Skip to main content
    TekSure
    Step 1 of 5
    Phone & Tablet
    Beginner
    2 min read 5 stepsApril 6, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Free Up Space When Your Phone Says "Storage Full"

    Quick steps to reclaim storage space on any phone without losing important files.

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Check what is using your storage
    2. 2.Delete old photos and videos
    3. 3.Remove apps you do not use
    4. 4.Clear message attachments
    5. 5.Use cloud storage going forward
    1

    Check what is using your storage

    ~15s
    iPhone: Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Android: Settings > Storage. Both show a breakdown of what is taking up space — apps, photos, messages, and system files. Look for the biggest categories first.
    2

    Delete old photos and videos

    ~24s
    Photos and especially videos are usually the biggest space hogs. Open your Photos app, go to Albums > Videos, and delete any you no longer need. Then empty the "Recently Deleted" folder (iPhone) or Trash (Android) — deleted photos still take up space for 30 days.

    Quick Tip

    Before deleting photos, back them up to Google Photos or iCloud first. Then you can delete them from your phone knowing they are safely stored in the cloud.

    3

    Remove apps you do not use

    ~15s
    iPhone: Settings > General > iPhone Storage > tap an app > Delete App. Android: Settings > Apps > tap an app > Uninstall. Focus on large apps and games you have not opened in months.
    4

    Clear message attachments

    ~16s
    Text messages with photos and videos can use gigabytes of space. iPhone: Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Messages > Review Large Attachments. Delete old photos and videos from conversations. Android: Open Messages > tap a conversation > tap the contact name > Media > delete old items.
    5

    Use cloud storage going forward

    ~16s
    To prevent this from happening again, enable cloud photo backup: iPhone: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos > On. Android: Google Photos app > tap profile > Photos settings > Backup > On. Once backed up, you can safely delete photos from your phone.

    You Did It!

    You've completed: How to Free Up Space When Your Phone Says "Storage Full"

    Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

    Rate this guide

    How helpful was this guide?

    storage
    iphone
    android
    beginner

    Official Resources

    Apple Support — iPhoneGoogle Help — AndroidSamsung Support

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

    ← Previous

    How to Control App Permissions on Your Phone

    Next →

    How to Set Up Do Not Disturb on Your Phone

    Still stuck? Let a pro handle it.

    Our verified technicians can fix this issue for you — remotely or in person.

    Book a Verified Tech How It Works

    Related Guides

    How to Set Up a New iPhone

    Got a new iPhone? This guide walks you through every step from turning it on to signing in with your Apple ID.

    2 min read

    How to Set Up a New Android Phone

    A beginner-friendly walkthrough for setting up a new Android phone from scratch — including your Google account.

    2 min read

    How to Move Your Contacts to a New Phone

    Don't lose your contacts when switching phones. Here's how to transfer them to iPhone or Android in minutes.

    2 min read

    How to Free Up Space When Your Phone Says "Storage Full" — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure