Galaxy S4 (Sprint) --Internal memory usage calculation for pictures, videos wrong?

[lanten22]

I have a Sprint Galaxy S4. I have NO pictures or videos anywhere on the INTERNAL memory (I deleted them all after backing them up to laptop).

But the usage calculation under "Used Space / Pictures/Videos" shows 1.8 GB in "pictures,videos" storage in internal memory. I am sure there are no pictures or videos other than the "sample pictures (8) that came with the phone. (I confirmed this by checking the Gallery under "All" pictures tab, and there are none. Also checked the files folder for any images or videos anywhere, and there are none in any folder there either).

Before deleting ALL pictures and videos, there were 3.43 GB used. After deleting all there is still showing 1.8 GB under "pictures, videos -- Used Space".

How can that be?

Thanks

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome back! A bunch of it might be due to thumbnails and the thumbnail database. Deleting photos won't delete the thumbnail. Use your file manager app and look at /DCIM/.thumbnails, and see how big that folder is.

 

[lanten22]

Thanks for the quick reply.

I can't find the thumbnails folder.

I'm assuming the "file manager app" is the "My Files" folder? In there, the only things under DCIM are Camera, Optical Reader and 100ANDRO. All of these folders are empty (having deleting all pictures and videos previously). I read some other articles, including one of yours (I tried to post the link here for yours, but got an error message when submitting [not enough posts yet to post link].

Anyway, I haven't found thumbnails, if you could please let me know if I'm looking in the wrong place.

thanks again

 

[B. Diddy]

It's a hidden folder (since it starts with a period), so make sure the file manager (yes, My Files is the stock file manager app) is set to show hidden files/folders, if possible.

 

[Rukbat]

Also, your web browser downloads pictures from sites and caches them. and they might be showing in the space calculation even though they're not being picked up by the media scan. Try clearing the caches on your browsers. Then try clearing cache in the storage menu.

 

[lanten22]

Thanks B.Diddy. I found the .thumbnails folder but it was empty. I'm going to try to see how to clear cache, as suggested by Rukbat.

Unrelated forum question: Is there a setting where I can receive email notifications when someone replies to a particular post?

Thanks...

 

[lanten22]

Hi Rukbat,

Do the following instructions look correct to you for clearing cache, as you suggested, on Galaxy S4? Or is clearing all the browsers' cache and then the cache in the storage menu separate and different methods?

PS What the heck is burstlyvideo cache and burstlyimageCache? And do I just delete them from the "All Files" folder, of is that not good to do?

This is what I found (without looking very long) for how to clear (all?) cache:

Here's how it's done for S4

Turn off phone
Remove the battery and reinsert.
Hold down the Home and Volume Up keys
Press and hold the Power button while still holding the other keys.
As soon as you see the Samsung logo, release all keys/buttons.
Press on the Volume Down to scroll down to Wipe Cache Partition.
Press the Power button to select it.
Press the Volume down button to highlight "Yes" and press the Power Button to select it.
Wait for a few minutes for the phone to clear the data.
Then press the Power button to select reboot system now.
Wait for your phone to reboot.

There you go! Your system cache should be wipe and leave you with a much more fluid smartphone.

thanks Rukbat

 

[B. Diddy]

Unrelated forum question: Is there a setting where I can receive email notifications when someone replies to a particular post?

While on the main desktop browser version of the Android Central forums, click on the Settings dropdown right under your username (next to your avatar), and then click General Settings. Look for the Default Thread Subscription Mode box. Click on that box, and select Instantly using Email, Push.