Users of devices based on the operating system Android often face an incomprehensible situation: the phone’s memory is full, but upon a detailed analysis of the storage, the lion’s share of the space is given to the section called “Other” or “System data”. This mysterious item can take up tens of gigabytes, blocking the installation of new applications and saving photos. In this article, we will analyze in detail the nature of this section, explain what it consists of and why the system cannot classify these files automatically.
The “Other” section is not an error or a virus, but a collection of system logs, temporary files, application caches, remnants of deleted apps and data that operating system could not be classified into standard categories like “Photos” "Video" or "Applications". Understanding the structure of this storage is critical for proper management of smartphone resources without the risk of damaging the firmware.
We will look at diagnostic methods, safe cleaning methods, and situations where user intervention can harm the stability of the gadget. Get ready to dive into the file system of your device.
Structure and contents of the system partition
When you see the mysterious “Other” category in the memory settings, it is important to understand that this name hides a heterogeneous mixture of data. First of all, it gets here application cache, which over time grows to gigantic proportions. Messengers like Telegram or Viber save viewed media files in temporary storage, and the system often places them in this section, since they are not part of the user's official gallery.
Also, a significant part of the volume is occupied by system logs and error dumps. If your device has recently been updated or experienced crashes, the debug files may be several gigabytes in size. In addition, this includes data from folders /Android/obb and /Android/data, containing resources for games and background services.
Another source of filling is “orphan” files - remnants of deleted applications that were not uninstalled correctly. Some shell manufacturers, such as Xiaomi or Samsung, also add backup copies of settings and temporary update files to this section.
- 📂 Cache of social networks and instant messengers accumulated over months of use.
- ⚙️ System logs, reports errors and temporary update files.
- 🎮 Game resource packs and data from protected application directories.
- 🗑️ Residual files from apps that were removed incorrectly.
Why the system does not classify these files
A reasonable question arises: why file system Android doesn’t distribute this data into understandable categories? The thing is that sorting algorithms rely on metadata and file extensions. If an application stores data in a proprietary format or in a protected system directory, a standard memory analyzer simply does not have the access rights to scan and identify it.
In addition, dynamic libraries and temporary clipboards often change their status. A file that is a cache today may become part of an active application session tomorrow. In order not to disrupt the operation of apps, the system prefers to mark such data as “Other”, leaving it in a gray area.
⚠️ Attention: An attempt to manually delete files from system folders through a file manager with root access can lead to a “bricked” device or an endless reboot. Proceed with caution!
Some manufacturers intentionally hide the detailed structure of this section to prevent users from removing critical firmware components. Therefore, built-in analysis tools often show only the general picture, without going into technical details.
Use the built-in “Free up space” function in the storage settings - it is safer than third-party utilities, since it knows the specifics of your version of Android.
Analysis of occupied space using standard tools
Before resorting to radical measures, it is necessary to conduct a competent diagnosis. Go to the settings of your smartphone and find the section Storage or Memory. Modern versions Android (starting from version 11) provide a more detailed breakdown, allowing you to see which applications make the greatest contribution to the "Other" section.
Pay attention to the "Cache" item in information about specific applications. Often, clearing the cache of one heavy application, for example TikTok or Instagram, can free up more space than deleting a dozen small apps. The system may not display this cache in the general “Applications” category, moving it to “Other.”
For a deeper analysis, you can use the command via USB debugging if you have a computer. By connecting the device, you can request a list of large files, but this requires certain technical skills.
adb shell du -h /storage/emulated/0/ | sort -rh | head -n 20This command will display a list of the largest directories in the internal memory. However, be careful: you need to interpret the results carefully so as not to delete personal photos or documents.
The stock Android settings show only superficial information; in-depth analysis often requires third-party tools or a connection to a PC.
Safe methods for cleaning the partition
There are several proven ways to reduce the size of the “Other” partition without risk to the system. The simplest and most effective method is to clear the cache of specific “heavy” applications. Go to Settings → Applications, select the leading app in memory consumption and click Clear cache. Do not confuse this with the “Clear data” button, which will reset the application to factory settings.
The second method is to delete old backups and logs. Many phones keep local backups of messages or settings that are no longer relevant. It is also worth checking the downloads folder, where the installation files might have been saved .apk after updating the apps.
