Other Storage on Android: What It Is & How to Clean It

Other storage on Android is the catch-all category for files that don’t fit into the standard buckets like Apps, Images, Videos, or Audio. It includes app caches, system files, downloaded documents, browser data, and leftover files from deleted apps. This article explains exactly what counts as Other storage, why it grows so large, and the safest ways to clear it without losing important data.

What Exactly Counts as Other Storage

Android’s storage settings divide your internal memory into a few broad categories. The Other section is the remainder after Photos, Videos, Audio, Apps, and System are accounted for. In practice, it contains:

App caches and temporary files – thumbnails, downloaded updates, and session data that apps store to speed up loading.
Documents and downloads – PDFs, spreadsheets, ZIP files, and anything you’ve saved from a browser or email.
Browser data – cached web pages, cookies, and site storage from Chrome or other browsers.
Leftover files from uninstalled apps – folders in /Android/data or /Android/obb that weren’t removed.
Voice recordings, offline maps, and app databases – files that don’t match the standard media types.
System logs and crash reports – generated automatically by the OS.

The exact breakdown varies by phone manufacturer and Android version, but the principle is the same: if the system can’t classify a file as a photo, video, audio, or app, it goes into Other.

Why Other Storage Grows So Large

Other storage can balloon to several gigabytes for a few common reasons. The biggest culprit is app cache accumulation – every time you open an app, it writes temporary files, and many apps never clean them up. Streaming apps like Netflix or Spotify store video and audio snippets for offline playback. Social media apps cache images and stories you’ve scrolled past. Games download additional assets and keep them even after you stop playing.

Another major contributor is duplicate or orphaned files. When you update an app, the old version’s data sometimes remains. When you uninstall an app, its data folder in /Android/data may persist. Browser history and cached pages also add up quickly, especially if you browse many media-heavy sites. Over months of normal use, these small files combine into a significant chunk of your storage.

How to Check Your Other Storage Usage

To see how much space Other is using on your phone:

Open Settings.
Tap Storage (or Device care on Samsung phones).
Look for a breakdown by category – you’ll see Apps, Images, Videos, Audio, and Other.
On some phones, you can tap Other to see a list of the largest files inside it.

If your phone doesn’t show a detailed list, you can use a file manager app (like Google Files or your phone’s built-in My Files) to browse the internal storage directly. Look for folders like Android/data, Download, Documents, and Cache. These are where most Other files live.

Safe Ways to Clean Other Storage

Before deleting anything, understand that Other storage is not junk by definition – it contains legitimate files you may need. The safest approach is to start with the least risky methods and move to more aggressive ones only if needed.

Clear app caches individually – Go to Settings > Apps, pick an app, tap Storage, then Clear Cache. This removes temporary files without deleting your login or saved data.
Use the built-in Clean or Optimize tool – Many phones have a one-tap cleaner that removes cached files and residual junk. On Samsung it’s in Device Care; on stock Android it’s under Storage > Free up space.
Delete old downloads – Open your Downloads folder and remove files you no longer need. This is often the largest chunk of legitimate Other data.
Clear browser cache – In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data, then select Cached images and files.
Use a file manager to find large files – Sort by size and delete anything you recognize as obsolete, like old APKs or duplicate documents.

Do not manually delete files in Android/data or Android/obb unless you know exactly what they are. These folders often contain app-specific data that, if removed, can cause apps to malfunction or lose your progress.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

A frequent misconception is that clearing Other storage will speed up your phone. In reality, it only frees space – it doesn’t make the processor faster. Another issue is that after cleaning, the Other category may still show a large size because the system hasn’t refreshed the count. A reboot usually updates the storage figures.

Some users worry that clearing cache will log them out of apps or delete passwords. For most apps, clearing cache only removes temporary files – your login tokens and saved data remain intact. However, clearing data (not cache) will reset the app to its initial state, so avoid that unless you’re prepared to sign in again.

A third problem is that some phones show a separate System category that sits alongside Other. System files are essential for the OS and should never be deleted. Don’t confuse the two – if you’re unsure, leave System alone.

When to Use Third-Party Cleaner Apps

Third-party cleaner apps (like CCleaner or SD Maid) can automate the process of finding junk files, but they come with risks. Many show ads, request broad permissions, and some have been known to misclassify important files as junk. The built-in cleaning tools on modern Android are usually sufficient for most users.

If you do use a third-party cleaner, follow these guidelines:

Only download from the Google Play Store – avoid APKs from unknown sources.
Review what the app is about to delete before confirming – never blindly accept all suggestions.
Be wary of apps that claim to “boost RAM” or “optimize battery” – these are often placebo effects at best.

For most people, the best approach is to clean manually using the methods in the previous section. It’s safer and you know exactly what’s being removed.

Preventive Measures to Keep Other Storage Low

To stop Other storage from growing back quickly, adopt a few habits:

Set up auto-delete for downloads – In Google Files, you can enable Smart Storage to automatically remove old downloads and cached files.
Limit offline content – In streaming apps, periodically delete downloaded movies or playlists you’ve already watched.
Uninstall unused apps – This also removes their data folders, though some leftovers may persist.
Clear browser data monthly – Set a reminder to clear cached images and files.
Use a file manager to review large files quarterly – This catches anything that slipped through.

If your phone consistently shows Other storage taking up more than 20-30% of your total internal space, it’s worth investigating what’s inside. A single large file (like a downloaded movie or a game’s asset pack) can be the culprit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing Other storage delete my photos or contacts?

No. Photos and contacts are stored in separate categories (Images and Apps/Contacts). Clearing Other storage only affects files that fall outside those categories – like caches and documents. However, if you manually delete files in a file manager, double-check that you’re not in the DCIM or Pictures folder.

Why does Other storage keep coming back after I clean it?

Because apps constantly generate new cache and temporary files. Every time you use an app, it writes new data. The key is to clean regularly or use automatic cleaning tools. Also, some system processes regenerate files on boot, so a small amount of Other storage is normal and unavoidable.

Is it safe to delete everything in the Android/data folder?

No. The Android/data folder contains app-specific data that some apps need to function. Deleting it can reset apps, remove offline data, or cause crashes. Only delete specific subfolders if you know they belong to an uninstalled app or a game you no longer play.

Does clearing Other storage affect app performance?

Clearing cache can make apps load slightly slower the first time you open them after cleaning, because they have to rebuild their temporary files. But this is a minor one-time delay. It does not affect your saved data, settings, or login status.

Can I move Other storage to an SD card?

Some apps allow you to move their data to an SD card, but the system-level Other category is generally not movable. On newer Android versions, individual apps can be moved if they support it, but most system files and caches must stay on internal storage. An SD card is better for photos and videos.

What’s the difference between Other and System storage?

System storage is the space used by the Android operating system itself – the kernel, system apps, and core libraries. Other storage is everything else that isn’t classified as media or an app. You should never delete System files, but Other storage is mostly safe to clean.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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