Free up space · Samsung
How to free up space on the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
Short answer
To free up space on the Galaxy S21 FE, open Settings > Battery and 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 128 GB base model.
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Where is the storage screen on the Galaxy S21 FE?
The Galaxy S21 FE launched in January 2022 with Android 12 and One UI 4.0. On that software the storage screen is Settings > Battery and device care > Storage.
Other One UI versions use a different path; the Samsung guide lists them.
Where do deleted photos go on the Galaxy S21 FE?
On the Galaxy S21 FE, Gallery's Recycle bin holds them for 30 days (Gallery > Menu (three lines) > Recycle bin). It launched on Android 12, so it also has Android's system trash.
What is specific to the Galaxy S21 FE?
Unlike the S20 FE it has no microSD slot. Video stops at 4K 60fps.
Which built-in cleaners did the Galaxy S21 FE ship with?
Out of the box on One UI 4.0, the Galaxy S21 FE 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 S21 FE photos take?
Galaxy S21 FE: 12 MP main sensor, plus 12 MP ultrawide, 8 MP 3x telephoto. 1,000 default Galaxy S21 FE shots take about 3.6 GB.
| File | Typical size | Fits in 10 GB |
|---|---|---|
| Default photo (12 MP) | about 3.6 MB | about 2,778 |
| RAW / DNG (12 MP) | about 23 MB | about 435 |
| One minute of video at 4K 60fps | about 400 MB | about 25 minutes |
The Galaxy S21 FE has no high-resolution mode beyond 12 MP, so photo sizes stay predictable. RAW files from the Galaxy S21 FE run to about 23 MB each, which is why RAW folders fill a phone faster than anything except video. Recording at 4K 60fps, the Galaxy S21 FE writes about 400 MB a minute, so a ten-minute clip takes 4.0 GB, the same as 1,111 default photos. Selfies from the 32 MP front camera are about 7.7 MB each.
How much of each Galaxy S21 FE storage option does a big gallery use?
| Storage option | 5,000 default photos | 30 minutes of top-quality video |
|---|---|---|
| 128 GB | 18 GB (14%) | 12 GB (9%) |
| 256 GB | 18 GB (7%) | 12 GB (5%) |
On the 128 GB Galaxy S21 FE, 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 Galaxy S21 FE, 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 S21 FE?
No, the Galaxy S21 FE has no microSD slot, so its 128 GB and 256 GB is all the space there is.
How does the Galaxy S21 FE compare with other Galaxy S phones?
Against the Galaxy S21 (January 2021), the Galaxy S21 FE has the same 128 GB starting storage. Against the Galaxy S21+ (January 2021), the Galaxy S21 FE has the same 128 GB starting storage. Against the Galaxy S21 Ultra (January 2021), the Galaxy S21 FE has the same 128 GB starting storage and has a 12 MP main sensor where the Galaxy S21 Ultra has 108 MP.
| Model | Launched | Storage options | Default photo | microSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S21 FE | January 2022 | 128 GB, 256 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | No |
| Galaxy S21 | January 2021 | 128 GB, 256 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | No |
| Galaxy S21+ | January 2021 | 128 GB, 256 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | No |
| Galaxy S21 Ultra | January 2021 | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | No |
What will GalleryJury do on the Galaxy S21 FE?
GalleryJury, coming soon for Android 11 and later, will pick the best shot of each burst. At about 3.6 MB a Galaxy S21 FE 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 S21 FE?
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 S21 FE have?
It was sold with 128 GB and 256 GB and no microSD slot.
Sources
- Samsung UK Support: Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990BLGDEUA) 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.