The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →You can reclaim Android storage without installing a cleaner app: check Settings > Storage to find what is taking up space, review cleanup suggestions in Files by Google, then remove only the downloads, temporary files, or apps you no longer need. The safest order is to inspect first and confirm each deletion deliberately.
Find what is taking up storage before deleting anything
Open Settings > Storage and review the categories shown on your phone. The names and exact route can vary by manufacturer and Android version, and some steps in Google’s storage guidance require Android 14 or later. Use the screen as a map: a large app category calls for a different response than a large collection of downloads or media. Google’s Android storage guide documents the common approach.
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Storage is where files and app data are kept; memory is where Android and running apps operate. Closing apps is generally not a way to reclaim storage. As Google puts it, “You don’t usually need to close apps.”
Use Files by Google to review cleanup suggestions
Files by Google can surface cleanup suggestions and lets you browse, search, rename, move, or copy files. Google says it works on Android 8.0 and later; available suggestions can vary according to what is on your device. Google’s Files by Google guide describes its tools.
#1 Best Overall
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
For unused-app suggestions, open Files by Google > Clean, review the apps listed, select the ones you want to remove, and confirm. It is a prompt for you to choose—not an instruction to uninstall everything listed. Google’s unused-app guidance explains app management.
Inspect junk-file selections before confirming
Files by Google can offer to remove junk files, but deletion through its cleanup flow is permanent. Review the files selected on the cleanup card before tapping the confirmation control. Google’s guidance says this action does not affect app settings, but that does not make the deleted files recoverable. Google’s junk-file instructions describe the cleanup behavior.
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Choose between clearing cache, clearing app data, archiving, and uninstalling
These actions remove different things. When an app has its own download or storage controls, check those first. Android’s Settings path and labels differ by device, so treat the routes below as general choices rather than identical screens on every phone.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →| Action | What it removes | What remains or what to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Clear cache | Temporary app files | App data and settings are not the target; the app may take longer to open the next time while it rebuilds temporary files. |
| Clear app storage or data | All data stored by that app on the device | This is the more destructive option. Local state may be lost, so avoid using it casually for messaging, authenticator, game, or other apps where local data matters. |
| Archive an app | The app software | Personal data and the app icon are preserved; restoring depends on the app remaining downloadable from its store. |
| Uninstall an app | The app itself | Choose this when you no longer need it; check whether any app data you care about is stored or backed up elsewhere. |
Google distinguishes clearing temporary cache from clearing app storage: cache can be rebuilt, while clearing storage permanently deletes all app data. Check the prompt and app-specific consequences before proceeding. Google’s Android storage guide covers the distinction.
Rank #3
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
Archive apps you may want again
Archiving can be a middle ground for an app you rarely use but may want later: it removes the app software while preserving its icon and personal data. Google documents manual app archiving for Android 15 and later, with support depending on the device’s hardware. Automatic archiving through Google Play is a separate feature. To restore an archived app, it must still be available from its app store. See Google’s app-archiving guidance for availability and details.
Remove large downloads and media at their source
For a file downloaded by a particular app, Google recommends removing it from that app where possible. This makes it easier to distinguish a disposable offline copy from content or data you want to retain. If you need to keep a file but not on the phone, you can copy it to a computer, or move or copy it to an SD card if your device supports one. Files by Google’s storage guidance covers these options: check storage space and free up Android storage.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
If you use Google Photos, remove device copies only after confirming the photos are backed up. The backed-up photos can remain accessible through Google Photos when you are online; an unbacked-up file may not. Check backup status before deleting local media.
Use a cautious cleanup order
- Inspect: Open Settings > Storage and identify the category using the most space.
- Review: Open Files by Google and inspect its cleanup suggestions rather than accepting them without checking.
- Remove known extras: Delete downloads through the app that saved them, or move files you want to keep to supported external storage or a computer.
- Reduce app footprint: Uninstall apps you no longer need; archive apps you may want again if your Android version and device support it.
- Clear selectively: Clear cache when appropriate. Use clear storage/data only when you understand what app-specific information will be erased.
There is no universal amount of space these steps will free: it depends on the files and apps you choose. Google’s guidance does not promise a specific storage gain or a device-specific speed improvement.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
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