Crashes, 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 minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstalliTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
You can free Samsung Galaxy storage without deleting the photos you want to keep: first find what is using space, then move selected large files to compatible external storage or clear an app’s cache. Menu names and features vary by model, software version, and country, so check your own phone before following a path exactly.
Find what is using storage before changing anything
Open Settings > Device care or Battery and device care > Storage. Review the categories and the files within them before taking action. The names and layout can differ; if you do not see Device care, search for “Storage” in Settings.
Samsung’s Canadian guide says Device care can identify unused apps, including apps not used in the past 30 days. Treat that as a prompt to review, not permission to remove apps automatically: check whether you still need each app and its contents. Samsung’s US guide also describes Device care as a way to help clear space.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Review large files you can move or do without
Use My Files to inspect Downloads and other folders for large videos, audio, documents, or duplicate files. Choose individual files you recognize and no longer need on the phone, or files you can keep on another storage medium. This avoids treating an entire category as disposable.
#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.
Samsung’s file-management instructions cover organizing and transferring files, but do not establish a typical amount of space any one cleanup will recover. The result depends on the files you choose and their size.
Move files to a microSD card if your Galaxy supports one
Some Galaxy models have a microSD slot; others do not. Check the specifications for your exact model before buying or preparing a card. Samsung’s instructions use My Files to transfer files to a card and caution that this method does not move files to other apps such as Gallery.
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
- Insert a compatible microSD card, if your phone has a slot.
- Open My Files and select the files or folders you want to transfer.
- Choose Move to transfer them, or Copy to leave the originals on the phone as well.
- Open the destination on the card and confirm the files are there before removing any remaining internal copies.
Move can reclaim the selected files’ internal storage after transfer because it removes the source copy. Copy does not reclaim that space by itself. Keep in mind that files stored on a card are not available from the phone if the card is removed.
Use connected external storage for files you want to offload
Samsung also documents moving or copying files to connected external storage. Whether this works depends on the phone, the storage device, and the connector or adapter. Confirm compatibility before connecting anything.
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
- Connect the external storage device to the Galaxy phone.
- In My Files, select the files to transfer and choose the connected destination.
- Use Move if your goal is to remove the internal source after transfer, or Copy if you want both copies.
- Check that the files open from the destination before deleting any internal source copies.
As with a memory card, a copy leaves the phone’s internal original in place. Moving files off the phone also means you need the external device connected to access those copies.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Clear an app’s cache, not its data by mistake
Samsung provides separate controls for clearing an app’s cache and clearing its data. Cache is a distinct option you can consider for a specific app; it is not the same action as clearing data.
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].
Do not treat Clear data as a harmless storage shortcut. Check the app-specific consequences before using it, since the available guidance does not establish that clearing data is safe for every app or that it preserves everything you care about.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Understand what Gallery sync and Trash do
Syncing with OneDrive is not the same as removing a local copy
Samsung’s US storage guide mentions syncing Gallery photos with OneDrive. Sync or backup and removing a photo stored locally are different actions; the guide does not establish that turning on sync alone frees phone storage. Before changing local files, confirm that the copies you want to keep are safely accessible where you expect them.
Trash is a recovery window, not a way to keep photos while freeing space
Samsung says deleted Gallery items remain in the Recycle bin for 30 days and can be restored during that period. Emptying the bin permanently deletes those items. It may reclaim space only by permanently deleting them, so do not empty it if you still want the photos.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
