Free Up Storage Space and Keep It from Getting Full on Your Nexus 5

As smartphones evolved, so does the apps and games that go with them. These days, the apps and games have better animation, higher resolution, and have more features that you can think of. And as smartphones race to have the best cameras in the market, you should expect high-definition videos and high-resolution photos. Unfortunately, having all these perks will put a strain on your phones storage space.

The more you use your smartphone, the faster the megabytes will pile up. And before you know it, your internal storage space would be on its limit. That is why, it is best to do a little "spring cleaning" on your phone to free up some storage space and keep it from getting full. To learn more, check out these simple tips and tricks to free up storage space on your Nexus 5.

1. Delete Unwanted Downloaded Files

Nexus 5 has a storage management interface that helps you better manage your internal storage space. To delete unwanted downloaded files, simply go to Settings, and then under DEVICE, tap Storage. From there, tap Downloads to start with the cleaning process. This will take you to a list of all the files you have downloaded on your Nexus 5.

Next, select the unwanted file you want to delete, long press it, and then tap any other files you no longer need. Once you are satisfied with your selections, tap the Delete icon (trash bin) located at the top-right corner of the screen to remove the files.

2. Clear Cached Data

Cache is the data that has been stored by your apps. Your cached data will build up the longer you use your Nexus 5 smartphone. To clear your cached data, tap the back button on your Nexus 5 to go back to the storage management screen. From there, tap Cached data, and then tap OK to clear out the cached data for all your apps.

3. Use Cloud to Store Your Photos and Videos

Photos and videos occupy the largest storage space on your phone. But since we all want to store these memories and have access with them without compromising precious storage space, it is best to store them in the cloud. Using cloud will allow you to keep your photos and videos, and still have access to them anytime, anywhere without having to sacrifice your phone's storage space. To use cloud, simply open the Photos app. It will then prompt you to sign in to your Google account unless you have already done so. Next, you will be asked to back up your photos. Tap Turn On to start syncing your photos to Google's servers. However, if you have declined this when you signed in, simply tap the menu icon (three-dot), tap Settings, and then select Auto Backup.

4. Delete Your Local Photos and Videos

Once you have synced your photos and videos to cloud, you can delete your photos and videos from your Nexus 5 to free up some storage space. Since these photos and videos were already stored in cloud, you will be able to access them anytime you want.

To delete your local photos and videos, go to the Photos app, slide out the side navigation menu on the left of the screen, and then select Folders. From here, long press the photos and videos you want to delete, and then tap the Delete icon (trash bin) located at the top-right corner of the screen.

5. Delete Photo and Video Thumbnails

Every time you take a photo or capture a screenshot on your Nexus 5, the Camera app will automatically create smaller versions of these photos to be used as thumbnails in the Photos app. These thumbnails, unfortunately, take up space and will pile up as time goes by. And the sad thing is that these thumbnails remain even after deleting the original pictures. However, you can easily clear out the thumbnails using the Sliding Explorer app, which is available in the Google Play Store free of charge.

To delete your photo and video thumbnails, go to the DCIM folder on your SD card. Long press the .thumbnails folder, and then tap the Delete icon (trash bin) to remove it.

6. Block Thumbnail Images from Saving

Once you start taking photos and screenshots with your Nexus 5, your Camera app will automatically create a .thumbnails folder and will again save smaller versions of the pictures you have taken. To prevent your Camera app from automatically doing that, go to the DCIM folder on your SD card, create a new file by tapping the + icon or the Add option, and then tap File. Name the file with the exact same name as the folder you have deleted. In this case, .thumbnails. This will prevent a new .thumbnails folder from being created as soon as you take more pictures, since a file with that name already exists in the DCIM folder.

7. Clear Play Music's Cache

The Play Music app in your Nexus 5 caches the songs that you have already played. To periodically free up storage space, go to Play Music's Settings, and then tap Clear Cache.