‘Storage almost full’ – this is a message that almost every Samsung user is familiar with. However, many gigabytes may be hiding in a hidden recycle bin that few people know about. We will guide you step by step on how to find and empty it.
As space on your Samsung phone gets tighter, you may find yourself deleting pictures and files in a frenzy, only to find that it doesn’t really free up much space. This is due to a tool similar to the recycle bin you know from Windows PCs. Yes, it exists on Samsung phones too! Deleted files are stored there until they are permanently removed.
Samsung retains these files for 30 days unless you manually empty your Galaxy device’s recycle bin first. This ensures that accidentally deleted files are not lost forever but can be retrieved if needed.
Samsung Phones Have a Recycle Bin
Unlike Microsoft, the recycle bin on your Samsung phone is not visible on the home screen but is buried deep within the settings. Most users may not be aware of its existence and might wonder why they still see no freed-up space after a large deletion spree.
It is therefore advisable to add the recycle bin as a widget to your home screen so you can manually empty it when needed. Here’s how to do it:
How to Add the Recycle Bin to Your Home Screen
- Open the Settings and select “Device Care”.
- Tap on “Storage” and then select “Recycle Bin”.
- Click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
- Select “Add to Home screen” and place the recycle bin on your home screen.
From now on, you can easily empty it with just a few clicks, thus immediately freeing up space. Alternatively, there’s a hidden switch on your Samsung phone that allows you to disable the recycle bin, at least for the “My Files” folder.
Tip: If your Samsung phone is still running low on storage and you have the option to expand storage via a microSD card, you might want to take advantage of a current promotion for a 1-terabyte SanDisk memory card at a great price.
