“Other” storage on a Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet is not one hidden folder that you can delete in a single step. It is a catch-all category used by One UI for app data, cached and temporary files, system-related files, and content that does not fit neatly into categories such as images, videos, audio, documents, or installation files.
Some of that space can be reclaimed safely, but some is required by Android and One UI. The reliable approach is to find the underlying files or app, remove unnecessary downloads and personal files, clear selected app caches, and treat Clear data, manual system-folder deletion, and factory resets as progressively more destructive options.
What “Other” storage means on Samsung devices
Samsung describes Other as storage used by installed-app data, system files, cached data, temporary files, and items that do not belong to another displayed category. It is a classification in the storage screen—not a universal directory in the phone’s file system.
That means the figure can include both reclaimable and non-reclaimable space. For example, an app’s cache or an old download may be removable, while Android components, One UI files, app databases, and protected data may be necessary for the device or app to work.
Samsung does not publish one complete file-by-file definition for every Galaxy model and One UI release. The exact breakdown varies by phone or tablet, Android version, carrier software, installed apps, and the way One UI assigns app-related files.
On some versions, tapping the information icon beside Apps and enabling My Files changes how app-related storage is split between Apps and Other. This is a useful reminder that the number is a reporting category, not a precise measurement of one removable type of data. See Samsung’s explanation of Other storage on Galaxy phones.
Is Other the same as system storage?
No. The labels overlap in some cases, but they should not be treated as synonyms.
- System storage generally refers to Android, One UI, firmware, preinstalled components, and required system partitions.
- Other is a broader catch-all category that may include system-related files as well as app data, caches, temporary files, and unsupported or unclassified content.
Some system space is unavoidable. A large Other figure is not automatically evidence of junk files, malware, or a hardware problem, particularly on a device with many apps, games, offline downloads, protected content, or duplicated app environments.
What may be inside Other?
The following table describes practical possibilities and where to investigate them. It is not an exhaustive Samsung filesystem specification.
| Possible content | Can it usually be removed? | Best place to manage it |
|---|---|---|
| App cache | Often, with limited risk | Settings → Apps → app → Storage |
| App data and databases | Sometimes, but potentially destructive | The individual app or its backup controls |
| Offline downloads | Yes, if no longer needed | The app that downloaded them |
| Temporary working files | Often, depending on the source | Device care or the source app |
| System and One UI files | Usually not | Do not manually delete them |
| Secure Folder content | Depends on the content | Secure Folder |
| Trash and recycle-bin contents | Yes, after review | My Files, Gallery, or the relevant app |
| Unrecognized file types | Depends on what created them | My Files, after identifying the source |
Why Other storage can suddenly become large
There is no single app or folder responsible on every Galaxy device. Common causes include:
- Long-lived caches from browsers, social-media apps, streaming services, and games.
- Downloaded movies, music, podcasts, maps, documents, or browser files kept for offline use.
- Messaging attachments such as photos, videos, voice notes, stickers, and sent-media copies.
- Large games and separately downloaded game resources or updates.
- Temporary files created while editing, exporting, installing, or updating content.
- Duplicate files or data transferred from an older phone.
- Files waiting in My Files, Gallery, email, or another app’s trash.
- Secure Folder and duplicated apps such as Dual Messenger.
- Storage categorization or indexing that has not yet recalculated.
- Temporary working space used during a system or app update.
Do not assume that a sudden increase is entirely disposable. First identify which app, download, file category, or protected area accounts for it.
How to investigate what is using space
1. Check Device care
Open Settings → Device care → Storage. Menu names and available options can vary by model, carrier, tablet, and One UI version. Review the category breakdown, but do not regard Other as a folder that can be opened and emptied.
2. Review My Files
Open My Files and inspect categories such as:
- Downloads
- Installation files
- Images
- Videos
- Audio files
- Documents
Sort or inspect large items before deleting them. An installation package, exported video, duplicate document, or old download can be a better cleanup target than an app’s private data.
Samsung’s My Files guidance also supports moving files to compatible cloud, USB, network, or SD-card storage. Compatibility varies, and not all Galaxy devices support microSD cards or every external-storage configuration.
3. Inspect individual apps
Go to Settings → Apps, select an unusually large app, and tap Storage. Compare its app size, data, and cache where shown. Check browsers, social apps, streaming and music apps, messaging apps, podcast and map apps, and large games—but investigate rather than clearing everything indiscriminately.
