Free up space · OnePlus
How to free up space on the OnePlus 9
Short answer
To free up space on the 9, open Settings > Storage & memory to see what is using it, clear duplicates with Google Photos: Free up space on this device, then empty Photos's Recently Deleted. A default 12 MP photo is about 3.6 MB, so 5,000 photos take roughly 18 GB of the 128 GB base model.
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Where is the storage screen on the 9?
The 9 launched in March 2021 with Android 11 and OxygenOS 11. On that software the storage screen is Settings > Storage & memory.
Other OxygenOS versions use a different path; the OnePlus guide lists them.
How much space do 9 photos take?
9: 48 MP main sensor, 12 MP by default, plus 50 MP ultrawide, 2 MP mono. 1,000 default 9 shots take about 3.6 GB.
| File | Typical size | Fits in 10 GB |
|---|---|---|
| Default photo (12 MP) | about 3.6 MB | about 2,778 |
| Full-resolution mode (48 MP) | about 11.5 MB | about 870 |
| RAW / DNG (12 MP) | about 23 MB | about 435 |
| One minute of video at 8K 30fps | about 600 MB | about 17 minutes |
Switching the 9 to its 48 MP mode makes each shot about 11.5 MB, roughly 3 times a default photo, so 200 of them use 2.3 GB. RAW files from the 9 run to about 23 MB each, which is why RAW folders fill a phone faster than anything except video. Recording at 8K 30fps, the 9 writes about 600 MB a minute, so a ten-minute clip takes 6.0 GB, the same as 1,667 default photos. Selfies from the 16 MP front camera are about 4.8 MB each.
What is specific to the 9?
Records 8K 30fps video, which fills storage far faster than 4K. 128 GB and 256 GB with no card slot.
Which built-in cleaners did the 9 ship with?
Out of the box on OxygenOS 11, the 9 has Google Photos: Free up space on this device (Google Photos > profile picture > Free up space on this device) and Files by Google cleaning suggestions (Files by Google > Clean). How each works is in the OnePlus guide.
Where do deleted photos go on the 9?
On the 9, Photos's Recently Deleted holds them for 30 days (Photos > Albums > Recently Deleted). It launched on Android 11, so it also has Android's system trash.
How much of each 9 storage option does a big gallery use?
| Storage option | 5,000 default photos | 30 minutes of top-quality video |
|---|---|---|
| 128 GB | 18 GB (14%) | 18 GB (14%) |
| 256 GB | 18 GB (7%) | 18 GB (7%) |
On the 128 GB 9, every 10 GB you free holds about 2,778 more default photos, and a gallery of 20,000 photos would fill 56% of it. On the 256 GB 9, every 10 GB you free holds about 2,778 more default photos, and a gallery of 20,000 photos would fill 28% of it.
How does the 9 compare with other OnePlus phones?
Against the 8 (April 2020), the 9 has the same 128 GB starting storage. Against the 8 Pro (April 2020), the 9 has the same 128 GB starting storage. Against the 8T (October 2020), the 9 has the same 128 GB starting storage.
| Model | Launched | Storage options | Default photo | microSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | March 2021 | 128 GB, 256 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | No |
| 8 | April 2020 | 128 GB, 256 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | No |
| 8 Pro | April 2020 | 128 GB, 256 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | No |
| 8T | October 2020 | 128 GB, 256 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | No |
Can you add a memory card to the 9?
No, the 9 has no microSD slot, so its 128 GB and 256 GB is all the space there is.
What will GalleryJury do on the 9?
GalleryJury, coming soon for Android 11 and later, will pick the best shot of each burst. At about 3.6 MB a 9 photo, its $5 pack of 5,000 photos covers roughly 18 GB, after 50 free.
Frequently asked questions
How many photos fit on a 256 GB 9?
In theory about 71,111 default photos if nothing else were stored; in practice apps and Android take a large share.
How much storage does the 9 have?
It was sold with 128 GB and 256 GB and no microSD slot.
Sources
- OnePlus: OnePlus 9 specs (checked 31 October 2026)
- OnePlus Support: How to check the storage on your OnePlus device (checked 31 October 2026)
- OPPO Support: Why is My Storage Still Full After Deleting Photos (checked 31 October 2026)
Related
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GalleryJury is coming soon to Android
It keeps the best shot from every burst and clears the clutter around it. 50 free photos to try, then $5 for 5,000 photos or $15 for 20,000. Pay once, nothing renews. No subscription.