Does your smartphone constantly display the “Not enough memory" notification or do applications start to slow down? This is a sure sign that the internal storage of the Androiddevice is full. The problem is familiar to every second user - even on phones with 128 GB or more, the memory melts like snow in the spring. The reasons lie not only in accumulated photos or videos, but also in hidden system files, application caches and “junk” data that the operating system does not delete automatically.

In this article we will look 7 working methodshow to free up memory on Android — from basic (removing unnecessary files) to advanced (using ADB for deep cleaning). All methods have been tested on devices with Android 10–14 and do not require root access. You will also learn which applications “eat up” memory unnoticed and how to prevent the storage from filling up again.

Before you start cleaning, check exactly how much space is occupied. To do this, go to Settings → Storage. The memory distribution by category is displayed here: applications, multimedia, cache and system data. If the section "Other" takes up more than 10-15 GB - this is a signal about the presence of hidden garbage, which we will learn to remove.

1. Removing cache and unnecessary application data

Caches are temporary files that applications create to speed up work. Over time, they accumulate and can occupy up to 5–10 GB of memory, especially in instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), social networks (TikTok, Instagram) and games. Clearing the cache is safe: applications will simply create new files the next time you launch them.

How to clear the cache for all applications at once:

  • 📱 Go to Settings → Storage → Free up space (on some devices - Storage & Performance).
  • 🧹 Select the category "Application cache" and click "Clear».
  • ⚡ For individual applications: Settings → Applications → [Application name] → Storage → Clear cache.

Pay attention to applications with a large amount of data. For example, Google Play Services or Google Chrome may take up 1-2. GB of cache. Also check messengers - in Telegram the cache of media files accumulates in Settings → Data and memory → Storage.

⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse "Clear cache" with "Clear data"! The second option will delete all application settings (for example, logins or game progress) and reset it to its factory state.
📊 How often do you clear the cache on your smartphone?
Once every week
Once a month
Only when memory runs out
Never

2. Transferring files to an SD card or cloud

If your smartphone supports microSD memory cards, transfer photos, videos and music to it. This will free up up to 20–30 GB of internal memory. Important: not all applications can be transferred to SD - it depends on the manufacturer (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei have different restrictions).

How to transfer files to an SD card:

  • 📁 Open the application "Files" (or “Explorer»).
  • 🔍 Select folders DCIM (photo/video), Download (downloads), Music.
  • 📤 Click "Move" and select the SD card as the target folder.

Alternative - cloud storage: Google Photos (unlimited space for compressed photos), Yandex Drive (10 GB free), Mega (20 GB). Set up automatic uploading of photos/videos to the cloud and delete local copies after synchronization. For example, in Google Photos this is done:

  1. Open the application and go to Settings → Free up space.
  2. Confirm deleting already downloaded files.
⚠️ Attention: Before When transferring data to SD, format it in FAT32 or exFAT (via Settings → Storage → SD card → Format). Otherwise, files larger than 4 GB may not be copied.

☑️ Preparing to transfer files

Done: 0 / 4

3. Removing duplicates and unnecessary media files

According to statistics, up to 30% of photos on a smartphone are duplicatesscreenshots or blurry frames. To find them, use specialized applications:

  • 🔍 Files by Google (built-in function "Cleaning» → «Duplicates»).
  • 📸 Gallery Doctor (analyzes photos and suggests deleting similar ones).
  • 🎵 SD Maid (looks for duplicate music and documents).

How to remove duplicates manually:

  1. Sort the files in the folder DCIM by date (Explorer → Sort → By date).
  2. Delete screenshots older than 3 months (folder Screenshots or Pictures/Screenshots).
  3. Check the folder Download —unnecessary PDFs, APKs and archives often accumulate here.

For videos: delete videos less than 5 seconds long (usually random recordings) and files with a resolution lower 720pif they are not valuable. Use the application Video Compressto reduce the size of video files without losing quality.

💡

Before bulk deleting photos, enable the "Trash" function in Google Photos (Settings → Recycle Bin). Then the deleted files will be stored for 60 days and can be restored.

4. Cleaning up system junk and “other” files

Section “Other» in storage Android often takes 10–20 GB and includes:

  • 🗑️ Residual files of deleted applications.
  • 📄 System logs and error dumps (/data/tombstones).
  • 🔄 Temporary OS update files.
  • 📦 Artifacts from Google Play Services and other system processes.

How to clean up system junk:

  1. Use the built-in utility: Settings → Storage → Free up space → System junk.
  2. For deep cleaning, install SD Maid (requires root on some devices) and run a scan in the "CorpseFinder" section (search for residual files).
  3. Delete the folder Download in the root directory - outdated APKs and archives are often located here.

If you have Android 11+, check the folder /Android/data i /Android/obb. Game and application data is stored here (for example, the cache Genshin Impact can weigh 15+ GB). Delete only the folders of those applications that have already been deleted!

