How to Increase Storage on an Android Phone
In this guide, we explore effective strategies for increasing storage on your Android phone, both internally and externally. Additionally, we’ll explore how motorola’s innovative approach, exemplified by the motorola razr, continues to shape the future of smartphones.
How to check your phone storage
Before you free up space, it can be helpful to know what you’re working with.
On most Android devices, you will need to visit Settings > Battery and Device Care > Storage.
Here you will see a breakdown of how much storage you’re using, broken down into categories, and how much you have free.
For example, both the
Most smartphones range from 64GB to 512GB of internal storage. Many of the latest motorola devices, including the motorola razr 70 ultra and motorola edge 70 both come with 512 GB of internal storage, which gives you a solid baseline. However, even generous storage can fill up over time.
How to increase internal storage on an Android
“Insufficient Storage Available”. If you’ve been met with this message when downloading photos or installing a new app, you may have been left wondering how to enable this to happen. Below, we highlight four key ways to increase internal storage on Android that don’t incur a cost.
Clear cache and app data
Begin by clearing cached data accumulated by apps. Navigate to Settings > Storage > Cached data and clear it. Additionally, you can review and clear unnecessary app data by going to Settings > Apps > [select app] > Storage > Clear Data.
Note: Clearing the cache removes only the temporary files. “Clear data” is more drastic – it resets the app to a fresh install, which deletes your preferences and local data. Only use Clear Data if you’re sure you don’t need what’s stored there.
Uninstall unused apps
Identify and uninstall apps that you no longer use. Visit Settings > Apps and remove any applications consuming valuable internal storage space. You can sort the apps by size to see which ones are taking up the most room.
Use app-specific storage management
Some apps allow you to manage storage more efficiently. For example, messaging apps often store media files. In WhatsApp, you can go to Settings > Storage and Data > Manage Storage to clear out old media.
Enable smart storage features
Android offers Smart Storage, a feature that automatically removes backed-up photos and videos from your device after a certain period. You can enable this feature in Settings > Storage > Smart Storage.
How to increase external memory for an Android phone
Internal storage refers to your smartphone’s internal memory. The other option is external storage. This is typically an add-on, whether physical or virtual, where everything from apps to music can be stored and accessed. Discover different ways to increase your Android’s external storage below.
Using a microSD card
If your Android device has a microSD slot, this is usually the simplest and most cost-effective way to expand storage. Just insert a compatible card and you can store photos, videos, files, and – on many phones – apps directly on the card.
To move apps to a microSD card, go to Settings > Apps > [select app] > Storage > Change and choose SD card.
You can also use adoptable storage (on Android 6.0 and above) to merge the SD card with your phone’s internal memory. Go to Settings > Storage > SD Card > Format as internal to use the SD card as part of your internal storage. Just keep in mind that if you remove the card after doing this, the apps that are stored on it could stop working until the card is reinserted.
Cloud storage services
You can utilise cloud storage services like Google One or Dropbox to store photos, videos and documents. This not only frees up local storage, but also provides secure backups.
Google Photos, for example, backs up your images for free (up to 15GB), so you can delete local copies once they’re safely stored in the cloud. Once you’ve backed them up, just click Free Up Space in the Google Photos app to remove the originals from your phone.
USB storage
If your phone doesn’t have an SD card slot, a USB-C flash drive can be a good alternative. Just plug it in and you can move files, photos, and videos across directly. It’s especially useful for one-off transfers, like backing up large video files before a trip, rather than as permanent extended storage.
Most modern Android devices also support USB OTG (On-The-Go), which allows you to connect external drives. You can check your phone’s spec sheet to see if it’s compatible.
How to buy more space on Android
You can’t purchase more built-in device storage after buying a smartphone. Internal storage chips are typically soldered onto a phone’s motherboard and aren’t designed to be replaced.
However, upgrading an Android’s external storage to meet your requirements is simple. SD cards are available in different storage capacities, with the most common being 32 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB. However, larger TB values are available. Therefore, if you wanted to upgrade your Android with an internal 128 GB to 256 GB, you’d simply just need to buy a compatible 128 GB SD card and insert it in the slot. It is worth double checking your device has an SD slot before committing to your purchase.
