If your android mobile does not have much storage space, it can be a constant struggle to erase old junk and make room for new images, videos and apps. The Google Files application has a useful tool to facilitate this procedure.
Google files are pre-installed on some Android phones, but anyone can download them from Play Store. A useful feature that sets it apart from other file managers is its cleaning recommendations. Identify things that can be erased from your phone to free up storage space.
To start, download and install Google files on your Android phone or tablet.
If you are using Google Files for the first time, you will be asked to accept the Google Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Touch “Continue” to continue if you agree.
To allow the Files app to access your files, Touch “Let” Why Android users need the app.
With that out of the way, you can start freeing up storage space. Touch “Clean up” on the bottom.
At the top of the page, you will see how much storage space you are using. Below, Google will automatically suggest files that you can delete to free up storage space. Common examples are screenshots, Duplicate files and photos that are already backed up in Google Photos search engine.
Each of the following categories will have one of three possible buttons and will perform slightly different actions:
- “Confirm and release (X) MB”: Where (X) is the amount of space. Tap here to open a pop-up window and clean immediately without checking files first.
- “Choose and release (X) MB”: Where (X) is the amount of space. Touch to go directly to the review screen, where you can choose the files you want to delete.
- “Release (X) MB”: Where (X) is the amount of space. This action is specifically for Google Photos. Google will suggest that you delete photos from your device that have been backed up. Tap here to go to Google Photos app, where you can select to free up space.
For our example, To add the next action “Choose and release (X) MB” of the category we want to clean.
We see a list of files that Google suggests deleting. In the category “Duplicate files”, original files are indicated by a bookmark icon in the lower left corner.
We select all the files we want to delete and then we touch “Remove”.
If you select original files in the category “Duplicate files”, you will be asked to confirm your choice; Touch “Continue” to continue.
You will once again be asked to confirm your options. Touch “Remove” to permanently delete files.
If you want to clear a category quickly, tap "Confirm and release (X) MB” (where "X" is the amount of space) to skip selecting each file individually.
Touch “Clean up” to delete files without reviewing them.
To review files before deleting them, Touch “View junk files”.
Select all the items you want to delete (the touch “All items” at the top of the screen), and then touch “Clean up” When it's over.
A pop-up message will ask you to confirm your choice. Touch “Remove” to continue.
That is all! You can repeat these same steps for any of the categories in the tab “Clean up”. The application may also periodically recommend freeing up space.
