Updated

Updated · Android Police · Jul 27

Files by Google Frees Over 10GB of Phone Storage by Flagging Duplicate Files and Unused Apps

Updated

Updated · Android Police · Jul 27

Files by Google Frees Over 10GB of Phone Storage by Flagging Duplicate Files and Unused Apps

Q: Why does deleting files sometimes fail to free up space, and what hidden folder is to blame?

Deleting files often fails to free space immediately because many Android apps do not erase them right away. They move them into app-specific Trash or Recycle Bin folders, where the files can continue consuming storage for up to 30 days unless you manually empty those bins. The less obvious culprit, though, is a hidden folder Samsung users may never notice: the “Other files” section that stores Gallery pre-edit backups. When you edit a photo or video in Samsung Gallery and tap “Save” instead of “Save copy,” the app can still keep the original version in the background so you can undo edits later. Those hidden backups are not visible in the Gallery itself and can remain indefinitely, unlike trash folders that auto-clear. That means users may delete visible files, empty the Gallery recycle bin, and still see storage remain full because old edited originals are sitting in this hidden area. In one reported case, nearly 12GB was tied up there alone. Files by Google’s Clean tab helps with the more common storage drains—downloads, large videos, duplicates, old screenshots, blurry photos, junk files, and unused apps—but it may not expose Samsung Gallery’s pre-edit backups directly. For Samsung phones, checking Storage settings and looking under “Other files” is key if cleanup does not seem to work. In short, the main reasons space does not return are unemptied trash folders and Samsung Gallery’s hidden pre-edit backup storage in “Other files.”

3 articles · Updated · Android Police · Jul 27

More than 10GB of phone storage was recovered after Files by Google surfaced duplicate files, forgotten downloads, large videos and unused apps instead of requiring manual folder-by-folder cleanup.
The app’s Clean tab grouped storage hogs into categories such as duplicates, screenshots, memes, junk files and low-quality photos, letting the user review likely deletions quickly without removing important items.
Large videos and years of accumulated downloads delivered some of the biggest gains, while uninstalling long-unused apps added more space with little impact on daily use.
Deleted items usually move to Trash for 30 days, though junk files are removed immediately, and the user now checks the app monthly to avoid running out of storage again.