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Storage full again? Android already knows what to delete

How to free up storage on Android

Open Files by Google and tap Clean. Clear the junk files card first, then go through the suggestions for duplicate files, old screenshots, large files and downloads. If Google Photos backs up your pictures, its Free up space option removes the copies already safe in the cloud.

How to do it

  1. Open the Files by Google app. On a Pixel, Settings > Storage > Free up space opens it too.

  2. Tap Clean at the bottom.

  3. On the Junk files card, tap Clean and confirm.

  4. Go through the other cards: duplicate files, old screenshots, large files, downloaded files. Tick what you don't need and tap Move to trash.

  5. Empty the trash in Files (or wait 30 days) to get the space back for good.

My phone refused to take a photo at a birthday because storage was full. Files by Google found 3 GB of junk, a pile of duplicate memes from group chats and two years of screenshots. 8 GB back in five minutes, no photos lost.

Deleted files go to Trash first, so you can get something back if you deleted it by mistake. The space comes back when the trash is emptied.

Do it again every couple of months. Group chats quietly fill the phone with videos you watched once.

Other ways to do it

  • Google Photos Free up space Built in

    Pick it if most of your storage is photos and videos and they're already backed up.

    Stick with this tip if you want the quick win first: junk, duplicates and old downloads.

  • Clear one app's cache Built in

    Pick it if a single app (often a messenger or a streaming app) is sitting on gigabytes.

    Stick with this tip if the space is spread across lots of little things.

Questions people ask

I don't have Files by Google.

Install it free from the Play Store, or use Settings > Storage, which shows what's taking space and links to the same cleaning tools on many phones. Samsung phones have Settings > Device care > Storage.

Will cleaning junk files delete my photos or messages?

No. Junk files are temporary app files and caches that apps rebuild when needed. Photos, chats and documents aren't in that card.

Is Google Photos Free up space safe?

It only deletes photos and videos that are already backed up to your Google account. They stay in Google Photos, you just don't keep a second copy on the phone.

One app is using gigabytes. What can I do?

Open Settings > Apps, pick the app, tap Storage & cache and tap Clear cache. Messaging apps also have their own storage manager for big videos people sent you.

How much space should I keep free?

Try to keep at least 10% free. Below that, updates fail and the phone tends to slow down.

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