Google Photos It is an essential tool for organizing, storing, and enjoying your images and videos, whether you are an Android user or use other devices. However, its free storage capacity is limited and can fill up quickly if you don't manage your files carefully. When you delete photos or videos, they don't disappear instantly; they're moved to the trash. If you need to free up space immediately or want to get your gallery under control, it's essential that you learn how to Empty the Google Photos trash step by step.
Why is it important to empty the Google Photos trash?
When you delete images or videos from Google Photos, they remain in the trash. for 60 days before they are permanently deleted. This grace period gives you the option to recover accidentally deleted files, but it also means that the space occupied by those files isn't freed up instantly. If you want more storage immediately, this is essential. empty the trash manually.
Another relevant aspect is that, When you empty the trash, the files are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.. Therefore, be sure to review its contents before proceeding, especially if you have valuable photos or mementos you'd like to preserve.
Also, you should know that any file deleted in Google Photos disappears on all devices that have the backup activated and in shared albums. However, this action It does not affect files stored in Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, or other Google services..
Steps to empty the Google Photos trash on any device
Emptying the trash is a simple task, but it's important to perform each step correctly depending on the device you're using. Below, we'll show you how to do it from a computer or from the app on Android or iOS.
How to empty the trash from a computer
- Accede to Google Photos and sign in with your Google account.
- In the menu on the left, click "Paper bin" (may appear as “Trash” or “Bin” if your account is in another language).
- Inside the trash, you'll see all the deleted items from the last 60 days.
- At the top, select the option "Empty Trash".
- Confirm the action when the pop-up window opens. Remember that this action is irreversible.
Empty the trash from the mobile app (Android or iOS)
- Open the app Google Photos on your device.
- Press on "Library" (bottom of screen).
- Choose "Paper bin".
- In the top right corner, you'll find a menu (three vertical dots). Tap this icon.
- Choose the option "Empty Trash" o "Delete all".
- Confirm in the pop-up window to proceed with the permanent deletion.
In both cases, if you only want to delete some specific files and not the entire trash, you can also do so by manually selecting the photos or videos and choosing the option "Delete permanently".
Important considerations before emptying the trash
- Unable to recover files after emptying the trashAlways make sure you don't need any of the deleted files.
- Items deleted from Google Photos They are also deleted from other synchronized devices and shared albums.
- Does not affect files in other Google services such as Drive, Gmail or YouTube.
- If your trash is full and you receive the message "Delete permanently," it means you've reached the trash limit. In this case, you'll need to empty it to continue managing your deleted content.
If you've never emptied your trash, you probably have hundreds of files taking up storage space, both in the cloud and, in the case of Android, sometimes also on your phone's internal memory, depending on your sync settings.
In addition to emptying the trash, there are several Key strategies to optimize storage in Google Photos and get the most out of your account:
- Compress large images and videos: Set your backup to "High Quality" instead of "Original Quality." This reduces file size and saves space without making a big visual difference, which is ideal for most users.
- Remove duplicates and blurry photos: Use Google Photos' automatic tools (like the recommended "Smart Clean") that suggest duplicate, blurry, or useless photos to delete easily.
- Transfer your files to another medium: If you want to keep backups but free up your cloud space, download all your important files and save them to an external hard drive or other cloud storage service.
- Review and delete large files: Locate long videos or high-resolution images, as these tend to take up the most space. If you already have backups of these items, you can delete them from Google Photos to save significant space.
- Set up selective copy: You can choose which folders on your phone sync with Google Photos to avoid uploading irrelevant files, such as screenshots, memes, or temporary images.
Frequently asked questions about the Google Photos trash can
- Is it possible to recover a file deleted from the trash? No, once the trash is emptied, deleted files are permanently gone and cannot be restored.
- Why is my storage still full after deleting photos? Because it's not enough to simply delete images; you also need to empty the trash to free up space instantly.
- Does the trash take up space in my Google account? Yes, everything in the trash continues to use up your storage quota until it is permanently deleted.
- What happens to photos deleted on other devices? If you use Google Photos on multiple devices with the same Google account and have backup enabled, when you delete and empty the trash on one, the deletion is reflected on all devices.
- What happens to archived photos? Archiving photos in Google Photos doesn't free up space; it just hides them from the main view; they remain in your storage and albums.
Smart storage management is key, especially because Google Photos shares space with Gmail and Google DriveIf you need additional storage, there are free and paid alternatives as explained in This comparison of cloud services.
- Use the 'Manage storage' feature in Google Photos regularly to see automatic cleanup suggestions powered by artificial intelligence.
- Set monthly reminders to empty your trash and delete large files.
- Keep your account organized: Periodically review old albums, folders, and photos that might not be needed.
Every time you manage your trash, you'll be taking control of your gallery, extending the life of your free storage, and ensuring your memories always have a safe place.
