Are you running out of internal storage on your Android phone? You’re experiencing the dreaded “low space” notification, but don’t have enough money to upgrade your device or purchase a new one.
In this article, I’ll give you nine proven tips for increasing the storage of your device quickly and easily – no matter what type of Android model you have.
How to Increase Internal Storage of Your Android Phone
Increasing the internal storage of an Android phone can significantly improve its performance and capacity to store apps, files, photos, and videos.
Here are several methods to help you maximize the internal storage on your device:
- Clear Cached Data:
- Go to
Settings
>Storage
. - Click on
Cached data
orOther storage
. - Tap on
Clear
to free up this space.
- Go to
- Delete Unnecessary Apps and Files:
- Navigate to
Settings
>Apps
. - Scroll through the list and uninstall any apps you no longer need.
- Use file manager apps to go through your downloads, videos, pictures, and music. Delete any files that aren’t needed.
- Navigate to
- Move Apps to an SD Card (if your phone supports it):
- Navigate to
Settings
>Apps
. - Click on the app you want to move.
- Tap on
Storage
, and if the feature is supported, you’ll see a button labeledMove to SD Card
.
- Navigate to
- Utilize Cloud Storage:
- Use cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft OneDrive to store photos, videos, and files. This way, you can free up local storage.
- Google Photos offers an option to backup photos and videos and then clear them from the device.
- Limit Media Storage:
- Use streaming services for music and video instead of downloading and storing media on your device.
- Manage Downloads Folder:
- Periodically check your downloads folder and delete any unnecessary files.
- Clear Browser Cache:
- For Chrome: Open Chrome >
Menu
(3 dots) >Settings
>Privacy
>Clear browsing data
. - For other browsers, the steps are similar. Look for an option to clear browsing data or cache.
- For Chrome: Open Chrome >
- Opt for Lite or Go Editions of Apps:
- Many popular apps like Facebook, Messenger, and others offer “Lite” versions which occupy less space and are optimized for lower-end phones.
- Keep Your Software Updated:
- Manufacturers and app developers regularly release updates that can optimize storage use or clear out old, unneeded files. Ensure you have the latest OS and app updates.
- Factory Reset (last resort):
- If your device is still running slow or lacking storage after trying the above steps, a factory reset may be in order. This will wipe all data and return the phone to its original state. Ensure you back up everything important before doing this.
- To do a factory reset, go to
Settings
>System
>Reset options
>Erase all data (factory reset)
.
- Consider Buying a Phone with More Storage:
- If you constantly find yourself running out of storage, it might be time to invest in a phone with a larger internal storage capacity.
Always remember to back up important data before deleting anything or performing major operations like a factory reset. But, cleaning up your internal storage space is important for maintaining performance.
Let’s look at how you can tackle your Android internal storage space to make your phone run faster.
Cleaning Up Junk Files and Cache on Your Android Phone
Your Android phone is an essential tool that you use daily to surf the web, stay connected with friends and family, and capture precious moments.
However, with prolonged usage and constant updates of apps and software, your device’s storage space gets cluttered with junk files and cache data.
These unwanted elements can take up a considerable amount of space on your device memory or SD card.
Junk files are temporary files created by various apps when they’re running in the background or when you’re installing or updating them.
On the other hand, cache data is generated when you’re browsing the internet or using specific applications.
This data includes images, cookies, scripts – everything that helps load web pages faster but also takes up storage space over time.
It’s vital to routinely clean up these unwanted elements from your device to ensure optimum performance as well as preserving valuable storage space.
Fortunately, most Android devices come equipped with built-in cleaning tools that help remove junk files and clear cache data easily.
Alternatively, there are numerous third-party cleaning apps available on Google Play Store that can do this job smoothly for you while offering additional features such as app management and battery saver mode to enhance your overall experience using an Android phone.
Moving Media Files to Cloud Storage Services
In today’s digital age, we generate vast amounts of data every day. And with the rise of high-quality video and audio content, it can be challenging to keep all our media files in one place.
