Android TV or Google TV Says Insufficient Storage? Free Up Space
When an Android TV or Google TV device runs out of storage, Google's help pages give three fixes: clear cached data for all apps, connect a USB drive for apps and other content, and uninstall apps and games you don't use.
Quick answer
When your Android TV or Google TV says it is running out of storage, clear the cached data for all apps first: it only removes temporary data and keeps you signed in. If you still need room, connect a USB drive for apps and content, or uninstall apps you don't use.
- 1.Google TV (Chromecast with Google TV, Google TV Streamer): profile icon → Settings → System → Storage → Internal shared storage → Cached data → OK.
- 2.Android TV: Home screen → Settings → Apps (under Device) → pick an app you don't use under Downloaded → Uninstall → OK.
What it means
The message means the internal storage on your TV or streaming device is close to full. Apps, games and the temporary data apps keep (cached data) all share that space.
Google's help covers this with three tools: clearing cached data for all apps on its Google TV streaming devices, removing apps and games on Android TV, and connecting a USB drive to add space for apps and other content.
Google notes that its Android TV steps may not work for all TVs that run Android TV, so the menus on your TV may differ. The section below on menus that don't match covers that.
Common causes
- Too many apps and games installed. Every app and game you download takes up internal storage. Removing some of them is the first fix Google gives for Android TV.
- Cached data from your apps. Apps keep temporary data on the device. On Chromecast with Google TV and Google TV Streamer, Google's first step is clearing that cached data for all apps.
- No extra storage connected. Android TV can use a USB drive to add space for apps and other content. Without one, everything has to fit in the built-in storage.
Before you start
- Work out which menus you have. If you reach Settings through your profile icon, follow the Google TV paths in this guide. If Settings sits on the Home screen with an Apps entry under Device, follow the Android TV paths.
- Make a short list of apps and games you no longer use before you start, so you know what you can remove if clearing the cache is not enough.
- If you want to keep all your apps, have a USB drive ready to connect to the TV or device.
Fixes, from safest to last resort
Clear cached data for all apps (Google TV)
No data loss- 1Go to your profile icon and select Settings.
- 2Open System → Storage → Internal shared storage → Cached data.
- 3Select OK to clear the cached data for all apps.
Google states that clearing the app cache only removes temporary data: you stay signed in to your apps. These are Google's steps for Chromecast with Google TV and Google TV Streamer.
Add space with a USB drive (Android TV)
Re-setup needed- 1Connect a USB drive to your Android TV.
- 2Set up the drive using the "Set up your drive" section of Google's "Get more storage for your Android TV" article (linked in Sources).
- 3Move apps or other content to the drive, following the "Move apps to a drive" and "Move other content to a drive" sections of the same article.
- 4When you want to unplug the drive, use the "Eject your drive" section first.
This keeps your apps installed and adds space for apps and other content. Google's article also has a "Change the storage type" section; read it before you change how the drive is used.
Uninstall apps you don't use (Google TV)
Removes apps & settings- 1Use this only if clearing the cached data did not free enough space.
- 2Go to your profile icon and select Settings → Apps → See all apps.
- 3Choose an app you don't use, then select Uninstall → OK. Repeat for other unused apps.
⚠ Uninstalling removes the app from your device. If you want it back later, you have to install it again and set it up again.
Remove apps or games you don't use (Android TV)
Removes apps & settings- 1Use this only if a USB drive is not an option or did not free enough space.
- 2On your Android TV, go to the Home screen, scroll down and select Settings.
- 3Under "Device", select Apps.
- 4Under "Downloaded", select an app or game you want to remove, then select Uninstall → OK.
⚠ Uninstalling removes the app or game from your TV. If you want it back later, you have to install it again and set it up again.
If a menu doesn't match your TV
- No Device section or no Downloaded list in Settings? Google says its Android TV steps may not work for all TVs that run Android TV. Check your TV maker's manual or support site for the storage and apps menus.
- The Cached data path (System → Storage → Internal shared storage) comes from Google's help for Chromecast with Google TV and Google TV Streamer. On TVs from other brands that use Google TV, the menu may be named differently.
- Using an Amazon Fire TV? Its menus are different: see our guide on Fire TV apps that keep crashing or closing, which includes freeing up storage.
When to contact support
If you still run out of storage after clearing the cache, removing unused apps and adding a USB drive, ask for help through the right channel:
- Chromecast with Google TV or Google TV Streamer: use the Contact us or Post to the help community options at the bottom of Google's "Free up storage" page.
- A TV from another brand that runs Android TV or Google TV: contact the TV maker's support, since Google notes its steps may not match every TV.
- Have the device or TV model ready, the exact message you see, and the steps you already tried: cache cleared, apps removed, USB drive connected or not.
Sources
- Official source: Android TV Help (Google): Get more storage for your Android TV · support.google.com
- Official source: Streaming Help (Google): Free up storage on Chromecast with Google TV or Google TV Streamer · support.google.com
Frequently asked questions
My TV says insufficient memory. What should I do?+
On Android TV and Google TV devices, start with the cache: profile icon → Settings → System → Storage → Internal shared storage → Cached data → OK. If space is still short, connect a USB drive for apps and content, or uninstall apps you don't use.
TV keeps restarting to free up memory: can I fix it?+
Google's storage help pages don't describe a restart message. What they do cover is running out of storage, and the fixes are the ones in this guide: clear cached data for all apps and uninstall apps you don't use. If the restarts continue after that, contact the maker of your TV or device.
Will clearing cached data sign me out of my apps?+
No. Google states that clearing the app cache only removes temporary data. You remain signed in to your apps.
Can I add more storage to my Android TV with a USB drive?+
Yes. Google says you can connect a USB drive to your Android TV to add space for apps and other content, then move apps or other content to it. Follow the set-up and move sections of Google's "Get more storage for your Android TV" article.
My TV says not enough memory and won't turn on. Do these steps help?+
These steps need access to the Settings menu, so they only help once the TV reaches its Home screen. Google's storage articles don't cover a TV that won't start. In that case, contact your TV maker's support with the model number and the message you saw.
Haier TV insufficient memory error: does this guide apply?+
It applies if your TV runs Android TV or Google TV, which you can tell from the Settings menus described here. Google notes that its Android TV steps may not work for all TVs that run Android TV, so if the menus don't match, check Haier's own support.
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