How to delete old files, apps, photos, and data on your Android

If you’re running low on storage space, emptying the trash on your Android device can seem like the most straightforward thing to do. However, Android devices, frombudget phonesto high-end models, don’t have a trash folder or recycle bin. Still, you may remove unwanted files and apps.

Deleting apps on your Android phone

Whether you want to free up storage space or declutter your app drawer, deleting unused apps on your Android can help. While the directions might vary from brand to brand, you’re able to delete apps on most Android phones by holding the app icon and moving it to theUninstallbutton at the top of the screen. There are otherways to delete unused apps on your Android device. It’s worth checking these out so you’re able to use the easiest method for you.

Get your apps back with these easy-to-follow steps

Deleting the cache on your Android phone

Clearing your cache from time to time frees up storage space and improves your device’s performance and speed. you may clear the cache for each app on your device by navigating to your device’sSettingsand selecting theAppsfolder. Then, tap an app and selectStorage.

You’ll see different options to clear the cache and the data related to the app. While the latter is an extreme step, clearing the cache improves your phone’s performance. The steps to clear the cache vary slightly from one phone to phone, so be sure tocheck the relevant steps for your device.

Delete your downloads from your Android phone

While it’s easy to spot apps that need to be deleted since they’re present in the app drawer, managing your downloads requires more attention. If it’s been a while since you went through your downloaded files, navigate to theDownloadsfolder in yourFilesapp. Go through your downloaded files and decide which ones to delete. Long press the first download you want to delete. you may delete subsequent downloads by tapping their filenames.

There are a few ways tofind your downloads on an Android phone and tablet. If you’re able to’t find them through the Files app, try one of the other methods.

Delete old files on your Android phone

Another way tofree up storage space on your Android phoneis to delete old files and documents. You’ll find most of these in your phone’s Files app. To delete them, navigate to the Files app and select theDocumentsfolder. Long press the first document you want to delete. Select subsequent documents by tapping the name of the file. After making your selections, select thetrash iconto remove the files.

Delete duplicate images from your Android device

Duplicate photos take up space. While there arenumerous ways to delete duplicate imagesfrom your phone, navigating to theImagesfolder on theFilesapp is the easiest. you’re able to go through all the photos by selecting theAlltab or navigate to individual image folders such asGallery,Screenshots, andWhatsApp Imagesto review and delete specific images. To delete images, long press the first image and tap subsequent images. Then, select thetrashicon to remove them from your device.

If you back up your photos to Google Photos, you may have duplicate or unwanted images. When deleting images from your phone, check yourGoogle Photos app and delete photos from there.

Enjoy a clutter-free phone

After deleting these space-consuming files and apps, go one step further and delete unwanted text messages. If you accidentally delete files you need,you may retrieve them easily, and you won’t lose important messages.

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