How to Check Your Cell Phone Memory

Just like a computer, a cell phone stores and manages files, including applications, ringtones, music, pictures, and videos. Smart phones also store operating system files. Like a computer, when a cell phone's memory is overloaded with information it can cause performance issues. Before you attempt to transfer, add, or download files to your phone, make sure that you perform a quick, simple memory check. This will help you avoid performance issues and "Memory Full" errors when you're adding new information.

Check Your Cell Phone Memory

Navigate to your cell phone's main menu to check your cell phone memory. Scan the menu list to find and select "Settings," "Options" or the similar option on your cell phone. This is the location where you can browse the various settings and information regarding your cell phone and make changes if necessary.

Select "Memory," "Device Info" or the similar selection from the list of menu options to pull up detailed information about the cell phone's memory system.

Review the "Phone Memory" or similar section to determine how much total memory and available memory you have on the cell phone. Depending on the capacity of your phone, it will show as megabytes or gigabytes. Some phones will also display the amount of memory available on your removable memory card in this section as well.

Maintaining Your Cell Phone Memory

If you have less than 20 percent cell phone memory available for use, it may be time to go through your cell phone and delete some unneeded applications, pictures, and messages.This can be a challenge, especially if you are an electronic "pack rat" but ask yourself "do I really need this?" and "Will I ever open or use this file again?" If not, trash the files from your cell phone memory-it's unlikely that you'll miss many of them.

You can also use a USB cord to transfer the files from your cell phone to your computer or transfer the files to a removable cell phone memory card as an alternative. Many cell phone memory cards hold as much as 16 GB of information and you can always transfer the files to your computer later using a USB memory card reader. Once your files are safe in the other storage location, you can feel free to delete everything on your cell phone and add new information.