Memory and storage Xperia Phone

Your device has different types of memory and storage possibilities for photos, apps and other files:

• The internal storage is about 12 GB and is used to store downloaded or transferred content along with personal settings and data. Examples are alarm, volume and language settings, emails, bookmarks, call logs, contacts, messages, calendar events, photos, videos and music.


• You can use a removable memory card of up to 64 GB to get more storage space. Most applications can read data from a memory card but only certain apps can save files to this type of memory. You can, for example, set the camera application to save photos directly to the memory card.


• The dynamic memory (RAM) is about 2 GB and cannot be used for storage. RAM is used to handle running applications and the operating system.

You may have to purchase a memory card separately.

Read more about the use of memory in Android devices by downloading the White paper for your device at Support documents.

Improving memory performance

The memory in your device tends to fill up as a result of normal usage. If the device starts to slow down, or applications suddenly shut down, you should consider the following:

• Always have more than 100 MB of free internal storage and more than 100 MB of free RAM.


• Close down running applications that you are not using.


• Clear the cache memory for all applications.


• Uninstall downloaded applications that you don't use.


• Transfer photos, videos and music from the internal memory to the memory card.


• If your device can't read content on the memory card, you may need to format it.

To view the memory status

1. From your Home screen, tap  .


2. Find and tap Storage.

To view the amount of free and used RAM

1. From your Home screen, tap .


2. Find and tap Settings > Apps > Running.

To clear the cache memory for all applications

1. From your Home screen, tap .


2. Find and tap Settings > Storage.


3. Tap Cached data > OK.

When you clear the cache memory, you don't lose any important information or settings.

To transfer media files to the memory card

1. Make sure you have a memory card inserted in your device.


2. From your Home screen, tap .


3. Find and tap Settings > Storage > Transfer data to SD card.


4. Mark the file types that you want to transfer to the memory card.


5. Tap Transfer.

To stop applications and services from running

1. From your Home screen, tap .


2. Find and tap Settings > Apps > Running.


3. Select an application or service, then tap Stop.

To format the memory card

1. From your Home screen, tap .


2. Find and tap Settings > Storage > Erase SD card.


3. To confirm, tap Erase SD card > Erase everything

All content on the memory card gets erased when you format it. Make sure you make backups of all data that you want to save before formatting the memory card. To back up your content, you can copy it to a computer. For more information, see Connecting your device to a computer.