Low Disk Space
Google Chromebook
Severity: MinorWhat Does This Error Mean?
Open the Files app and check the Downloads folder — large video downloads, APK files, and offline content are the most common causes of low storage on a Chromebook. Move important files to Google Drive (they leave local storage), delete what you no longer need, and empty the Trash. Chromebooks have limited internal storage (32–128 GB is typical) and are designed to store most data in the cloud.
Affected Models
- All Chromebook models
- Chromebooks with 32 GB or 64 GB eMMC storage
Common Causes
- Large files downloaded to local storage — videos, APK files, ISO images
- Android apps installed from the Play Store occupying local storage
- Offline content from Google Drive or streaming apps cached locally
- Linux (Crostini) environment taking up storage if enabled
- Trash not emptied — deleted files still count against used storage until Trash is emptied
How to Fix It
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Open the Files app and review the Downloads folder. Delete large files you no longer need — especially videos, zip archives, and app installer files.
Right-click any file and choose Get Info to see its size. Files deleted from the Files app go to the Trash and are not freed until the Trash is emptied.
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Move important files to Google Drive instead of keeping them locally. Right-click a file in Downloads and choose Move to Drive. They remain accessible in the Files app but no longer take local space.
Google accounts include 15 GB of free Google Drive storage. Files in Google Drive with the Offline setting disabled do not count against local storage.
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Review installed Android apps. Open Settings > Apps, check app sizes, and uninstall Play Store apps you rarely use — especially games, which can be several gigabytes each.
Android app data on Chromebooks is stored locally in a separate partition. Uninstalling an app frees both the app and its data.
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If Linux (Crostini) is enabled and you are not using it, disable it. Open Settings > Advanced > Developers > Linux development environment and turn it off. This reclaims the Linux disk image.
The Linux disk image is typically 10–20 GB and can be reduced or expanded in Linux Settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add storage to a Chromebook?
Many Chromebooks have a microSD card slot that accepts cards up to 1 TB. Insert a microSD card and use it via the Files app for extra storage. However, app installations and system files must stay on internal storage — microSD is only for file storage.