Learn how much memory is left on your smartphone Samsungis a task that every user faces. The free space determines the speed of the device, the ability to install new applications and save photos. But not everyone knows that on phones Galaxy you can check not only the internal memory, but also RAM (RAM)which is responsible for multitasking.

In this article we will analyze all the current methods: from standard settings to hidden engineering menus. You will learn how to distinguish full memory from cached datawhy the system may show less space than indicated in the specifications, and what to do if the phone is “lying” about free space. The instructions are suitable for all modern models - from budget Galaxy A14 to flagships S24 Ultra.

1. Checking memory through standard Android settings

The easiest way is to use the built-in tools Samsung. They give basic information about the internal storage and RAM, but do not show detailed analysis. But they do not require installing third-party applications.

To see the total volume and free space:

  1. Open the application Settings (gear icon).
  2. Go to section Device care (on some models - Device maintenance).
  3. Click on Memory.

Here you will see:

  • 📊 Usage diagram (used space is highlighted in blue, free space is in gray).
  • 🔍 Distribution by category: applications, images, video, audio, cache, etc.
  • 📱 Total memory (for example, 128 GB) and available space.
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If you click on a category in this menu (for example, "Applications"), the system will show a list of apps sorted by occupied space. This makes it easier to find and remove the heaviest applications.

To check RAM. (RAM):

  1. In the same Settings select About device (or Phone information).
  2. Click on Memory or RAM.

The total amount of RAM (for example, 8 GB) and the current usage in real time will be displayed here.

Why Does Samsung show less memory than in the specifications?

The specifications indicate gross. data-i="80">2. Detailed analysis through “Storage” in the settingsthe volume (for example, 128 GB), but part of the memory is occupied by firmware, system files and pre-installed applications. Therefore, ~110–115 GB are available to the user. This is normal for all Android devices.

2. Detailed analysis via “Storage” in the settings

If you need to figure it out, what exactly takes up space, use the extended storage menu. It is hidden deeper, but gives more data.

Instructions:

  1. Open Settings → Device care → Memory.
  2. Click on Three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner → Details.
  3. Select a category (for example Applications or Images).

In this menu you can:

  • 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files directly from the list (for example, old screenshots or application cache).
  • 🔎 Sort files by size or modification date.
  • 📂 View the folders of the built-in file manager (for example, DCIM for photos or Download for downloads).

Once a week|Once a month|Only when space runs out|Never cleaned-->

Important nuance: not all files are displayed in this menu. System data and some folders (for example Android) may be hidden to view them. ADB. file manager with root or ADB rights.

3. Using the My Files application

Samsung preinstalls its own file manager - My file (My Files). as it shows the complete folder structure and allows you to manage files.

How to use:

  1. Open the application My file (yellow folder icon).
  2. In the section Device storage select Internal storage.
  3. A usage chart and the exact amount of free space will be displayed at the top of the screen.

Advantages My Files:

  • 📁 Shows hidden folders (for example, .thumbnails with photo thumbnails).
  • 🔍 Yes built-in file search (including document contents).
  • 🗑️ You can delete, copy or archive files without additional applications.

Delete duplicate photos in the DCIM folder|Clear the cache in the Android/data folder|Check the size of the Download folder|Archive old documents-->

If you need to free up space, pay attention to the folders:

  • DCIM/Camera — photos and videos from the camera.
  • Download —downloaded from Internet files.
  • Android/data —cache and application data (gigabytes of garbage often accumulate here).

4. Checking through the engineering menu (*#9900#)

For experienced users, there is a way to get accurate memory data, including backup partitions and system cache. available by code.

How to open:

  1. Open the application Phone.
  2. Enter the combination: *#9900#.
  3. Click on SysDump (don't be scared by the technical terms).
  4. Scroll down to the block Storage.

Here you will see:

Parameter Description
Total RAM Total amount of RAM (including reserve).
Available RAM Free RAM at the moment.
Internal Storage Full size of internal memory (before partitioning).
User Data Space available to the user (without system partitions).
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The engineering menu shows real the amount of memory, including service partitions that are not visible in the standard settings. This is useful if you suspect that the phone is “cheating” with free space.

⚠️ Attention: Do not change the settings in the engineering menu if you do not understand their purpose. Incorrect actions can cause the system to crash.

5. Third-party applications for memory analysis

If the built-in tools are not enough, use specialized utilities. They offer advanced statistics, garbage cleaning, and even RAM optimization.

Top 3 applications for Samsung:

  • 📊 SD Maid - deep cleaning of system garbage, duplicates and cache. There is a function CorpseFinder to search for remnants of deleted applications.
  • 🔍 Files by Google - a simple manager with analysis of unnecessary files (for example, duplicate photos or large videos).
  • 🛠️ DevCheck —shows detailed memory information, including read/write speed and drive type (UFS 3.1, eMMC, etc.).