That’s where cloud storage services come in – they allow us to store our files remotely and access them from anywhere with an internet connection.
Moving media files to a cloud storage service has become increasingly popular for several reasons.
Firstly, it frees up valuable hard drive space on your computer or mobile device.
Secondly, it provides peace of mind knowing that your important files are safe even if your device is lost or damaged.
Finally, many cloud storage services offer advanced search features and the ability to share content easily with others.
There are numerous options when it comes to choosing a cloud storage service provider; some popular ones include Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, and Amazon S3.
Each service offers different pricing tiers and unique features such as automatic backup and file versioning.
Before making a decision on which provider to use for storing your media files in the cloud, consider factors such as security measures implemented by the provider (such as encryption), ease of use including compatibility with other devices you own like smartphones or tablets among others.
Clearing Old App Data and Uninstalling Unused Apps
As we go about our daily lives, we tend to accumulate countless apps on our phones.
From social media to games and productivity tools, these apps can quickly pile up and take up valuable storage space. Not only that, but they can also slow down your device over time.
One simple solution is clearing old app data regularly. This involves going into your phone’s settings and selecting the option to clear cached data for individual apps.
By doing so, you can free up storage space and improve overall performance.
Another effective method is uninstalling unused apps altogether. Take a moment to assess which ones you use frequently and which ones have been sitting untouched for weeks or even months.
Removing the latter will not only declutter your device but also reduce the likelihood of security vulnerabilities.
Clearing old app data and uninstalling unused apps may seem like minor tasks, but they are crucial in maintaining an efficient device that runs smoothly in the long run.
Make it a habit to do this every few weeks or so, and you’ll be surprised at how much better your phone performs as a result.
Transferring Large Games and Apps to SD Card Storage
As mobile devices continue to evolve and offer more advanced features, many users find themselves running out of storage space. With the increasing size of games and apps, transferring them to an SD card can be a great solution.
However, not all devices are equipped with this feature. For those that do support it, there are some important considerations to keep in mind.
Firstly, it’s essential to ensure that the device supports SD cards as internal storage rather than just external storage.
This will allow for seamless transfer of large games and apps from the device’s internal memory onto the SD card without any compatibility issues or performance degradation.
Once you’ve confirmed your device supports this feature, it’s time to start transferring your data.
To do so on Android devices, go into settings and select “Storage,” then choose “SD Card.”
From there, select “Portable Storage” and follow the prompts to set up your new storage location.
You can then move large files by selecting them in your app drawer or downloads folder and tapping “Move” before choosing “SD Card” as their new destination.
Overall, transferring larger games and apps requires careful consideration of both hardware compatibility and proper software procedures for moving files between locations.
By taking these steps correctly, you’ll free up much-needed space on your device while enjoying uninterrupted access to all your favourite games/apps.
Unlocking System Partitions with Root Permissions for Additional Space
For many users, running out of space on their devices can be a frustrating experience. Fortunately, there is a way to unlock system partitions and gain additional storage using root permissions.
Firstly, it’s important to understand what rooting actually means. Rooting involves gaining access to the administrative level of your device (known as “root” access), which allows you to make changes that are typically off-limits for regular users.
With root access, you can modify or remove system files, install custom ROMs or apps, and even overclock your device for better performance.
One way you can use this power is by unlocking system partitions for more space.
This process requires some technical know-how and isn’t recommended for novice users, but it can be a real lifesaver if you’re running low on storage.
Essentially, you’ll need to identify which partition(s) contain data that could potentially be moved or deleted without causing harm to your system.
Once identified, these partitions can then be unlocked with root permissions and repurposed as additional storage.
Related: Scan Pictures on Android
In summary, unlocking system partitions with root permissions is an advanced technique that should only be attempted by those who know what they’re doing.
However, if done correctly it can provide much-needed relief from the frustration of limited storage space on mobile devices – giving power back into the hands of the user.