How to Fix Incorrect Storage Capacity after Flashing a new ROM / Firmware

It’s a common issue for Android devices that come in different sizes to get incorrect storage capacity when flashed with a newer firmware. This issue is more common among Nexus/Pixel devices.

For example, when you install/flash a factory image on your Nexus 5X 32GB. Your device begins to show only 16GB of available storage capacity, which is incorrect. Same with a 64GB variant showing incorrect storage at 16GB only.

This usually happens to devices that can be flashed through unlocked bootloader. Firmware packages for these devices come with a userdata.img image file which is flashed to your phone along with other images. And when you flash a 16GB userdata image to 32GB device variant, it begins to show only 16GB of available storage capacity on the device.

To fix this issue, you either need to find a userdata image or full firmware file for your device model (in respect to storage capacity) OR install TWRP recovery on the device and fix incorrect storage using TWRP’s Resize File System option.

Note: Make sure you backup all important files on your device before attempting to flash a userdata image or Resize File System from TWRP. Because your device’s storage might get wiped (deleted) during the process.

How to Fix Incorrect Storage Capacity of 16GB instead of 32GB or 64GB

  1. Boot into TWRP recovery.
  2. Select Wipe » Advanced Wipe.
  3. Tick/check the Data partition.
  4. Select Repair or Change File System button.
  5. And lastly select Resize File System button.
    └ Let TWRP resize your file system. It might take some time, have patience.
  6. Once resizing is done, reboot your device. From TWRP main screen, select Reboot » System.

Happy Androiding!

Posted by
Shivam Malani

Shivam is our resident designer and web developer who also enjoys writing. He loves to meditate, drive on the freeways and hunt for snipers during his Call Of Duty playtime. Email: shivam@theandroidsoul.com

3 Comments

  1. This post helped me solve this issue! Thanks a lot for it! I hope the person who wrote it sees it! My S9 was only allowing me to use 32gb and I was able to bring it back up to 64gb after following the steps! Thanks a ton!

  2. Yea, TWRP seems to have fixed the issue. Back on Orangefox, I reinstalled it like 4x and yet the issue persists. Flashing TWRP and following these steps have fixed it. Thanks a lot 🙂

  3. i flashed a galaxy s10 to android 12 resulting in the phone only showing 32gb of storage out of 128gb.
    A simple factory reset fixed it.

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