If you were to compare the total available storage on a smartphone and a computer, the latter offers much, much more.
For the most part, smartphone users do not run into that many space-related issues. They tend to rely on mobile devices as a means to stay in touch with others. Be it phone calls, text messages, or video chats, a smartphone should not pose storage issues if you stick to these activities.
Things change a bit as soon as one starts to explore other features of the device. If you are not careful, you could end up in a situation where there are only a few megabytes of free storage left.
Once that happens, you are bound to notice a significant drop in the overall performance of your smartphone. Sluggishness and overheating are two examples. Not to mention that you will not have space for other data.
Having said that, there are multiple ways to solve the potential storage issue and optimize the smartphone’s performance. Interested in finding out how? The answers are below.
Table of Contents
#1 – Cloud Storage
Clouds are used as a means to back up data, which is understandable. These platforms offer security and convenience. You do not have to bother with external storage accessories (something we will cover in a bit). Instead, you transfer files directly from your device to a digital server.
The benefit of syncing your cloud account with multiple devices is also great. But continuing with the storage aspect, you can simply transfer files from your smartphone to a cloud account. Media files such as photos or important documents will be safe and sound in the cloud, so you do not have to worry about them.
#2 – File Formats
This one might seem like a bit of a stretch, but you should familiarize yourself with different file formats.
Knowing which file type consumes less space is beneficial when there are multiple files to take into the equation.
Of course, there is also the aspect of compatibility. Some file formats, despite being smaller, might not run on the smartphone. In addition, you usually need third-party tools to convert file formats. Some people go as far as using a computer, which is a bit of a hassle.
Nevertheless, the effort is worth it, especially if your priority is freeing up storage on a smartphone. Feel free to learn about different file formats and what they mean by clicking here.
#3 – Old Applications
Over time, you are bound to download and install applications on your device. It is easy to forget about an app, especially if it ends up in a directory, among other apps.
Some applications might not require that much space by themselves, but they still collect cache and other temporary junk. Temporary data also affects the phone’s storage, and when there are multiple apps like that, it is understandable why the device struggles with free space.
As a rule of thumb, you want to delete unnecessary applications. Remember that if you ever need to use a deleted app again, you have the option to download and reinstall it.
#4 – Duplicate Files
Contemporary smartphones have high-quality cameras. If you are someone who likes to take photos, do not discard the possibility that there might be duplicates. You might not even notice snapping the camera button multiple times.
Thus, be sure to check the media folder and go through each photo individually. If you notice a duplicate, get rid of it. If the pictures are of high quality, they will take up a lot of space, and since there is no need to have duplicates on the smartphone, deleting them is the correct thing to do.
#5 – External Storage Devices
As already mentioned, cloud storage is an excellent alternative to physical storage accessories. Nevertheless, it would be unfair to suggest that external storage should be limited to just clouds.
An SD card, a USB flash stick, an external hard drive, and even a computer all offer a potential way to solve storage problems on your smartphone.
The action is pretty clear, right? You need to connect the smartphone to another device and transfer files there. If you do not have the right accessories, though, do not fret. If you want to transfer files to a computer, you can do so via clouds or via email attachments, so long as the file size is acceptable for your email service provider.
Closing Thoughts
All in all, multiple methods to deal with smartphone storage issues are available. It is up to you which of them you prioritize. Ideally, you should make the most out of every single one we mentioned in this article.
Be sure to stay consistent and keep a close eye on the storage on a regular basis. The more effort you put into it, the fewer potential problems will arise.
