How to delete downloads on Android - three ways to clear your device's memory of unnecessary files

Almost every user has at least once downloaded various types of files from a smartphone based on the Android operating system on their device. And often, over time, a huge amount of different data that you previously downloaded from the Internet accumulates, completely filling the memory of your device. Another option is cleaning files downloaded from different sources. But most of you will most likely have a question: how to remove downloads from Android and where to even look for them? Familiar feeling? But no problem. We will help you with this issue by telling you about all the methods in this article.

We use a standard smartphone application

Most Android devices have a special application in their interface with the same name “Downloads”. Just go to it and you will see all the downloaded files.

To remove them you need to:

1. Press the function key and then select the Delete menu.
2. When selecting files, put a check mark on each of them. If there are too many files, check the box next to “Select all”.
3. Confirm deletion.

After this, this folder will be completely cleared.

What additional things need to be installed

Removing Android system applications cannot be done with a “clean” OS. It is secure by default, and ordinary users are prohibited from accessing system files. Permission can only be obtained with special rights. They are called root rights. Moreover, they must be complete and not partial. Otherwise, the deletion action will not be possible.

Each gadget has its own programs that provide root rights, but among them the following universal applications can be distinguished:

• Framaroot.
• Root Explorer.
• Root App Remover.

In addition to one of these programs, you need to have an explorer installed on your gadget that can give you access to the file system.

Using a Standard Explorer

Some phone models do not have the above application. And how to clear the downloads in this case? Here you will have to use a standard file browser. Almost every modern version of Android has it available. To do this you will need to follow a few simple steps:

1. Go to the list of gadget applications. Look for "File Browser" or "All Files" (the name may vary depending on the model).

2. Select the “Built-in memory” line.

3. Scroll through the list of folders until you find the “Downloads” (or Download) directory. Enter it.

4. Select all contents and then delete.

If there are important files among the files, it is first recommended to copy them to other directories or to a personal computer.

Advantages and disadvantages

Having grouped all the above information, we can highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the procedure for removing “hard-wired” programs.

Advantages:

1. A large amount of RAM is saved if the programs that need to be removed are constantly running.
2. Expanding memory for installing useful applications.
3. Complete replacement of standard software with applications that are more convenient and functional.
4. If you remove unnecessary applications, you can significantly expand your knowledge of the work and structure of this OS.

ES-explorer allows you to remove Android system applications
Disadvantages:

1. Very often, uninstalling unnecessary programs can lead to inadequate operation of the gadget.
2. Without complete software, the operating system may lose a large number of functions.
3. If you remove built-in Android applications, this may also affect the operation of some services, for example, a refusal to send SMS, etc. may occur.

Low-quality software for granting root rights comes across very often. It causes applications and services to display incorrectly, and you may uninstall useful ones by mistake.

Clear the "Downloads" directory on Android using third-party software

On some gadgets, the standard file browser is inconvenient because it has a limited list of functions. An alternative is to use third-party file managers, such as Total Commander. Such programs have a functional interface, search by name and easy navigation. The main advantage of the program described above is that already in the main menu you have access to the “Downloads” directory.

If for some reason there is no source folder on the main screen, go to the “Built-in memory” section. After that, click on the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner. Total Commander supports searching throughout the gadget. Enter the name of the folder (Download) in the line, and then simply click on search. “Total Commander” will display all the results in a couple of seconds.

There are dozens of alternatives in the PlayMarket app store. You can install other file managers to evaluate the convenience and advantages of each.

File manager

By default, the Android system creates a separate folder for downloaded files. All items in this folder can be deleted through Explorer.

You can also use third-party software, which is more convenient to use and provides users with more functionality. You can find a file manager in the Google Play Store; any free utility will do.

