Introduction
If your Android phone is running out of storage or the battery seems to disappear much faster than it used to, one of your apps may be part of the problem.
The tricky part is figuring out which app is actually responsible. A large game may take several gigabytes of storage but barely use any battery when you aren’t playing it. Another app may be relatively small but constantly run in the background and consume a noticeable amount of power.
Android gives you tools for checking both types of usage, but the exact menus depend on the phone manufacturer and Android version. On Pixel phones, for example, Google provides a Battery usage screen where you can view usage by app. Samsung Galaxy phones have their own Battery and Device Care tools. Files by Google can also show the amount of storage used by individual installed apps.
The safest approach is simple: identify the app first, understand why it is using resources, and only then decide whether you need to change anything.
Main Article
Storage and Battery Are Not the Same Thing
Before checking your phone, it helps to understand what you’re looking for.
Storage is the space where your phone keeps apps, photos, videos, downloaded files, app data, and other information. If storage is nearly full, you may have difficulty installing apps, saving photos, downloading files, or updating software. Google notes that Android phones can start experiencing issues when less than 10% of storage is free.
Battery usage is different. It tells you which apps and system functions have consumed battery power during a selected period.
An app can therefore be:
- Large but relatively easy on the battery.
- Small but active in the background.
- Large and battery-hungry.
- Large because it stores downloaded content rather than because the app itself is unusually large.
That distinction matters before you delete anything.
Screenshot 1: Android storage and app usage overview
Screenshot purpose: Show the difference between the phone’s overall storage screen and an individual app’s storage information.
Screenshot caption: Storage and battery usage measure different things, so check each one separately.
How to Find Which Apps Use the Most Storage
Method 1: Use Files by Google to See App Storage
If you want a practical way to compare the storage used by individual apps, Files by Google is particularly useful.
Google’s current Files by Google documentation says that the app can show the amount of storage used by installed apps. It requires app-usage permission to calculate this information on devices where the permission isn’t already enabled.
Step 1: Open Files by Google
Open Files by Google on your Android phone.
If it is already installed, you’ll normally see its main categories on the screen.
If the app isn’t installed on your phone, don’t assume that your phone is missing an important Android feature. You can use the built-in Settings storage controls instead, which vary by manufacturer.
Step 2: Open the Apps category
In Files by Google:
- Open the Apps category.
- If you’re asked to calculate app storage, tap Calculate storage.
- Tap Continue if prompted.
- Follow the usage-access screen and allow Files by Google to calculate app storage.
Google says that once the app has the required usage permission, you can see the amount of storage used by individual apps.
Screenshot 2: Files by Google Apps category
Screenshot purpose: Show the Apps category and the storage amount displayed for installed apps.
Screenshot caption: Files by Google can show how much storage individual installed apps are using.
Step 3: Compare the largest apps
Once the app list has been calculated, look at the storage amount beside each app.
Don’t immediately uninstall the biggest app.
First ask why it is large.
A video-editing app, game, music app, podcast app, or streaming service may legitimately have a large amount of stored data because you’ve downloaded content for offline use.
For example, a 12 GB game isn’t necessarily a storage problem if you actively play it every week. But a 9 GB app you haven’t opened for six months deserves a closer look.
Check an Individual App’s Storage in Android Settings
If you don’t want to use Files by Google, Android’s own app settings can show storage details.
The exact wording varies by phone, but a common route is:
Settings → Apps → See all apps → Select an app → Storage & cache
Some manufacturers may use Storage instead of Storage & cache.
Step 4: Check what is taking up space
Choose an app you identified as large.
Look for information such as:
- App size
- User data
- Cache
- Total storage
The names and layout can vary between Android versions and manufacturers.
This is useful because the total number doesn’t always tell you where the space is going.
An app might have a modest installation size but several gigabytes of user data.
Screenshot 3: Individual app storage screen
Screenshot purpose: Show the storage information for a single app, including app size, user data, and cache where available.
Screenshot caption: Open an individual app’s storage page to see whether the space comes from the app, its data, or temporary cache.
Be Careful With “Clear Storage”
You’ll often see two buttons when checking an app:
Clear cache
and
Clear storage or Clear data
They are not interchangeable.
Google explains that Clear cache removes temporary data. The app may take a little longer to open the next time because it needs to recreate some temporary files. Clear storage, on the other hand, permanently deletes the app’s stored data.
