How to free up storage on an Android phone

2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 1 October 2026

When an Android phone is nearly full it slows down, the camera refuses to save and updates fail. The Storage page shows what is using the space and has a built-in cleaner.

Menu names below are from Google Pixel phones on a recent Android version. Samsung, Xiaomi and other brands rename some of them, so the Samsung name is given where it differs. The pictures are simplified diagrams of the screen, not screenshots.

Step by step

1. Open Settings and tap Storage

   Swipe down from the top of the screen twice and tap the gear icon, or open the Settings app. Scroll to Storage. On Samsung phones it is under Device care, then Storage.

   Done

2. Read the bar at the top

   The page shows how much of the phone is used and splits it into Apps, Images, Videos, Audio, Documents, System and Trash. Tap any line to see what is inside.

   Done

3. Tap Free up space

   This opens Files by Google on its Clean tab. Samsung phones show their own suggestions on the Storage page instead.

   Done

4. Work through the suggestions

   Start with Junk files, which are safe to delete. Then check Large files, Duplicates, Downloaded files and Unused apps. Each card opens a list where you tick what to remove. Nothing is deleted until you confirm.

   Done

5. Empty the Trash

   Deleted files stay in the Trash for 30 days and still take up space. Go back to Storage, tap Trash, select everything and tap Delete.

   Done

Good to know

Videos are usually the biggest items. If your photos are backed up in Google Photos, open that app, tap your profile picture and choose Free up space on this device to remove the copies already saved online.

To shrink one app without removing it, go to Settings, Apps, pick the app, tap Storage & cache and then Clear cache. Clear storage is different: it signs you out and resets the app.

WhatsApp has its own cleaner under Settings, Storage and data, Manage storage.

In short: Settings, Storage, Free up space. Clear junk and large files, then empty the Trash.