Through the file manager you can open folders on your phone and SD cards. To delete downloaded files, use the following instructions:

Don’t know how to solve a problem with your gadget and need expert advice? Alexey, a smartphone and tablet repairman at the service center, answers your questions. Write to me »

Removal using a personal computer

If none of the methods described above helped you, try using a computer or laptop. Explorer on your PC will help you not only quickly find the required folder, but also delete files that cannot be erased using standard smartphone functions. To empty the Download folder, follow these instructions:

1. Connect your gadget using a USB cable to your computer.
2. When prompted on your phone, select “Connect as USB storage device.”

3. A folder window will open on your computer, representing the entire contents of the device.
4. Find the required folder. Select the files and right-click and select Delete.

Now you know how to completely empty your Downloads folder. Don't forget to check its contents regularly. In modern models, the built-in memory is from 8 gigabytes, so the accumulated garbage actually does not pose a great danger. In older smartphones, every free megabyte counts. By cleaning out your downloads, you can make room for other important information.

Do not forget that a corresponding notification appears in the notification menu after downloading a file. By clicking on the document, you will automatically be taken to the “Downloads” folder.

Be careful not to delete the folder itself. It is recommended to wash only its contents.

How to Delete Downloaded Files on Android Phone

Now I will tell you how to delete files previously downloaded to your Android phone and thus free up memory. These can be downloads either through a browser or through various programs/messengers.

If you need to delete your browser's download history, clear its cache as described in the instructions:

This article is suitable for all brands that produce phones on Android 11/10/9/8: Samsung, HTC, Lenovo, LG, Sony, ZTE, Huawei, Meizu, Fly, Alcatel, Xiaomi, Nokia and others. We are not responsible for your actions.

Attention! You can ask your question to a specialist at the end of the article.

Creating a folder

Some manufacturers implement multiple ways to create a folder. But most often, users prefer to create a folder on their phone using the following method:

Step 1. Decide in advance which two applications you want to combine into one folder.

Step 2: Hold your finger on the first program shortcut.

Step 3: Now drag this shortcut over the second app's shortcut until a black circle or some other folder creation symbol appears.

Step 4: Release your finger. In most cases, the system will then prompt you to give the folder a name. Sometimes you can do without this - then you can assign a name at any other time.

Step 5: You can later add other applications to the folder. To do this, simply drag the program icon onto the folder image.

It should be noted that this function did not appear in the Android operating system immediately. If your device is very old, it may not be able to create folders. For example, such a function is not present in Android 1.6 and even some subsequent versions of the operating system.

All users of mobile devices on the Android platform are well aware of how power-hungry this operating system is. At the moment, we are not talking about RAM (although Android eats it well), but about the memory of the device available to the user. As a rule, there is already catastrophically little of it. And if the owner of the gadget does not have a MicroSD memory card, this becomes a problem. And over time, the situation becomes simply catastrophic. And this is even in the case when the poor user does not download anything. And gigabytes are still evaporating. What to do? One of the reasons for this behavior of Android may be the Thumbnails folder. What is this folder and what is it used for? We will try to answer this question.

How to find your Downloads?

How to find downloads in the browser on Android

1. If you have Google Chrome, launch it and go to the context menu by clicking on the three vertical dots in the upper right corner;
2. Open the “Downloaded files” section and, having found unnecessary components, remove them from memory.

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Why you need to clear your cache

There is no way to prevent the so-called cache clog. Essentially, the cache is the working files necessary for the functioning of programs at the moment. But, after some time, these files cease to be used and remain in memory, while applications continue to create new ones, increasingly loading RAM.

Cache is divided into three main types:

1. Dalvik. These are in fact files created by the operating system itself. They represent a kind of action algorithms for launching applications. There is no need to delete them, since they are an important component of the tablet’s operation, and you won’t be able to do this - to prevent such “accidents”, the dalvik cache files are stored in a hidden and protected part of the device’s memory.
2. Systemic. Its contents speed up programs. The user also does not have access to them, since their presence is necessary for the rapid functioning of the software.
3. Application cache. Data necessary for the operation of user-installed applications. Over time, they accumulate and form “garbage” in memory in the form of unused files. They take up an increasing part of the RAM, which significantly slows down the tablet.