The "Disks" application for cleaning Android: a complete guide to use

Unlike standard cleaning tools in Android, "Disks" offers detailed storage analysis visualization in the form of charts, which helps you understand exactly where gigabytes are “flowing” memory. However, not all users know how to use this tool correctly so as not to delete important data or disrupt the system. In this guide, we'll walk you through all of the app's key features, from basic cleaning to hidden features, and give you tips for safe use.

It's important to note that Disks works on most devices with Android 5.0+but some features (such as system file analysis) may require some. root access. If you are not sure of your actions, it is better to limit yourself to clearing the cache and user files - this is usually enough to free up 1-3 GB of memory.

What is the “Disks” application and why do you need it

“Disks” is not just another “cleaner”, but a full-fledged one storage analyzerwhich helps:

• 📊 Visualize used space - shows which types of files (photos, videos, APK, cache) take up the most space.
• 🧹 Clean up garbage - deletes temporary files, application cache, duplicates and residual data after uninstalling apps.
• 🔍 Find large and rarely used files —helps identify “heavy” media files or installers that have not been opened for a long time.
• 📁 Manage folders —allows you to sort files by size, date modified or type.

The main advantage of "Disks" over built-in tools Android (for example, Settings → Storage) is the ability to analyze files by category and see them nesting. For example, you can find out that 80% of the memory is occupied by videos from Telegram, or discover forgotten backups WhatsApp weighing several gigabytes.

However, the application does not require an Internet connection (unlike many “optimizers” that scan the device for viruses via the cloud) and does not contain advertising in the paid version. The free version has limitations in functionality, but it is enough for basic cleaning.

Installation and first launch: what you need to know

You can download “Disks” from Google Play on request Disk & Storage Analyzer. The application weighs about 5–7 MB and does not require additional permissions during installation. However, upon first startup, the system will request access to:

• 📂 Storage — to scan files.
• 📱 Manage applications —to clear the cache.
• 🔧 System settings (optional) - if you need to analyze system files (requires root).

After installation, launch the application and wait until the initial scan is completed. Depending on the amount of memory and performance of the device, this process may take from 30 seconds to 2–3 minutes. A pie chart with the distribution of files by categories:

• 🟢 Green —user files (photos, videos, music).
• 🟡 Yellow —cache and temporary files.
• 🔴 Red — system data (you can only delete from root).

If the diagram is not displayed or scanning freezes, check:

⚠️ Attention: On some devices with Android 12+ and custom firmware (for example, MIUI or ColorOS) the application may not see some files due to manufacturer restrictions. In this case, try enabling developer mode and allowing access to all files in the security settings.

Step-by-step guide: how to clear memory using “Disks”

To effectively free up space, follow this algorithm:

1. Storage analysis. On the main screen, press Scan (or wait for automatic analysis). Pay attention to the largest categories - usually these are Video, APK (installers) and Cache.
2. Clear cache. Go to section Cache → select unnecessary files (for example, cache YouTube or Instagram) → click Delete.
3. Delete duplicates. In the menu, select Duplicates → sort files by size → delete copies of photos or documents.
4. Search for large files. Open the section Large files → filter by size (for example, > 100 MB) → check if old videos or archives can be deleted.

For convenience, use the checklist:

If you are not sure whether a particular file can be deleted, click on it in the application — detailed information will open, including the path (/storage/emulated/0/...) and creation date. Do not delete files with extensions .db, .odex or from folders Android/dataif you don’t know their purpose!

Hidden functions of “Disks”: what the application can do besides cleaning

Many users use Disks only to remove garbage, but the application also has other useful features:

One of the most useful “hidden” functions - search for outdated APK. Many users download application installers (.apk), but forget to remove them after installation. In "Disks" these files are displayed in the section APK and usually take from 500 MB to 2-3 GB.

Another feature - analysis of cloud storage (for example, Google Drive or Dropbox). To do this, you need to connect your account in the application settings. This will help you find duplicate files that are stored both on the device and in the cloud.

What can be deleted and what cannot: rules for safe cleaning

Not all files that Disks marks as unnecessary can be deleted without risk to the system. Here are the basic rules:

• ✅ You can delete:
  • 🗑️ Application cache (folders cache in Android/data).
  • 📁 Duplicate photos, videos or documents.
  • 📦 Old APK files (if the application is already installed).
  • 🎵 Unused music files or podcasts.
• ❌ You cannot delete:
  • 📱 System files (/system, /vendor).
  • 🔧 Files with extensions .odex, .art, .oat.
  • 📂 Folders Android/obb — game data is stored here.
  • 🔒 Files from /data/data (without root they are not visible, but if you see them, don’t touch them!).

Particular care should be taken when cleaning the folder DCIM (photos and videos from the camera) and WhatsApp/Media (media files from chats). "Disks" may show them as "large files", but deleting them will result in the loss of personal data. Before cleaning, always check:

⚠️ Attention: If you are using Google Photos for backup, make sure that the files are synced with the cloud before deleting them from the device. Otherwise, they will be lost forever.

For security, it is recommended to mass deletion of files:

1. Create a backup copy of important data (for example, through Google Drive or adb backup).
2. Check whether the files are being used by other applications (for example, music in Spotify or documents c Word).
3. Delete the most obvious files first (cache, duplicates) and reboot the device to evaluate stability.

Alternatives to “Disk”: when to choose another application

Although "Disks" is one of the most functional solutions for analyzing storage, in some cases it is better to use alternatives:

“Disks” compares favorably with competitors thanks to:

• 📈 Visual visualization —charts and graphs are clear even to beginners.
• 🔍 Deep scanning —finds files that other applications miss.
• 📱 Support for older versions of Android (starting with 5.0 Lollipop).

However, if you need automatic cleaning on a schedule or integration with cloud services (for example, OneDrive), it is better to pay attention to Files by Google or Norton Clean.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When using Disks, users sometimes encounter difficulties. Here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

• 🔄 Scanning freezes at 99%.

  Cause: this usually happens due to a large number of small files (for example, in a folder WhatsApp/Media). Solution: exclude problematic folders from scanning in the settings or wait for completion (may take up to 10–15 minutes).

• 🚫 System files are not displayed.

  Reason: without root-rights "Disks" cannot analyze folders /system or /data. Solution: if you need a deep analysis, get root or use alternatives like SD Maid.

• 📉 After cleaning, the memory was not freed.

  Cause: Some files may be occupied by running applications. Solution: Reboot the device and repeat the scan.

• 🔒 The application is asking for too many permissions.

  Cause: “Disks” requests access to storage and application management for full operation. Solution: if you don’t trust it, use analogues with lesser rights (for example, Files by Google).

If after cleaning the smartphone starts to work slower, check:

⚠️ Attention: Deleting the cache of some applications (for example, Facebook or TikTok) may lead to their slower operation the next time you start them, since data you will have to download again. This is normal and does not indicate a problem.

If “Disks” stops updating or displays errors, try:

1. Clear the application cache in the settings Android (Settings → Applications → Disks → Storage → Clear cache).
2. Reinstall the application.
3. Check compatibility with your version Android on page Google Play.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions