Almost every owner of a smartphone based on Androidfaces the problem of lack of internal memory. The situation gets worse when the system shows that the storage is full, but upon closer analysis it turns out that the lion's share is occupied by the mysterious “Other” section. This category often causes confusion, since it is not obvious to the user what exactly is stored there and whether it can be deleted without harm to the device.
In fact, this name hides a set of system files, application caches, temporary data and log files that accumulate during the operation of the gadget. Storage & Performance in this section - a delicate process that requires an understanding of the structure of the file system in order do not accidentally delete important data or disrupt the operation of the operating system.
In this article we will analyze in detail the nature of the “Other” section, consider safe methods for cleaning it using regular tools and using third-party utilities, and also answer common questions that users have when trying to optimize their smartphone.
What is hidden behind the “Other” section in the storage
The "Other" section (sometimes referred to as "System" or "Other") is not a specific folder with files, but an abstract category that the operating system uses to group data that does not fall into standard types like "Photos", "Videos" or "Applications". This includes the cache of browsers, streaming services, instant messengers, as well as temporary files created during the installation or update of apps.
Often the volume of this section is inflated due to the operating features of specific applications. For example, Telegram or VK can save media files to their internal cache, which the system does not always correctly display in the “Images” or “Videos” category, sending them to “Other”. Also, error logs, remnants of deleted apps and files of offline maps of navigation services may accumulate here.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to manually delete files from system folders through file managers with root access without a precise understanding of their purpose. This can lead to the device being “bricked” or an endless reboot.
It is important to understand that some volume in the “Other” section is normal and necessary for system performance. Completely resetting this indicator is impossible and impractical, since the system requires space for temporary operations. However, if this partition occupies more than 10-15 GB, this is a clear signal for cleaning.
Before starting deep cleaning, be sure to create a backup copy of important data in cloud storage or on your computer to avoid accidental loss of information.
Basic cleaning using the operating system
The first and safest step is using built-in Android tools. Modern shells from smartphone manufacturers, such as MIUI, OneUI or ColorOShave their own storage analysis algorithms. They allow you to identify the most “heavy” applications and clear their cache in a couple of clicks.
To start the standard procedure, you need to go to the device settings. The path may vary slightly depending on the model, but usually it looks like this: Settings → Memory → Cleaning or Settings → Device maintenance → Memory. The system will analyze the data and offer to delete unnecessary files.
Particular attention should be paid to manually managing the application cache. Go to the Applicationssection, select a app that takes up a lot of space (often social networks or browsers), and click the Clear cachebutton. It is important not to confuse this button with the “Clear Data” function, which will reset the application to factory settings and delete your logins and profiles.
- 📱 Go to the storage settings and use the "Free up space" button.
- 🗑️ Manually clear the cache of the largest applications: browsers, YouTube, social networks.
- 🔄 Check the trash in the gallery and file manager - deleted files can be stored there for up to 30 days.
- 📦 Delete unused applications that take up space not only with the installation file itself, but also and your data.
Deep cleaning through Recovery mode
If standard methods do not bring the desired result and the “Other” section remains huge, you can use Recovery mode. This tool allows you to clear the system cache (Dalvik/ART Cache), which is not deleted during a normal reboot or clearing through settings. This procedure is safe for user data (photos, contacts, messages will remain in place).
To enter recovery mode, you need to turn off the smartphone and hold down a certain combination of buttons. On most devices, this is a combination of the volume up button and the power button. Hold them down until the manufacturer's logo or the recovery menu appears. Control in this mode is carried out using the volume buttons (up/down) and the power button (select).
In the menu, find the item Wipe Cache Partition. Confirm the action by selecting Yes. The process will take a few seconds or minutes, depending on the size of the accumulated cache. After completion, select the option Reboot System Now to reboot the phone in normal mode.
Sequence of actions in Recovery:1. Wipe Cache Partition
2. Confirm (Yes)
3. Reboot System Now
⚠️ Attention: The Recovery mode interface may differ on different smartphone models. Be extremely careful and do not select the “Wipe Data/Factory Reset” option if your goal is only to clear the cache, as this will lead to a complete reset of the device.
☑️ Preparing for cleaning via Recovery
Using specialized cleaning applications
When built-in tools are not enough, third-party ones come to the rescue utilities. There are many applications on the market that promise to magically free up gigabytes of memory. However, their choice should be approached critically, since some of them themselves consume a lot of resources and display intrusive advertising.
The most reliable and proven solutions are considered to be Files by Google, SD Maid or Clean Master (with caution). These apps can find duplicate files, residual files after uninstalling applications, and empty folders. They provide a more detailed report of what exactly is taking up space in the “Other” section.
