Free Space not clearing up

[Android Central Question]

Hi there. I have a Storm STK 2E, Not the greatest but a usable phone until I can replace my Samsung that died.

Recently I got the warning of running out of space, so I did the usual of checking what apps I don't use anymore, Deleting Pictures, Clearing Cache, and so forth. But now none of that would release any of the free space.

I've now Uninstalled about 80% of the apps, deleted all Music, Pictures, and downloads, cleared the cache of all remaining apps, deleted 90% of sms' and wiped the cache partition but it still showing me as out of space.

Looking at the storage in the phone settings shows 7.8GB (Plugged into a computer shows 5,.5, but I assume the remainder is the Android OS partition ?) with Apps using about 4.5Gb of it, after uninstalling tonnes of apps as mentioned above that number doesn't change. in fact I've gone through the list of all apps, and added their used space together I don't even get 1gb of used space.

I have checked there is no LOST.dir folder, and have deleted the thumbnail cache. No matter how much I remove from the phone it believes there are 0MB free space, and the space usage shown by apps / media / etc doesn't change.

Obviously I cant install any new apps, and very occasionally already installed apps will open like they are freshly installed and re run through the setup wizard. Also if I add any shortcuts to the home screen they reset back to how it was after a few hours.

Anyone have any other suggestions before doing a system reset ?

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Show us a screenshot of the Settings>Storage menu: http://forums.androidcentral.com/ge...ide-how-post-screenshots-android-central.html. You'll have to register on this forum first. https://forums.androidcentral.com/a...in-android-central-community.html#post3754828

I'm guessing it's an 8 GB phone, which means about 2.5 GB are taken up by the OS and any bloatware (which is why the computer only shows 5.5 GB of storage that you can use). If 4.5 GB of that storage are taken up by apps, that only leaves you with about 1 GB, and if there is anything else that's using storage, then it's even less. Android will warn you of low storage if it gets down to around 400-500 MB of available storage (it can vary depending on the device), and since the system and apps need a certain amount of free storage all the time, there is a hard threshold below which you can't install anything else.

See this guide for tips on how to maximize what little storage you have: http://forums.androidcentral.com/am...y-how-deal-insufficient-storage-warnings.html

 

[Wookiee925]

Hi there, thanks for the update, the message box here isn't giving me an option to attach pictures, I'll try get the app on my Tab later and try upload them fro there

 

[Wookiee925]

I am unable to get the screenshots off the device. Whatsapp is one of the few Apps still Installed, but it refuses to open due to no free space, same with the gmail app. If I plug the phone into a computer (both Windows or Linux) only some of the folders are visible. IE if I go on the Phone to the pictures folder I have a Facebook and a screenshot subfolder, if I go to the same pictures folder there is only the Facebook one showing but not the Screenshot one. I don't have an SD card so not mixing up directories, and have checked I'm set to view hidden files.
I have unistalled so many apps, and deleted so many pictures off the device in the last week the space can't still be full, but no matter how much I delete it just keeps showing there is no free space on the device

 

[B. Diddy]

It really would help to see that screenshot. Can you log onto the forums on your desktop browser and post it that way?

 

[Wookiee925]

I'm on the desktop browser now, and am logged in, but the bar to enter text is only a bar there is no formatting toolbalr like in the instructions you sent

 

[B. Diddy]

Ok, how much total free internal storage is being reported now? Recall that the threshold free storage that triggers a low storage warning varies with the phone, but might be as high as 500-600 MB. You generally can't install apps until it literally has 0 MB free -- the system always has to have a certain amount of free space.

 

[Wookiee925]

Currently showing 7.98 used of 8, of which apps are supposedly using 4.67.
Its looking almost like I'll uninstall an app, but the space doesn't become free so not there are like 2GB of unused space the system thinks is taken

 

[B. Diddy]

What apps are currently installed? Include any apps that were preinstalled on the phone.

 

[Wookiee925]

Hi There, All apps currently listed as installed on device, including defaults and system:

Android system web view, AVG, Storm Play, Calculator, Calendar, Call Firewall, Camera, Chrome, Clock Contacts, Downloads, Drive,Email, Exchange Rates, File Explorer, FM Radio, Gallery, Gautrain, Gmail, Google, Google Now Launcher, Google play services, GStore, Launcher 3, Maps, Messaging, Music, Banking App, News and Weather, Note, Tuber Simulator Game, Phone, Prey, Settings (Note there are 2 apps names settings shown), Sound Recorder, STK Care, STK Service, Talk Back, TrueCaller, Word, Yandex Launcher, Youtube.

Off all these apps, only about 7 were installed by me the rest are preloaded or system, I've uninstalled all other apps I used. Adding up the listed space for all of them comes to 790.65MB, so not even 1Gb let alone 4GB.

 

[B. Diddy]

Hmm, I don't have a good explanation at this point. Sorry to say, but the next step is probably a factory reset.

EDIT: Actually, I just thought of trying DiskUsage, to see if it gives you a different reading on the storage. It might also give you more details about what's using how much storage, and where.

 

[Wookiee925]

Thanks for the assist anyway, I cant get that app installed now due to space issues, but After the reset I'll get it loaded incase of any future problems