Free up Storage on Your Phone: You Wouldn't Think of This Method

Freeing up a little extra storage can be easier than you think.

It can be unpleasant when you try to use your phone’s camera or download an app, only to find out that you have limited storage. While most smart devices allow for memory expansion through memory cards, the device can still easily become full due to large file sizes. In such cases, there are several methods you can use. You can sift through downloaded files, clean up your gallery, or delete app caches and trash. However, there’s another category taking up space that you might not think of during cleanup: text messages.

Freeing up storage by deleting text messages In the era of free, internet-based chat applications, paid short text messages, or SMS, have taken a bit of a back seat. Many people now only send them mainly during holidays or when there is no internet access. The majority of their incoming messages are often comprised of login codes, courier service messages, and bill notifications.

It’s also possible that these messages rest unread on your phone since, by pulling down the notification bar, useful information can often be seen in the preview, and acknowledging it removes it. While it’s true that an individual SMS doesn’t take up much space, if they accumulate unattended over the years, they can occupy a significant amount of space. Therefore, it’s worth scrolling through your text messages and deleting one-time valid codes, missed call notifications, and similar SMS containing momentary useful information. If you’re sure that there’s no message you want to keep, you can delete all of them at once.

On an Android phone, open Settings, then choose the messaging app from the Apps section – often named Chat or Messages. Within Storage, select Clear Data. This action is irreversible, so only proceed if you are certain you don’t need any of the messages.

On iOS, open Settings, then find the Messages settings option. It’s advisable to choose to keep messages for 30 days – after this period, the SMS will be deleted – and approve the deletion of previous messages and attachments.