How to Delete Downloads on Android

Free up space on your phone or tablet by deleting downloaded files

This wikiHow teaches you how to delete files that have been downloaded to your Android device and stored in its memory.

Steps

  1. Image titled Delete Downloads on Android Step 1
    1
    Open the Apps Tray. In most versions of Android, it is an icon with a matrix of dots located along the bottom of the screen. Tap the icon to open the Apps Tray.
  2. Image titled Delete Downloads on Android Step 2
    2
    Tap Downloads. It will be among the Apps displayed, usually alphabetically.
    • On some versions of Android there is no "Downloads" app. In that case, you may first need to open a File Manager such as Files or My Files and then tap Downloads.
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  3. Image titled Delete Downloads on Android Step 3
    3
    Tap and hold a file you want to delete.
    • Your device will be in "Select" mode; to select additional files, tap them.
  4. Image titled Delete Downloads on Android Step 4
    4
    Tap the "Delete" icon. It may be a trashcan icon or the word "DELETE" located at the top or bottom of the screen.
  5. Image titled Delete Downloads on Android Step 5
    5
    Tap DELETE. Doing so confirms that you want to delete the downloaded files from your device.
    • In some versions of Android, the dialog box may ask you to tap OK.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I get to the file manager?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You should see a file manager, such as ESExplorer or Files, on your device. If you do not, then try going to Settings, then Storage and looking at your storage. There may be an option to look at your files from there.
  • Question
    What do I do if it says the download can't be deleted on Android?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can connect your device to a computer and carefully delete the download.
  • Question
    Delete is not coming up in my documents folder. How do I delete?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Find the delete button, and tap on it. It should delete it, which will remove it from your documents folder.
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About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 282,136 times.
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Co-authors: 8
Updated: May 30, 2022
Views: 282,136
Categories: Android
Article SummaryX

1. Open the Apps Tray.
2. Open Downloads.
3. Tap and hold a file to delete.
4. Tap the trash can icon.
5. Tap DELETE.

Did this summary help you?
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