[GUIDE] Stop Giant thumbnail files being saved on your sdcard by the Gallery

Sepero · February 27th, 2013, 10:05 AM

On Android 4 ICS (and possibly others), a giant thumbnail file may be created in your DCIM folder. This file can be several Gigabytes in size, depending on how many pictures you have. It is generated by the Android Gallery app.

Here's a list of different ways to prevent or reduce the size of that giant thumbnail file.

Quick and temporary solution- just delete any files/folders in your DCIM folder that start with .thumbnail

Create a file named .nomedia in certain folders to prevent the gallery from scanning those folders. More info

Delete the .thumbnail and replace is with an empty folder or empty file. More info

A thumbnail deleter app developed by ppero196

Frisco · February 27th, 2013, 10:13 AM

Thanks for that, Sepero.

Yeah, I'm sure I'm not the only .thumbnail delete around the Android community.

Thank you for providing the alternatives to doing that.

Sepero · February 27th, 2013, 10:32 AM

Thanks Frisco. If anyone else has other solutions, I'll add those to the OP.

I figured this post would be a good start for our new Mods and Hacks forum.

sammyz · March 3rd, 2013, 05:53 PM

I think .thumbnails were made since froyo...maybe GB. I'll have to check with my Optimus M...