I discovered two deeper issues relating to why my phone’s available “internal memory” continues to shrink. Yes, clearing the phone’s cache and, if possible, moving user-apps to an external SD card did help somewhat. However, it did not resolve the underlining issue where available internal memory continues to shrink over time. As a result, to avoid low memory warnings and increase internal memory, I had to uninstall some user-apps. Eventually, I reach a point where phone’s internal memory was critically low again, and I cannot delete any more user-apps. As a result, I was forced to perform a full factory restore. While a factory restore returns the phone to a perfect clean state, freeing up all the internal memory again, I eventually would find myself back in the same sinking boat, with a phone suffering from low memory…
OK, here is what I discovered as the problems. First, there are numerous “write##.pcm” files building up in the “data/” directory. Secondly, when system apps, including bloatware, update from the Play Store, the update process leaves huge files behind.
By manually deleting and integrating these orphaned files, I eliminated my phone’s low internal memory issue. This is not a permanent fix. Every week or two I need to revisit the “data/” directory and delete the accumulated “write##.pcm” files. Additionally, when a system app updates, I need to open the Link2SD app and select the system app that just updated, and then click the “integrate updates into system” option. In the end, it does take a few minutes every week or so to keep the phone tuned up. Averaging out, I have a decent phone that was not expensive, so a few minutes every few weeks, to keep the phone working, is not a deal breaker.
So how did I actually resolve this problem, I rooted my phone and installed a few maintenance apps. One app allow me to manually delete write##.pcm files. A second app removes the left over files after a default system app updates.
Phone details:
• Phone model number: LG-H634
• Android version: 5.1.1
• Patch Level: 2015-11-01
Corrective steps:
1. Root the phone.
a. I successfully installed and use the “KingRoot” app on my phone.
b. Rooting is necessary to gain access to locked directories and files.
c. This app is not available on Google Play store. You will have to find it yourself on the Internet or locate an alternate phone rooting app… Google “how to root” and read and learn…
d. NOTE: KingRoot installs with a charging, lock screen, and weather notification widget. This app is enabled by default, so within KingRoot, select General Settings and disable this feature.
2. Install a file manager.
a. I successfully installed “Root File Manager” (by MobilDev). This app allows me to navigate to the “data/” and delete the write##.pcm files. This is available on Google Play store.
b. The .pcm files have something to do with audio. I steam iHeartRadio and my son watches a lot of YouTube… I read complaints from other users with low memory issues, who solely listen to music.
c. NOTE: Originally, to determine which files building up, I used an app called “DiskUsage” from Ivan Volosyuk. This app was very useful. This is available on Google Play store.
3. Install an app to integrate Google default apps updates into ROM.
a. I successfully installed and use the “Link2SD” app. To unlock some additional features, pay the few of dollars for the Pro version. For questions and answers on using this app, read the app’s help.
b. NOTES: When a default Google apps updates, I use the “Link2SD” app to integrate them into the system. Link2SD is useful for removing files leftover remaining after system apps update. This step alone can recover over one-hundred Megabytes for some apps alone! Below
c. Here is a form post I found. It expands somewhat on the issue:
i. "Integrate updates into system" (feature self. Android. Submitted 1 year ago by VJTigasMyPhone UNO (Android One) – Marshmallow)
• Google (or OEMs) should implement a developer feature like this. Many system apps, including bloatware (Google apps, Facebook, etc.), get updates from the Play Store (and other app stores by OEMs). Those updates will be installed on the /data partition, then the APK files in the /system partition don't have any use anymore. Hundreds of megabytes of app updates in /data folder could be used for other purposes if they are integrated into the ROM.
So in general, root your phone, then every week or two, use ‘Root File Manger’ to delete all write##.pcm files, and use ‘Link2SD’ to look for recently updated system apps and integrate them.
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