That can mean losing locally stored settings, downloaded content, or other information depending on the app.
Don’t clear storage just because an app is large
If a navigation app contains downloaded maps, for example, clearing its storage could remove information you deliberately saved for offline use.
Before using Clear storage, check whether the app itself provides a way to remove downloaded content or old files.
For a large app, this is usually the safer order:
Check the app → remove unnecessary downloads inside the app → clear cache if appropriate → consider uninstalling only if you no longer need it.
How to Find Which Apps Use the Most Battery
Storage tells you what occupies space.
Battery usage tells you which apps have been consuming power.
The most direct method on many recent Android phones is:
Settings → Battery → Battery usage
However, manufacturers can change the wording and location.
Google’s current Pixel instructions use Settings → Battery → Battery usage → View by apps to show battery consumption by app.
Step 5: Open Battery usage
On a Pixel or similar Android interface:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Battery.
- Tap Battery usage.
- Choose View by apps if that option appears.
You’ll then see apps and their battery consumption for the period Android is showing.
Screenshot 4: Android Battery usage by apps
Screenshot purpose: Show the Battery usage screen and the option to view battery consumption by individual apps.
Screenshot caption: Use Battery usage to see which apps have consumed the most power during the displayed period.
Step 6: Don’t judge an app by percentage alone
This is an easy mistake.
Suppose your battery screen shows:
YouTube — 18%
That doesn’t automatically mean YouTube is malfunctioning.
If you’ve watched videos for two hours, substantial battery use may be completely expected.
Instead, look for unusual patterns.
An app deserves closer attention when:
- You barely use it but it appears high on the list.
- Its background usage is unexpectedly high.
- Battery drain started after installing or updating it.
- The phone becomes warm while the app isn’t actively being used.
- Battery life improves noticeably when the app is no longer running.
The battery screen is a diagnostic clue, not a list of apps that are automatically “bad.”
Check Background Battery Usage
An app can use battery while you’re actively using it. It can also consume power while you’re doing something else.
Background activity can include things such as syncing, checking for new information, processing content, or maintaining connections.
On Pixel phones, Google provides controls under an app’s battery settings and recommends keeping battery optimization enabled for apps.
Step 7: Check an app’s battery settings
On supported Android versions:
Settings → Apps → See all apps → [Choose the app] → App battery usage
Or, from the Battery usage list, tap the app and review its battery settings.
Look for Allow background usage or similar controls.
If the app doesn’t need to perform important work in the background, Android may provide an option to restrict it.
Screenshot 5: App battery usage controls
Screenshot purpose: Show where an individual app’s background battery behavior can be reviewed.
Screenshot caption: Check an app’s background battery setting before deciding whether it needs to be restricted.
A warning before restricting an app
Don’t restrict every app that appears high on the battery list.
Some apps need background activity to provide their main function.
A messaging app may need background access for timely messages. A navigation app may need location-related activity during navigation. Other apps may need background work for syncing or scheduled tasks.
Google warns that some restricted apps may not work as usual or may deliver notifications later.
The better approach is to investigate unusual usage rather than aggressively restricting everything.
Samsung Galaxy: Find Storage and Battery Usage
Samsung Galaxy phones use Samsung’s own menus, so the steps aren’t always identical to Pixel or other Android phones.
On current Galaxy devices, Device care provides information about battery and storage. Samsung’s current support documentation says you can open Settings → Device care, then select Battery to review battery usage or Storage to check storage.
Step 8: Check battery usage on a Galaxy phone
Open:
Settings → Battery
On supported Galaxy models, Samsung says you can tap View details to review app usage along with screen-on and screen-off time.
Older Galaxy software and some models may instead use:
Settings → Battery and device care → Battery
Then select the battery graph or usage details.
Screenshot 6: Samsung Galaxy battery usage
Screenshot purpose: Show the Galaxy battery page and the area where app battery usage can be reviewed.
Screenshot caption: Galaxy phones provide battery usage details that can help identify apps consuming significant power.
Samsung specifically notes that available screens and settings can vary by device model, software version, and wireless provider.
Step 9: Check storage on a Galaxy phone
Open:
Settings → Device care → Storage
Depending on the model and software version, you may see categories for things such as images, videos, documents, apps, and other stored content.
