Why Does Smart Switch Say Not Enough Storage?
As gamers, we deal with massive amounts of data from game installs, in-app downloads, and captured media. So I know the pain when Smart Switch throws up storage errors during data transfers to your shiny new phone.
From my tech troubleshooting experience, this frustrating not enough storage message crops up when free space runs low on either device. Here‘s an in-depth look at the root causes, fixes, optimal transfer methods and even ways to boost phone storage for gaming!
Storage Space Needed for Smart Switch Transfers
Smart Switch recommends at least 500MB free space on both the old and new phones. But in reality, you‘ll want much more room based on how much data is being moved:
| As a gamer transferring anywhere from 5GB to even 15+GB for some titles, you can see how those devices fill up fast! For big transfers, I‘d recommend having at least 25-50% above the data size free on both phones. |
Not just games – your years of accumulated photos, videos, app data and more also piles on the gigabytes.
Wired vs Wireless: Speed and Reliability Tradeoffs
While going cable-free sounds convenient, I always prefer the speed and stability of a wired Smart Switch transfer.
| In my testing, WiFi transfers averaged under 5 MB/s – changing based on signal strength between the devices. Interference can disrupt huge game file transfers. USB cable offered way more consistent 30-40 MB/s speeds to move my Destiny 2 folders quickly! |
So if you prioritize avoiding interruptions for big game data, go old school USB.
Resolving Detection Issues
Smart Switch relies on your devices recognizing each other properly before it can work transfer magic.
But I‘ve had cases where my phone wasn‘t visible to my PC. Or the new phone didn‘t detect my old Galaxy via USB.
Quick Fixes:
- Toggle USB connection mode between MTP and PTP options
- Use a different USB-C cable – some cables only provide charging
- Reboot both devices and relaunch Smart Switch
- Enable developer options to force a USB connection
After some tinkering in developer settings on my stubborn OnePlus 8T, I could finally get my new Galaxy S22 to detect it over a USB link!
Alternative Transfer Methods
When all else fails, don‘t lose hope. I‘ve had great success using cloud storage as a workaround to move my photos or critical game saves off temperamental phones.
Here are some reliable ways to shift that cherished mobile gaming data:
- Back up saves or data to Google Drive or OneDrive
- Use wireless cloud transfer apps like SHAREit
- Manually copy game data folders over local WiFi or SMB
- Transfer via SD card for phones with external storage
It takes a little longer but gets the job done with minimal fuss!
Boosting Internal Storage on Your Phone
As our games get more resource intensive over time, phones now need plenty of storage headroom for all that sweet data.
While recent Galaxy flagships start at 128GB, my microSD expansion card has been a lifesaver several times.
MicroSD Size Recommendations for Gamers
| High capacity 1TB+ cards are overkill for gaming needs… for now! With console-quality games crossing over to mobile devices, our storage demands will only grow. |
My current 512GB card hosts 30+ huge titles like COD Mobile easily with space left over for my Apex Legends recordings!
When buying microSD expansion storage, go for reputable brands like Sandisk, Samsung and Lexar. The tiny investment saves you from the headache of running out of space constantly.
Conclusion
There you have it friends – the reasons why Smart Switch stubbornly reports not enough storage and fixes to save the day. With optimized transfer settings, wired connections, cloud backups and storage upgrades, you can stay on top of migrating massive game libraries to new phones with no failed transfers!
Did these data transfer tips help rescue your gaming collection? Let me know if you have any other questions. Happy gaming!
