where is the OTA firmware file cached?

[Gary02468]

Following the Oreo update, Device Maintenance is offering to free up 2.1GB of storage, which I assume consists mostly of the OTA download. But before I delete it, I'd like to save a copy. Does anyone know where I can find it?

 

[monil]

Following the Oreo update, Device Maintenance is offering to free up 2.1GB of storage, which I assume consists mostly of the OTA download. But before I delete it, I'd like to save a copy. Does anyone know where I can find it?

Most of these OTAs will be available for direct downloads. I am not sure if there is additional incentive to really store this copy. If you ever decide to reset your phone, checking for software updates will most likely get you the latest update anyways. Just saying.

 

[srvctec]

Following the Oreo update, Device Maintenance is offering to free up 2.1GB of storage, which I assume consists mostly of the OTA download. But before I delete it, I'd like to save a copy. Does anyone know where I can find it?

The OTA download is not able to be removed by the user through the normal file system of the OS (unless they changed something I'm not aware of). The only way to remove the OTA files that were downloaded is to clear the system cache partition (at least that's the way it's been for the last decade on Android).

So, try to find out what files, in detail, that device maintenance wants to remove. I wouldn't do it myself unless it tells you EXACTLY what is going to be removed because it might want to remove a whole bunch of stuff that hasn't been used for a while, that you might want to keep.

It still doesn't hurt to clear the system cache as well as the internal storage cache and I do it regularly just to make things work better on my phone. Have been doing that for years on all my Android devices.

Note 8 storage cache clear: settings- storage- internal storage- cached data- tap it to clear

______________________________________


How to wipe the cache partition on the Note 8:

Back up data on the internal memory. I've never lost any data from this process, but just in case, back up important stuff.

Turn off the device.

Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.

When the Android logo on a blue background displays, release all keys ('Installing system update' will show for about 30 - 60 seconds before showing no command for a few seconds followed by the Android system recovery menu options).

Press the Volume down key several times to highlight 'wipe cache partition'.

Press Power button to select.

Press the Volume down key until 'yes' is highlighted and press the Power button.

When the wipe cache partition is complete, “Reboot system now” will be highlighted.

Press the Power key to restart the device.

 

[srvctec]

Following the Oreo update, Device Maintenance is offering to free up 2.1GB of storage, which I assume consists mostly of the OTA download. But before I delete it, I'd like to save a copy. Does anyone know where I can find it?

Sorry, Gary. I just realized I completely misunderstood your OP by missing the part about saving a copy of the OTA file. I'll try to read a little more carefully.

 

[Gary02468]

Sorry, Gary. I just realized I completely misunderstood your OP by missing the part about saving a copy of the OTA file. I'll try to read a little more carefully.

No problem. You made some good suggestions anyway. Unfortunately there wasn't any apparent way to see what files Device Maintenance was proposing to delete. It did separately list suggested files for manual deletion, of which one (an app) was 1.7GB (of the reported 2.1GB excess); but it was not listed as unused or temporary (those that were so listed occupied little total storage).

But I decided to risk letting it delete the alleged excess. It did so, and the large app remained, as well as all other files I'm aware of. So I'm not sure what was deleted, but everything seems ok.