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Freedom251 › Blog › Android storage

What “Other” Means in Samsung Storage—and How to Free Space Safely

By Freedom251 Team · · 3 min read

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Samsung’s “Other” storage category is a mix of data from installed apps that does not fit categories such as photos, videos, or documents. It can include app data, system files, cached data, and temporary files, so it is not all junk—and Samsung says you cannot delete the category as a whole. You can check how storage is being displayed and selectively clear an app’s cache or, with greater risk, its data.

What does “Other” mean on a Samsung phone?

Samsung Support describes “Other” as data from apps installed on your phone or tablet, including system files, cached data, and temporary files that do not appear in other storage categories. It is a category in the storage breakdown, not one folder or one kind of disposable file. Some items may be necessary for apps or the device to work.

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Samsung says the category cannot be deleted directly. Cleaning it means managing particular apps or files, and the amount of space recovered can vary. Samsung’s guidance does not establish a typical size or a guaranteed amount that cleanup will free. Samsung Support: What is Other Storage on your Samsung phone? (updated 4 August 2026)

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First check whether the storage breakdown is being displayed clearly

On some Samsung devices, the Apps and Other figures may be presented in a way that makes them seem combined or unclear. Samsung says an information icon beside Apps can open a display setting for My Files. Changing this setting affects the breakdown shown; it does not delete files or free storage.

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  1. Open the storage view in Battery and device care. The exact route to this view can differ by model and software version.
  2. If an information icon appears beside Apps, tap it.
  3. In Settings, turn on the switch beside My Files.
  4. Return to the storage screen and review the breakdown again.

If that icon or setting is not available on your device, this particular display adjustment may not apply. Samsung’s instructions for the Apps and Other display

How to reduce app-related storage, starting with the lower-risk option

Clear an app’s cache

A cache holds temporary data used by an app. Clearing it is the lower-risk first step: it targets cached data rather than all of the app’s stored files and settings. It may free space, but the result depends on the app and its cached data. Samsung notes that this feature is available only on selected models or software versions, and menu names may vary.

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  1. Open Settings > Apps.
  2. Select an app, or search for it.
  3. Tap Storage > Clear cache.
  4. Repeat only for apps whose cached data you want to remove.

Samsung India Support: How to clear app cache and data in Samsung devices (last updated 27 September 2024)

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Clear an app’s data only if you are prepared to reset it

Clear data is not just a larger cache cleanup. Samsung says it permanently deletes the selected app’s files, settings, accounts, and databases. You may not be able to retrieve them without a saved copy. The app may behave like a fresh installation afterward, and you might need to sign in or set it up again.

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  • Before clearing data, save anything you need to keep. Samsung identifies cloud storage, an SD card, or another storage device as possible backup destinations.
  • Confirm that the app’s important information is backed up and that you can access the account needed to set it up again.
  • Then use Settings > Apps > select the app > Storage > Clear data, if the option is available on your model and software version.

Compatibility for an SD card or other storage device depends on the Galaxy model. Clearing app data may reduce storage use, but it is not a guaranteed fix for the Other total. Samsung’s cache, data, and backup guidance

Which action should you choose?

Action What it changes Data-loss risk
Check the My Files display setting Changes how Apps and Other are displayed; it does not remove data. No deletion from this display adjustment.
Clear cache Removes cached data for the selected app. Lower risk than clearing app data; the exact effects can vary by app.
Clear data Deletes the selected app’s files, settings, accounts, and databases. High: data may not be recoverable without a saved copy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What not to delete

Do not treat every item counted as Other as unnecessary, and do not delete unfamiliar system or app folders in an attempt to force the total down. Samsung’s guidance supports selective app cache and data management, not indiscriminate folder deletion. Android also restricts how apps access shared external storage in certain circumstances; those rules explain why access can be controlled, but they do not define Samsung’s Other category. Android Developers: Privacy changes in Android 10

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