How to clear internal memory on. "Phone memory is full" on Android: causes and solutions

A study by security developer Avast found that using the factory reset feature built into the Android operating system is not effective in removing your personal data from older devices. The firm purchased 20 used Android smartphones on eBay and was able to recover over 40,000 photos, 750 emails and text messages, as well as 250 contacts and the IDs of four previous device owners, and even a completed loan application. To make matters worse, Avast employees used public domain data recovery software.

Step one: Encryption.
I recommend encrypting the device before completely wiping it. The encryption process will corrupt the data on the device and, even if the credentials are not completely erased, you will need to have a special key to decrypt them.

To encrypt your device, go to Settings, select the Security option and select "Encrypt phone" (by the way, this item is not available on some smartphones for some reason).

Step two: Reset settings.
The next thing you will need to do is perform a factory reset. This can be done by selecting the "Reset Settings" option in the "Backup and Reset" section of the settings menu. You should be aware that this will erase all data on the phone and that you should back up everything you don't want to lose.

Applying steps one and two should be sufficient for most people, but you can take one more step to add another layer of protection when erasing your personal data. Try downloading fake photos and contacts to your device. Why ask you? We will resolve this in the next step.

Step Four: Another factory reset.
Now you must perform a factory reset again. This will remove the dummy content downloaded to the device. This step will make it harder for someone to find your data because it will be buried below the dummy content.

Have you developed paranoia? Repeat steps three and four as many times as you like. As I mentioned above, however, for most people, just doing steps one and two is enough. And without encryption, which is included in the factory reset, it will be practically impossible to recover data on an erased device.

On the other hand, you can always smash or flush an old phone down the toilet if you're not going to sell it.

All kinds of gadgets have recently become an integral part of the life of many modern people. Most owners of smartphones and tablets with operating system Android sooner or later face the problem of lack of memory. In budget models, its volume is, as a rule, no more than four gigabytes, but here it should be borne in mind that at least a quarter of it is occupied by the operating system itself.

All modern games, like high-quality photos, music and movies, require more and more available memory. So, at some point, the user simply will not be able to install the necessary application, download the necessary data. The lack of free space also negatively affects the speed of the device itself. So how do you free internal memory on Android? You can move files to external media and optimize the performance of your smartphone.

What fills the free space?

When figuring out how to free up the internal memory of a phone on Android, you should pay attention to a few points. Certain methods may be effective in some cases, but completely inappropriate in others.

Before freeing up internal memory on Android, you need to understand where the data that fills the device comes from. Here are some of the most common options:

• saving photos, music and videos;
• data used in the exchange on social networks;
• audio from a voice recorder;
• data downloaded via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi;
• applications from Play Store located in the device memory.

How can I prevent files from being saved to the device's memory?

To prevent the problem from recurring from time to time, you need to redirect the download of files from the device’s memory to other media. For example, to a memory card (SD card). For this purpose, you should change the save path settings in the settings of some applications:

• camera options;
• voice recorder options;
• place for browser downloads;
• location of cached files from applications;
• regulation of messengers;
• regulation of loader programs;
• regulation of navigation GPS-maps.

In all the above settings, the path to a specific folder (or several folders: separately for music, video, pictures and files) must be specified, which is located on the memory card.

How to move data?

It is better to move files from the device's memory to a memory card in similar folders. If there are none, you can create them using any file manager that is downloaded from the Play Store, or by connecting the device to a computer via a cord. Moving to places with similar standard names will avoid unnecessary confusion. Folders usually have the following names:

• bluetooth;
• DCIM;
• download;
• media;
• movies;
• music;
• video;
• sounds.

Transferring files, as well as creating new folders, can be done in two ways: directly by the functions of the device itself or using a computer. You should not transfer the data, the purpose of which is in doubt. Moving program files can cause device malfunctions, you should be aware of this before freeing up space on the internal memory of Android.

How to transfer files directly on the device?

To transfer pictures, music and videos directly on the device, it is better to use the file manager. Simple and reliable to use is ES File Explorer. The main function of the manager is precisely to work with folders and files. This file manager is very lightweight, does not take up an already small amount of memory, and is convenient.