If available, use the information control beside Apps in the Device care storage view and enable My Files. This may provide a different, more useful split between Apps and Other on some Samsung software versions.
The safest cleanup order
- Back up irreplaceable files. Confirm that important photos, videos, documents, messages, drafts, and app data are actually backed up or synchronized.
- Delete or move large personal files. Use My Files to remove files you no longer need, or move them to a computer, compatible SD card, USB drive, external SSD, or cloud account.
- Review and empty trash. Deleted files may continue using space until the relevant trash or recycle bin is emptied.
- Remove offline downloads from their source apps. Do this inside Netflix, Spotify, a podcast app, a map app, a browser, a game, or whichever app created the download.
- Clear selected app caches. Start with noncritical apps showing unusually large cache usage.
- Uninstall unused apps and games. This can remove the app and much of its private data, but local data may not return after reinstalling unless it was synchronized.
- Restart the device. A restart may allow indexing or storage accounting to settle, but it is not guaranteed to reclaim space.
- Recheck Device care and My Files. The displayed figure may take time to update.
How to clear an app’s cache
On current Samsung support instructions, the typical path is:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Search for and select the app.
- Tap Storage.
- Tap Clear cache.
Clearing cache removes temporary data. It normally preserves accounts, settings, documents, and the app’s main content, although the app may recreate cached files later and may need to load some content again. The exact labels or location can differ by One UI version. Samsung documents this workflow in its guide to freeing storage space.
Cache clearing is lower-risk than clearing app data, but it is not a guarantee that the Other number will fall substantially. If the space is in offline downloads, databases, game resources, or system files, clearing cache may make little difference.
Clear cache versus Clear data
Warning: Clear data is not an enhanced version of Clear cache. It resets the app.
| Action | What it does | Main risk |
|---|---|---|
| Clear cache | Removes temporary files that the app can generally recreate | Some space may return; an app may reload content |
| Clear data or Clear storage | Resets the app and removes locally stored app data | Sign-outs, settings, downloads, drafts, databases, local messages, or unsynced progress may be lost |
To clear data, the typical Samsung path is Settings → Apps → select the app → Storage → Clear data → Delete. Use it selectively, only after checking the app’s backup and synchronization behavior. Cloud-synchronized content may be recoverable after signing in again, but Android backup does not necessarily restore every app’s local database.
Samsung’s guidance on clearing app cache and data and Google’s Android storage guidance explain the distinction.
Offline downloads need to be removed inside the app
Deleting an app’s cache may not remove content intentionally saved for offline use. Manage these downloads in the app that created them:
- Netflix, Disney+, and other video services
- Spotify, YouTube Music, and other music services
- Google Maps offline areas
- Podcast episodes
- Browser downloads
- Game resource packs
Google’s Android storage guidance generally directs users to remove downloaded content through its source app.
Areas people often forget
Secure Folder
Secure Folder is a separate protected environment with its own apps and files. If it is enabled, inspect its contents separately. Do not assume that deleting a copy outside Secure Folder removes the protected copy. Samsung explains Secure Folder’s storage and management behavior in its support documentation.
Dual Messenger and cloned apps
A duplicated messaging or social app can maintain its own cache, downloads, media, and account data. Inspect both the primary and duplicated app.
Messaging applications
Messages, voice notes, stickers, received media, and sent-media copies may accumulate without being obvious in Gallery. When possible, use the messaging app’s own media-management controls so you can distinguish backed-up content from files that exist only on the device.
Games
A game’s listed app size may not include all downloaded resources, maps, updates, or cache. Clearing cache may provide temporary relief. Clearing data can remove local progress or force a complete redownload, so verify account synchronization first.
Photos and multiple trash bins
Gallery, My Files, email, and third-party apps may maintain separate trash locations. Also verify cloud-backup status before deleting local photos or videos. Removing a local copy may be safe in one app, while deleting through another app could remove the cloud item as well, depending on its settings.
Move versus copy: an important distinction
Moving files to an SD card, USB drive, computer, or cloud location can free internal storage after the transfer is confirmed. Copying files creates another copy and does not free space until the original is deleted.
