You can store photos, videos, music, and applications on your phone. Files you downloaded from the internet and attachments you save from email or text messages are stored there, too.

You can free up space when needed.

You can insert an SD card in your phone and use it as one of two formats: portable storage or internal storage. Be sure to buy the right type of card, depending on how you're going to format it.

Benefits include:

• Immediate access to your files
• No cellular data or internet connection required to access files
• More control over privacy

Clouds are great for storing files, like photos, videos, and music, you want to share and access from other devices.

Benefits include:

• Access your files from any device with an internet connection
• File synchronization - no need to keep track of multiple versions in multiple storage locations
• Backups of photos and videos available if phone is lost or damaged

Cloud storage providers typically offer free storage that can be expanded with a paid subscription once you reach the free-storage limit. Or you can manage your free storage by removing files you no longer need to make space for new ones.

Apps like Drive and Photos let you easily back up media to cloud storage.