How to clear up disk space on OneDrive on Samsung s24

Airman 5 Reputation points
2026-09-29T00:42:47.6533333+00:00

I was hoping to clear up disk space (delete local copies of synced images and video) but i don't see this option.

AI is telling me that the option will appear once I disable gallery sync, but I'm not seeing it. Does this option still exist on the app?1000040912

1000040916

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For home | Android
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  1. Rukshan edirisinghe 1,155 Reputation points
    2026-09-29T04:27:21.5366667+00:00

    Hi @Airman

    The option still exists, it just works the other way around. "Free up phone space" only becomes available when Gallery sync is on and connected, because it needs to confirm each photo is safely in OneDrive before removing it from your phone. In your screenshot, Gallery sync is off and can't reach your Microsoft account, which is why everything below it is greyed out.

    1. On the Gallery sync screen, tap the "Can't get your OneDrive info" card and sign in with your outlook.com account when asked.
    2. If that doesn't work, update both the OneDrive app and Samsung Gallery from the Play Store or Galaxy Store, restart the phone, and tap the card again.
    3. Once it connects, turn Gallery sync back on and tap Sync now. Your last sync was 23/09, so let it finish catching up.
    4. Before freeing space, check a few of your newest photos and videos at https://onedrive.com > Photos to confirm they're really there.
    5. Then tap Free up phone space. It removes the full-size copies from your phone while keeping them in OneDrive, and "Download originals" brings them back anytime.

    If this helped, please click Accept Answer so other Galaxy users looking for this option can find it.

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  2. EmilyS_726 30,355 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2026-09-30T01:56:17.71+00:00

    Samsung Gallery sync with OneDrive is being retired on Sept 30, 2026, so if I were you, I would not spend much time trying to get that Gallery Sync screen working again. Microsoft is now directing Samsung users to use OneDrive’s Camera Backup instead.

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/onedrive/changes-to-samsung-gallery-sync-and-onedrive

    User's image

    In the OneDrive app, go to:

    Profile picture > Settings > Camera backup > turn Camera backup on.

    Regarding “Free up phone space”: Samsung still documents that option under the old Gallery Sync feature when it is available, but that integration is being discontinued, so I would not rely on it going forward.

    So, first switch to Camera Backup and confirm your newest photos and videos are safely in OneDrive (www.onedrive.com) before deleting anything from the phone. Also, Camera backup via OneDrive app is one-way sync, meaning, if the photos are deleted from the phone, they remain in the cloud.

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