When a phone says “storage full”, the cause is usually photos, videos and chat media, not apps. Here is a safe order to clear space.
- See what is using space. Open storage in settings. It breaks usage down by category and app.
- Back up your photos to a cloud service or your computer. Confirm they are there before deleting anything from the phone.
- Clear chat media. Messaging apps keep every photo and video sent to you. Review large files in each app’s storage screen.
- Delete large videos and screen recordings you no longer need.
- Offload unused apps. Some phones keep the app’s data and remove the app itself.
- Remove downloaded music, podcasts and offline maps you do not use.
- Empty the recently deleted folders. Deleted photos often stay for about a month.
Keep a buffer
Try to keep at least ten percent of storage free. The phone runs smoother and has room for updates.
Before you delete
If a file is the only copy of something important, copy it first. A deleted file is often gone for good.
