O2 is warning that millions of mobile phone users are overpaying for extra storage by failing to clear out their phones regularly. New research by the network provider found that 26 million people are paying more each month because they don’t declutter their devices, leading to unnecessary storage costs.

Nearly half (42%) of British mobile users pay for additional storage, with photos, videos, and unused apps consuming the most space. However, this extra cost could be avoided with regular file deletion. Gareth Lister, director of connectivity at Virgin Media O2, said: “Over 26 million people are paying more money every month because they refuse to clear out their mobile phone to free up storage.”

The research showed Millennials are particularly affected, spending over six times more than Boomers annually on extra storage, with an average yearly cost of £33.36 compared to £4.80.

Much of this is driven by taking videos and photos at events, such as concerts, where fans often spend up to 14 minutes capturing content, adding significant strain to their phone storage.

O2 recommended that consumers consider clearing out their phones once a month to keep up with their storage capacity and avoid a slower and less efficient mobile experience.

Mr Lister shared six top tips to help mobile users save device space this spring and beyond.

• Say no to automatic saving: Apps like WhatsApp can automatically save images, often without users realizing. Check app settings to prevent this.

• Clear out voice notes, videos, and photos: These can quickly accumulate and take up valuable space. Delete anything unnecessary after use.

• Delete podcasts after listening: Weekly downloads can take up substantial storage. Remove episodes once they’ve been listened to.

• Avoid filming in 4K: High-definition videos use more space. Opt for lower resolutions like 1080p to save storage.

• Regularly delete unused apps: If you haven’t used an app in weeks, consider removing it to free up space.

• Delete videos you’ll never rewatch: Gig-goers especially are renowned for taking photos at gigs, and while it’s great to capture those memories, do you need 20 videos of one song?