To transfer the necessary data, you need to select it with a single long press. Choosing the action "move", you should click on "SD-card". The advantage of this file manager is that the menu allows you to immediately create new folders for transferring files.

How to transfer files using a computer?

In order to clear the internal memory of Android using a computer, you need to connect the device to it using a USB cable. To be able to manage data on a smartphone or tablet, specialized programs and drivers must be installed on the PC. As a rule, such software is installed automatically, but you need to wait a little while the computer determines the type of device and finds the appropriate drivers on the network.

Problems that arise when transferring files using a PC are easily eliminated by the free AirDroid service, which provides the ability to work with the device from a distance by connecting to WiFi networks. Firstly, this is good because you do not need to additionally install any programs and drivers to recognize a smartphone or tablet. Secondly, this service provides communication between devices at a distance longer than a cable.

And yet, how to free up system memory on Android through a computer using this method? Everything is very simple here - data management is possible through any browser.

How to move apps to SD card?

How to free up internal memory on Android to offload devices? We note right away that this is not an easy task. The reason is that in order to carry out this operation for applications, as a rule, you need to have special rights, namely administrator rights, which will allow you to fully manage all the files.

You can get administrator status by installing an additional software or change your smartphone settings. In the latter case, everything is much simpler. Devices that can be set to "developer mode" in their settings allow you to perform many actions that are not available to ordinary users, for example, install fake localization.

If administrator access is already enabled, the next step is to install the Link2Sd application. It allows you to transfer both installed additional and standard applications from the device's memory to a memory card. But here you need to remember that such actions can lead to malfunctions of the device.

Without administrator rights, you can move only a part of the applications. This action can be performed in the device settings. But the standard reception is not very convenient, and if you don’t want to change the settings, it’s better to download android application assistant.

Android Assistant consists of eighteen tools for versatile work with Android. Directly transferring applications is carried out as follows: you should open the program, go to the "Tools" section and select "App2Sd". A list of applications that can be transferred will open.

Also using this application you can perform a complex removal, which will help optimize and increase the speed of the device.

How to clean the device from unnecessary garbage?

By following the above steps, you can make significant progress in the process of clearing memory. Once you have set the correct settings, most likely you will not have to do all the steps again from time to time. But you will often have to use information on how to free up internal memory on Android by deleting garbage. So, by installing a special application (for example, Clean Master), you can make the cleaning process quick and easy.

The so-called garbage in the device, which occurs through the accumulation of cached data from the Internet, browser history, applications, is a very common phenomenon. Periodic cleaning allows you to increase the free space on the device and speed up the performance of all actions.

If you disassemble cleaning the device from debris using the example of the most optimal and convenient Clean Master program, then there will be no difficulties in using it. You just need to select the "garbage" option and click "clear". The application, conducting a deep analysis, necessarily specifies which files do not need to be deleted.

How to store files online?

To free up internal memory on Android 4.2, you can use the so-called cloud storage. They allow not only to store files, but also to open them using various devices. By installing an application of this type on a smartphone, in order to gain access to data, you will only need to register (when you turn it on for the first time), and then enter your username and password.

Important in working with cloud storage and constant access to the Internet, because the data is placed in "virtual memory". Among the most successful cloud storages are Google Drive, Mega storage, Yandex.Disk or Dropbox.

How to perform a complete cleaning of the device?

To radically clear the memory of the device, you need to complete the complete removal of all data. The action is performed using the "Formatting" option. As a rule, this item is located in the device settings in the "Backup and data reset" tab. After confirming the user's intentions and deleting the data, the device will reboot and take on its original form, that is, the smartphone will not have everything that was installed and downloaded after purchase.

In general, the instruction "How to free up memory on Android" includes several steps, some of which are interchangeable. Consistent execution of various actions will lead to an increase in free space, which will certainly lead to device optimization.

What to do if the phone starts to slow down and freeze? How to clear the internal memory of Android and unload the RAM? Such questions are very relevant, because now many have an Android phone or tablet. But there is a way out, and it is below.

Why is there not enough memory?

The memory on the phone and tablet, as well as on the computer, is divided into 2 types: for data storage and operational. Do not confuse them, as they are different types and they perform different tasks.

