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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsA Tom’s Guide reader poll reported that 42% of voters blamed photos and 41% blamed app cache when asked what was taking up phone storage. Those answers add up to 83% of that poll’s responses—not a representative estimate of all phone-storage problems. To find what is filling your phone, check its storage breakdown first, then remove files or data from the categories that are actually using space.
What does the 83% figure mean?
Tom’s Guide reported the poll on August 23, 2026. Its four reported responses were photos (42%), app cache (41%), forgotten downloads (9%) and old games (8%). The figures describe the poll’s response breakdown; the page does not establish a sampling method or population basis that would make them a measure of all phone owners’ storage problems. Read the Tom’s Guide poll report.
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How do I see what is using phone storage?
On Android
Open Settings > Storage and review the categories shown. Menu names and steps can vary by phone; some Google instructions apply only to Android 14 and later. Google’s Android storage guide explains the available options.
On iPhone
Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. The screen shows available space and can offer recommendations tailored to the device. Apple’s storage categories can include apps and their content, photos, media, mail, Books, messages and attachments, downloaded iCloud Drive files, Other and System. Apple’s storage overview and iPhone storage guide describe the breakdown.
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How can I free space taken by photos and videos?
Back up photos and videos before removing their local copies. Confirm the backup has completed and that you can access the account holding it; a cloud copy you cannot retrieve is not a safe substitute for the original.
Android and Google Photos
If your photos and videos are backed up with Google Photos, Google says you can delete the device copies and view the backed-up items in the app when connected to the internet. Supported devices may also offer Smart Storage, which automatically removes backed-up photos and videos when the phone is nearly full. Check the backup status before using a cleanup option. Google Pixel’s storage instructions cover freeing space on supported Pixel phones.
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iPhone and iCloud
Apple recommends backing up photos and videos to iCloud before removing them from the device. Check that the upload is complete and that you can sign in to the relevant account before deleting local originals.
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Can I clear app cache without deleting app data?
Android: choose cache, not storage
On Android, an app’s settings may offer separate options to clear its cache or clear its storage; the exact path varies by phone. Clearing cache removes temporary data, and an app may take longer to open the next time. Clearing storage is different: Google says it permanently deletes all app data. Use the cache option when you intend to remove temporary files, and avoid selecting clear storage unless you are prepared to lose the app’s saved data or settings.
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iPhone: cached files are system-managed
Apple says iPhone removes cached and temporary files when it needs space. There is no universal Settings control that clears every app’s cache. Apple also notes that cached music, videos and photos may appear under “Other” in Finder, Apple Devices or iTunes; manually deleting system or “Other” files is not a routine fix.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What else should I check if storage is still full?
- Downloads and downloaded media: Review the Downloads folder and the apps that saved media, such as video or music apps. Files may need to be removed within the app that downloaded them.
- Messages and attachments: On iPhone, Apple recommends reviewing large message attachments and other message content that you no longer need.
- Files: Check files stored on the device, including downloaded iCloud Drive files on iPhone.
- Unused apps: Remove apps you no longer use if you are comfortable losing their locally stored content. Android can automatically archive infrequently used apps while retaining personal data, subject to the app remaining available on Google Play.
- Downloaded videos and other media: On iPhone, review locally stored videos and media rather than assuming photos are the only large category.
Should I archive, offload or delete an app?
These options are not interchangeable. Choose based on whether you need the app again and whether its local data matters.
Quick Recap
| Option | What it does | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Android app archive | Archives apps that are not used often while retaining personal data. | Restoring the app depends on its availability on Google Play. |
| iPhone offload recommendation | Apple’s iPhone storage screen may offer device-specific recommendations for freeing space. | Review the recommendation and its effect on the app and its data before applying it. |
| Delete an app | Removes the app from the device. | Check whether important app data is backed up or can be restored before deleting. |
A safe order for clearing space
- Open the phone’s storage screen and identify the largest category.
- Remove expendable downloads or media from the apps and folders where they are stored.
- Back up photos and videos, verify the backup, then remove device copies only if you can access the backed-up files.
- On Android, clear cache for apps with substantial temporary data; do not confuse this with clearing app storage.
- Review unused apps and the phone’s own archive or storage recommendations before deleting apps or their data.
- Recheck the storage screen to confirm which category changed.
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