Google Photos is one of the most widely used tools worldwide for storing and managing photos and videos in the cloud.However, the free space available, which is 15 GB and shared between Google Photos, Gmail, and Google Drive, can fill up quickly if we don't manage our stored files properly.
To avoid paying for additional storage and make the most of the free resources Google offers, there are numerous effective strategies and recommendations. Below, you'll discover a complete, detailed, and practical guide that integrates all the existing methods, both simple and advanced, to free up and optimize Google Photos space without losing your memories or compromising quality.
Why does Google Photos fill up so quickly?
The main reason Google Photos storage fills up so quickly is that the free 15GB is divided among key Google apps: Photos, Drive and Gmail.
- Photos and videos In high quality they can take up a lot of space in a matter of months.
- Attached files and emails in Gmail and Drive they also consume part of the allocated space.
- Backing up apps like WhatsApp or automatically syncing duplicate screenshots and photos can quickly fill up your account.
Measure the space occupied and analyze your files
Before you start freeing up space, It is essential to know which services and files consume the most storage.You can check your space usage by accessing Google One, where you'll see a breakdown between Photos, Drive, and Gmail.
Initial recommendation: Access the storage panel and review which category is taking up the most space. This way, you'll prioritize your actions and know whether you should focus on photos, videos, large emails, or large files in Drive.
How to free up space in Gmail and Google Drive
Remember that the 15 GB are shared, so starting by freeing up space in Gmail and Drive can be very effective.
Clean up your Gmail account
- Delete old emails, promotions and unnecessary messages. Use the Gmail search engine with commands like «larger:10M» to locate emails with large attachments.
- Empty your trash and spam folder. Deleted emails stay in the trash for 30 days, so delete them manually if you need to free up space immediately.
- Unsubscribe Unsubscribe from newsletters and communications that no longer interest you. Scroll to the bottom of each email and click the unsubscribe link.
Optimize storage on Google Drive
- Check large and rarely used files. Go into Google Drive and use the “Large Files” view to identify the largest ones.
- Delete duplicate files, old presentations, videos, and documents you no longer need.
- Also empty the Drive trash, as files will continue to take up space until they are permanently deleted.
Advanced methods to free up space in Google Photos
Delete blurry, duplicate photos and videos, and screenshots
Google Photos now includes Automatic tools to identify and suggest the removal of files that are often unnecessary:
- Screenshots: They take up space and are rarely needed once used.
- Blurry or out of focus photosSelect the “Manage storage” option in your Google Photos settings to quickly identify these files. Google will show you how many MB/GB you can recover and in which categories.
- Duplicate or similar photos and videos: Eliminate copies, as you only need to keep the best version.
- Large files: Sort by size and delete videos or photos that are too large and you don't want to keep them in the cloud.
Empty the Google Photos trash
When you delete any file in Google Photos, it first goes to the trash where it remains for up to 60 days (previously 30 days). Keeping files in the trash still takes up space. Go to the "Trash" section and manually delete all content to free up storage immediately.
Compress photos and videos to save space
The "Storage Saver" or "High Quality" option automatically compresses your files for more efficient use of space.
- Change the backup quality to "Storage Saving" so that, from that moment on, all photos and videos are uploaded compressed.
- Convert your current files: From the web version of Google Photos, access the adjustments and look for the "Storage Manager" section. There you will see the option to compress existing contentThis process is irreversible, but the space savings are usually significant, while the loss of quality is minimal for most users.
Advantages: You can store more photos and videos in the same 15 GB. Images will maintain a visual quality suitable for everyday viewing.
Disadvantages: If you are a professional user or want to maintain maximum quality for future printing, save an uncompressed copy to your computer or external drive before running this process.
Use the "Free up space" feature in Google Photos
Google Photos includes an option to automatically free up space, especially useful on Android devices:
- Open the Google Photos app.
- Tap your profile picture and select "Free up space".
- The app will identify all the photos and videos already backed up to the cloud and allow you to delete them from your device, reclaiming local space.
- These files will remain available in the cloud and can be accessed from any device connected to your account.
