What to Know
- Free up space by tapping Settings > Storage > Manage Storage.
- Delete unwanted apps, photos, and videos to create more space.
- Add a microSD card to expand your storage needs.
This article teaches you how to find what's taking up space on your Android phone and how to remove it, thereby freeing up space.
What Is Taking Up Space on My Phone?
If it feels like your phone is constantly running out of storage space, it's important to know what files are taking up so much space. Here's where to look to find out just how much storage space you have and what type of files are using it up.
Android's Storage Manager can be slightly different depending on the Android phone, but the basic principle remains the same.
-
Tap Settings.
-
Tap Storage.
-
Tap Manage Storage to view what files are stored on your phone, delete files, move them to other forms of storage and so forth.
How Do I Free Up Storage Space on My Phone?
There are a lot of different ways in which you can free up storage space on your phone. Here's a look at some of the best ways to do so.
- Delete apps on your phone. If you've installed many apps on your phone but never deleted any of them, you can soon run out of storage space. Delete the ones you never use. It's always possible to reinstall them via the Google Play Store at a later date if you decide you need them again.
- Clear the Cache Data. If you have an older Android phone, cache data can accumulate fast. This data is dealt with differently via Manage Storage with newer Android phones but if you have an older device, try clearing the cache to free up more space.
- Move files to an SD card. It's possible to add a microSD card in most Android phones to expand your storage needs beyond what internal storage offers. Once you've done so, move files and pictures to the SD card to free up storage space.
How Do I Free Up Space on My Phone Without Deleting Everything?
One key reason why many users run out of storage space on their phones is that they take many photos and videos. Understandably, you don't want to delete these precious memories, but there is another way. Here's how to back up your photos with Google Photos.