Smartphone users often encounter a situation where the device’s internal memory fills up faster than expected. The Android system shows that free space is running low, but upon closer analysis of the storage, the lion's share is occupied by a mysterious category called "Other". This partition can grow to tens of gigabytes, occupying up to 40-50% of the total available space, and standard cleaning methods are often powerless against it. Owners of gadgets are perplexed: where do gigabytes go if photos and videos are transferred to the cloud, and unnecessary applications are deleted?
In fact, under the label «Other» or «Miscellaneous» there is a set of system files hidden, application cache, residual data after uninstalling apps, error logs and temporary update files. Clearing this category is not as easy as it seems, since the system protects data important for its work from accidental deletion. However, there are a number of proven methods that allow you to safely return precious gigabytes without having to do a full reset or flashing the device.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at the nature of the occurrence of unnecessary files, look at built-in cleaning tools and third-party utilities, and also touch on advanced methods for experienced users. You will learn which folders can be deleted manually through the file manager, and which ones you absolutely cannot touch, so as not to turn your smartphone into a “brick”. Understanding the structure of the Android file system is the first step to competently managing the memory of your device.
What is hidden behind the “Other” label in the storage
Before taking radical actions, you need to clearly understand the composition of this category. Section "Other" is not a single whole; it is a dynamic sum of different types of data that the system cannot classify as images, videos, audio or installed applications. Most often, the volume of this section grows due to the cache of instant messengers, such as Telegram or WhatsApp, which save all received media files in hidden directories.
Also here are operating system update files that were not deleted after successful installation. If you recently updated the firmware of your Samsung or Xiaomi, the system may have saved an installation package weighing several gigabytes in case of a rollback, but forgot to delete it. In addition, application logs, databases and temporary browser files are also taken into account in these statistics.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to delete files from system folders if you are not 100% sure of their purpose. An error can lead to unstable operation of the OS or loss of data.
Another source of “garbage” is residual files of deleted applications. When uninstalling a app through the standard manager, empty folders or configuration files are often left behind, which continue to take up space for months. Over time, these small fragments accumulate, forming that huge partition "Other"that irritates users so much.
Use the built-in storage analyzer in your phone settings to see which apps are taking up the most space in the "Other" category.
Usage built-in Android cleaning tools
Modern Android shells, such as MIUI, One UI or ColorOS, are equipped with fairly effective built-in utilities for system maintenance. The first step is to use them, since they have access to system partitions that are closed to third-party apps. To start cleaning, go to the menu Settings → Storage → Cleanup or use the "Security" widget on the desktop.
These tools can automatically find and suggest for deletion duplicate photos, large files that you have not opened for a long time, as well as cache unused applications. The operating algorithms of such cleaners are constantly being improved, and in the latest versions of Android they can quite aggressively but safely clean the partition "Other". However, you should understand that built-in tools often act superficially and can miss deeply hidden garbage.
For deeper cleaning, go to the settings of a specific application that consumes a lot of resources. For example, in the browser settings Chrome or Yandex you can manually clear the cache and download history. This action will instantly reduce the amount of space occupied and will have a positive effect on the speed of the device. Regular maintenance through system settings helps keep the volume of the partition "Other" within reasonable limits.
Settings → Applications → [Select an application] → Storage → Clear cacheIt is important to note that clearing the cache does not delete your personal data, logins or passwords, it only erases temporary files that speed up content loading. The next time you launch the application, it will download the data again, which may take a little more time and traffic, but will free up memory space.
Manual cleaning through a file manager
For users who prefer full control over their device, manual cleaning through a file manager is the most effective method. The standard file explorer allows you to look into the hidden corners of memory and delete what automatic cleaners ignore. However, this method requires care and a basic understanding of the Android directory structure.
First of all, pay attention to the folder Download (Downloads). Often APK installation files, documents and archives that have already fulfilled their function are accumulated there. It is also worth checking the directory Android/datawhere application data is stored. Although access to this folder is limited in new versions of Android, some file managers still allow you to view its contents and delete the cache of specific apps.
- 🗑️ Folder
.thumbnails—contains thumbnails of photos and videos and can take up gigabytes of space. - 📂 Directory
Telegram/Telegram Audio— all listened voice messages and music from the messenger are stored here. - 📁 Folder
DCIM/.thumbnails— similar to the first, but refers to the camera gallery. - 📄 Files with the extension
.log— error logs that are useless for ordinary user.
When deleting files from a folder Android/obb be extremely careful. Cache files of heavy games are stored here, and deleting them will cause the game to stop running or require re-downloading several gigabytes of data. Delete the contents of this folder only for those games that you have already deleted or do not plan to use in the near future.
