Free up space · Samsung
How to free up space on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
Short answer
To free up space on the Galaxy Z Fold5, 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 256 GB base model.
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Where is the storage screen on the Galaxy Z Fold5?
The Galaxy Z Fold5 launched in August 2023 with Android 13 and One UI 5.1.1. On that software the storage screen is Settings > Battery and device care > Storage. Samsung promises 4 OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates, so menu names can change after updates.
Other One UI versions use a different path; the Samsung guide lists them.
Where do deleted photos go on the Galaxy Z Fold5?
On the Galaxy Z Fold5, Gallery's Recycle bin holds them for 30 days (Gallery > Menu (three lines) > Recycle bin). It launched on Android 13, so it also has Android's system trash.
What is specific to the Galaxy Z Fold5?
Storage starts at 256 GB with no microSD slot. Inner screen has a 4 MP under-display camera, the cover screen a 10 MP one.
Which built-in cleaners did the Galaxy Z Fold5 ship with?
Out of the box on One UI 5.1.1, the Galaxy Z Fold5 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 Z Fold5 photos take?
Galaxy Z Fold5: 50 MP main sensor, 12 MP by default, plus 12 MP ultrawide, 10 MP 3x telephoto. 1,000 default Galaxy Z Fold5 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 (50 MP) | about 12 MB | about 833 |
| RAW / DNG (12 MP) | about 23 MB | about 435 |
| One minute of video at 8K 30fps | about 600 MB | about 17 minutes |
Switching the Galaxy Z Fold5 to its 50 MP mode makes each shot about 12 MB, roughly 3 times a default photo, so 200 of them use 2.4 GB. RAW files from the Galaxy Z Fold5 run to about 23 MB each, which is why RAW folders fill a phone faster than anything except video. Recording at 8K 30fps, the Galaxy Z Fold5 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 Z Fold5 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%) |
| 512 GB | 18 GB (4%) | 18 GB (4%) |
| 1 TB | 18 GB (2%) | 18 GB (2%) |
On the 256 GB Galaxy Z Fold5, every 10 GB you free holds about 2,778 more default photos, and a gallery of 20,000 photos would fill 28% of it. On the 512 GB Galaxy Z Fold5, every 10 GB you free holds about 2,778 more default photos, and a gallery of 20,000 photos would fill 14% of it. On the 1 TB Galaxy Z Fold5, every 10 GB you free holds about 2,778 more default photos, and a gallery of 20,000 photos would fill 7% of it.
Can you add a memory card to the Galaxy Z Fold5?
No, the Galaxy Z Fold5 has no microSD slot, so its 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB is all the space there is.
How does the Galaxy Z Fold5 compare with other Galaxy Z Fold phones?
Against the Galaxy Z Fold4 (August 2022), the Galaxy Z Fold5 has the same 256 GB starting storage. Against the Galaxy Z Fold6 (July 2024), the Galaxy Z Fold5 has the same 256 GB starting storage.
| Model | Launched | Storage options | Default photo | microSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Z Fold5 | August 2023 | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | No |
| Galaxy Z Fold4 | August 2022 | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | No |
| Galaxy Z Fold6 | July 2024 | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | No |
What will GalleryJury do on the Galaxy Z Fold5?
GalleryJury, coming soon for Android 11 and later, will pick the best shot of each burst. At about 3.6 MB a Galaxy Z Fold5 photo, its $5 pack of 5,000 photos covers roughly 18 GB, after 50 free.
Frequently asked questions
How many photos fit on a 1 TB Galaxy Z Fold5?
In theory about 284,444 default photos if nothing else were stored; in practice apps and Android take a large share.
How much storage does the Galaxy Z Fold5 have?
It was sold with 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB and no microSD slot.
Sources
- Samsung UK Support: Galaxy Z Fold5 (SM-F946BLBBEUB) 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.