Android devices can give you one of the best experiences. Their storage capacity is something that can make many people happy, but sometimes that space can fill up, and we need more storage. Buying an SD card or upgrading your device’s storage may not be an option. So, if you want to free up some internal storage on your Android, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will discuss different methods that can help you get free internal storage on Android without deleting important data.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Getting free internal storage on your Android device is not a difficult task, but some tools and apps can make the process smoother. Here are some things you need.
- A file explorer application (You can download any preferred file explorer from the Google Play Store)
- A cleaning app (e.g., CCleaner, Clean Master)
- A photo backup app (e.g., Google Photos, Dropbox)
What Requires Your Focus?
When planning to free internal storage on your device, focus on the following:
- Deleting unnecessary files
- Clearing the cache of apps
- Disabling or uninstalling unused apps
- Moving data to an SD card or cloud
Different Methods to Free Internal Storage on Android
Method 1: Using the Default Storage Manager
Many Android devices come with a built-in storage manager app. This app allows you to manage your storage, including deleting files, clearing cache data, and moving data to an SD card or cloud storage. Here are the steps to use this method.
- Go to Settings -> Storage & USB
- Tap on “Internal Storage” to view how the storage is being used
- Tap on “Cached data” and then tap “OK” to clear the cache data
- Tap on “Apps” to view the list of installed apps
- Select the app that you want to uninstall
- Tap on “Clear data” to delete the app’s data or tap on “Uninstall” to remove the app
- Tap on “Documents” to view the files you have stored on your device
- Select the files you want to delete and tap on the “Delete” button
- If you have an SD card slot on your device, tap on “SD card” to view the storage on your SD card
- Move the files you want to move from internal storage to the SD card or cloud
Pros:
- Easy to use as it comes pre-installed
- Allows you to clear cache data of apps and manage files stored on your device
Cons:
- Does not show all types of files stored on your device
- Cannot differentiate essential and non-essential files
Method 2: Using a Cleaning App
Cleaning apps are designed to clean your device by clearing junk files and cache data. Some cleaning apps also remove duplicate files and large files. CCleaner and Clean Master are some of the popular cleaning apps that can help you to free up internal storage. Here’s how to use this method.
- Download and install the cleaning app (e.g., CCleaner or Clean Master) from the Google Play Store
- Open the cleaning app and tap on “Analyze” or “Scan”
- Wait for the app to analyze your device’s storage
- Once the analysis is complete, choose which file you want to delete. You can delete junk files, cache data, duplicate files, and large files
- Tap on “Clean” to delete the selected files
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Cleans your device of junk files, duplicate files, and cache data to free up space.
Cons:
- May delete essential files by mistake
- Not all cleaning applications work the same way or are effective
Method 3: Moving Data to an SD Card
This method can be useful if your device has a slot for an SD card, which allows you to move data from your phone’s internal storage to the SD card. An SD card can hold a significant amount of data, so you can transfer photos, videos, music, and other files to it. Here are the steps to follow.
- Insert an SD card into your device’s SD card slot
- Go to Settings -> Storage & USB
- Tap on “Internal storage”
- Select the files you want to move
- Tap on “Move”
- Select “SD card” as the destination for the move
- Wait for the transfer to complete
Pros:
- Allows you to move files to a device that has a slot for an SD card
- Increases the device’s storage capacity
Cons:
- Requires a device with an SD card slot
- Transferring data between devices can take a long time
Why Can’t I Free Internal Storage on Android?
Some issues may prevent you from freeing internal storage on your Android. Here are some possible reasons.
1. Limited Internal Storage
A limited amount of internal storage on your device can restrict you from storing new data. Devices with internal storage as small as 8 GB may fill up quickly, especially if you have a lot of photos and videos.
2. Running large apps
Some apps take up a lot of space, leaving you with little to no room to save other data. You need to identify such apps and uninstall them or move them to an SD card.
3. Too many apps running at once
Some apps keep running even when you are not using them, which consumes the battery and causes the device to slow down. You need to close such apps when not in use.
Fixes
- Consider upgrading devices with low internal storage capacity
- Uninstall large apps that you no longer use
- Move large files to an SD card
- Limit the number of apps running at the same time
Implications and Recommendations
Freeing up internal storage on your device can help improve its performance, prevent lags, and increase battery life. We recommend backing up data before performing any actions, as some files can be deleted by mistake. Additionally, you should scan the device with an antivirus app regularly.
5 FAQs about Getting Free Internal Storage on Android
Q1: What is the best cleaning app to use?
A: CCleaner and Clean Master are two popular cleaning apps that are widely used. Both are good and have similar functions.
Q2: Can I use Google Photos to backup my photos?
A: Yes, Google Photos is an excellent app that can backup your photos and free up internal storage on your device.
Q3: How do I know what apps I need to uninstall?
A: You can identify apps that take up a lot of space in the storage settings of your device.
Q4: Can I move apps to an SD card?
A: Yes, some apps can be moved to an SD card. However, note that while moving apps to an SD card can free up internal storage, it can also slow down your device.
Q5: How often do I need to perform a cleaning action?
A: You should perform a clean-up action at least once a month to keep your device running smoothly.
In Conclusion
Getting free internal storage on Android can be a daunting task, but it’s worth it. We’ve discussed some methods that can help you free up space on your device, but remember to be cautious when deleting files. Also, keep in mind that freeing up storage space may not always solve device lags and battery drain issues.