Samsung’s current documentation says Device Care can show available and used storage and lets you select storage categories for more detail.
Screenshot 7: Samsung Device Care storage
Screenshot purpose: Show the storage breakdown and the Apps category where available.
Screenshot caption: Use Device Care’s Storage section to see which types of content are occupying your Galaxy’s internal storage.
What to Do After You Find a Large App
Finding the largest app is only half the job.
Now decide whether the space is necessary.
If you still use the app regularly
Don’t delete it just because it appears at the top of the storage list.
Instead, open its settings and look for:
- Downloaded videos
- Offline music
- Downloaded maps
- Saved projects
- Cached media
- Old documents
- Offline files
Many apps have their own storage-management tools.
Removing unnecessary downloaded content can free space without removing the app.
If you rarely use the app
You have several options.
You can uninstall it if you don’t need it.
On Android 15 and supported devices, app archiving is another option. Google says archived apps have their software, permissions, temporary files, and notifications removed while the app icon and personal data are retained. The app can later be restored if it remains available through the app store.
This can be useful when you don’t want to permanently remove an app you may use again.
If the app has a huge cache
A large cache can sometimes be cleared safely, but don’t assume that every large cache should be deleted.
Android describes cache as temporary data, and clearing it can cause an app to rebuild some files later.
If an app’s cache grows back quickly, repeatedly clearing it may not solve the underlying reason for the storage use.
What to Do When an App Is Using Too Much Battery
If an app is genuinely using more battery than expected, work through the least disruptive options first.
Update the app
Open the Google Play Store.
Then:
- Tap your profile picture.
- Tap Manage apps & device.
- Under available updates, review the apps.
- Update the problem app if an update is available.
Google recommends keeping apps updated because updates can include security, stability, and feature improvements.
Restart the phone
If battery usage suddenly became unusual, restart the phone and monitor it afterward.
This is especially reasonable if the problem started after an app update, system update, or temporary software issue.
Check background usage
Return to the app’s battery settings and check whether it is consuming significant power in the background.
If the app doesn’t need continuous background activity, use the available Android controls to limit it.
Uninstall the app if the problem continues
If you’ve identified an app that you rarely use, that consistently drains battery, and that you don’t need, uninstalling it may be more sensible than continually restricting it.
But don’t uninstall an important system component simply because it appears high in a battery list.
Google specifically notes that some essential apps and services shouldn’t be force-stopped, and Google Play services cannot simply be uninstalled like an ordinary downloaded app.
Use Digital Wellbeing for Another Useful Clue
There’s one more Android feature worth checking.
Digital Wellbeing can show how much time you’ve spent in individual apps.
That doesn’t directly measure storage or battery, but it provides useful context.
For example, if a social media app appears high in battery usage and Digital Wellbeing shows that you’ve spent several hours using it, the battery usage may simply reflect heavy use.
On supported phones:
Settings → Digital Wellbeing
The dashboard can show screen time, how often apps are opened, and notifications received.
Screenshot 8: Digital Wellbeing app usage
Screenshot purpose: Show how app usage time can provide context when evaluating battery consumption.
Screenshot caption: Digital Wellbeing can help explain whether high battery usage is simply the result of heavy app use.
A Simple Way to Decide What to Change
Once you’ve checked both lists, put apps into three groups.
Keep
These are apps you use regularly and that aren’t causing unusual problems.
Don’t change anything simply because they appear near the top of a usage list.
Investigate
These apps use substantial storage or battery, but you still need them.
Check their downloaded content, cache, background activity, and in-app settings before taking stronger action.
Remove or archive
These are apps you don’t use and that take up significant storage or consume resources unnecessarily.
Uninstalling an unused app is often the cleanest solution.
On supported Android 15 and newer devices, archiving can be an alternative when you want to retain the app’s data and icon for later restoration.
Troubleshooting / Common Problems
I don’t see “Battery usage” on my Android phone
The menu may have a different name or location.
Try opening Settings and using its search function for Battery usage.
On Pixel phones, the current path is Settings → Battery → Battery usage. Samsung uses its own Battery and Device Care organization.
My largest app isn’t actually using much storage
Check the app’s individual storage screen.
The total may include app data and cache, not just the original application package.
Also remember that the phone’s overall storage includes photos, videos, downloads, system files, and other categories that aren’t part of the app itself.