After moving files, open them from the destination or verify the cloud upload before deleting the originals. Empty My Files Trash only after checking its contents. Samsung says My Files Trash commonly retains deleted files for 30 days, although behavior can differ on tablets and some devices may not offer the same Trash feature.
Why storage totals may not add up
Device care categories may not sum exactly to the advertised capacity or to what a computer reports. Possible reasons include:
- Rounding and different measurement units.
- Reserved system space and protected partitions.
- Delayed indexing or recalculation.
- App-private data that is not exposed in My Files.
- Trash and temporary files.
- Different screens using different classification rules.
Samsung documented a storage-notation change beginning with One UI 6, associated with Android 14, in which displayed capacity used decimal-style rather than binary-style notation. This can make the capacity appear different from a computer or cloud calculation. It is one possible explanation, not the explanation for every discrepancy. See Samsung’s One UI 6 storage notation guide.
What not to delete
- Android, Samsung, system, database, or configuration folders merely because their names are unfamiliar.
- App-private directories when you have not identified the app or verified its data.
- Files containing unsynced messages, drafts, authentication information, or game progress.
- Photos and videos before confirming backup and deletion behavior.
- Recovery-mode options without model-specific instructions.
Manual deletion can cause app crashes, lost settings or accounts, broken updates, missing messages or media, and—in severe cases—boot or authentication problems. Use Device care, My Files, and each app’s own controls instead.
Should you use a cleaner app?
Usually, there is no need to install one for this problem. Samsung Device care, My Files, Android’s built-in tools, and the relevant app’s download controls provide the supported workflow.
A third-party cleaner may identify duplicate files or removable cache, but it cannot legitimately remove protected operating-system data or safely understand every app’s private data. Treat claims that an app can erase all Other storage with no consequences as marketing unless independently verified. Avoid root-only tools and file managers requesting broad permissions for routine cleanup.
If clearing cache barely changes Other
That result is common and does not necessarily mean the cleanup failed. The space may primarily be system storage, app databases, offline downloads, game resources, protected content, or data that One UI has not recalculated yet.
- Inspect individual apps by size.
- Check My Files, offline downloads, and every relevant trash bin.
- Review Secure Folder and duplicated apps.
- Restart the device.
- Recheck after indexing or recalculation has had time to finish.
- Consider uninstalling and reinstalling a problematic app only after confirming its data is backed up.
If Other storage keeps growing
Identify which app or activity grows after cleanup. Streaming, social, messaging, podcast, map, and game apps are frequent candidates because they continuously create caches or downloads.
Review the app’s in-app download and media settings, update it, and limit automatic downloads where appropriate. If its data is synchronized, reinstalling the app can be considered; do not do this before checking for local-only content. If growth continues abnormally, contact the app developer or Samsung support through Samsung Support.
Advanced cache-partition procedures
Clearing the cache partition is different from clearing individual app caches. It is an advanced, model- and software-dependent recovery-mode operation—not a universal fix for Other storage.
Procedures can differ between Galaxy models and One UI versions, and some may require a USB connection. Do not follow one button sequence as though it applies to every device. Verify the exact procedure for your model from a trustworthy, model-specific source, and never select Wipe data/factory reset unless you intentionally want to erase the device and have a verified backup.
When the device is nearly full
Prioritize fast, reversible actions:
- Move or delete large videos and other personal files.
- Remove downloaded installation files.
- Delete offline media from its source apps.
- Clear cache from the largest noncritical apps.
- Uninstall unused games or apps.
- Empty trash after reviewing it.
- Restart and recheck Device care.
Cloud storage, a compatible microSD card, a USB-C flash drive, or an external SSD can relocate user files, but none of these options removes required Android or One UI storage. Check the exact device specifications before buying an SD card or external accessory. Samsung notes that apps cannot be moved to an SD card through My Files, and not all Galaxy models support microSD.
For cloud storage, users can review Google One or OneDrive plans. Plan availability and pricing can change, and cloud backup does not automatically make every local copy safe to delete.
When a factory reset is appropriate
A factory reset can remove accumulated software data, but it erases the device and should be a last resort—not a routine way to delete Other storage. Use it only after a verified backup, confirmation that important app data is synchronized, and consideration of account credentials needed during setup.
If the storage screen remains critically full or inconsistent after supported cleanup, or storage grows rapidly without an identifiable source, Samsung support is a more appropriate next step than manually deleting system directories.
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