Free up Google Docs storage
Google Docs files live in Drive. This phone stores documents you made available offline and a recent-file cache. Clearing cache does not delete Drive documents. Removing a file from Drive or emptying Trash does.
See how much space Docs is using
iPhone
- Open the iPhone Settings app.
- Tap General > iPhone Storage.
- Tap Docs.
Android
- Open your phone Settings > Apps.
- Tap Docs.
- Tap Storage or Storage and cache.
Turn off Make available offline
- Open Google Docs.
- Tap the menu > Offline to see local copies.
- Next to a file, tap More > turn off Available offline / Make available offline.
The document stays in Drive. Only the copy on this phone is removed.
Stop caching recent files
- Open Docs > menu > Settings.
- Turn off Make recent files available offline if you do not want recents kept on the device.
That setting is cache of recent documents, not a delete of Drive files.
Autosave cache vs your document
Edits autosave to Drive when you are online. If a file shows as still saving, wait before you clear data. An unsynced local edit can be lost. The Drive version is the account copy.
Clear Docs cache on Android
- Open your phone Settings > Apps > Docs.
- Tap Storage or Storage and cache.
- Tap Clear cache.
Do not tap Clear storage / Clear data unless you mean to sign out. Offline files that never finished uploading can be lost.
Reinstall the app if storage is still high
If you already cleaned media and Google Docs still looks huge, a fresh install can clear leftover cache and temp files that are hard to reach by hand.
- Documents in Drive stay. Wait until Offline edits finish saving. Export any file that exists only as a local draft on this phone.
- Delete the app from your phone.
- Restart your phone.
- Install Google Docs again from the App Store or Google Play.
- 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 Google Docs is lighter, check your photo library for duplicates and similar shots. That is what Dedupo is for.
More app guides: Free up app storage.