RAM is temporary memory that stores temporary data and commands. If the device is turned off, this information will be deleted. Also, the amount of simultaneously processed data, or in a simple way - speed, depends on the RAM. Each user must have noticed that the phone sometimes starts to think for a long time and freeze. This means that the RAM is overloaded, and it is not enough for normal operation. To avoid this, you need to clear the RAM. Android will work better from this.

Reasons for shortage random access memory the following:

• many heavy applications are open;
• a large number of unnecessary temporary files have accumulated;
• programs that run in the background.

Memory for data storage is designed to store information. Physically, it is presented as an internal memory of the phone or as an external one - on a flash card. The reason for the lack of such is banal: there is too much information on the media (not necessarily necessary).

How to clean the internal and phone?

The answer to this question is very simple: just delete unnecessary files, pictures, videos, music, etc. But before clearing the internal memory of Android, you need to find these files. For example, ES Explorer or Total Commander will help us with this. We go, select files, delete. If there is no such program, then you must definitely download it, since it will definitely not be superfluous. The easiest way to download from the Play Market.

If the location of unnecessary data is unknown, and such a problem as clearing the internal memory of Android has not gone away, then you can use a specialized program, for example, CCleaner. We turn it on, click "Analyze" and wait for the results, after which we delete everything unnecessary.

It will also be right to move all unimportant applications from the phone's memory to the memory card. Go to settings\applications\downloaded, click on options and sort by size. Next, select the desired application, click "Move to SD card".

Clean up RAM

Such a problem, a phone, is much more serious than clearing space on a flash drive, since the RAM is responsible for the speed of the system, and therefore for the normal operation of the device as a whole. Therefore, you need to clean it much more often. You can do this in several ways:

• First of all, you need a specialized program, at least the same CCleaner. The order is the same: we start, click "Analysis", after "Cleaning", but at the same time we do not mark the data from the memory card. This program removes the cache and temporary files that interfere with normal operation.
• Go to settings\applications\all, sort by size. Then select the application, click "Erase data" and "Clear cache". It’s not worth cleaning everything in a row, because after that not only temporary files are deleted, but also saved passwords, saves in games, etc.

• Close unnecessary running programs. We press the house, after which a list of previously launched and running programs appears. With a slight movement of your finger to the side, close those that are not needed.

Cleaning programs

There are a lot of programs that are designed to deal with issues such as clearing the memory of an Android tablet or smartphone, optimizing the device and speeding up its work. As elsewhere, there are favorites, here, too, there are the most effective utilities.

(Cleanup Wizard)

A popular and very common program that can easily clear junk files, cache and data from internal memory. In addition, it has very useful features such as speeding up games, cooling the processor, finding virus and spyware, and many others.

CCleaner

We already know the application. In addition to cleaning, it has the following useful functions: deleting SMS and call logs, applications, optimizing and unloading RAM. Very easy to use.

If the previous options did not help in this matter, there is still a way out. The Cleaner - Boost & Clean is a great answer to the frequently asked question how to clear the internal memory of Android. It will easily clear the cache, unnecessary garbage, clear the RAM and increase the speed of the device. In addition, it can be used to remove applications, clean up entries in contacts and SMS.

Close background programs

Quite a lot of RAM is eaten by running programs. It is not difficult to solve this problem, since special utilities will again help to clear the phone's memory to save battery power.

One of the most popular battery saving tool. It is useful in that it closes background programs that load the RAM and thereby slow down the mobile device.

An application with the same function - save battery power by closing unnecessary background programs. It has a simple and pleasant widget, on which cleaning will be launched by clicking on the silver circle with arrows.

However, these utilities do not close all unnecessary background processes, and if they do, then temporarily. There are such completely unnecessary pre-installed services as Facebook, Gmail, navigators and others. But you can't delete or disable them. To do this, you need to get super administrator rights, or root rights. But do not take off and run to get them. Because by negligence or ignorance, you can demolish important files that are responsible for the normal operation of the operating system, after which only flashing will remain or Therefore, you need to be careful with this.

Most Android smartphones and tablets cannot boast of a large amount of internal memory, sufficient to store not only multimedia content downloaded from the Internet, but even installed applications. In addition, the cache of many programs, especially those designed to work on the network, can take up several times more space than the applications themselves.

