People are rushing to uninstall apps because of… lack of storage: Why is my phone 'out of memory' even though I haven't downloaded anything?

Phones are reporting full memory even though users haven't changed their usage habits, sparking debate about the reasons why storage space is draining so quickly.

Users should consider deleting apps when they are short on storage space on their phones.

More and more users are receiving memory-full warnings even without installing new apps or changing their usage habits, giving the impression that their devices are "filling up" automatically over time. This forces them to delete apps, clean up photos, or move data to the cloud to continue using their phones.

The application expands background data and cache memory, causing the file size to gradually increase.

A significant part of the storage shortage phenomenon stems from the fact that apps today no longer maintain their original size upon initial installation. With each update, many platforms add features, interfaces, and accompanying data, from high-quality video formats to new effects and processing algorithms. These changes cause apps to gradually expand without users noticing .

In addition, most modern applications cache data during use. Every time a user watches a video, opens an image, reads content, or chats in large groups, the device automatically saves data to shorten loading times on subsequent visits.

This temporary data volume silently increases, potentially from a few hundred MB to several GB in a short period. Some platforms even have a mechanism to pre-load content to ensure a smooth experience, causing additional data usage even before the user opens the content.

The application's operation continuously generates system files, activity logs, and temporary data. Even if the user deletes the application, some of this extraneous data may remain on the device.

On Android, users can manually clear the cache, but it quickly reappears. On iOS, the system limits direct intervention, leaving users to wait for the device's automatic optimization mechanism. All these factors combined cause storage space to gradually decrease over time, even without adding new apps.

Multimedia content and storage habits put pressure on memory.

Smartphone cameras are constantly being upgraded, leading to increasingly larger image and video file sizes . High-resolution photos, 4K video, or high frame rates all generate file sizes far exceeding previous standards. Even a short event can generate several gigabytes of multimedia files, quickly consuming storage space.

Besides content generated by the device itself, information-sharing applications are also a significant source of data. Photos, videos, and multimedia files from conversations are frequently saved to the device by default. This accumulation of content is continuous but difficult to detect because it is not clearly displayed in the memory management interface.

Downloaded data for offline viewing, temporary notes, screenshots, and documents stored over long periods accumulate into a large volume over time.

Systemically, additional storage space is consumed by software updates, security improvements, image processing technology, and operating system background libraries. The system portion therefore increasingly takes up a larger proportion of storage on devices with low capacity .

Beyond visible content, devices also contain hidden files such as residual update data or temporary system files that haven't been freed. These are difficult to track manually and continue to shrink storage space, creating the illusion of dwindling capacity day by day even without any noticeable activity taking place.

How do I free up storage space?

When a device reaches its low memory limit, freeing up space should be done cautiously to avoid losing important data.

This process should begin with reorganizing multimedia content. Photos and videos with long-term storage value can be transferred to an external storage service or device , helping to preserve data before proceeding with a direct cleanup on the machine. Duplicate or no longer useful files can be removed after a secure copy has been made.

Next, periodically check the application's size. When an application grows unusually large, clearing the cache or reinstalling it often provides a noticeable improvement without affecting its functionality.

Multimedia data exchange platforms should be configured to restrict automatic file saving to photo libraries, thereby reducing the amount of unwanted data generated.

In the system, temporary files and leftover data from the update process can be handled using the device's built-in cleanup tool. In some cases, a restart or update to a new operating system version is required for the system to automatically restructure the data, helping to reduce unnecessary occupied space.

Regular monitoring of storage capacity helps detect potential issues early and maintain device stability, preventing sudden memory depletion.

Tuan Vi

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dua-nhau-go-app-vi-thieu-dung-luong-tai-sao-dien-thoai-het-bo-nho-du-khong-tai-them-gi-20251212113746238.htm