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With the increasing amount of content and apps we access on our Android devices, storage space is becoming an essential aspect to consider. Most users of Android phones face the problem of limited storage space which can be a frustrating experience. When you run out of storage space, your phone starts underperforming, and you keep receiving warnings that your device is running low on space. Fortunately, there are various solutions on how to create more storage on Android which can help you quickly free up some extra space without having to delete your files or apps.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Create More Storage on Android
Most Android devices come with limited storage which can fill up quickly. You may end up saving documents, videos, photos, and a ton of apps on your device which take up too much space. Running out of storage space can affect your device’s performance, and you may not be able to install new apps or system updates. Creating more storage space enables you to have more room to store essential files without compromising your device’s performance. In this article, we will provide some methods that can help you free up storage space on your Android device.
Method 1: Move Photos and Videos to Cloud Storage
One of the most significant storage space consumers on Android devices is pictures and videos. Instead of storing all your photos and videos on your device, a cloud-based storage service such as Google Photos can help you free up your device’s storage. Here are the detailed steps for moving photos and videos to cloud storage:
1. Open Google Photos on your Android device.
2. Click on the "three-lines" or "hamburger" menu located in the top-left corner of the app.
3. Tap "Settings" from the menu, then select "Backup & Sync."
4. Toggle the "Backup & Sync" switch to turn it on.
5. Select "Upload size" and choose "High Quality" to optimize your photos and videos for storage.
6. Choose the type of files you want to back up to Google Photos, then click "Turn on."
7. Once your files are backed up, they will be available for access from any device.
Pros:
- Provides unlimited backup storage of your pictures and videos
- Easy to use and set up
- Keeps all your media in one secure location
Cons:
- Dependent on internet availability
- May require a subscription fee for more storage space
- High-quality images and videos are compressed during backup
Method 2: Clear Cache and Data on Apps
Android apps often store data and cache files on your device which can consume a lot of storage space over time. Clearing cache and data on apps can help free up storage space and improve your device’s performance. Here is how to clear cache and data on apps:
1. Navigate to "Settings" on your Android device.
2. Select "Apps & notifications."
3. Select the app whose cache and data you want to clear.
4. Click on "Storage & cache" or "Storage."
5. Tap on the "Clear cache" button to clear the cache files on the app.
6. Next, click on "Clear storage" or "Clear data" to remove all data associated with the app.
7. Repeat this process for other apps that you want to clear cache and data files.
Pros:
- Can free up a significant amount of storage space
- Improves app performance
- Simple to do and requires no specialized tools
Cons:
- Deleting important data on some apps can cause errors, and you may have to re-enter the data
- May require several minutes to clear all cache and data files on multiple apps
- Some apps may rebuild their cache and data files during use, consuming storage space again
Method 3: Move Apps to SD Card
Android devices typically come with an SD card slot that can be used to expand storage capacity. Moving apps to the SD card can help free up storage space on your device’s internal memory. Here is how to move apps to SD card:
1. Insert an SD card into your Android device.
2. Navigate to "Settings," then select "Apps & notifications."
3. Scroll to find the app you want to move to the SD card.
4. Tap on the app, then click on "Storage."
5. Click on "Change" located at the bottom of the screen.
6. Choose "SD Card" from the list of available locations.
7. Click "Move" to move the app to the SD card.
Pros:
- Significantly increases storage space on your Android device
- Enables you to keep all your essential apps on your device without running out of space
- Simple and easy to do on most Android devices
Cons:
- Some apps may not be movable to the SD card
- Some devices may not have an SD card slot for expansion
- If the SD card gets damaged or corrupt, you may lose all the apps and data stored on it
What to Do If You Can’t Create More Storage on Android
If you have tried all the methods above and still can’t create more storage on your Android device, it may be time to consider other options. Here are some fixes that can help you:
1. Uninstall apps and games that you seldom use
2. Remove unnecessary files and downloads from your device’s storage
3. Consider using a USB drive that works with your device to provide extra storage space
4. Buy a new device with more storage space
Bonus Tip
To prevent your Android device from losing storage space again, ensure to regularly clean up your device. You can use apps such as Clean Master which helps to identify and clean up cache files, spam, and other unnecessary data.
5 FAQs
Q1: Can I move all apps to my SD card?
A: No, some apps are restricted from moving to the SD card, especially system applications.
Q2: Does clearing cache and data on my apps delete my personal data?
A: No, it deletes only temporary files and app data stored on your device. Your personal data such as contacts, messages, and photos are not affected.
Q3: How do I know which apps are using up more storage on my device?
A: Navigate to "Settings" then select "Storage." Click on "Apps & notifications," and you will see which apps are consuming more storage space.
Q4: Can I use cloud storage from other providers like Dropbox?
A: Yes, you can use cloud storage services such as Dropbox, OneDrive, or iCloud to store your files.
Q5: Will transferring my files to a USB drive affect my device’s performance?
A: No, transferring files to a USB drive does not affect your device’s performance.
Final Thoughts
Running out of storage space on your Android device can be quite frustrating. However, with the solutions provided in this article, you can now create more storage on your device without having to delete your files or apps. Whether you decide to use cloud storage, move apps to the SD card or clear cache and data, you can significantly increase storage space on your device for better performance. Always remember to clean up your device regularly to keep it running optimally.