Quick Summary
The "No space left on device" error on Android means that your device's storage is full, preventing you from saving new files, installing apps, or even properly running existing applications. This error indicates that the Android system cannot write any further data due to a lack of available storage space.
Common Causes
- Large Media Files: Photos, videos, and music files can consume a significant portion of your device's storage, especially high-resolution videos and large music libraries.
- Installed Applications: Apps and their associated data (caches, settings, downloads) can accumulate over time, using up considerable storage space.
- Cached Data: Applications store cached data to improve performance; however, this cached data can grow significantly and take up a lot of space if not regularly cleared.
- Download Folders: Downloaded files (e.g., PDFs, documents, app installers) accumulate in the Downloads folder and can quickly fill up your storage if not managed.
- System Updates: Pending or partially downloaded system updates can occupy storage space, especially if the update fails or wasn't completed successfully.
Step-by-Step Fixes
Method 1: Delete Unnecessary Files
Step 1: Open the "Files" app (or a file manager app) on your Android device.
Step 2: Navigate to the "Downloads" folder and delete any files you no longer need.
Step 3: Check the "Pictures" and "Videos" folders for large media files that you can delete or transfer to a computer or cloud storage.
Step 4: Consider using a cloud storage service (like Google Photos, Dropbox, or OneDrive) to back up your photos and videos, then delete them from your device.
Method 2: Uninstall Unused Apps
Step 1: Open the "Settings" app on your Android device.
Step 2: Tap on "Apps" or "Applications" (the exact wording may vary depending on your Android version).
Step 3: Review the list of installed apps and identify any apps you no longer use.
Step 4: Select the app you want to uninstall and tap the "Uninstall" button. Confirm the uninstallation.
Method 3: Clear App Cache
Step 1: Open the "Settings" app on your Android device.
Step 2: Tap on "Apps" or "Applications" (the exact wording may vary depending on your Android version).
Step 3: Select an app for which you want to clear the cache.
Step 4: Tap on "Storage" or "Storage & cache".
Step 5: Tap on "Clear cache". (Do not tap "Clear storage" unless you want to delete all of the app's data, including login credentials and settings!)
Step 6: Repeat for other apps, especially those you use frequently.
Method 4: Use Storage Manager/Smart Storage
Step 1: Open the "Settings" app on your Android device.
Step 2: Search for settings related to "Storage," depending on your device. Look for "Smart Storage" or "Storage Manager" options.
Step 3: Enable Smart Storage if it's available; it automatically removes old photos and videos backed up to the cloud or removes rarely used apps.
Step 4: Examine recommendations the Storage Manager makes in terms of files to delete.
Method 5: Move Data to an SD Card (If Applicable)
Step 1: If your device has an SD card slot, insert an SD card into your device.
Step 2: Open the "Settings" app on your Android device.
Step 3: Tap on "Storage".
Step 4: Look for an option to "Transfer data to SD card" or "Migrate to SD card" (the exact wording may vary).
Step 5: Follow the on-screen instructions to move photos, videos, and/or app data to the SD card. Note that some apps may not allow themselves to be moved to the SD card.