If you’re seeing an “Insufficient storage available” message on your Android, chances are that you’ve used up most of your device’s available memory. To fix this, you’ll need to make some space by deleting apps and media, or you can add external storage like a Micro SD card. In some cases, this error appears even with ample space, but this guide will help you fix the insufficient storage available error on your Android.
How to resolve the insufficient storage available error on Android
Follow these methods to clear up space on your device and resolve the persistent storage warning message on your phone or tablet.
Method 1: Reset your app caches
- Open the Settings app by tapping the gear icon in your App Drawer or Quick Panel.
- Tap on Apps, which is often next to a 2×2 grid icon.
- Tap the icon of three lines or dots to open sorting options, and then select Size to list apps from largest to smallest.
- Select an app that is using a lot of space to see its details.
- Tap on Storage to view its data and cache usage.
- Tap the Clear cache button to free up temporary storage. You may need to repeat this for several apps.
- Some Android versions allow you to clear all app caches at once from the main Storage menu in Settings.
Method 2: Uninstall unused apps
- To free up significant space, delete apps you no longer use by tapping and holding the app icon on your home screen or in the App Drawer.
- Drag the icon to the Remove or Uninstall area that appears at the top of the screen and release it.
- Repeat this process for all other unwanted applications to maximize free space.
- If an app cannot be uninstalled, it may be a system app. You can often disable it instead:
- If it’s a system app: Tap and hold its icon, then tap the Disable option to reclaim the space its data is using.
Method 3: Clear Google Play Store data and updates
- Open the Settings app and navigate to the Apps section.
- Scroll down and tap on Google Play Store from the list of applications.
- Select the Storage option to view its data settings.
- Tap both Clear cache and Clear data. Warning: You will need to confirm this action, which will reset your Play Store settings.
- If the error continues, return to the Google Play Store app settings page.
- Tap the three-dot menu icon (⋮) in the top-right corner of your screen.
- Select Uninstall updates to revert the Play Store to its factory version, which can force it to re-evaluate your phone’s storage.
Method 4: Transfer photos and videos to a computer
- Connect your Android device to a computer using a USB cable or a wireless connection method.
- Alternatively, use a cloud service like Google Drive to upload your files.
- Move your photos and videos from your phone’s internal storage to your computer, then delete the local copies to free up a large amount of space.
Method 5: Change your default storage location
- Open your Camera app and tap the settings icon, which usually looks like a gear (⚙️).
- Look for a Storage Location option and select your external SD card as the new default destination. This option will only appear if an SD card is installed.
- If you do not have an SD card, use a cloud service like Google Photos to back up your media.
- Once your photos and videos are safely backed up, you can delete the local copies from your phone to free up internal storage.
Method 6: Additional tips for managing your storage
- Check your actual available storage by going to Settings > Storage. If you have more than 15 MB free, the error might be a system glitch.
- Restart your phone by holding the power button and selecting Power Off. This clears system RAM and can resolve false errors.
- On some devices, like Samsung models, you can navigate to Settings > Battery and device care > Memory and tap Clean now to free up RAM without restarting.
- Delete unnecessary files from your Downloads folder, as well as old screenshots and videos you no longer need.
- If your phone has an unused SD card slot, purchase and install a Micro SD card to expand your storage capacity.
- If you already have an SD card, move existing apps to it by going to Settings > Apps, selecting an app, and tapping Move to SD Card if the option is available.
Why keeping your storage clean matters
Regularly managing your Android’s storage does more than just prevent error messages. A device with sufficient free space runs faster and more smoothly, as the operating system has the room it needs for caching and temporary files. This leads to quicker app launches and less lag during daily use.
Furthermore, keeping your storage organized ensures you always have space for critical system updates, which often contain important security patches. By proactively cleaning out old files and utilizing external or cloud storage, you maintain your device’s health, security, and overall performance for a better long-term experience.
