Most smart TVs ship with just 8GB of storage, Engadget reports
Smart TVs typically ship with about 8GB of storage. Engadget explains how the OS and apps use it and how to free space.
By the end of 2026, more than half of all households globally are expected to own a smart TV, up from 34 percent in 2020, the report says. These TVs offer voice assistants, regular software updates and easy internet access, but those features require an operating system, and the OS needs storage space. On Samsung TVs, for example, system files can take up to 20 percent of total storage.
Pre-installed apps, or bloatware, are another common storage consumer. Most smart TVs come with popular streaming services such as YouTube, Netflix and Prime Video already loaded. Apps that users install themselves add further usage. Cache and temporary data also accumulate over time; for instance, Netflix stores thumbnails of recently viewed shows to avoid re-downloading them.
Engadget suggests clearing the app cache through the TV's settings as a safe first step, though the freed space may fill again with continued use. Uninstalling unused apps is a more permanent option, but removing bloatware is not always straightforward and is sometimes disallowed by manufacturers. As an alternative, the report recommends using a separate streaming device such as a Fire TV Stick, Roku or Google TV Streamer, which bring their own storage, operating system and app ecosystem.