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Freeing up storage on Android

ConceptAll versionsSafe to delete: Partly
Checked against official documentationLast reviewed 1 min read

Android storage fills with photos and videos, downloaded files, app data and caches, and messaging media. The built-in way to free space is Settings > Storage, which shows usage by category; Google's Files app also suggests junk files, duplicates and large files, and removing unused apps gives back their data too.

1Typical space users

Camera photos and videos, WhatsApp and other messenger media, the Downloads folder, offline video and music, and games with large data packs.

2Built-in tools

Settings > Storage shows categories and lets you open each. Files by Google offers cleaning suggestions. Google Photos can remove device copies of photos that are already backed up (Free up space). Many phones can archive unused apps, which removes the app but keeps its data.

3Before you delete

Make sure photos are backed up and that downloaded files are not the only copy of documents you need.

How to free space safely

  1. Open Settings > Storage and see which category is largest.
  2. Remove apps you no longer use (Settings > Apps > app > Uninstall).
  3. Clear the cache of large apps (Settings > Apps > app > Storage & cache > Clear cache).
  4. Check Downloads and messenger media and delete what you do not need.
  5. If your photos are backed up, use Free up space in Google Photos.

Cautions

  • Free up space in Google Photos deletes the device copies: check that backup is complete first.
  • Deleting a messenger's media folder removes those photos and videos from the chats on this phone.

Sources

  1. Free up storage on your Android device (Android Help) support.google.com
  2. Back up or restore data on your Android device (Android Help) support.google.com

Note: Rain Cleaner for Android shows where the space went and cleans only after you confirm.

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