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Android insufficient storage error – How to fix it

Last Updated on July 15, 2024
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The Android ‘Insufficient Storage’ error comes up when you’ve used almost all of the device storage. It may be recommended to buy an extra MicroSD card to gather more storage, or you can delete some media from the device.

However, if there’s still plenty of storage on the device and the ‘Insufficient Storage’ error is showing up, something else might be occurring. In this article, you’ll learn how to fix the Android ‘Insufficient Storage’ error.

Android Insufficient Storage Error – a step-by-step guide

1

Delete the cache

Step

1

Pull up settings

Swipe down from the top and tap on the gear icon to open the setting. Once there, go to “Apps”.

Step

2

Sort apps by size

Tap on the three vertical lines and sort them by size. This will show you which apps are taking up more space.

Step

3

Clear cache

Tap on the first app and go to storage. Once there, tap “Clear Cache”.

Step

4

Repeat

You need to do these steps for all the other apps, so repeat. This way you’ll ensure your phone’s storage is not taken up by any of the app’s cache.

You’ll need to repeat this process eventually if you’re not buying a Micro-SD card soon.

Step

5

Clear Android cache

Go to Settings, then About phone, and tap Storage. Once there just select Clear cache.

This is a faster way but sometimes it doesn’t clear all the cache.

2

Uninstall Google Play Store updates

If clearing cache didn’t work, you can Uninstall the Google Play Store updates, to avoid them eating into your storage space.

Step

1

Go to Settings

Pull up settings and head to “Apps”.

Step

2

Find Google Play Store

Once you’re in Apps, find Google Play Store; if you have too many apps you can type in the name and the phone will show you the app.

Step

3

Uninstall updates

Open de drop-down menu tapping on the three dots and select “Uninstall Updates”. This will reset Google Play Store and avoid updates to be installed on your phone.

Final thoughts

So there you have it – the best ways to fix the Android Insufficient Storage Error, and give your device some space to breathe.

Beyond these steps, you may also want to consider upgrading your microSD card. Because that is the best way to get a permanent boost of storage.

Camilo is a contributor for PC Guide. He's been into tech since he was a teen, surfing through the web and local stores trying to find the cheapest way to play the latest Half-Life on his old Windows