Phone Internal Storage suddenly full?

I am me123

I have a Samsung Galaxy J3 8GB phone with a 32GB SD card installed. Have all the standard pre installed apps which came with the phone, plus four other apps, namely, Instagram, Whatsapp, Viber, and an email app (My Mail). I have had these for quite some time, almost 2 years. I have not recently updated any apps.

Since today, my phone won't let me open the Gallery app, and tells me there is insufficient storage to open the gallery. I could open it with no issue yesterday or earlier on today. My internal storage is now at 98% all of a sudden today (very big I know, but the problem is, even if it delete photos, unwanted files, etc, my storage space never decreases, still 98% (according to Smart Manager app).

I have cleared the cache on every default and installed app, including the gallery, but nothing has worked so far. Most of the apps I have installed myself have all been moved to the SD card previously.

Anyone able to lend a hand with this? Thank you in advance.

coylemj

I am me123 wrote: »

Most of the apps I have installed myself have all been moved to the SD card previously.

Don't assume that those apps are still resident on the SD card. I have a Samsung Tablet and Facebook worms it's way back into internal storage every time there's an update to the app. Don't have any problem with my Samsung phone memory so most of my housekeeping is on the tablet

In Settings, first go into 'Device Care' and do an optimize. Then click on Apps, sort by size and work your way down from the top. Don't forget to clear the cache in an app if you see that's it's gobbled up loads of memory.

corkie

Happened to me recently for some unknown reason. While charging.

Did you try a reboot?

Also check your cache storage, some rogue app/bug could be filling it.



Edit:- Also check in: - Settings - Storage - Internal - Free up space?

I am me123

corkie wrote: »

Happened to me recently for some unknown reason. While charging.

Did you try a reboot?

Also check your cache storage, some rogue app/bug could be filling it.



Edit:- Also check in: - Settings - Storage - Internal - Free up space?

Thank you.

Interesting that you should mention you were charging the phone when this issue occurred for you. My phone battery is currently less than 10%.
Would this have anything to do this issue I'm having?

what size is the internal storage

I am me123

Deleted User wrote: »

what size is the internal storage

8GB Internal storage. 32GB SD card.

corkie

I am me123 wrote: »

Thank you.

Interesting that you should mention you were charging the phone when this issue occurred for you. My phone battery is currently less than 10%.
Would this have anything to do this issue I'm having?

I got a notification while charging that drew my attention to it.

After troubleshooting a few recent installs, I reboot the device and it solved the problem.

How to clear Cache data in Android Oreo
^^^ Before that you could bulk clear in settings.

If everything else fails check this app to see what is taking up storage
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.diskusage

The first link suggest using third party cleaning apps, which could just land you with adware, so be careful.

I am me123

corkie wrote: »

I got a notification while charging that drew my attention to it.

After troubleshooting a few recent installs, I reboot the device and it solved the problem.

How to clear Cache data in Android Oreo
^^^ Before that you could bulk clear in settings.

If everything else fails check this app to see what is taking up storage
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.diskusage

The first link suggest using third party cleaning apps, which could just land you with adware, so be careful.

Thanks but my phone memory is so full it won't even let me download any new apps unfortunately

8gb internal storage will barely hold an operating system

i can't see any way around getting a phone with at least 32gb storage tbh

8gb internal storage - no other way to put it but time to get a more modern phone.

32gb really is the minimum these days

sd cards do not solve the issue as part of the app will still be stored on internal storage and some apps will only go on internal storage.

I am me123

glasso wrote: »

8gb internal storage - no other way to put it but time to get a more modern phone.

32gb really is the minimum these days

sd cards do not solve the issue as part of the app will still be stored on internal storage and some apps will only go on internal storage.

Thanks.
Got it sorted, deleted all my offline maps & that sorted the problem. Storage is considerably reduced now. At least I can open my Gallery now with no issues.
Thank you everyone & stay safe all

coylemj

I am me123 wrote: »

Thanks.
Got it sorted, deleted all my offline maps & that sorted the problem. Storage is considerably reduced now. At least I can open my Gallery now with no issues.

There is a setting in maps to store offline maps on the memory card.

BlackMask93

You can also use Google Photos to store all your images in the cloud its free. Might free up more space.

I am me123

coylemj wrote: »

There is a setting in maps to store offline maps on the memory card.

How do I do this?

BlackMask93

I am me123 wrote: »

How do I do this?

Offline Map Section -> Cog wheel top right->Storage Preferences (Choose SD Card)

I am me123

Thanks.
Anyone know how to restore chat history when Viber app updated?

I am me123

Thanks.
Anyone know how to restore chat history when Viber app updated?