How to Erase Files From a Samsung Galaxy S III

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Your Samsung Galaxy S III includes a Secure Digital card that contains all of your personal files and any third-party apps you've installed to your smartphone. The SD card has a limited capacity of 16 to 64GB, and once you reach that limit, you can't download or copy any more files to the card. To free up space on your Galaxy S III, you can either format the SD card, which deletes all its data, or delete individual files from the My Files app.

1 Format the SD Card

2 Open Settings

Open Settings from the Home or Apps screen and then select "Storage" from the menu.

3 Tap Unmount SD Card

Tap "Unmount SD Card" to prepare the card for formatting, and then tap "Format SD Card" from under SD Card.

4 Again to completely wipe all data

Press "Format SD Card" again to completely wipe all data from the card.

5 Delete Individual Files

6 Open My Files

Open My Files from the Apps screen and then tap "All Files."

7 Choose ExtSDCard

Choose "ExtSDCard" from the options and then navigate to the folder containing the file you want to delete.

8 Place a check mark

Place a check mark in the box located to the left of the file and then tap the trash can icon. Press "OK" to confirm.

  • To see how much space is left on your card, go to the Storage screen in the Settings app and then review the information displayed in the Available Space field.

Ruri Ranbe has been working as a writer since 2008. She received an A.A. in English literature from Valencia College and is completing a B.S. in computer science at the University of Central Florida. Ranbe also has more than six years of professional information-technology experience, specializing in computer architecture, operating systems, networking, server administration, virtualization and Web design.

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