 5

4. Optimization of multimedia: photos, videos and music

Photos and videos are the main "eaters" of memory. One video in 4K can weigh 500 MB–1 GB, and RAW pictures from the camera - one 20–50 MB each. However, many users do not even realize how many duplicates and unnecessary files are stored in their gallery.

How to free up space:

  • 📸 Remove duplicate photos: use Google Photos (section Utilities → Cleaning) or applications like Remo Duplicate Photos Remover.
  • 🎥 Compress videos: application Video Compress reduces the size of videos without critical loss of quality.
  • 🎵 Clean downloads: folder Download often contains outdated APK, PDF and other files. Conduct an audit.
  • 📁 Transfer files to the cloud: Google Photos, Yandex Disk or Mega offer free storage (up to 15–50 GB).

Hidden media sources:

Many applications save media files in their own folders:

  • /WhatsApp/Media - all sent and received are stored here photo/video.
  • /Telegram/Telegram Images — cache of images from chats.
  • /DCIM/.thumbnails — photo thumbnails that can weigh several gigabytes.
  • /Pictures/Screenshots — screenshots that are rarely deleted.

To automate cleaning, configure c Google Photos automatically deleting backups from the device:

  1. Open Google Photos → Settings → Free up space.
  2. The app will show how much space can be freed up by deleting files already uploaded to the cloud.
💡

If you often take screenshots, turn it on in the settings Android option "Delete screenshots after 30 days" (located in Settings → System → Advanced → Screenshots on some devices).

5. Cleaning system garbage and hidden files

System garbage is temporary files, logs, memory dumps and other data that Android creates during operation. They are not visible in the standard Explorer, but can take up to 3–5 GB memory. Here's how to find and remove them:

1. Folder /data/local/tmp: Temporary files of the package installer (APK) and other system processes are stored here. To clean:

  1. Use a file manager with root access (for example, FX File Explorer).
  2. Go to /data/local/tmp and delete all contents.

2. Log files (/data/log): Android keeps records of errors, downloads and other events. These files rarely exceed 100–200 MB, but cleaning them speeds up the system:

  1. Open Termux (terminal application for Android).
  2. Enter the command: 
    su

    rm -rf /data/log/*

3. Folder /cache: contains the recovery cache and other temporary data. Cleared through recovery mode (see section about Dalvik-cache).

4. data-i="261">1–2 GB/data/ota_package): after installing updates Android sometimes does not delete firmware files that can weigh 1–2 GB.

Folder/file Size (approximate) How to clean root access required?
/data/local/tmp 100 MB – 1 GB Delete manually via file manager Yes
/data/log 50–200 MB Command rm -rf /data/log/* v Termux Yes
/cache 500 MB - 2 GB Cleaning via Wipe cache partition to recovery No
/data/ota_package 1–2 GB Delete firmware files manually Yes
⚠️ Attention: Deleting files from system folders without root access may lead to failures. If you are not sure, use specialized applications like SD Maid or CCleaner (but be careful: they sometimes delete the necessary data).

6. Emergency cleaning: when the memory is 100% full

If the phone displays the error "Memory is full" and does not even allow you to open the settings, follow this algorithm:

Step 1. Delete the largest files via explorer:

  1. Connect your phone to the PC via USB (in file transfer mode).
  2. Open the device folder and sort the files by size.
  3. Delete the largest ones (usually videos, backups or APK files).

Step 2. Clear the cache via Google Files:

If the phone still works somehow:

  1. Download Files by Google from Play Market (if not installed).
  2. Open partition Cleaning → Unnecessary files.
  3. Delete everything that the app offers.

Step 3. Resetting the partition cache /data (without data loss):

If the previous steps did not help:

  1. Boot into recovery mode (Power + Volume up).
  2. Select Wipe cache partition.
  3. Reboot the device.

Step 4. Last resort: reset to factory settings

If all else fails, and the phone is critical:

  1. Make a backup of your important data via PC (if possible).
  2. Go to Settings → System → Reset settings.
  3. Select Delete all data (factory reset).
What to do if the phone does not turns on due to lack of memory?

If the device does not boot even before the logo, try booting into Safe Mode (hold the power button → long tap on "Turn off" → "Reboot in Safe Mode"). In Safe Mode, remove unnecessary applications or files, then reboot normally.

7. Automation of cleaning: how to keep memory in order

In order not to clear memory manually every month, set up automatic processes:

  • 🤖 Auto cleaning in Google Files: enable the option Automatic cleaning in the application settings.
  • ☁️ Auto-uploading photos to the cloud: in Google Photos set up automatic deletion of local copies after backup.
  • 🗑️ Emptying the recycle bin: in the gallery or file manager, set automatic deleting files from the recycle bin through 30 days.
  • 📱 Limiting the cache for applications: in the settings of some apps (for example, Telegram) you can limit the size cache.

Useful applications for automatic cleaning:

Application Functions Root required?
Files by Google Auto-cleaning garbage, duplicates, large files No
SD Maid Deep cleaning of application remnants, system garbage For some functions - yes
CCleaner Cleaning cache, history, temporary files No
Droid Optimizer Automatic memory optimization and CPU No

For advanced users: you can configure automatic cleaning via Tasker or Automate. For example, create a task that once a week:

  • Clears the cache of all applications.
  • Deletes files older than 30 days from a folder. Download.
  • Sends a notification about occupied space if there is less 10% memory free.
💡

Regularly clearing cache and garbage prolongs the life of flash memory (especially on budget devices with eMMC instead of UFS).

8. Frequently asked questions about clearing memory on Android

❓ Is it possible to clear memory without losing data?

Yes, in 90% of cases. Use the methods from the sections about cache, applications data-i="365">multimedia and multimedia. Resetting to factory settings is a last resort.

❓ Why does the memory quickly fill up again after cleaning?

Reasons:

  • Applications actively cache data (for example, TikTok or Instagram).
  • Automatic download of updates or media files (set up restrictions in Play Market and messengers).
  • Viruses or adware (check your phone via Malwarebytes).
❓ How to clear memory on Android if the phone does not turn on?

Connect the device to the PC and try to access the files via ADB:

adb shell

rm -rf /sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails


rm -rf /sdcard/Download/*

If that doesn’t help, you need to flash or reset via recovery mode.

❓ Is it safe to use "cleaners" like Clean Master?

Most of these applications ineffective or even harmful:

  • They often show false warnings about "critical shortages" memory."
  • Can delete useful data (for example, game saves).
  • They themselves consume resources and show advertising.

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

❓ How to transfer applications to the card memory?

Starting from Android 6.0, transferring applications to SD card is limited. What you can do:

  • For individual applications: Settings → Applications → Select application → Memory → Change → SD card (not all apps support this).
  • Use SD card as internal memory (formatted and encrypted, works slower).
  • Transfer only media files (photos, videos, music) manually.

On Samsung and some other devices this function may be disabled by the manufacturer.