{
  "id": 17142505,
  "title": "One open source app replaced three apps and freed 12GB of storage on my phone",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/one-open-source-app-replaced-three-apps-and-freed-12gb-of-storage-on",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-29T23:00:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Android Police",
    "slug": "android-police",
    "url": "https://www.androidpolice.com/amaze-file-utilities-free-storage-cleanup/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Managing storage on a phone can be challenging and often time-consuming. Various utility apps exist to remove unnecessary files, duplicate images, and large downloads, but many include ads that detract from the user experience. Recently, I discovered a single app that replaced three other apps on my phone and freed up 12GB of storage. Earlier, I had used three separate apps: one for finding duplicate files and images, another for organizing images, and a third for compressing media files. Ironically, all three apps themselves were consuming storage space. My previous workflow was inefficient, and some of the apps performed poorly or didn't meet their advertised needs. Upon discovering Amaze File Utilities, an open-source app developed by the same team behind Amaze File Manager, I realized this app could replace all three tools I had been using. The standout feature was its ability to analyze images, remove duplicates, and compress media files simultaneously. Amaze File Utilities (AFU) also offers built-in media playback, allowing me to delete the VLC Media Player if desired. However, I could also use AFU's Wi-Fi transfer feature to replace another app that many Android users rely on for transferring images and videos. When searching for an app to free up storage space, search engines often recommend SD Maid 2/SE. Yet, for image, video, and duplicate file analysis, AFU proves to be a superior choice due to its comprehensive scanning features and improved user experience. The app categorizes and organizes your phone's storage, identifying old screenshots, duplicates, blurry images, cluttered videos, and forgotten downloads. AFU can sort and delete these items, providing a clear path to reclaiming space. Additionally, it scans app data, such as messages and other app storage that accumulates over time. What sets AFU apart from SD Maid 2/SE is its cleaner, more user-friendly interface. AFU allows for bulk actions, and users can search, sort, or group images in list or grid view. If users wish to keep media but free up space, they can compress it. This feature is particularly useful for reducing the quality of old videos that are no longer needed. After utilizing these features, I was able to reclaim at least 12GB of storage space by eliminating duplicate images, APKs, and other unnecessary files I had ignored for a long time. In addition to storage management, AFU also helps optimize RAM usage, making the phone run more smoothly. It enables users to delete the least-used apps, further streamlining the device. However, it's worth noting that Amaze File Utilities is not a free app. It offers a 20-day trial period, after which a small fee or subscription is required to continue using the app. At $1 per year or $3 for a lifetime license, the subscription or lifetime membership seems reasonable given the significant improvements in device performance and storage management. The developers support an ad-free, no-telemetry app by offering these payment options. Given the powerful image scanning, media compression, junk/file analysis, and RAM optimization features in one app, Amaze File Utilities has been a game-changer for me. Despite being a lesser-known application, it excels at identifying redundancies that other apps often overlook. I strongly recommend trying the trial version to experience its benefits firsthand. If the results meet your needs, upgrading is a small price to pay for the convenience and efficiency it brings to managing your phone's storage.",
  "summary": "I'll try anything new to free up storage space",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}