Overflowing cache, remnants of deleted programs, forgotten user files - as a result of all this, there is not enough space in the memory of an Android device even to install a small application. The solution to the problem of lack of disk space can be, but what if this option is not possible for some reason? In this case, there is nothing left but to free up memory on your Android phone by deleting all temporary and obsolete data from it.

Search and delete unnecessary files

Before proceeding with the general “cleaning” of the system, it is advisable to manually go through frequently used directories and check if files you don’t need are lying around there. The same applies to photos taken with the built-in camera. If you have a good camera, each photo taken with it can weigh more than 10 MB, provided that several dozen such photos are stored on the phone, the actively used internal memory can quickly fill up.

Photos taken with the phone's camera are usually stored in the location sdcard/DCIM/Camera, but you can also access them through the standard Gallery app. Check at the same time the contents of the folders of Internet messengers, voice recorder, bluetooth, directories documents and download.

Manual removal of app leftovers

Let's dig deeper and see how to manually clear the internal memory on Android. As in Windows, when you uninstall programs in the Android OS, folders with temporary files may remain in the device memory. Removing them will free up some space. They are usually located in the directory sd card and sdcard/android/data. Note only that the names of the folders remaining in the second location are different from the names of the remote programs. However, it is not so difficult to understand which folder belongs to which program - the second part of the name of such a folder will contain the name or part of the application name. For example, the com.vtcreator.android360 folder belongs to the P360 application, and org.videolan.vlc belongs to the VLC media player.

You need to delete applications in Android correctly. First you need to clear the cache, then click the "Erase data" button and only then delete the unnecessary program. This sequence of actions will reduce the likelihood that "tails" will remain on the disk.

Removing built-in apps

A completely acceptable solution to the question of how to clear the phone's memory on Android can be to remove the applications built into the firmware. Some of them can be removed using the system tools, to remove others you will need special uninstallers.

Clear cache and storage

You can clear the internal memory of your Android phone by clearing the cache and application storage. This method allows you to free up from a few tens of megabytes to 2-3 GB of disk space, but it also has its drawback - clearing the cache will temporarily slow down applications, and clearing the storage will lead to the loss of saved settings. Go to the application management section, tap on the program whose data you want to clear, and click the "Clear cache" button in the next window.

In the same window, there should also be a storage management button. It may be called "Erase Data" or "Manage Location".

The second function differs from the first in that it gives more options, allowing you to choose which particular application storage data should be cleared and which should be left.

In the last settings android versions there is a "Memory" section that reflects the general state of the internal memory. Using the tools in this section, you can get accurate information about the memory usage of certain types of data, as well as clear the cache of all applications at once.

Cleaning up Android using third-party programs

Using third-party cleaner apps is the easiest way to free up space on your Android phone without risking deleting important data. There are more than enough similar programs in the market, but we would recommend using only those that have proven themselves well, for example, CCleaner, SD Maid or Clean Master. It is very easy to use these programs. CCleaner, for example, automatically scans the contents of the device's disk, sorts the found files by type and offers to delete them, and the user can choose which data to delete and which to leave.

The CCleaner application supports cleaning RAM, cache, browser history, the contents of the Downloads folder, deleting empty directories.

Even more flexible than CCleaner is the tool Clean Master, which allows you to selectively delete temporary data left after uninstalling games and programs, as well as clear the system cache.

The irrational use of physical resources is another reason why there is so often not enough memory on Android. If you install everything on your device, just to see what this or that program or game is like, then there is nothing to be surprised at when the memory is full. Frequent installation, even with the subsequent removal of the software, will quickly clog the device's memory with temporary, configuration and other service files.

Keep track of your backups. If you are using tools for Reserve copy applications and other data, make sure that their backups do not take up most of the memory. Periodically delete old copies manually, or set up the program to back up data so that it does it itself.

Transfer applications, games, as well as their cache to a memory card, and even better, use the new function Adoptable Storage(available in Android 6.0 and above) that allows you to use the map microSD memory as an additional area of ​​internal storage. Finally, disable, as much as possible, ads in built-in and third-party apps. Constantly loading from the Internet, it also clogs memory. If you follow these simple recommendations, you will save both memory space and time that would have to be spent on its optimization.