My Android phone had this “insufficient storage” problem for months, despite having lots of free space. Here’s a fix that actually works.
If you’re looking for this solution, then I’m guessing you’ve experienced a difficulty with installing new apps or updating existing ones.
Even though you know there’s plenty of space left on your phone, you get an error saying that there’s “insufficient storage available”.
#Step 1 – How to solve the “insufficient storage available” problem.
When I first looked for a solution to this problem, I came across a free app called App Cache Cleaner.
Get App Cache Cleaner for FREE here
This app will let you clear the cache for various apps, and thus reclaim some memory. In my experience it worked well for a couple of weeks, but then became ineffective.
I’m guessing that initially, it cleared just enough space so that I could update apps again, but as time went by I noticed that I was getting the “insufficient storage available” error again, despite using the app regularly to clear the cache.
The problem appears to be that there are crucial files which are not deleted by the app, but that build up over time to cause the same issue.
#2 Fortunately there’s an even simpler fix, which doesn’t even involve downloading any other apps.
The trick is to access a hidden menu on your phone that lets you delete these files.
From your phone dialler, dial *#9900#
Update: Thanks to Jason in the comments for pointing out that this only works on SAMSUNG phones.
This will open up the menu, then select the second one down which should read “Delete Dumpstate/logcat”
Then just hit the Ok button and you’re done.
That’s it!
Now just go back to updating your apps and you should be able to update them all without that silly “insufficient storage available” message.
Thanks a lot it is work !
This did not work for me. There was no delete dumpstate/logcat option
Sorry about that Margaret! I can only guess that it must be due to using a different version of Android.
same.i have no delete dump state either..Must be an alternative surely.
Thanks, that worked great for me as well. But now I notice that the GPS is not accurate, off by about 1 km or more. Is there any chance it’s related to the “Delete Dumpstate/logcat” operation?
Hi Mark, I’m certainly no android software developer so I couldn’t say for sure, but my intuition would be to say that I doubt very much that it’s related. I’ve just tried to Google it and not found any other references to this procedure interfering with GPS accuracy.
Neither the app nor the code work for me. Is there any other way of getting to the dumpstate/logact? (BTW my internal memory is stating I have approx. 3.5Mb of free space left despite the errors
worked perfectly for my galaxy s2, amazing simple solution
Glad it worked for you Wajeeh :-)
does not work for android 4.1
Hi Sylvia, my phone (Galaxy S2) is Android version 4.1.2, and it works well for me.
Godsake, yet another site using Android issues as a ruse to plug Infolife apps – how much are they paying you to push their nag-nag apps on the punter? If we want to clear app cache we simply use Clear All Apps Cache in the App Settings Menu.
Another thing: this ‘simpler fix’ – *#9900# – is for Samsung devices only.
Hi Jason,
Thanks for your positive comments. I’d never heard of Infolife apps until you mentioned them, and I’m certainly NOT getting any form of payment from them in relation to this article (or anything else). I’ve never found that app to “nag” me in any way, and I find it useful that you can set a schedule for it to clear the cache for you at intervals. There may be other ways to do this too, but I just happened to blog about a solution that I found that worked for me.
I did not realise that the *#9900# only applied to Samsung devices, so thank you for pointing that out and I will amend the article to reflect that. Cheers.
I’ve tried this method and the hidden menu came up and I followed the instructions yet to no avail!. I uninstalled an app as it wasn’t working well and I am unable to re-install it now even after deleting over 700pictures it still says i have insufficent space!
any ideas?
I have the samsung galaxy s3 mini
Did you try the App Cache cleaner app too? I often have to run both procedures on my phone, to clear it enough to be able to update apps. Also, uninstall all those apps you don’t use.
I wished this worked. My phone says “Connection problem or invalid MMI code.” :-(
What is Xperia devices code.I am using Z2.
I cannot thank u enough… I faced this problem fr six mnths or so…, n wid ur 9900 trick, my phone is superb again… thanks a lot.
I’m using a samsung transform ultra phone. There was no *#9900# option thing. Help me! T_T
Hey Thompson. You trick did help me a lot in restoring my dad’s phone. And saving money from buying a sd card. Thanks a lot. Hoe you’re doing well :)
I have a Galaxy S4 and this dial option didn’t work at all. I use Clean Master to clear my cache but it didn’t work..
Worked like a charm on my Galaxy S4. Many thanks, Al!
I want to do this but does it delete photos and numbers from ur phone aswell?
Hi Juliet, No it doesn’t remove any photos or contact numbers. They’ll still be there :-)
Wen i tried to dwnload cachd cleaner it also said insufficient storage space.. But ders space available on my lenovo s820 device …if anyone knows d solution plz mail me on abhinaya.ks17@gmail.com… Or post here
I use glo samsung android, neither the *#9900# nor downloading the clean app cache worked for me since it still says insufficient storage. if there is any alternative I will appreciate
Wow…It’s working Excellently…thank you so much…I tried many app but nothing great and totally waste….Very useful information provided….