One app is using a lot of battery even when I barely use it
Check its battery settings and look for background usage.
If the app is unexpectedly active in the background, update it first and then review whether Android offers a background restriction.
If the problem continues, check whether other users are reporting an issue with that specific app version rather than immediately assuming the phone’s battery is failing.
Can I delete an app’s data to save storage?
You can usually clear an app’s stored data through Android Settings, but this is not the same as clearing its cache.
Google warns that clearing storage permanently deletes the app’s stored data, so check the app first for a way to remove individual downloads or files.
Why does battery usage not add up to exactly 100%?
Battery reports may use rounding, and the display can separate app usage from system usage. Google notes that rounded values on Pixel battery screens may not add up to exactly 100%.
My Samsung phone has different menus from this guide
That’s normal.
Samsung says available screens and settings can vary according to the phone model, software version, and wireless provider.
Use Settings search to look for Battery, Storage, Device care, or the app’s name.
Practical Tips
Check storage before your phone becomes completely full
You don’t need to wait for an “Storage almost full” warning.
If you notice that free storage is getting low, check the largest apps and downloaded files before the problem becomes urgent.
Google says Android devices can begin experiencing issues when less than 10% of storage remains free.
Don’t uninstall an app simply because it is large
Large doesn’t mean unnecessary.
A game you play every day may be several gigabytes. That’s very different from an equally large app you haven’t opened for months.
Don’t assume high battery use means an app is defective
Look at how much you actually use the app.
A video-streaming app can legitimately consume considerable battery during long viewing sessions.
Background battery usage is more interesting when the app is barely being used.
Check the app’s own download settings
Streaming, music, navigation, social media, and editing apps can store substantial amounts of content.
Removing old offline downloads from inside the app is often safer than clearing its entire storage.
Keep battery optimization enabled unless you have a reason to change it
Google recommends keeping battery optimization enabled for apps on Pixel devices. Turning optimization off can allow apps to run more in the background and use more battery.
Don’t use random “phone cleaner” apps as your first solution
You already have Android’s storage controls and, where appropriate, Google’s Files by Google or Samsung’s Device Care.
Start with those tools before giving another app access to your files or device activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find which apps use the most storage on Android?
You can check Settings → Storage for the overall storage breakdown. For individual app storage, Files by Google can show the amount of storage used by installed apps after its app-storage calculation is enabled.
How do I see which apps are draining my Android battery?
On Pixel phones, open Settings → Battery → Battery usage → View by apps. Other Android phones may use a different menu, but Settings search for “Battery usage” can help you locate it.
Does clearing an app’s cache delete my account?
Clearing cache removes temporary data, not the app’s stored data. However, clearing storage/data is different and can permanently remove the app’s locally stored information.
Should I uninstall an app that uses a lot of battery?
Not automatically. First determine whether the battery use comes from normal active use or unusual background activity. If an app you rarely use continues consuming substantial battery, uninstalling it may be reasonable.
Can an app use a lot of storage without using much battery?
Yes. Storage and battery measure different things. A large game or downloaded-media app can occupy many gigabytes while using little battery when it isn’t running.
Is it safe to restrict an app’s background battery usage?
It can be appropriate for some apps, but it may affect how they work. Google warns that restricted apps may not work normally or may deliver notifications later.
Can I archive an Android app instead of uninstalling it?
On Android 15 and supported devices, yes. Android’s app-archiving feature removes the app’s software and temporary files while retaining its icon and data so it can be restored later if the app remains available.
Final Thoughts
Finding the apps using the most storage and battery is more useful than randomly deleting apps or turning on aggressive battery-saving settings.
Start with storage and identify the apps taking the most space. Then check Battery usage and look for apps consuming an unusual amount of power, especially in the background.
Before removing anything, check what the app actually stores and whether you still need it. Clear temporary cache when appropriate, remove unnecessary downloads from inside apps, update apps that behave unusually, and only restrict or uninstall an app when you understand the effect.
If you use a Samsung Galaxy, expect the menus to differ from Pixel and other Android phones. That’s normal. Samsung’s Device Care tools provide separate Battery and Storage areas, while Google’s Android and Pixel interfaces use their own settings.
The goal isn’t to make every number as small as possible. It’s to know what is using your phone’s resources and why before you decide what to change.