Space Issue on data directory Android using Galaxy Note

Question

I am using Galaxy Note 1 and have 2GB of data directory in which i install and use thirdparty apps. But the data directory was almost always full, so I rooted my device to find out what was taking the space. i.e 500 MB is taken by apps and have 200 MB free but cant account for the Rest.

I have deleted stock apps from system/apps directory using no bloat but it dosent free space on data directory.

I know how to use adb shell but doing ls -l at every directory dosent sounds v good. How can i find out whats taking my space. And can we delete files in dalvik cache?

Answer 1

It seems that Diskusage did the job for the questioner here. Diskusage can help you to analyze the usage of your storage in hierarchical format with intuitive and live diagram.

_{(Click any image to see its larger variant.)}

• Default screen would ask for the storage/directory you want to analyze:

  

  You can select any directory under [Root required] for analysis if your device is rooted. For a normal user, the default analysis should be for App Storage, Storage Card and /storage/sdcardX. (Note that some options may differ for Android 4.4+ or 5.+.)

• A live diagram for App Storage would look like:

  

• Live diagram zoom in (select an entry and tap Show to open the Android Settings for the app) :

  

• /system usage in my device:

  

• Select an entry and tap Show to open it in default File manager into the the directory:

  

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Diskusage app would do the trick, otherwise ES File Explorer, Titanium Backup and Storage Partitions can also show the diagram among other things, but they are not as easy and intuitive IMO as Diskusage is.

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About Diskusage

DiskUsage provides a way to find files and directories on storage card which consume a lot of space. Displays diagram with directories/subdirectories proportional to their size.

Answer 2

If by "data" directory you mean internal storage, then it doesnt have anything to do much really with system apps. System apps use space from /system partition which you cannot use for storing normal data anyway. And whatever used/free space in this partition has nothing to do with your space in data partition (or space you can use, in other words).

Infact, /data/media/0 is whats used for storing personal files or as internal memory.

Now how to find out whats taking space. First, run the command adb shell df inside adb. This will list you the total space allotted to every partition. Out of this, you can use the space allotted to storage/emulated/0 or /data (names may change according to android version). Check there the amount of space allocated to data directory. Unless you repartition, you cannot gain any more space than this for storing personal files and downloading apps.

And can we delete files in dalvik cache?

Dont do it. Its useless. Dalvic cache has to be present for sure. Even if you delete it, it will be recreated with almost same size. So deleting this wont gain you much storage.

This leaves you with only two things that can use data, your apps and their cache, and your own data inside internal memory.

What can you try to free up space?

• Most mainstream method, delete useless apps.

• Try clearing cache (although it will be recreated, but sometimes there is cache of things that no longer exist or are needed, for instance deleted photos or play store cache or even themer apps cache).

• Do not use any cleaner apps. They are hoax.

• Remove useless files.

• You can also try moving apps to external storage using apps like link2sd. But this may not work for Every app.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Check insufficient-memory tag info, you may find some useful guides on how to free up your memory.

The most radical way, but also the most efficient (it fixes your storage in the long-term) is changing the partition table, by reducing the "internal SD card", and increasing /data partition. If you're wiling to take a risk, here's how to do it.