Phone storage full? Free up space without deleting photos
Clear caches, move photos to cloud backup and remove what you do not use, without losing a single photo.
When your phone storage is full, apps slow down and backups fail. You can free several gigabytes without deleting a single photo.
1. Clear app caches and downloads
Messaging apps keep copies of every forwarded video and image. In WhatsApp, go to Settings > Storage and data > Manage storage and delete large forwarded files.
2. Move photos to cloud backup
Turn on backup in Google Photos, wait until it finishes, then use "Free up space" to remove device copies of photos that are safely backed up.
3. Remove apps you do not use
Settings > Apps, sort by size, and uninstall what you have not opened in months.
4. Check the Downloads folder
Old PDFs, APKs and videos pile up here. Sort by size and delete what you do not need.
5. Use your phone's cleaner
Most Android phones have a built-in storage cleaner, or Files by Google, which suggests what is safe to remove.
A full phone is a common reason for a stuck WhatsApp backup. For your PF records, see how to download your EPF passbook.
