To free up space on a Samsung phone, first check Settings > Device care (or Battery and device care) > Storage. Review what is using space, then remove only files or apps you recognize and no longer need. If you need more room for personal files, a compatible microSD card may help—but support and maximum capacity vary by Galaxy model.
See what is using your phone’s storage
Open Settings and look for Device care or Battery and device care, then tap Storage. Review the categories and, where available, inspect large files, duplicate files and unused apps. Samsung’s Galaxy cleanup guide also describes emptying the recycle bin. Names and available options can vary by model, software version and market; Samsung notes that device screens and settings may differ.
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Free internal space by removing items you no longer need
Check downloads, large videos and duplicate media, and uninstall apps you no longer use. Select an item only after confirming what it is and that you do not need it. Deleted files may remain in a recycle bin or trash until you remove them there as well.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteAvoid deleting unfamiliar system files or clearing app data indiscriminately. The safer approach is to review Storage categories and remove specific, understood items using Samsung’s built-in tools or My Files.
#1 Best Overall
- TRANSFER SPEEDS UP TO 800 MB/S: With sequential read speeds up to 800 MB/s, get into your game up to 4× faster than our standard microSD cards (UHS I)¹.
- DYNAMIC THERMAL GUARD: Keeps its cool even when the action heats up. Dynamic Thermal Guard helps reduce overheating for fast, smooth gameplay.
- ALL YOUR GAMES ON ONE TINY CARD: Store all your games and downloadable content (DLCs) with up to 512GB of reliable storage. No deleting. No compromises.
- 6-PROOF PROTECTION WITH 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY: Built to last, made for peace of mind. Anything can happen when you’re gaming on the go. With 6 types of protection²⁻⁹, the P9 Express can handle it all—helping maintain your game progress.
- NEXT-GEN AND BACKWARD COMPATIBLE: Your microSD Express card is compatible with Nintendo Switch 2¹⁰ and microSD UHS-I¹¹ devices, including tablets, drones, cameras and more.
Use a microSD card if your Galaxy model supports one
Some Samsung phones support removable microSD storage; others do not. Samsung’s UK guidance, updated July 14, 2026, says some compatible devices support cards up to 1 TB, but both card support and the maximum capacity depend on the exact model. Check your phone’s specifications and card compatibility before buying; 1 TB is not a universal limit or recommendation. Samsung’s microSD compatibility guide explains the model-dependent limits.
Move or copy files with My Files
- Insert a compatible microSD card.
- Open My Files and select the files you want to transfer.
- Tap Move or Copy.
- Return to My Files Home, choose SD card, and open the destination folder.
- Tap Move here or Copy here.
Samsung documents this workflow for My Files and says it cannot be used to move or copy files to other apps such as Gallery. It does not establish that apps, all app data or every Gallery item can be moved this way. See Samsung’s instructions for moving files to a microSD card.
Rank #2
- ALL THE SPACE YOU NEED: Store tons of media on your phone, load games or download more apps on your tablet at top-notch speed, making transfers seamless and reliable
- FAST AND SMOOTH: With superfast U3, class 10 rated transfer speeds of up to 130MB/s¹,²and UHS-I Interface³ big apps load and run smoothly, while 4K video remains sharp with A2, V30, and USH-I Interface
- EXPAND AND STORE BIG: Find your perfect fit from 64GB, 128GB, 256GB and 512GB; Select the best capacity for all your memories. Speed class: U3
- YOU'RE FULLY PROTECTED: EVO Select Plus provides reliable storage and takes on life’s adventures with water⁴, temperature⁵, X-ray⁶, ⁷magnet, drop⁸, and wears⁹ out protection; Backed by a 10-year limited warranty; Proofs are for the microSD card and do not include the adaptor
- FLASH MEMORY CARD: Performance and reliability you can count on from the flash memory brand; All firmware and components are produced in-house
Choose between cleanup, microSD, cloud and USB storage
| Option | What it does | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Device care or My Files cleanup | Frees internal space by removing selected files or unused items. | Confirm each item; menu names and tools vary. |
| microSD card | Adds removable file storage on supported models; My Files can move or copy selected files. | Exact model support, maximum card capacity and intended file type. |
| Cloud storage | Syncs or stores files off-device, depending on the service and settings. | Current plan and regional terms, sync status, ongoing cost, and whether it is safe to delete local copies. |
| USB-C storage | Can provide an external destination for backup workflows. | Phone and drive compatibility; whether your goal is backup rather than internal app capacity. |
Back up personal files with cloud or USB storage
Samsung lists Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive and Dropbox among cloud services compatible with its devices. Uploading, syncing and deleting a phone copy are separate actions: confirm that a file is backed up and accessible before removing its local copy. Samsung’s OneDrive information describes a 5 GB basic plan, but capacity, terms and availability can change; check the current offer for your region.
Samsung also describes USB storage connected through USB-C as an external backup option in its Maintenance mode instructions. That does not mean every Galaxy supports every USB drive, or that external storage permanently expands internal space for apps.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- EXPAND YOUR STORAGE. Insert your card to add massive storage up to 1.5TB[1] to your Android smartphones and tablets, digital cameras, and laptops.
- SPACE FOR MORE. With expansive capacities up to 1.5TB[1], capture and store hours of Full HD video[4], movies, music, games, photos, and podcasts.
- MOVE FILES FAST. Use your card with the SANDISK QuickFlow microSD UHS-I Card USB-A Reader[6] to achieve up to 195MB/s[2] read speeds [128GB-1.5TB models] and offload your content fast.
- LOAD APPS IN A SNAP. Rated A1[3], the SANDISK Ultra microSD card is optimized for faster app launch and overall app performance.
- EASY CONTENT MANAGEMENT. Easily back up, organize, and transfer your photos and videos with the SANDISK Memory Zone desktop or Android mobile app[5].
Rank #3
- Compatible with Nintendo-Switch (NOT Nintendo-Switch 2)
- EXTREME ENDURANCE FOR MONITORING DEVICES: Capture your crucial moments in high-resolution, even in harsh conditions; Engineered to deliver long lasting performance, the Samsung PRO Endurance SSD is a perfect fit for CCTV, dash cams and body cams; Get peace of mind with video recording you can rely on
- BUILT TO LAST UP TO 140K HOURS OF RECORDING: With capacities up to 256GB, the PRO Endurance records and rewrites up to 140K hours (over 16 years); Plus, with a warranty up to 5 years, you can rest assured that your data endures
- RECORD & PLAY IN FHD/4K: The PRO Endurance simplifies large file transfers with read/write speeds up to 100/40MB/s; Plus, FHD and 4K resolution support ensures that crucial moments are recorded in high-res so every detail is documented when it matters most
- CRITICAL DATA, SAFEGUARDED: From severe weather to extensive wear and tear, the PRO Endurance stands up to real-world situations; After rigorous testing, it stands up against magnets¹, X-rays², water³, drop⁴, wearout⁵, and stays cool under pressure with operating temperatures ranging from -25°C to 85°C⁶
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