How to Fix the “Storage Almost Full” Issue on Android

Getting that dreaded pop-up saying “Storage space is running out” on your Android phone can be frustrating — especially when you’re trying to take a photo or install a new app. Thankfully, you don’t always need to delete everything or buy a new phone. With the right steps, you can free up space and keep your device running smoothly.

Why Your Android Says “Storage Almost Full”

When your internal storage gets crowded, the system struggles to allocate space for apps, cache, updates and crucial system files. Some of the top space-hogs: unused apps, heavy cache files, photos/videos, downloads, and system data you might not realise is taking up room. How-To Geek+2Google Help+2
Even if you’ve deleted things, the phone might still show low space because some files are hidden or remain in cache. Google Help
Let’s clear that up with action.

Step-by-Step: Free-Up Storage on Android

1. Check What’s Using the Most Space

Go to Settings → Storage (or Settings → Device care → Storage on some phones). You’ll see a breakdown of what’s taking up space — apps, images, videos, system, etc. Consumer Reports+1
Tap each category to drill down, identify the biggest offenders and decide what to delete or move.

2. Uninstall Apps You Don’t Use

Apps you rarely open still occupy space and may store large data or caches.

• Go to Settings → Apps → See all apps

• Sort by size or last used

• Select unwanted apps → Uninstall
  This simple step frees up both app size and its stored data.

3. Clear App Cache and Data

Cache files build up over time and can take several GB.

• Go to Settings → Storage → Cached data (if available) or

• Go to each Settings → Apps → [App name] → Storage → Clear cache. Google Help+1
  Be cautious with Clear data — it removes saved settings/data for that app.

4. Delete or Move Large Files (Photos, Videos, Downloads)

Media files are often the largest storage users.

• Use Files by Google or your phone’s file manager to identify large files. How-To Geek

• Move photos/videos to cloud storage (e.g., Google Photos) or external SD card if your phone supports it. HMD – Human Mobile Devices

• Delete old downloads and duplicates you don’t need.

5. Use Built-In “Free Up Space” Tools

Newer Android versions include automated cleanup suggestions. For example: in Storage settings tap Free up space or “Clear unused apps” button. Google Help+1
Enable features that archive or offload seldom-used apps — versions of this exist on newer Android and iOS too. WIRED+1

6. Move Apps, Files to SD Card (If Supported)

If your phone has an SD card slot:

• Format the SD as internal (if allowed) to increase usable space. Tom’s Guide Forum

• Move large apps, games, or files to the SD card.
  Check manufacturer guidelines — some widgets or apps may not work fully once moved.

7. Restart Your Phone

After cleaning up, reboot your device to refresh storage indexing and verify free space. This may resolve remaining “storage almost full” messages. Android Enthusiasts Stack Exchange

Prevent Future Storage Warnings

• Keep at least ~15–20% free space for the system to operate smoothly.

• Regularly uninstall unused apps and clear cache (every 4-6 weeks).

• Use cloud backup for photos/videos and delete local copies once backed up.

• Enable automatic cleanup/archive features if your phone supports them.

• Avoid storing large files like downloaded movies permanently — move or delete when done.

• Consider purchasing a phone with more storage (128 GB+ recommended) if you consistently hit limits. Reddit

If you keep getting the “Storage Almost Full” warning on your Android phone, don’t panic. With a few smart moves — identifying space-hogs, clearing cache, moving media to cloud or SD, and uninstalling unused apps — you can reclaim plenty of space and restore performance without buying a new device. Just stay on top of it and your phone will thank you.