Original topic:

2020 Galaxy Tab S6 - "Other" folder

(Topic created: 02-22-2026 02:06 PM)
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I am still using my 2020 Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 on a daily basis and I am resisting to upgrade. The 10.5" screen size is perfect for travel, the screen isn't so massive that I have to worry about peering eyes when in public. The entire size fits perfect on the tray of an airplane or Amtrak train. The OEM Samsung physical keyboard with pen are great companion.

The fingerprint reader has never worked great since day one, but I've gotten past that. I replaced the battery late 2025 and hope this tablet continues to serve me well for several more years.

I have the same apps on this tablet as I do on my S23 Ultra. I have used 109GB of 119GB available. 

If I examine storage at Settings ==> Battery and Device Care ==> Storage I note there is 40 GB being used by "other" I can't see the contents of other. Is there a way of finding out what the contents are and cleaning this up? I have moved photos and videos to a storage card.

REPAIR APPS

I found a link that suggested to put the tablet in "Recovery Mode" and select "repair apps"

1) Power off the tablet
2) Connect tablet via USB to a computer.
3) Hold "Power" and "Volume Up" buttons simultaneously until the Samsung logo appears, then release buttons.
4) Use volume buttons to highlight "repair apps"
5) Press power button to execute.
6) Tablet will reboot and optimize apps

Unfortunately this did not clean out/reduse the size of the "other" file partition.

This did not work.

STORAGE ANALYZER & DISK USAGE

I found a YouTube video that suggested using Storage Analyzer & Disk Usage found here ==> https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobile_infographics_tools.mydrive

I ran the program and deleted everything in the "other" folder. Storage Analyzer says this folder is empty however the Tablets Storage Analyzer still shows 40 GB, even after rebooting the tablet.

WINDOWS 11 FILE EXPLORER

I used my Windows 11 laptop to examine the contents of the tablet's internal storage. It showed the same files as if you were using the tablets built in File Explorer however Windows 11 would not show file sizes even though I commanded under file explorer options to show size.

DELETE APPS

I went thru the apps list and deleted 8 or 10 apps. I am now at 108GB of 128GB vs 120GB of 128GB previously. The "other" folder is still at 39.48GB

WIPE CACHE PARTITION

I performed the Wipe Cache Partion procedure, which had no effect.

I give up.

This seems to be a known issue with no resolution.
6 Replies
nullandvoid
Comet
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The "other" space is reserved for the cache (swap) partition and, no, you can't see what's in it as it's a space for temp files while apps are working. You cannot fill up your entire drive or your apps won't work and neither they nor your phone will update. And you will be posting complaining about the lag.

Ekamek
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Tablet still have dedicated sd card slots. Why not add a microSD card for expanded storage.
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I am using SD for photos & vids, although they are at a minimum
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Ekamek
Neutron Star
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You can run apps from SD card as well. Do what @Robin621k said below to free up more space.
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Robin621k
Honored Contributor
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Have you ever gone into all of your apps and deleted cache from each app, especially any social media cache, email app, web browers
Jimmer-Jimbo
Constellation
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Yes
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