"Other" in Internal Storage has 10GB of unexplained files. Other file apps showing different results

[manishb]

Something odd has suddenly appeared on my phone and I have suddenly GBs of free storage gone. I have a Galaxy A50 and observed this issue in the last few days. I think this issue was not there a while back, but may have started recently. I definitely had more than 10GB of free space a month or so back and I have not installed any large apps or downloaded/received many large files.

The Samsung MyFiles app in my case shows 59.28GB out of 64GB used (the "Other "folder is 10.51 GB) => Phone has 4.72 GB free.

However, the Files by Google shows only 50.82GB used out of 64GB => 13.18 GB free. The google files app is unable to enumerate this ~10GB completely. 

Solid Explorer (third party files app) shows 4.70GB free of 51.58GB => This app has no idea about some 12.42GB of my phone's storage.

The google files and Samsung MyFiles app have never shown this difference of storage space.

I think this is something Samsung is missing and these "Other" files are not readable or something. I think there is a serious problem Samsung has with Android 11 and have messed up something with the File Storage. I have no idea where this "Other" files are and what it contains and how to even begin clearing it up.

And no, this is not a cached file problem. I wiped my Cache completely and it made difference to this. I even tried to wipe the Cache of several apps having large amounts of cached files, but that also did not make any difference in reducing the Other size. I have tried my best to find where these files are and have been unable to. These files are simply hiding.

This could be related to the WhatsApp Dual app media folder missing issues so many people have reported. Probably there are more folders missing like this and everything is enumerated under Others now.

To be clear for the WhatsApp dual app issue I mentioned above, there are 27 different posts in the r2.community.samsung.com in the last month indicating its a wide issue which I also have.

https://r2.community.samsung.com/t5/forums/searchpage/tab/message?filter=location,dateRangeType&q=wh...

[Anonymous]

Thy way the files apps calculate storage are different and there are certain files that 3rd party apps may not see it also could be a glitch. Have you downloaded anything recently because maybe it is addinf alot of files who know hope you or someone else figures it out hope this helps.

[manishb]

No I have not made any changes recently on my phone. I also believe the Files by Google App any Samsung myFiles app did not show this significant difference in storage space earlier.

Recently, no apps installed or configured etc. I dont have many pictures, videos, songs etc on my phone. The screenshots i had attached show that anyway. Yet something has changed recently and I am suddenly missing at least 7-10GB of storage which I know was free last I checked.

To me this is the same issue as another person has now also reported.

https://r1.community.samsung.com/t5/galaxy-a/a30-storage-problem/td-p/11361067

[Roundroundindia]

 

[Jojejito]

Have you run logs on your phone, at times these ones will still be stored in the device. 

Try the below and let me know if it works as this will clear logs:

1. Open the phone app 
2. Dial *#9900#
3. Then tap on "Delete dumpstate/logcat"  this should clear logs. 

[manishb]

No, I have not run any logs at my end. However, that Delete dumpstate/logcat thing has helped recover some space (~3GB). I now have 7.94GB in "Other" with internal storage usage analysis as 56.24GB / 64GB  reported in Samsung myFiles - Again which I have no idea where it is and what those files are.

Files by google shows 51.05GB/64GB which is at least closer to the Samsung MyFiles analysis now, but still leaves a gap with unexplained content of around 5GB.

[SamsungJon]

Hi @manishb, we have sent you a direct message in regards to this, so please keep a lookout!

[manishb]

Thanks for acknowledging. I have shared the asked details.

[Members_myJgCjC]

I would like some help aswell please

[SamsungClaudette]

Hey @Members_myJgCjC

Thanks for reaching out. I suggest sending an error report within 2-3 minutes of the issue occurring for this to be investigated by our research and development team. Error reports assist with identifying any deviations in your device performance. Once analysed, our team will get back to you with a response to advise further steps.

To send an error report:
Samsung Members app > Support > Error reports > select issue category > Describe issue and frequency > Tick ‘Send system log data’ > ‘Send’ in top right.

To send an error report for a wearable, follow these steps:

1. Go to Galaxy Wearables app > click on the device desired on the side menu
2. In the side menu, tap Contact us > Error reports (in the Get help section)
3. Fill in details and the frequency of the issue that you have with the wearable.
4. Click send.

Kind Regards,
SamsungClaudette