When using such applications, it is important to carefully read what exactly is proposed to be deleted. Often, apps by default select for deletion files that you may need, for example, downloaded documents from instant messengers or offline maps. Always review the list before confirming cleaning.
| Application name | Main function | Presence of advertising | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Files by Google | Search for duplicates and garbage | No | High |
| SD Maid | Deep cleaning of system garbage | Yes (in the free version) | High |
| Clean Master | RAM optimization and memory | A lot | Average |
| CCleaner | Storage and cache analysis | Yes | Average |
Remember that no application can work miracles. If the “Other” section is bloated due to file system errors or specific firmware bugs, the software may be powerless. In such cases, a more radical approach or flashing the device is required.
Third-party applications are effective for removing user garbage, but are powerless against system errors in the file system that require resetting the settings.
Radical measures: resetting to factory settings
If none of the above methods helped reduce the size of the “Other” partition, and it continues to take up a critically large amount of space (for example, half of all memory), fatal errors have probably accumulated in the file system. In such a situation, the most effective solution is to completely reset the device to factory settings.
This procedure will completely delete all data from the internal storage of the smartphone, including applications, photos, contacts and settings. The device will be returned to the condition it was in when purchased. The “Other” section will then occupy the minimum required volume for the system to operate.
Before performing a reset, it is critical to save all valuable information. Use cloud services (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk) or connect your phone to your computer to manually copy files. After the reset, you will have to reconfigure your phone and install applications.
⚠️ Attention: Resetting to factory settings is irreversible. Make sure you remember the password for your Google account linked to the device, otherwise after turning on the phone may be blocked due to FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection.
To start the process, go to Settings → System → Reset settings → Delete all data (reset to factory settings). Confirm the action and wait for the process to complete, which may take from 5 to 20 minutes. Do not interrupt the power of the device at this time.
What to do if the reset did not help?
If even after a full reset the “Other” section immédiatement takes up a large amount volume, this may indicate physical degradation of flash memory or a critical error in a specific firmware version. In this case, it is recommended to contact a service center or try to reflash the device via a computer using the official software from the manufacturer.
Preventing the filling of the “Other” section
To prevent the problem with memory overflow from returning, it is worth changing your smartphone usage habits. Regular prevention is much more effective than dealing with the consequences. The main source of growth in the “Other” section is instant messengers and social networks, which cache every image and video viewed.
Set up automatic cache clearing in popular applications. For example, in Telegram you can set the period for automatic cache deletion (3 days, 1 week or 1 month). This will allow you to use all the functions of the application without filling the device’s memory with old media files.
It is also recommended to periodically check the “Download” folder. Often installation files of applications (APKs) that are already installed or documents that are no longer needed are downloaded there. Removing them will quickly free up space and prevent them from ending up in the “Other” category the next time the system is scanned.
- 🛑 Disable autosaving of media from messengers to the gallery if you don’t need it.
- 📅 Set up automatic cache clearing in application settings once a week.
- 📂 Check your Download folder regularly and delete old APK installers.
- ☁️ Use cloud storage for photos and videos, deleting local copies.
Following these simple rules will help maintain order in your smartphone's storage and ensure its stable operation for a long time. Remember that the system needs free space for the memory endurance algorithms to work correctly.
Use the “Files on Demand” feature in Google Photos or similar services to store original photos in the cloud, leaving only thumbnails on the phone, which saves gigabytes of space.
Why does the “Other” section increase immediately after cleaning?
This is normal system behavior. When you actively use your smartphone, applications begin to regenerate cache files to speed up their work. In addition, the system creates temporary files for its processes. If the volume grows too quickly (gigabytes in a few hours), this may indicate a “buggy” application that does not work correctly with memory.
Is it possible to delete the “Other” section completely?
No, it is impossible to completely delete this section. It stores system files, libraries and a minimal cache necessary for the operation of the OS. An attempt to completely remove it will result in system inoperability. The purpose of cleaning is to reduce its volume to reasonable limits (usually 2-5 GB), and not to reset it to zero.
Does cleaning “Other” affect the speed of the phone?
Yes, it does indirectly. When the internal memory is full to capacity, the speed of writing and reading data drops, which leads to the interface slowing down. Freeing up space improves system performance. However, clearing the cache itself can temporarily slow down the launch of applications, since they will have to re-create cache files.
Is it safe to use ADB scripts for cleaning?
Using the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) command line to delete system files requires high skill. The wrong command can remove critical system components. For the average user, this method is not recommended, since the risk of damaging the device outweighs the potential benefit from freeing up a few megabytes.