The short answer
Open Settings › Storage to see what's using space, then tap Free up space. Remove apps you don't use, clear junk files with Files by Google, and delete photos already backed up in Google Photos with its “Free up space” option. On Samsung, use Settings › Device care › Storage.
When your Android phone runs low on space, apps slow down, photos won’t save and updates fail. Android has good built-in tools to find and clear the clutter.
Google separates two things: storage is where you keep data like photos and music; memory is where apps run. This guide is about storage.
Menu names vary between manufacturers. Steps below follow Google’s Android Help; Samsung differences are noted.
Step 1: See what’s using space
- Open Settings.
- Tap Storage. (On Samsung: Settings › Device care › Storage.)
- You’ll see space used by categories like Apps, Images, Videos, Audio and Documents. Tap a category to see more.
Step 2: Use “Free up space”
On recent Android versions:
- In Settings › Storage, tap Free up space.
- Scroll to the category you want and tap Select files.
- Select the files you want to delete and confirm.
Google notes that some of these options only appear on newer Android versions.
Step 3: Clean up with Files by Google
The free Files by Google app (pre-installed on many phones) suggests things to delete:
- Open Files by Google and tap Clean.
- Use the cards to clear junk files, delete duplicate files, large files, old screenshots and unused apps.
Step 4: Free up space taken by photos
If you back up with Google Photos:
- Open Google Photos and check that backup is complete.
- Tap your profile picture and choose Free up space.
- Confirm to remove the device copies of backed-up photos and videos.
They stay available in Google Photos when you’re online.
Step 5: Remove or archive apps
- Uninstall apps you no longer use: touch and hold the app, then tap Uninstall.
- Let Android archive rarely used apps automatically. Your data is kept and you can reinstall with a tap. You can manage this option in the Play Store settings.
Step 6: Clear app cache
For apps that store lots of temporary data, like browsers and social media:
- Go to Settings › Apps and choose the app.
- Tap Storage & cache (or Storage).
- Tap Clear cache.
See our full guide on clearing app cache on Android.
Step 7: Check downloads and media
Look for downloaded movies, music, podcasts and offline maps in their apps, and remove ones you’ve finished with. Messaging apps like WhatsApp also store a lot of media; WhatsApp has its own storage manager in Settings › Storage and data › Manage storage.
Related guides
Before deleting anything important, back up your Android phone. If your Google storage is full too, see how to free up Google storage.
The bottom line
Start in Settings › Storage, use Free up space and Files by Google, and let Google Photos remove backed-up copies. That usually frees gigabytes in minutes. Make sure your phone is backed up before big cleanups.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to clear an app's cache?
Yes. Clearing cache removes temporary files; the app may be slower the first time you open it afterwards. Clearing storage (or data) is different: it deletes the app's data and sign-ins, so only do that if you mean to.
Will “Free up space” in Google Photos delete my photos?
It only removes the copies on your phone of photos and videos that are already backed up to your Google Account. Make sure backup is complete before you use it.
What is app archiving?
Android can archive apps you rarely use: the app is removed but your data is kept and the icon stays. Tap it to download the app again, as long as it's still on Google Play.
Why you can trust this guide
- Based on official sources. The steps here are checked against the 2 official sources listed below, such as the help pages of the companies involved.
- Checked and dated. Last checked on November 10, 2026. We update guides when software or advice changes.
- Independent. No company paid for or reviewed this guide. We don't sell products, and ads never influence our advice.
- Open to corrections. Spotted an error? Tell us and we'll fix it. Read how we research.
Sources
- Android Help — Free up storage on your Android device
- Files by Google Help — Use Files by Google to free up space
This guide is general information. Menus and features can change with software updates, and steps may differ on your device or version. Back up important data before making big changes. Read our disclaimer.
