Android Storage Full? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• Photos and videos saved on your phone
• Apps you haven’t used recently
• Downloaded files, movies and music
• Temporary files that apps store
• App cache and data

Step-by-Step Solutions

Start by checking what’s using your storage, then work down the list, leaving the steps that permanently delete app data for last.

1. 1

   Step 1: See what’s using your storage

   The Storage screen in Settings lets you see what’s using storage, one category at a time.

   Open your device’s Settings app, tap Storage, then select a category to see what’s using storage.

   Storage is where you keep data, like music and photos. Memory is where apps and the Android system run. Clearing space on your phone lets you download more apps and media, and it can help your phone run better.

   Good to know

   On a Pixel, the Storage screen shows how much storage you have available. Your phone can have issues when less than 10% of storage is available.

2. 2

   Step 2: Use Free up space in Settings

   Free up space lists photos, videos and apps you haven’t used recently so you can pick what to remove.

   Open your device’s Settings app, tap Storage, then Free up space. Scroll to the category you want and tap Select files. If the category isn’t listed, tap Browse.

   The list can include photos and videos. Before you delete your photos, make sure they’re backed up.

   Select the files you want to delete, or select all files in the list. To delete them, tap Move files to Trash.

   Good to know

   Some of these steps only work on Android 14 and up. On a Pixel phone, some work only on Android 11 and up.

3. 3

   Step 3: Remove photos that are already backed up

   If your photos are backed up with Google Photos, you can delete the copies on your phone.

   Before you delete your photos, make sure they’re backed up. Then open the Google Photos app and sign in to your Google Account. Tap your account profile photo or initial, then Free up space on this device.

   You’ll see how much space will be freed up, and you can then delete all the items from your phone.

   Photos and videos that are fewer than 30 days old may stay on your phone. They’re still backed up in your Google Photos library.

   Good to know

   Google Photos also has a storage management tool that surfaces backed-up items you might want to delete, like blurry photos, screenshots and large videos.

4. 4

   Step 4: Turn on Smart Storage

   Smart Storage clears backed-up photos and videos for you when your storage is almost full.

   Open your device’s Settings app, tap Storage, then Free up space. Tap Menu, then Settings, and turn on Smart Storage.

5. 5

   Step 5: Clear temporary files and app cache

   Clearing the temporary files that apps store can free up space.

   Some apps store temporary files. In Files by Google, tap Menu, then Clean, and choose to clean the files on the “Junk files” card. On the confirmation dialog, tap Clear. App settings aren’t affected.

   To clear one app’s cache on a Pixel, open Settings, tap Apps, then See All Apps. Tap the app, then Storage & cache, then Clear cache. Some apps may be slow the next time you open them.

   On other phones, you can usually clear an app’s cache in the Settings app, but settings can vary by phone. For more info, get help from your device manufacturer.

   Good to know

   Files you clear or delete with Files by Google are permanently deleted.

6. 6

   Step 6: Archive apps you don’t use often

   Archiving removes an app’s software but keeps its icon and your personal data.

   To save storage, you can archive apps you don’t use regularly. Your phone removes the app’s software, permissions and temporary files, and stops its notifications. It keeps the app icon and your personal data.

   On your Android device, open Settings, tap Apps, select the app, then tap Archive. The app’s icon is dimmed, with an archiving icon on top.

   To use the app again, tap the faded icon on your home screen. The app store must still be installed, and the app must still be available to download from it.

   Good to know

   Some of these steps work only on Android 15 and up, and some only on devices with supporting hardware. Supporting app stores can also archive unused apps automatically. To stop that for one app, open Settings, tap Apps, select the app and turn off Manage app if unused.

7. 7

   Step 7: Uninstall apps you don’t need

   You can delete apps you installed and download them again later if you need them.

   Open the Google Play Store app and tap the Profile icon at the top right. Tap Manage apps & devices, then Manage. Select the app you want to delete, then tap Uninstall.

   If you need the app later, you can download it again. You don’t have to buy it again if you paid for it.

   Good to know

   Some of these steps work only on Android 13 and up.

8. 8

   Step 8: Delete downloads or move files to a computer

   You can save space by deleting downloaded files you don’t need.

   Delete downloaded files you don’t need. To remove downloaded movies, music and other media, delete them from the app you used to download them.

   You can also move files and folders to a computer with a USB cable, then delete them from your phone.

9. 9

   Step 9: Clear an app’s storage as a last step

   Clear storage permanently deletes all app data, so try deleting data within the app first.

   To clear an app’s storage on a Pixel, open Settings, tap Apps, then See All Apps. Tap the app, then Storage & cache, then Clear storage.

   Clear storage permanently deletes all of that app’s data. Try to delete the data within the app first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related guides

• System & PerformanceAndroid Phone Running Slow? Try These FixesRestart your phone, update Android and your apps, free up storage, close apps and use safe mode to find a problem app, then consider a factory reset.