Free up app storage

Free up Box storage

Box files live in your Box account. This phone stores files marked offline, Favorites that were downloaded, and a preview cache. Clearing cache does not delete Box files. Deleting a file in Box or emptying Trash does.

See how much space Box is using

iPhone

1. Open the iPhone Settings app.
2. Tap General > iPhone Storage.
3. Tap Box.

Android

1. Open your phone Settings > Apps.
2. Tap Box.
3. Tap Storage or Storage and cache.

Remove offline files

1. Open Box.
2. Open Offline (or filter / collection for offline files, depending on version).
3. Tap More on a file or folder.
4. Turn off Make available offline / Available offline.

The file stays in Box. Only the local copy is removed.

Favorites and downloads

Some versions download Favorites for offline use. If a Favorite is also marked offline, turn offline off when you no longer need it on this phone. Files you exported with Save or Open with sit in Files or Downloads. Those copies are user files; delete them there.

Clear preview cache

1. Open Box > profile or menu > Settings.
2. Tap Clear cache if it is listed.

Cache is thumbnails and document previews. It is not Trash.

Box Trash is permanent after you empty it

Deleted Box files go to Trash. Emptying Trash permanently removes them from the account (subject to your plan and admin retention). That frees Box quota, not just phone storage.

Clear Box cache on Android

1. Open your phone Settings > Apps > Box.
2. Tap Storage or Storage and cache.
3. Tap Clear cache.

Do not tap Clear storage / Clear data unless you mean to sign out. Unsynced uploads on this phone can be lost.

Reinstall the app if storage is still high

If you already cleaned media and Box still looks huge, a fresh install can clear leftover cache and temp files that are hard to reach by hand.

1. Files already in Box stay. Finish uploads that are still pending. Offline-only copies are still in Box unless you deleted them from the account.
2. Delete the app from your phone.
3. Restart your phone.
4. Install Box again from the App Store or Google Play.
5. Sign in and restore from backup if the app offers it.

This often frees a lot of space. You may need to download some media again after restore.

What to do next

After Box is lighter, check your photo library for duplicates and similar shots. That is what Dedupo is for.

More app guides: Free up app storage.