Free up space

To download more apps and media, or help your device run better, you can clear space on your Pixel.

You can see what's using storage or memory, and then remove those files or apps.

Storage is where you keep data, like music and photos.
Memory is where you run programs, like apps and the Android system.

Note: Some of these steps work only on Android 8.1 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Check & free up storage

To see what's using storage:

Open your device's Settings app .
Tap Storage.
Tap a category.

Free up storage automatically

You can set your Pixel or Nexus to clear backed-up photos and videos from your device's storage when it's almost full.

Open your device's Settings app .
Tap Storage.
Turn on Smart Storage.

Free up storage yourself

To pick from a list of photos, videos, and apps that you haven't used recently:

Open your device's Settings app .
Tap Storage.
Tap Free up space.
To pick something to delete, tap the empty box on the right. (If nothing is listed, tap Review recent items.)
To delete the selected items, at the bottom, tap Free up.

To pick from all data:

Photos, videos & other media

Remove backed-up photos & videos

If you back up with Google Photos, you can delete the copies on your phone. You can see your backed-up copies in the app using Wi-Fi or mobile data.

Learn how to delete photos and videos from your device.

Remove downloaded movies, music & other media

To delete content from Google Play:

Open the Google Play app with the content, like the Play Music app or Play Movies & TV app.
Tap the Menu Settings Manage downloads.
Tap Downloaded Remove.

To delete content from other sources, delete from the app that you used to download it.

Apps & app data

Uninstall apps you don't use

If you uninstall an app and need it later, you can download it again. If you paid for the app, you won't have to buy it again.

Learn how to uninstall apps.

Clear app cache or data

You can clear an app's storage in 2 ways:

Clear cache
Deletes temporary data. Some apps can open slower the next time you use them.
Clear data
Permanently deletes all app data. We recommend trying to delete from inside the app first.

To clear an app's storage:

Open your device's Settings app .
Tap Apps & notifications.
Tap See all apps the app Storage.
Tap Clear data or Clear cache. (If you don't see "Clear data," tap Manage space.)

Clear cache for an app | Pixel

Files

Delete downloaded files

To see your downloads, check your device's Files app . Learn how to find and delete files.

Tip: To see more files that are using space on your device, open your Settings app Storage Files a folder.

Copy files to a computer

You can move files and folders to a computer with a USB cable, and then delete them from your device.

Learn how to transfer files between your phone and computer.

Manage memory

Android manages the memory that apps use. You don't usually need to close apps. But if an app isn't responding, try closing the app. Learn how to troubleshoot apps that aren't working.

If you think an app is using too much memory, you can delete it. Learn how to uninstall apps.