If you’d prefer to use cloud storage, providers offer packages based on your needs. Google One offers a free 15 GB of storage, scaling up to 100 GB, 200 GB and 2 TB. These larger storage packages have a monthly or annual cost, as well as other member benefits. However, just because Android devices come preinstalled with Google apps, this doesn’t mean you have to use Google One. Dropbox, Sync.com, Icedrive, pCloud, and MEGA are all popular alternatives.
Motorola’s Smartphone Storage
Motorola has consistently stood out as an innovator
The motorola razr, a modern iteration of the classic flip phone, exemplifies motorola’s commitment to pushing boundaries. With its foldable display and sleek design, the razr offers a unique blend of nostalgia and cutting-edge technology.
As we explore ways to maximise storage on Android devices, it’s essential to appreciate how companies like motorola continually redefine the user experience. The motorola razr, with its distinctive form factor, showcases the brand’s dedication to delivering devices that are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. As we look forward to the future of smartphones, motorola remains at the forefront of shaping the industry, promising exciting developments for tech enthusiasts worldwide.
For more information regarding storage, check out the following articles:
Increasing Storage on Your Android Phone FAQs
Android phones accumulate data over time through app installations, cached files and media. Regular usage and app updates contribute to the gradual consumption of storage space.
Navigate to Settings > Storage on your Android phone to view a breakdown of storage usage. This section provides details on how much space apps, photos, videos and other files are occupying.
Clearing the cache removes temporary files that apps use to operate efficiently. It won’t delete your personal data, but it might require apps to reload certain information.
Not all apps support moving to an SD card. Some system apps and certain apps designed to run from internal storage may not be movable. To move apps, navigate to Settings > Apps > [select app] > Storage > Change > SD card.
Adoptable storage combines internal and external storage, but it’s essential to use a reliable and fast SD card. Be cautious, as removing the SD card may lead to app malfunction if critical components were moved to the adopted storage.
Most Android phones support USB OTG (On-The-Go), allow/ing you to connect external USB drives or SD card readers. However, check your device’s specifications to confirm compatibility.
Cloud storage services like Google One and Dropbox allow you to store files online, reducing the need for local storage. Photos, videos and documents can be accessed anytime while keeping your phone’s storage unburdened.
Optimising storage settings, such as clearing cache and uninstalling unused apps, generally improves performance. However, regularly monitoring storage is crucial to maintaining a smooth user experience.
Yes, combining internal methods like clearing cache and uninstalling apps with external methods such as SD card usage or cloud storage can maximise storage efficiency on your Android phone.
You can’t physically upgrade a phone’s built-in storage because the internal memory chip is fixed to the device’s motherboard. However, there are a few ways that you can expand the available space.
If your phone has a microSD card slot, the simplest option is to insert a 64GB microSD card. This effectively adds extra storage for photos, videos, downloads and sometimes apps, bringing the total available storage close to 128GB. You can also move files and compatible apps to the SD card through Settings > Apps > Storage, or store files in cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox to free up internal space. You could also try clearing cached files and deleting unused apps to create extra room on your device.
If your device has no SD card slot, the best way to increase storage is to:
1. Back up all photos and videos to Google Photos, then tap Free UP Space to remove the originals from your phone
2. Clear cached data across all apps (Settings > Storage > Cached Data)
3. Uninstall apps you haven’t used for a month or more
4. Use a USB-C flash drive for any large files, like videos, downloads, or music, that you want to keep accessible without taking up internal space
5. Upgrade your Google One plan to give yourself more space for future files
The internal storage of a phone can’t be upgraded directly. To increase available space from 128GB to roughly 256GB, you need to add external storage.
If your device supports microSD cards, you can insert a 128GB card to double the storage available for media, documents and other files. Many Android phones support cards up to 256GB or even higher capacities. Another option is using cloud storage or an external USB-C flash drive. With these, you can store photos, videos and files outside the phone’s internal memory and still access them when needed.
Android phones don’t allow you to purchase more internal device storage after buying the phone. Instead, you can buy cloud storage through services such as Google One.
To upgrade cloud storage on Android:
1. Open the Google One or Google Drive app.
2. Tap Upgrade storage.
3. Choose a plan (for example, 100GB, 200GB or 2TB).
4. Confirm your payment and subscription.
This storage is stored online rather than on your device, but it can be used for photos, files, backups and emails while helping keep your phone’s internal storage free.