The third option is to use secure boot mode. If, after rebooting in safe mode, the volume of “Other” has significantly decreased, then the problem is caused by one of the third-party applications you installed.
☑️ Safe cleaning algorithm
Do not forget that after clearing the cache, applications may take a little longer to load when first launched, since they will have to re-generate temporary files. This is normal system behavior.
Use of third-party utilities and file managers
If standard tools are not enough, advanced file managers such as Total Commander, Solid Explorer or Files by Google. These tools allow you to visualize the memory structure and find hidden large files that the system hides in the “Other” section.
When using such apps, pay attention to folders with names like .thumbnails. They store thumbnails of your photos and videos. Over time, this folder can grow to several gigabytes. It can be safely cleared, but it will fill up again the next time you open the gallery.
It is also worth paying attention to the folders of streaming services, such as Spotify or Netflix. If you downloaded music or movies for offline viewing and then deleted them from the application, the files may remain in memory.
| Data type | Location (example) | Can I delete? | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application cache | /data/data/[package]/cache |
Yes (via settings) | Low |
| Photo thumbnails | DCIM/.thumbnails |
Yes | Low (gallery slowdown) |
| System logs | /data/log |
Only with Root | Medium |
| Game resources | Android/obb |
None (will reset the game) | High |
⚠️ Attention: File manager interfaces and folder paths may differ depending on the version of Android and the manufacturer’s shell. Always check the current documentation for your model.
Radical measures: resetting and flashing
In cases where the “Other” section takes up a critically large amount of space (for example, more than 20-30 GB) and cannot be cleaned using standard methods, more serious intervention. This often happens due to file system errors or failures during a firmware update when temporary files were not correctly deleted.
The most effective way in this situation is to perform a full reset to factory settings (Hard Reset). Before this procedure be sure to create a backup copy of all important contacts, photos and documents on external media or in the cloud, since all data from the internal memory will be permanently deleted.
After the reset, the system will be clean, and the “Other” section will return to its minimum values. If the problem returns immediately after setting up and installing a basic set of applications, there may be a software bug in a specific firmware version.
What to do if the reset did not help?
If after a complete reset the “Other” section grows quickly again, this may indicate a faulty device flash memory or a deep conflict in system processes. In this case, it is recommended to flash the device via a computer using official utilities (Odin for Samsung, MiFlash for Xiaomi, etc.).
Sometimes updating the system to the latest available version helps. Developers often release patches that correct memory management errors and resource leaks in system processes.
Prevention of memory full
In order not to encounter the problem of a crowded “Other” section in the future, you should follow a few simple rules for using your smartphone. Regularly check your messenger settings and disable automatic saving of media files to the gallery if you do not need this function.
Use cloud storage to archive old photos and documents. This will not only free up space, but also protect your data if your device is lost. Modern services, such as Google Photos, allow you to store originals in the cloud, leaving only optimized copies on the device.
It is also recommended to audit installed applications once a month. Removing unused apps prevents the accumulation of their cache and residual files in the system partition.
- 🔄 Set up automatic cache clearing in the developer menu (optional).
- ☁️ Regularly synchronize data with cloud services.
- 🚫 Disable auto-loading of media in instant messengers.
- 📅 Review installed applications once a quarter.
Is it possible to completely delete the “Other” section?
It is impossible to completely delete this section, since it is a system category for service data. However, you can minimize its size to several hundred megabytes by regularly clearing the cache and deleting temporary files.
Why is space not freed up after deleting files?
This may occur due to the Recycle Bin in the file manager or gallery. Files physically remain on the disk until they are finally deleted from the Recycle Bin. It is also possible that the file is occupied by some process in the background.
Does the “Other” section affect the speed of the phone?
Yes, indirectly. If the internal memory is more than 90% full, the system starts to work slower due to the way flash memory works. Cleaning “Other” helps restore performance.
Is it safe to use cleaner applications?
Most popular cleaners are safe, but some aggressive utilities can delete necessary files or show intrusive ads. It is better to use built-in cleaning tools or proven file managers.
What to do if “Other” takes up more space than all the memory?
This is an obvious display error or file system failure. Try rebooting your device. If the error persists, it is recommended to make a backup copy and perform a factory reset.