☑️ Check before manual deletion
Cleaning data of instant messengers and social networks
Messengers are the main culprits of section bloat "Other". Applications like Telegram, Viber i WhatsApp by default save all received photos, videos and documents to internal memory, even if you have already viewed them. Over time, this collection of media files can exceed the volume of all other data on the phone combined.
In the settings of each messenger there is a section "Data and memory" or similar, where you can manage auto-downloading of media. Disable automatic saving of files to the gallery so that they are not duplicated and do not clog up the system storage. In addition, use the built-in chat cleaning tools: they allow you to delete media files older than a certain date or taking up more than a specified amount of space.
| Application | Path to cleaning in settings | What can be deleted safely |
|---|---|---|
| Telegram | Settings → Data and memory → Memory usage | Cache, media files older than 1 week |
| Settings → Data and storage → Storage management | Files larger than 5 MB, forwarded files | |
| Viber | More → Settings → Memory | Media cache, old messages with attachments |
| Settings → Account → Initial data (via browser) | Application cache (via Android settings) |
Clearing messenger cache through the settings of the application itself is safer than deleting folders manually, since the app itself will correctly update its databases. After clearing, the correspondence history will remain untouched, but previously downloaded pictures and videos will have to be downloaded again if you need to view them.
⚠️ Attention: The messenger settings interface may differ depending on the version of the application. Always check what exactly you are deleting so as not to lose important correspondence.
Advanced methods: ADB and superuser rights
If standard methods did not help and section "Other" continues to take up a critical amount of space, you can resort to more complex tools. Connecting a smartphone to a computer and using a debug bridge ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to delete files that are not accessible to regular file managers. This method requires enabling developer mode on the phone.
To work with ADB, you need to install the appropriate drivers and utilities on your PC. After connecting the device, run the command to log into the phone shell. From here you can navigate to system folders and force clear Dalvik cache or delete stuck update files. However, an incorrect command can lead to serious system malfunctions.
adb shellcd /data/local/tmp
rm -rf cache_file_name
Having root access (superuser rights) allows access to all partitions of the file system. Using applications like Root Explorer or System App Remover you can remove system junk that cannot be cleaned in other ways. But remember that getting root access voids your device warranty and increases security risks.
Risks of using ADB and Root
Using the ADB command line or getting root access requires high qualifications. An error in one letter of the command can lead to the deletion of critical system files, which will require flashing the device. Use these methods only if you are fully aware of the risks and have a backup copy of your data.
Storage prevention and optimization
To prevent the problem of partition bloat "Other" from returning, it is important to maintain digital hygiene. Regularly check your storage at least once a month, deleting unnecessary files as soon as they appear, rather than waiting until the memory becomes critically full. Set up automatic cleaning in the applications you use, if such a function is provided by the developers.
Use cloud services to store large files. It is better to immediately upload photos and videos to Google Photos or Yandex.Disk with the function of freeing up space on the device enabled. This will allow you to store the archive in an unlimited volume without occupying the internal memory of the smartphone.
It is also recommended to periodically reboot the device. During the reboot process, the system clears some temporary files and cache that might be stuck in RAM or permanent memory. This is a simple but effective procedure that helps keep the file system in a healthy state.
Regularly rebooting the device and setting up auto-cleaning in messengers are the best ways to prevent the “Other” section from growing.
Is it possible to delete the Android folder completely?
No, delete the entire folder Android is strictly prohibited. It stores data from all installed applications. Deleting this folder will reset all apps to factory settings, losing game progress, settings and cache. You can only delete the contents of subfolders of specific deleted applications.
Why does “Other” quickly fill up again after cleaning?
This is normal system behavior. Applications constantly create new temporary files and caches to function. If you actively use social networks and browsers, the cache will accumulate again. The important thing is not that it appears, but that its volume does not become critical.
Does clearing “Other” affect the speed of the phone?
Yes, freeing up space on the internal storage has a positive effect on the speed of operation. When the memory is almost full, it is more difficult for the system to write new data and manage files, which leads to interface slowdowns and long application launch times.
Is it safe to use cleaner applications from the Play Market?
Most popular cleaners are safe, but they often work aggressively, closing necessary background processes, which can even slow down the phone. It is better to use built-in cleaning tools or manually delete files than to trust dubious utilities with promises of “5 times faster.”
What to do if the “Other” section takes up more than 50% of the memory?
If the volume exceeds 50% and does not decrease after standard cleaning, the system may have a file indexing failure. In this case, it is recommended to make a full backup of your data and perform a Factory Reset. This is guaranteed to clear everything unnecessary.