Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. Guides

Free up storage and keep your media organized with Google’s Files Go app

By

Files Go
Our smartphones hold a ton of our personal data, from photos and videos to contacts and documents — storage can fill up quickly. If you don’t have the time or know-how to sort through your internal storage to make more space, Google wants to help with its latest Files Go app.

Here’s how you can use the file management app to easily free up space on your device, find files, and share them with others even when you’re offline.

Recommended Videos

How to access your storage and files

Files Go is separated into two different sections: Storage and Files. Tapping on the icons at the bottom will easily allow you to switch back and forth between menus.

Related

How to manage your storage

At the top of the storage section, you’ll see how many gigabytes are being used on your device out of the amount available. Scrolling down, you’ll see cards offering up tips and tools to help free up space. Files Go will detect duplicate files, recommend uninstalling unused apps, recommend deleting app cache, as well as large files. Underneath each card is the amount of megabytes (or gigabytes) you can free up if you delete the suggested content. The more you use the app, the smarter the Files Go recommendations will become over time.

By following the advice of these cards, you’ll receive a pop-up letting you know how much extra space you freed up. If you you have an SD card inserted into your phone, Files Go can also transfer files straight to the card from the app.

How to view and manage your files

The Files menu is where you can keep track of all of the media on your device. Since the files are separated into filters — downloads, received files, documents, and all other media — you won’t have to search your entire phone for something specific. Tapping on each category individually, pulls up all the content under that filter. You can delete, share, and uninstall specific content while in Files Go. In this section, you can also back files up to Google Drive or another cloud storage app.

How to transfer files offline

If someone else has the app as well, Files Go allows you to securely transfer and receive files without an internet connection. The process works the same as Android Beam, except you don’t need to bump devices together to send a file. It’s more similar to Apple’s AirDrop in that regard. Using near-field communication (NFC) and Bluetooth, you can send your videos, photos, apps, or documents when the devices are next to each other.

You can find the feature under the Files section, located towards the bottom. Once you tap Send, you’ll have to wait until the recipient opens the app on their device and hits Receive. A list will appear of people nearby, asking to choose with whom you’d like to connect. A window will appear prompting them to accept your connection.

When connected, you can send over your desired files which will automatically save to the other person’s device. All of your media will be available to you within the app once the devices are paired. At the top, you can tap through the different sections of content along with your received files as well. To end file transferring, simply tap the arrow on the top left-hand corner and select Disconnect.

How to customize settings

With Files Go, you can customize your settings to receive alerts and reminders about your storage and files. To access your settings, tap the triple-dot icon in the right-hand corner. You can toggle on and off whether you want to receive reminders when your storage is full, get alerts for unused apps, or when any files — downloaded, large media, duplicate — is taking up space. It’s also where you can edit up your display name, which shows up when you transfer files, if needed.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Brenda Stolyar
Brenda Stolyar
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Brenda became obsessed with technology after receiving her first Dell computer from her grandpa in the second grade. While…
The best Wear OS apps for your Google-powered smartwatch
Looking at a smartwatch using the Wear OS.

Some of the best smartwatches run Wear OS , and there are loads of apps that add all sorts of handy capabilities. A great Wear OS app does more than just send notifications to your wrist -- they entertain, track your fitness and health, help you to stay organized, and can indirectly save your phone's battery life, as you're checking your wrist rather than your phone's display.

With all of that in mind, here are our picks of the best Wear OS apps. Most of these apps still rely on a partner app on your smartphone, but a few offer stand-alone functionality. Either way, they're all must-haves for your Wear OS smartwatch.

Read more
Apple and Google are going to need to open up their app stores in South Korea
The Apple logo is displayed at the Apple Store June 17, 2015 on Fifth Avenue in New York City

Apple and Google will now be mandated to allow for alternate payment systems for apps in the App Store and Play Store, respectively, at least in South Korea. The move comes as part of an amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act that bars companies from forcing third-party developers to use their in-app payment systems for in-app purchases. It will also require app store operators to speedily approve apps and prevent them from deleting apps from the stores without a reasonable explanation, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Apple and Google's app store practices have come under scrutiny over the past few years. In addition to rules around what content may or may not be admitted, developers have increasingly expressed ire about the standardized 30% commission required for each in-app transaction. This comes as a result of both companies mandating the use of their respective billing systems, with exceptions being made to select types of apps (food delivery services, for example.)

Read more
The best Google Pixel 3 cases and covers
Google Pixel 3 Case

It's been three years since the Google Pixel 3 launched, but it's still a phone that holds up in 2021, thanks to its premium hardware and Google's consistent software updates. The screen and the glass back, which enables Qi wireless charging to work, are breakable, so it's a smart move to safeguard them. We've been testing out the available options, and these are the best Pixel 3 cases you can buy. You may also want to make sure the display doesn't get scratched or cracked by investing in one of the best Pixel 3 screen protectors.
Our top picks
These are the top three cases we've been using most often with our Pixel 3, and they each have something unique to recommend them. We have a number of alternative options worth considering if these don't tempt you.
Speck Presidio Grip Case

You won't find a grippier case for butterfingers than Speck's Presidio Grip case, designed for those of us who are always dropping our phones. This dual-layer polycarbonate case comes in black or Desert Rose Pink/Heartwood Brown and provides up to 10 feet of drop protection, with raised bezels for additional screen protection and a protective non-slip rubber grip. The matte surface is scratch-resistant, so your case will stay looking shiny and new for longer.

Read more