Insufficient Storage to Update apps

[timhewison]

Since updating my (unbranded) Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S (LT18i) to ICS (v4.0.4), build number 4.1.B.0.587, I have had problems updating many of my apps.

I've got lots of space on my phone's memory (42MB) and the SD card (1.06GB).

The notification area regularly tells me lots of updates are available - some get updated automatically - most don't. In particular:

• Google Drive
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Maps
• Where's My Water? Free

PlayStore will download the app, but then try to install and I get the message "Insufficient storage available" [OK] - no it's not!

It seems particularly problematic when trying to update apps which are larger than 6.1MB.

I've read lots of posts in the forums and other random internet pages, and have tried the following:

• Clear the apps' caches
• Uninstall apps I don't use much
• Turning off and on again
• Moving everything to SD card that I possibly can

None have worked.

I have not tried - and do not want to try

• 8 "simple steps", which looks very dubious to me, as I haven't got a clue what it does or why
• Rooting my phone
• Sending it back to Sony - although I will before the end of warranty period unless I get a resolution

I see lots of other people have this problem, but have seen no satisfactory answer yet.

[timhewison · Accepted solution]

OK - I found a solution! :smileygrin:

Instead of trying to Update each of the problem apps, I tapped Uninstall to uninstall the app (for Drive) - or just its updates (for apps pre-installed with the phone, such as YouTube and Maps). Then I tapped Update or Install, respectively from GooglePlay. It updated fine, and the warnings went away.

Totally counter-intuitive and very frustrating, but solved.:smileyhappy:

[hypersonicbird]

Thanks you're a legend

[kinghome]

Thanks for the answer. I have also had the issue for some time now.  Seems that this is something that Sony should give attention to.  It is most frustrating having to update apps this way - you often lose settings etc

[Adorable]

But what if the app is like Whatsapp??? I'm getting the same problem " insufficient storage " when i try to update whatsapp do i need to uninstall and re-install it again???

Please do help me...!!!!!

[Adorable]

But what if the app is like Whatsapp??? I'm getting the same problem " insufficient storage " when i try to update whatsapp do i need to uninstall and re-install it again???

Please do help me if you find the solution for this...!!!!!

[nithins1988]

Hi,

Thanks for your solution. Can you please look into the issues below?

(1) Xperia L having Device memory, Internal memory, SD card memory. When i checked in settings--> storage. device memory space is 1.57GB and Internal Storage is 4.01 GB. I didn't download anything new, all were already there in the device memory. Showing 1.5GB used and only 88MB free. Can't see option to view or move that much data in device memory. Ieven uninstalled whatsapp and not able to install back. showing "Insufficient Memory Available". atleast is there any option for viewing the data in device memory?( I dont understand why this phone have internal & device memory separately??)

(2)Most of the apps having uninstall updates or force stop option..no uninstall or move option..

(3)In order to view photos or videos in album..i need to go APPS--->ALBUM--->CLEAR DATA everyday...why is it so?

Hope myself clear in above..Please help me in this..

Regards,

Nithin

[HeyAmir]

Tim, thank you very much for that! This issue is so frustrating. 

BTW, you need to unisntall ALL your problematic applications and then reinstall/update them one by one.

[superbeginer]

i can't solve the problem,,,

[Sb1961]

Thanks! My phone finally doesn't give me the low memory message!

[Sb1961]

Well, I reported that this fixed my low memory problem... It did but only for a day. I am getting the message back again. Sigh... 😞