How to Free Up Storage on Android

The phone warns that storage is almost full, the camera refuses to save, or updates will not install. Start by seeing what is using the space, then clear the biggest categories in order.

Check the storage breakdown

Open Settings and tap Storage. The bar at the top shows how much is used, with a list below split into apps, images, videos, audio, documents, and system. On Samsung, the path is Settings, Device care, Storage.

Tap Free up space

Tap Free up space at the top of the Storage screen. On a Pixel this opens the Clean tab in Files by Google. It lists suggestions such as junk files, large files, duplicates, old screenshots, and apps you have not opened in months. Review each card and delete what you no longer need.

Delete downloads and large files

In Files by Google, tap Browse, then Downloads. PDFs, installers, and forwarded videos pile up here. Sort by size, select what you no longer need, and tap the delete icon. On Samsung, use My Files, then Downloads, or tap Analyze storage at the bottom of My Files for a similar breakdown.

Clear caches of the heaviest apps

Back in Settings, Storage, tap Apps to see them sorted by size. Tap an app, then tap Clear cache on its storage screen. Browsers, social media, and streaming apps often hold hundreds of megabytes of cache. Leave Clear storage alone; it deletes the app's data and signs you out.

Back up photos and remove local copies

Open Photos, tap your profile picture, and check that Backup is on. Once photos and videos have uploaded, tap the profile picture again and tap Free up space on this device. Photos deletes the local copies that are already in the cloud and keeps them viewable in the app.

Uninstall what you do not use. Android has no offload feature; the equivalent is uninstalling the app. Games are the usual culprits at several gigabytes each. Anything tied to your account is there again when you reinstall.

SD cards. Only some phones have a card slot, and no Pixel does. If yours does, the Camera and Files apps can store new media on the card, but apps themselves stay in internal storage.