How to free up storage space on your Chromebook

💡 Need to know

• Most Chromebooks don't have much storage. Standard models typically offer 128GB or less.
• Take advantage of Google Drive. Saving files to the cloud conserves space.
• Be wary of app use. Too many Android™ apps burn through storage space.

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A Chromebook™ running low on storage has a way of making itself known right when you're trying to download a file, install an app, or finish something that definitely doesn't need another complication. Luckily, getting some breathing room back usually doesn't require deleting everything in sight.

At Asurion, we help millions of people keep the tech they rely on running smoothly. Here's how to find what's taking up space on your Chromebook, clear out what you don't need, and make a little more room for what you do.

Why is my Chromebook out of storage

Chromebooks are fast, portable, and usually pretty inexpensive. But they have one drawback: minimal storage space. It's not unusual to find Chromebooks with as little as 16GB of storage. Even higher-end options top out at around 256GB, with very few reaching the 1TB threshold.

That's a huge difference from more traditional laptop brands, which typically offer at least 512GB of storage. So, if you're treating your Chromebook like a regular laptop and storing all your documents and files on it, don't be surprised if space runs out faster than you'd expect.

Storage space availability is also influenced by downloaded files, installed apps, and the browser cache. Even if you regularly store documents in the cloud, these items can quickly fill up your Chromebook's storage.

Check what's using your storage

To fix space issues, you'll want to know how to check your Chromebook's storage availability. It will tell you what items are the biggest space hogs. Take these steps:

1. Click the time in your menu.
2. Click Settings.
3. Locate the Device section and click Storage management.

Here, you'll see a breakdown of the items stored on your device. Chromebook categorizes them into downloads, offline files, browsing data, Android apps, and other user data. Use this as a guideline to focus your cleanup efforts.

Clear your downloads, cache, and browsing data

If you've recently downloaded any files from the internet, you'll find them in the Downloads folder. Removing them is an easy way to free up space. Here's how to do it:

1. Click Launcher > Up arrow. Open Files.
2. Click Downloads from the My Files sidebar.
3. Review the list of downloaded files. Click the one you want to delete > Trash.
   1. To delete all downloaded files, click the three-dot menu > Select all. Click Trash.

Another way to clear memory usage on Chromebooks is to delete the cache and browsing data in Chrome. Follow these steps:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Click More > Delete browsing data. Select a time range.
3. Click Cookies and other site data. You can choose other items to delete, too.
4. Click Delete data.

Remove apps and files you don't use

Available storage on a Chromebook is affected by apps and local files. To delete the items you don't need, take these steps:

1. Open Launcher.
2. Right-click on an app you don't want. Click Uninstall > Uninstall. Repeat this step for every app you want to delete.
3. Open Files. Click the file or folder you want to remove. Click Trash.

Chromebooks save items in the Trash folder for up to 30 days. To delete them now, navigate to the Trash folder and click Empty Trash.

Keep storage free going forward

To avoid seeing future Chromebook "free up disc space or device will become unresponsive" errors, keep an eye on your available storage. Checking the Storage management tool regularly will tell you whether it's time to do a quick sweep of unnecessary items.

Also, get in the habit of saving large files to Google Drive or another external source. This keeps your device free of clutter. Other ways to speed up a slow device include limiting background programs and scanning for malware.

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FAQ

Why is Chromebook system storage so high?

ChromeOS files keep your device updated with the latest features, but they do clog up space. To minimize system bloat, try deleting cached data in your browser.

How much storage does a Chromebook have?

Basic and standard Chromebooks offer 16GB to 128GB of storage. Newer, more advanced models provide up to 1TB of space.

Why does my Chrome take up so much storage?

The Chrome web browser saves cached images, media, and downloads, reducing your available space. Periodically clearing the cache will conserve storage.

Is there a free cleaner for Chromebooks?

Free cleaners are available, but they're not always safe. Some may contain viruses or bugs that compromise your device's security. Instead of using one, learn how to manage storage yourself by deleting unused files and apps and monitoring space availability.