Tip: Do this process regularly if you take a lot of photos to always ensure space on your phone.
Make efficient backups
Set up backup with "Storage Saver"
- In the mobile app, tap on your profile picture and go to Photo settings.
- Go to "Backup" and select the option «Storage savings» (formerly “High Quality”).
- From that moment on, new photos and videos will be saved, optimizing your cloud space.
- Optionally, switch back to “Original Quality” only when you want to save important images with all their details.
Advantages: Automatic and constant space saving, with no perceptible loss of quality in most situations.
Check linked apps: WhatsApp, Telegram and others
Many apps, especially WhatsApp, store copies of conversations, photos, and videos in Google Drive/Google Photos by default. This can quickly fill up your storage space.
- On WhatsApp: Set your sync and backup settings to exclude videos and large files, or use a separate Google account just for WhatsApp. This prevents every video you receive via chat from taking up valuable space in Photos.
- In other applications: Review any apps that may be generating automatic backups (Telegram, Viber, etc.) and adjust the settings according to your needs.
Transfer files to other platforms and devices
If you have photos and videos that you want to keep, but not necessarily continue storing in Google Photos, you can safely transfer them to other cloud storage platforms like Dropbox, OneDrive, Mega, or even to an external hard drive or computer:
- Download files from Google Photos to your device or computer.
- Upload them to your preferred platform.
- Check that they have been transferred correctly.
- Delete them from Google Photos and empty the trash to free up space.
Thus, You'll have a secure copy of your memories and optimize Google's free storage..
Optimize local storage with Google Photos
In addition to freeing up cloud space, Google Photos makes it easier to manage your phone's internal storage:
- Use the built-in manager to delete already backed-up photos and videos and reclaim space on your device's physical storage.
- Go to Google Photos and tap "Free up space" to have the app do it automatically.
- Remember: Files deleted from your device will still be accessible in the cloud.
Maintain a regular cleaning routine
The key to avoiding the collapse of your free space is consistency.. Review your storage every 2-3 weeks and remove:
- Images and videos are dispensable.
- Screenshots are no longer necessary.
- Temporary and duplicate files.
Set regular reminders and make this cleaning a habit to maximize the lifespan of your storage.
What happens if you delete photos from your device?
If you use the "Free up space on this device" feature, all photos backed up to the cloud will be deleted from local storage, but they'll still be accessible in Google Photos or photos.google.com as long as you're online and signed in.
- You won't see those images in your phone's native gallery (Gallery, Photos, etc.), only in the Google Photos app or on the web.
- You can download them again from Google Photos if you ever need them physically on your device.
Is it possible to recover deleted photos?
As long as you don't empty the trash, you can restore deleted photos and videos.
- Go to the Trash in Google Photos and select the files you want to restore.
- Remember that after 60 days (previously 30), files are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.
Extra options: purchasing more space and Pixel devices
If after applying all the recommendations you still need more space, you can consider two payment alternatives:
- Google One Plans: With a 100GB monthly subscription, you get more space for all your photos, videos, and documents, plus premium support and advanced editing features.
- Google Pixel Phones: Some Pixel models offer exclusive benefits like unlimited storage or file prioritization in Google Photos.
These options come at a cost, but can be a definitive solution for intensive or professional users.
Frequently asked questions about freeing up space in Google Photos
- Can I lose quality when compressing photos? Compression in "Storage Saver" reduces file size while maintaining a visual quality suitable for most users. If you're a professional or looking to preserve maximum detail, keep an original copy outside of Google Photos.
- Is it safe to delete files from Gmail and Drive? Yes, as long as you check before deleting important files or relevant attachments. You can download a backup copy if you're unsure.
- Is there a risk of losing files when using “Free Up Space”? No, as long as you have backup and sync enabled. All files deleted from your device will be backed up in the cloud.
By implementing all these recommendations, techniques, and tips, you'll ensure your Google Photos account is in top shape, avoiding unnecessary expenses and storing your memories safely, accessibly, and in an organized manner. Regular monitoring and intelligent use of all of Google's native features will allow you to make the most of every available gigabyte.