Open your phone's storage settings to see what is using the space, then clear large videos, downloads, WhatsApp media and unused apps. Back up photos first, and keep some free space so updates can install.
A phone that says storage is full is not just annoying. It cannot take photos, install updates or run apps smoothly, and it can start to feel slow. The good news is that a few minutes of clearing usually helps a great deal.
Find out what is using the space
On Android, open Settings and look for Storage. It shows how much space apps, photos, videos and other files are using.
On iPhone, open Settings, then General, then iPhone Storage. It lists your apps from largest to smallest, with suggestions for saving space.
Start with whatever is biggest. It is often videos, photos or one or two apps.
Back up your photos first
Before you delete photos and videos, make sure they are safely backed up in Google Photos, iCloud or on a computer, and check that they opened properly there. See our guide to backing up your phone.
Where the space usually goes
- Photos and videos. Long videos take a lot of room. Move them to a backup and delete the copies on the phone.
- WhatsApp media. Photos, videos and voice notes from groups pile up quickly. In WhatsApp, open Settings, then Storage and data, then Manage storage, and review the largest chats and files.
- Apps you no longer use. Uninstall them. On iPhone you can offload an app, which removes the app but keeps its data.
- Downloads. Old downloaded files, installers and documents add up. Open your Files or Downloads folder and clear what you do not need.
- App cache. On Android, you can clear an app's cache from Settings, under Apps, then the app, then Storage. Clearing the cache is safe. Clearing an app's data deletes its saved information, so do not do that unless you mean to.
Keep some room free
Leave a healthy amount of free space so the phone can install updates and work smoothly. If you keep running out, consider an Android phone that takes a memory card, or a bigger cloud storage plan.
When storage is not the real problem
If your phone is slow and freezing even after clearing space, the cause could be an old battery, a software fault or a failing storage chip. That is worth a proper look, and a diagnostic will tell you which it is.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to clear an app's cache?
Yes. The cache is temporary data the app rebuilds when it needs to. Clearing an app's data is different: that removes its saved information and sign-in.
Will deleting photos from my phone delete them from the cloud?
It can. If your photos sync to Google Photos or iCloud, deleting them from the phone may delete them everywhere. Check how your backup works before deleting, or free up space using the app's own option for removing photos that are already backed up.
Why is my phone still full after I deleted things?
Deleted items may be sitting in a Recently Deleted or Trash folder for a while. Empty it to get the space back.
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