⚠️ Attention: Do not manually delete files in the /system, /vendor or /data/app folders - this may cause the OS to crash. To work with system partitions, use Root Explorer (only for advanced users).
Type of garbage Size (approximately) How to delete
Cache Google Play Services 1–3 GB Settings → Applications → Google Play Services → Storage → Clear cache
Error logs (tombstones) 100–500 MB Via SD Maid or ADB (command adb shell rm -rf /data/tombstones/*)
Residual APK 500 MB-2 GB Delete folder /data/app-lib (root required)
Temporary update files 500 MB–1 GB Reboot the device and clean the folder /cache

5. Optimizing application performance

Some applications “eat up” memory unnoticed. For example:

  • 📱 Facebook and Instagram caching stories and videos in the background.
  • 🎮 Games (PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty) download resources for all cards, even if you play on only one.
  • 📺 YouTube and TikTok save videos for offline viewing.
  • 🗺️ Google Maps and Yandex.Maps store offline maps (can weigh up to 1–2 GB per region).

How to limit application appetites:

  1. For social networks: disable autoloading media. In Instagram: Settings → Account → Mobile data usage → Data saving.
  2. For games: in the game settings, select “Delete unnecessary resources" (for example, in Genshin Impact this saves 5-8 GB).
  3. For maps: delete unnecessary offline maps in Settings → Offline maps.
  4. For YouTube: delete downloaded videos in Library → Downloads.

Also check which applications are consuming the most memory in the background. To do this:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → [Three dots] → Memory usage.
  2. Sort by size and delete or limit the most “gluttonous”.
💡

Even after deleting the application its data can remain in the /Android/data and /Android/obbfolders. Always check them manually!

6. Using ADB for deep cleaning (for advanced)

If standard methods did not help, and the “Other" section still takes up a lot of space, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This tool allows you to delete hidden system files that are not accessible through the normal interface.

How to clear memory via ADB:

  1. Install Platform Tools on PC.
  2. Enable USB debugging on phone: Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times) → Settings → System → For developers → USB debugging.
  3. Connect your phone to the PC and run commands: 
    adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "data/app"

    (shows all installed applications with paths to their data).

  4. To delete the cache of all user applications: 
    adb shell pm trim-caches -f 1000000000

    (where 1000000000 is the size in bytes, here ~1 GB).

For removing unnecessary APK files (remnants of updates):

adb shell rm -rf /data/app-lib/*

adb shell rm -rf /data/app-private/*

⚠️ Attention: ADB commands can damage the system if used incorrectly. Before cleaning, create a backup copy of your data via adb backup or manually.
What to do if ADB does not see the device?

1. Check if the drivers for your smartphone are installed on your PC.

2. Try another USB cable (preferably the original one).

3. Turn on the mode File transfer when connecting.

4. Restart your phone and PC.

5. If you use Miui or EMUI, additionally enable USB debugging (security settings) in the developer settings.

7. Reset to factory settings (last resort method)

If none of the methods helped, and there is less than 1-2 GB of free memory left, consider Full reset (Hard Reset). This is a radical method, but it is guaranteed to clear all unnecessary files, including system junk. Before resetting:

  • 📱 Back up your contacts, photos and documents (via Google Account or manually).
  • 🔐 Write it down application logins/passwords (use Google Password Manager or KeePass).
  • 🎮 Save progress in games (link your account to Google Play Games or social networks).

How to reset:

  1. Go to Settings → System → Reset → Delete all data.
  2. Confirm the action (entering may be required pattern key or PIN).
  3. After reboot, set up the phone as new or restore data from a backup.

On devices Samsung i Xiaomi there is an option "Reset without deleting media files", but it does not always work correct. It is better to transfer photos to an SD card or PC in advance.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Huawei s EMUI), resetting may block access to the account due to functions FRP (Factory Reset Protection). Make sure you remember the data from Google accountlinked to your phone.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about clearing memory on Android

Is it possible to free up memory without deleting applications?

Yes. Clear the application cache, transfer media files to an SD card or to the cloud, remove duplicate photos and system junk (Other section). Also disable auto-loading of media in instant messengers and social networks.

Why is memory not freed after deleting files?

This happens due to the peculiarities of the file system Android (ext4/f2fs). Once deleted, the files are marked as "free" but are not physically deleted until a reboot. Try:

  1. Restart the device.
  2. Clear the cache via Settings → Storage → Cache.
  3. Use SD Maid to force cleaning.
How to find out which application takes up the most memory?

Go to Settings → Applications → [Three dots] → Memory usage. A list of applications is displayed here, sorted by space occupied. Pay attention to:

  • Games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty - up to 10–15 GB).
  • Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp —media cache).
  • Social networks (TikTok, Instagram —up to 1–2 GB cache).
What are “other” files in the storage and how to delete them?

Section “Other» includes:

  • System logs (/data/tombstones).
  • Residual files of deleted applications (/data/data).
  • Temporary OS update files (/cache).
  • Cache Google Play Services and other system processes.

To clean:

  1. Use the built-in utility Free up space.
  2. Install SD Maid (section “CorpseFinder”).
  3. For advanced: clearing via ADB (commands are given above).
How to prevent rapid memory filling in the future?

Follow these recommendations:

  • 📵 Clear the cache every 1-2 times weeks.
  • 📤 Set up automatic uploading of photos/videos to the cloud (Google Photos, Yandex Drive).
  • 🚫 Disable auto-downloading of media in messengers.
  • 🎮 Regularly delete unnecessary resources in games.
  • 🔍 Check the folder Download for outdated files.