Free up space · Samsung
How to free up space on the Samsung Galaxy Note20
Short answer
To free up space on the Galaxy Note20, open Settings > Device care > Storage to see what is using it, clear duplicates with Device care: Storage, then empty Gallery's Recycle bin. A default 12 MP photo is about 3.6 MB, so 5,000 photos take roughly 18 GB of the 256 GB base model.
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Where is the storage screen on the Galaxy Note20?
The Galaxy Note20 launched in August 2020 with Android 10 and One UI 2.5. On that software the storage screen is Settings > Device care > Storage.
Other One UI versions use a different path; the Samsung guide lists them.
Where do deleted photos go on the Galaxy Note20?
On the Galaxy Note20, Gallery's Recycle bin holds them for 30 days (Gallery > Menu (three lines) > Recycle bin). It launched on Android 10, before Android 11's system trash, so that depends on it having been updated.
What is specific to the Galaxy Note20?
Has no microSD slot (the Note20 Ultra does), so 8K clips fill its fixed 256 GB quickly.
Which built-in cleaners did the Galaxy Note20 ship with?
Out of the box on One UI 2.5, the Galaxy Note20 has Device care: Storage (Settings > Battery and device care > Storage), Recycle bin cleanup (Settings > Battery and device care > Storage > Recycle bin) and My Files Recycle bin (My Files > Recycle bin). How each works is in the Samsung guide.
How much space do Galaxy Note20 photos take?
Galaxy Note20: 12 MP main sensor, plus 12 MP ultrawide, 64 MP telephoto (3x hybrid). 1,000 default Galaxy Note20 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 (64 MP) | about 15.4 MB | about 649 |
| RAW / DNG (12 MP) | about 23 MB | about 435 |
| One minute of video at 8K 24fps | about 600 MB | about 17 minutes |
Switching the Galaxy Note20 to its 64 MP mode makes each shot about 15.4 MB, roughly 4 times a default photo, so 200 of them use 3.1 GB. RAW files from the Galaxy Note20 run to about 23 MB each, which is why RAW folders fill a phone faster than anything except video. Recording at 8K 24fps, the Galaxy Note20 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 10 MP front camera are about 3 MB each.
How much of each Galaxy Note20 storage option does a big gallery use?
| Storage option | 5,000 default photos | 30 minutes of top-quality video |
|---|---|---|
| 256 GB | 18 GB (7%) | 18 GB (7%) |
On the 256 GB Galaxy Note20, every 10 GB you free holds about 2,778 more default photos, and a gallery of 20,000 photos would fill 28% of it.
Can you add a memory card to the Galaxy Note20?
No, the Galaxy Note20 has no microSD slot, so its 256 GB is all the space there is.
How does the Galaxy Note20 compare with other Galaxy Note phones?
Against the Galaxy Note10 (August 2019), the Galaxy Note20 has the same 256 GB starting storage. Against the Galaxy Note10+ (August 2019), the Galaxy Note20 has the same 256 GB starting storage; only the Galaxy Note10+ takes a memory card. Against the Galaxy Note20 Ultra (August 2020), the Galaxy Note20 has the same 256 GB starting storage and has a 12 MP main sensor where the Galaxy Note20 Ultra has 108 MP; only the Galaxy Note20 Ultra takes a memory card.
| Model | Launched | Storage options | Default photo | microSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Note20 | August 2020 | 256 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | No |
| Galaxy Note10 | August 2019 | 256 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | No |
| Galaxy Note10+ | August 2019 | 256 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | Yes |
| Galaxy Note20 Ultra | August 2020 | 256 GB, 512 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | Yes |
What will GalleryJury do on the Galaxy Note20?
GalleryJury, coming soon for Android 11 and later (so an updated Galaxy Note20), will pick the best shot of each burst. At about 3.6 MB a Galaxy Note20 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 Galaxy Note20?
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 Galaxy Note20 have?
It was sold with 256 GB and no microSD slot.
Sources
- Samsung UK Support: Galaxy Note20 (SM-N981BZAGEEA) specifications (checked 31 October 2026)
- Samsung UK Support: How to clear up storage space on your smartphone (checked 31 October 2026)
- Samsung UK Support: How to delete or restore files in the recycle bin in My Files (checked 31 October 2026)
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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.