Free Up Storage Space on a Chromebook

Check what is using storage first

Before deleting anything, open Settings and go to About ChromeOS, then Storage management. ChromeOS shows a breakdown of what is taking space, including Apps, Downloads, and Cached data. This overview tells you which category is the largest and where to focus your cleanup. For a full understanding of how Chromebook storage works, read our storage explainer.

The Storage management page also shows your total storage and how much is free. If your Chromebook is nearly full, you will typically see a warning banner in Quick Settings. Note that ChromeOS reserves some space for the operating system, updates, and system processes, so the usable space will always be less than the advertised capacity.

• Open Settings by selecting the time in the bottom right, then the gear icon.
• Go to About ChromeOS, then Storage management.
• Review the breakdown by Apps, Downloads, and Cached data.

Delete unnecessary files in the Files app

The Downloads folder is the most common place for local files to accumulate. Screenshots, PDFs, and setup files can pile up without notice. Open the Files app, select My files, then Downloads, and sort by size to spot the biggest items. Move anything you want to keep to Google Drive or an external drive, then delete the local copy.

After you delete a file in the Files app, it moves to the Trash folder. Empty the Trash to actually reclaim the space. In the Files app, select Trash in the left sidebar, then select Empty trash. This permanently removes those files.

For files you no longer need at all, deleting them is the simplest option. If you want to keep files but reduce local usage, upload them to Google Drive and set them to free up space. Understanding the difference between cloud and local storage helps you decide what to keep locally.

Uninstall apps you no longer use

Android apps and Linux applications can take up a significant amount of storage, especially games, video editors, and development tools. To remove an Android app, right-click its icon in the app launcher and select Uninstall, or go to Settings, then Apps, and select the app you want to remove. For a step-by-step guide, see how to uninstall Android apps on a Chromebook. Linux applications are removed through the Terminal with the package manager for the Debian environment that ChromeOS provides.

If you have enabled Linux on your Chromebook, the Linux container itself reserves a portion of your storage. The container grows as you install packages and files, and it does not automatically shrink. To reclaim that space, you can remove the Linux development environment entirely from Settings, then About ChromeOS, then Developers. Note that this deletes all Linux files and apps, so back up anything important first. If you run into a full container, see how to fix a Linux container that is out of space.

Some apps also store data, such as downloaded content or cached images, that persists even after the app stops being useful. If you rarely use an app, uninstalling it removes both the app itself and its associated data.

Clear cached data to reclaim space

ChromeOS and individual apps store cached data to make things load faster. Over time, this cache can become large. Clearing the browser cache in Chrome removes temporary files, images, and scripts that websites have stored. Open Chrome, select the three-dot menu, then More tools, then Clear browsing data. Choose Cached images and files, and select Clear data. For a complete walkthrough, see how to clear the cache on a Chromebook.

Apps also keep cache files. In Settings, then Apps, select an app and look for Storage usage or Clear cache. The exact option varies by app, but most Android apps on ChromeOS let you clear their cache without affecting your personal data. This is safe to do and does not delete app data or log you out.

Note that clearing the Chrome cache will not remove your bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history unless you also select those categories. The cache is only the temporary data that makes pages load faster.

Long-term habits that keep storage low

If you regularly run low on storage, consider what you keep locally versus in the cloud. ChromeOS is designed around cloud-first usage, with Google Drive, web apps, and streaming services. Storing large media files in the cloud or on an SD card or external drive instead of the internal storage is a good habit. Learn more about using an SD card with your Chromebook.

Chromebooks with smaller internal storage, such as 32GB or 64GB, require more frequent cleanup. If you find yourself deleting files every week, a model with more storage may be a better fit for your needs. Explore our guides for 64GB Chromebooks and 128GB Chromebooks to see what capacity matches your usage.

Also, avoid installing many large Android games if your storage is tight. Games can occupy several gigabytes each, and they often keep additional downloaded content. Uninstall games you are not actively playing and reinstall them later if needed.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Will clearing the cache delete my files?

No. Clearing cached data removes temporary files, images, and website scripts that are stored to speed up loading. It does not delete your downloads, documents, or personal files. Your bookmarks and saved passwords are also kept unless you choose to clear those categories. For more details, see how to clear the cache.

Where does the Trash folder go when I empty it?

Emptying the Trash permanently deletes those files from your Chromebook. This means you cannot recover them, so check that you do not need anything before emptying it. If you want to keep a copy, move the file to Google Drive or an external drive first.

Does removing the Linux container free up space?

Yes. The Linux development environment, if enabled, reserves a portion of your internal storage and grows as you install packages and files. Removing it deletes the entire Linux environment and all its files, freeing that reserved space. You can always set up Linux again later. See how to remove the Linux container for steps.

Can I free up space by moving files to my Google Drive?

Yes. If you have files stored locally that you want to keep, you can upload them to Google Drive. On Chromebooks, you can also choose to keep files only in the cloud and remove the local copy, which reclaims internal storage while keeping the file accessible online. Learn more about cloud vs local storage.

Is it safe to uninstall apps I barely use?

Yes. Uninstalling Android or Linux apps removes the app and its associated data from your Chromebook. You can reinstall them later from the Google Play Store or through the Linux package manager. Your Google account data, such as email and documents, is not affected.

My Chromebook says storage is full. What should I do first?

Start by opening Settings, then About ChromeOS, then Storage management to see which category uses the most space. Empty the Trash, clear the cache, and then uninstall apps you no longer use. If you have a Linux container, consider removing it, since it can reserve a large amount of storage.