How do I free up storage without losing photos?

Updated September 10, 2026 · About 5 minutes · Storage & cleanup

Steps to check

  1. Open Storage and see what's using space

    Settings → Storage. Note Apps, Images, Videos, and System. Start with the largest category you can safely trim.

    Samsung Settings → Battery and device care → StoragePixel Settings → Storage
  2. Clear cache for bulky apps (not Clear data)

    App info → Storage → Clear cache. Clearing data logs you out, so skip that unless you mean to reset the app.

  3. Clean Downloads and old APK files

    Files or My Files → Downloads. Delete installers and documents you no longer need.

  4. Only then review large videos or backed-up photos

    If Google Photos backup shows a green check, you can remove local copies from the device. If unsure, copy to a computer first.

Common questions

Does clearing cache delete photos?

No. Cache is temporary app data. Your Camera and Photos libraries are separate.