Do you find yourself constantly running out of storage space on your Samsung Galaxy phone? You‘re not alone! Many users struggle to manage all the photos, videos, apps and files that accumulate over time.
Thankfully, Android makes it easy to delete unneeded items and free up room. But where does everything go when you hit that trash icon?
On Samsung devices, deleted files get stored temporarily in a virtual trash bin. To fully reclaim space, you need to periodically empty this bin so those items gone for good.
In this guide, I‘ll show you step-by-step how to clean out your Galaxy phone‘s trash in just a few taps. With some handy storage management tips too!
Let‘s dive in…
Why You Need to Empty the Trash Regularly
First things first, why bother with this whole emptying the trash process? Can‘t you just delete stuff as needed and forget about it?
Well, not if you want to reclaim storage capacity and keep your Samsung device running smoothly!
You see, Android uses that trash area, known as the Recycle Bin on some brands, to temporarily hold any files, apps or media you delete. This helps prevent accidental or irreversible data loss.
But the bin is limited. Once full, your phone has nowhere for new deletions to go. You‘ll start seeing frustrating "storage full" errors even with ample room physcially available.
By regularly emptying the trash every week or two, you:
- Free up storage capacity instantly that deletions were still taking up
- Prevent sluggish performance as the hidden bin fills up
- Stop erroneous storage warnings even with ample room left
Maintaining this simple habit keeps your Samsung device lean and mean. Let‘s look at exactly how to access the Galaxy trash bin next…
Accessing the Trash Bin on Your Samsung
Thankfully, Samsung makes cleaning out your deleted files straightforward from any Galaxy model.
Through the built-in My Files file explorer app, you gain access to a dedicated Trash section containing everything you’ve recently deleted.
Here‘s a quick overview of how to find your virtual rubbish bin:
- Swipe up from your home screen to view all apps
- Open the "My Files" app (inside Samsung folder if not visible)
- Scroll down through categories to the Trash section at bottom
That‘s all there is to it! Now let‘s walk through the process of actually emptying that thing…
Step 1: Launch the My Files App
As mentioned above, My Files handles all file management on Galaxy phones and tablets. Think of it like the Android version of Finder on Mac or File Explorer in Windows.
Ideally, you‘ll have a shortcut to this app right on your homescreen. If not, pull up your full app list and look in the Samsung folder (you may need to scroll over a page to see this).
Tap the My Files icon to launch it:
Once opened, you‘ll see a breakdown of used and available storage, with sorted sections for Images, Videos, Audio and more.
Step 2: Navigate to the Trash Bin Area
Here‘s where that deleted file purgatory gets very real!
Scroll allll the way down past other storage areas until you reach the Trash section, likely with a cute lil‘ wastebasket icon next to it:
Go ahead and tap into it…I dare ya! 😱
You‘ll then see all the lingering files and folders you‘ve deleted recently just chilling there, tossing digital confetti around like they own the place.
Party‘s over ghost files! Time to empty this puppy out.
Step 3: Purge the Trash Bin Contents
This last step is oh so simple, but oh so satisfying!
While viewing the contents of your Samsung Trash bin, tap the three-dot menu button up in the corner:
Select Empty trash then confirm your choice on the pop-up prompt.
Poof! Just like that, all your deleted junk gets wiped away for good, freeing up valuable storage capacity once more. Ahh sweet space! 😌
Pro Storage Management Tips
Emptying the trash routinely prevents clogs and errors. But a few additional tactics will keep your Samsung storage optimized long-term:
- Remove Unneeded Apps – Delete apps you haven‘t used in awhile. Can recover later from Play Store if wanted.
- Use Cloud Backups – Auto-sync your photos/videos to cloud services, then remove from device.
- Clear App Caches – Temporary app data like this builds quick, safe to wipe regularly.
- Leverage SD Card Storage – Insert SD card for media files, freeing internal space for apps.
Staying on top of your Galaxy‘s storage with these best practices ensures no surprises down the road!
Take Control of Your Samsung Storage
Running out of room can quickly frustrate Galaxy users. Thankfully with My Files, you now have full control over reclaiming capacity from deleted files in just a few taps.
No more worrying about what-ifs with your photos and videos. Emptying the hidden trash bin instantly frees up gigs of space otherwise still occupied.
Set a reminder to routinely clear out your Galaxy‘s cruft. Both you and your device will enjoy the newfound freedom!
Have any other Samsung storage questions? Let me know in the comments below!