Usage example SD Maid:

  1. Install the application from Google Play.
  2. Run and grant file permissions.
  3. Select a tab Dashboard → Storage Analyzer.
  4. Wait for scanning (may take 1-2 minutes).

Advantages of third-party applications:

  • 📈 Show dynamics of use memory (graphs for a week/month).
  • 🧹 Automatically find garbagewhich is not visible in standard settings.
  • 🔧 Offer optimizing RAM (for example, closing background processes).
⚠️ Warning: Some applications (such as cache cleaners) may delete important data or show false warnings about a “critical” memory state. Use only proven utilities with a high rating.

6. Checking memory via ADB (for advanced users)

If you need maximum accurate data (for example, to diagnose faults), use ADB —a debugging tool for developers. It will even show hidden system partitions.

Instructions:

  1. Enable Developer mode on your phone:
    1. Go to Settings → About phone → Software information.
    2. Click 7 times on Build number.
  2. Return to Settings → Developer options and enable USB debugging.
  3. Connect your phone to the PC and open Command Prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux).
  4. Enter the command to check memory: 
    adb shell df -h

The result will look like this:

/dev/block/mmcblk0p43  110G   23G   87G  21% /data

/dev/block/mmcblk0p40   16G   2.1G   14G  13% /system

Decryption:

  • /data — user data (photos, applications, etc.).
  • /system — Android system files.
  • /cache —update cache and temporary files.
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If in the command output df -h you see a partition /sdcard with a zero size, this means that the memory card is not recognized. Try reconnecting it or formatting it.

7. How to free up memory on Samsung: quick tips

If there is little free space left, use these methods:

  • 🗑️ Clearing the cache:
    1. Go to Settings → Applications.
    2. Select an application (for example, Chrome or Instagram).
    3. Click Storage → Clear cache.
  • 📁 Transfer files to a memory card:
    1. Open My file.
    2. Select files (photos, videos) → Move → select SD card.
  • ☁️ Cloud storage:
    1. Upload files to Google Drive, Samsung Cloud or Yandex Disk.
    2. Delete local copies after synchronization.

      3. A few more life hacks:

      • 🎵 Remove offline playlists from music applications (for example, Spotify or YouTube Music).
      • 📱 Disable automatic media downloads in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
      • 🔄 Empty the folder regularly Download —unnecessary APKs and archives accumulate here.

    Frequently asked questions

    Why does Samsung show that there is less memory than in the specifications?

    Manufacturers indicate grossthe amount of memory (for example, 128 GB), but part occupies:

    • Firmware (Android + shell One UI) - ~10–15 GB.
    • Pre-installed applications (Samsung Apps, Microsoft Office etc.) - ~3–5 GB.
    • Service partitions (for example, for updates) - ~1–2 GB.

      • Therefore, out of 128 GB, ~110–115 GB are available to the user. This is normal for all smartphones.

    How to check how much memory each application takes?

    There are two ways:

    1. Through settings:
      1. Go to Settings → Applications.
      2. Select application → Storage.
      3. It will be indicated here: Data + Cache + Total size.
    2. Via My file:
      1. Open My file → Storage analysis → Applications.
      2. Click on any application to see detailed statistics.
    Is it possible to increase the memory on Samsung if it running out?

    Yes, there are several options:

    • 📱 MicroSD memory card (up to 1 TB on modern models). Storage expansion for photos, videos and some applications is supported.
    • ☁️ Cloud services (Google Photos, Samsung CloudAutomatically upload files to the Internet and free up space on the phone.
    • 🔧 System optimization: disable unnecessary system applications via Settings → Applications → ⋮ → Show system.

    Please note: RAM you cannot increase it - it is soldered into the motherboard.

    What to do if the phone shows that there is a lot of memory, but applications are not installed?

    This the problem occurs due to:

    • Memory fragmentation —free space is “scattered” across small blocks. Rebooting or resetting the cache will help (*#9900# → Delete dumpstate/logcat).
    • File system limitations —for example, on F2FS some applications require a contiguous block of memory. Solution: transfer files to PC, format the phone and get the data back.
    • Crashes Google Play — clear the cache and application data Google Play Services.
    How to check the speed reading/writing memory on Samsung?

    To do this, use benchmark applications:

    1. Install AndroBench or A1 SD Bench from Google Play.
    2. Run a read/write test (Sequential Read/Write).
    3. Compare the results with the reference ones for your model:
      • UFS 3.1 (flagships): ~1500–2000 MB/s.
      • UFS 2.1 (mid-segment): ~800–1200 MB/s.
      • eMMC 5.1 (budget models): ~200–400 MB/s.

    • If the speed is significantly lower, this may indicate memory wear or a malfunction.