Free Up Android Phone's Internal Storage

Every Android user will be able to relate to this message "Phone internal memory is almost full". This is one of the weak point of the Android system, by default, we are not allowed to install applications and other data to an external memory card. Considering that the Play Store has a bunch of great applications waiting to be downloaded for free, it is such a bad news that your 32 GB memory card has not been fully utilized. Good thing for you, we here at Howikis, have made your life easier and more fun. Check on the ways to freeing some internal phone memory to get more from it.

Chances are, you have an application or two on your application drawer that has not been used for the last three months. Either you forgot to delete it, or thinking that maybe you could use it in the future. Consider deleting or uninstalling it. If in the future you will be needing it, you can download it again. To uninstall applications:

1. 1
   Go to your Home Menu.

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2. 2
   Go to Settings.

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3. 3
   From Settings, Tap on Applications.

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4. 4
   In the Application Menu, tap on Manage Applications.

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5. 5
   On the upper tab, click on All to view all installed applications.

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6. 6
   Choose on the application that you want to uninstall

   .

   You can sort the applications based on their sizes to see what applications is taking the most size.

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7. 7
   Tap on the desired application that you want to uninstall.

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8. 8
   You should the application details and an Uninstall button on the upper right.

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9. 9
   Tap on the uninstall button and confirm it.

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10. 10
    Done.

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Your phone's internal memory may store some files on it. These files may be in forms of mp3s, pictures, videos. These take up considerable amount on your phone's internal memory. Deleting these unnecessary files can give way for more important application and files on your phone. Follow the steps below to delete unnecessary files:

1. 1
   Choose on the application that you want to uninstall

   .

   You can sort the applications based on their sizes to see what applications is taking the most size.

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2. 2
   Turn off your phone.

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3. 3
   Remove the battery.

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4. 4
   Remove the memory card

   .

   This is important so that you do not get confuse on where to look for the files to be deleted on your phone.

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5. 5
   Put back the battery and turn your phone on.

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6. 6
   Go to your Home Menu.

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7. 7
   Go to you My Files folder

   .

   Some phones have a different name. Some has the word "Explorer" on it. You will know you are on the right folder when you see sub-folders when you open it.

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8. 8
   Navigate through the folders especially those with names containing MP3, VIDEO, AUDIO, OTHERS, DCIM.

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9. 9
   Check for a file that you think you can do without.

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10. 10
    Long press on it and you should see available possible actions.

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11. 11
    Choose delete.

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12. 12
    Do this until you deleted all those unnecessary files.

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• Tip: Do not use Root Explorer when doing this to avoid complications on your root/ protected files.

The longer you use your phone, the bigger cache it will have. Cache can be important as it speeds up data retrieval. However, these are stored in your phone's internal memory and most of these are not frequently used. Clearing the cache is a good way to get more internal space. To do this:

1. 1
   Go to your Home Menu.

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2. 2
   Go to Settings.

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3. 3
   From Settings, Tap on Applications.

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4. 4
   In the Application Menu, tap on Manage Applications.

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5. 5
   On the upper tab, click on All to view all installed applications.

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6. 6
   Click on each application to see its details.

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7. 7
   You should see the Clear cache button on the bottom-right of the application details.

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8. 8
   Tap on it to clear application Cache.

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9. 9
   Do this to other applications

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• Tip: You can use third party applications to automatically clear the cache for you.
• Tip: You can download any of these applications:
• App Cache Cleaner – play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mobi.infolife.cache&hl=tl
• AVG Memory and Cache Cleaner - play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.avg.cleaner&hl=tl
• Cache Cleaner – play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gannicus.android.cacheclearer&hl=tl

Your photos are taking a large chunk of you phone's memory. And the reality is, you will not view most of them anytime soon. If you do not want to delete your photos, you can make a backup on your PC to free more internal phone memory. You can also use websites that host uploaded photos. Check on the ways to save your photos to your PC.

1. 1
   From your phone, transfer the files to your memory card

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   You can do this by going to file and explorer, choosing the photos that you want to transfer. Press on Options and tap on Cut. Go to your SD card location and. Tap on the Options Menu and choose Paste. Wait for the process to finish. The more pictures you are transferring, the more time it will take to complete the process. Once done, remove your SD Card and transfer the files to your PC by using a card reader. You can also directly use your phone by setting its developer options to USB storage. If you do this, you won't have to remove your SD Card.

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2. 2
   Directly transfer files from your phone to you PC by using the right software for your phone

   .

   You can use the software intended for your device to transfer files from your phone to your PC. To do this simply install the correct software for your phone on your PC. Connect both devices using a USB cable and proceed with the transferring.

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• For Samsung, download Samsung Kies here – samsung.com/us/kies/‎

Using your phone's native app to SD function, you can move application from your phone's internal memory to your SD card. However, not all applications are movable. By default, Android locks system related applications from being moved to the SD card. This is for the purpose of not messing up with your phone. Follow the steps below to move applications using your phone's move to SD function.

1. 1
   Go to your Home Menu.

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2. 2
   Go to Settings.

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3. 3
   From Settings, Tap on Applications.

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4. 4
   In the Application Menu, tap on Manage Applications.

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5. 5
   On the upper tab, click on All to view all installed applications.

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6. 6
   Choose on the application that you want to move to the SD Card

   .

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7. 7
   Tap on it and see if there is an option to move it to the SD Card.

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8. 8
   If there is, tap on the button and the application should be moved.

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9. 9
   If there is no button to move to SD Card, it means that the phone has protected that application from being moved.

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If you know what you are doing and sure that you won't mess up with your phone, you can use third party applications to move this system protected applications to your SD card. Make sure to back-up before proceeding with the transfer. Below are five applications that enables you to move applications to your SD card. Each has its own pro's and con's:

1. 1
   Easy App2SD – play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=bazinga.appmove&hl=tl

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2. 2
   DroidSail Super App2SD – play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.droidsail.dsapp2sd&hl=tl

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3. 3
   App2SD+ - play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.isnowstudio.app2sd&hl=tl

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4. 4
   App2SD – play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mobi.infolife.app2sd&hl=tl

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5. 5
   App Manager III – play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.a0soft.gphone.app2sd&hl=tl

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If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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