Here, we will teach you how to free up space in Google Photos efficiently, without losing important files. You will learn how to delete large files, clear the trash, and even how to manage storage efficiently to ensure your photos and videos remain safe.
The Google Photos is one of the most used tools for storing and organizing photos and videos. However, over time, it may be necessary to free up space in your Google account to continue enjoying all the resources offered.
This guide is perfect for anyone looking for a detailed step-by-step on how to manage Google Photos storage and doesn't know where to start.
Table of Content
Understanding Google Account Storage
Before learning how to free up space in Google Photos, it's important to understand how storage works within your Google Account, which covers Google Photos, Gmail, and Google Drive. These three services share the same storage space, and therefore, when you reach the limit, you may need to take action to free up space.
The Google account offers a free storage amount, typically 15 GB, shared between Google Photos, Gmail, and Google Drive. That is, when you send heavy emails in Gmail, upload documents to Google Drive, or store photos in Google Photos, all these files are counted in this space.
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This means that if the space is full, you will need to take some measures to free up storage.
However, checking how much space you have available in your Google Account is easy. To do this, follow the steps below:
- Access the Google storage page here or in the Settings app;
- You will see the space usage in Google Photos, Gmail, and Google Drive;
- From there, you can decide if you need to free up space or if you need to buy more storage.
How to Free Up Space in Google Photos
Now that you understand how storage works, it's time to learn how to free up space in Google Photos. See some effective options.
For Android:
- Open the Google Photos app
Open the Google Photos app on your Android device. - Check storage space
Tap the avatar icon in the upper right corner and then tap “Storage” to see how much space is being used and how much is still available.
- Delete large photos and videos
- Tap “Manage storage” or “Free up space”;
- Select the option “Large photos and videos” to identify larger files that can be deleted;
- Select the photos and videos you want to delete and tap the trash icon to remove them.
- Clear the Trash
After deleting, photos go to the trash and stay there for 30 days. To free up space immediately, access “Trash”, select “Empty” to delete permanently. - Free up space automatically
If you activate the “Free up space” option, Google Photos can remove photos and videos already saved in the cloud, freeing up space on your device without permanently deleting them.
For iOS (iPhone/iPad):
- Open the Google Photos app
Start Google Photos on your iOS device. - Check storage
Tap the avatar icon in the upper right corner and access “Storage” to see how much space has been used. - Delete large photos and videos
- In the “Manage storage” menu, look for “Large photos and videos”.
- Select the files you want to delete and tap the trash icon to remove them.
- Clear the Trash
Go to “Trash”, select the items and click “Empty” to remove permanently. - Free up space on the device
When using the “Free up space” option, Google Photos can remove local copies from your device and keep the photos in the cloud, freeing up iPhone memory without losing the images.
On Computer (via browser):
- Access Google Photos
Go to the Google Photos website at photos.google.com. - Check storage
In the lower left corner, you will see a “Storage” bar that shows how much space is being used.
- Delete large photos and videos
- Click “Manage storage”;
- Access the section “Large photos and videos” to view the larger files;
- Select the files and click the trash icon to delete.
- Clear the Trash
After deleting, the media goes to the “Trash”. To free up space immediately, go to the trash and click “Empty Trash”. - Back up photos and videos before deleting
If you want to ensure your media is preserved, back it up to your computer before deleting the photos.
Delete Duplicate Photos in Google Photos
One of the simplest ways to free up space is by deleting duplicate photos. Google Photos has a feature that can identify these duplicates, making the process easier. See how to delete duplicate photos in Google Photos:
- In Google Photos, go to the Settings menu;
- Enable the Remove Duplicates option. The app will automatically search for duplicate or similar photos and delete them.
Clear the Trash
Google Photos keeps deleted files in the Trash for 30 days. To free up space immediately, you need to clear the trash.
- Access the Trash:
- Select Empty Trash to delete the photos permanently.
Using Google One
If you are constantly reaching the storage limit, you might consider purchasing more space in Google One, a paid tool that offers extra storage for Google Photos, Drive, and Gmail.
Google One offers different storage plans, with prices varying according to the amount of space needed. Below are the most common plans:
- 100 GB: ideal for those who need more space for photos and emails;
- 200 GB: great for families or users with many files on Google Drive;
- 2 TB or more: recommended for businesses or users with large volumes of data.
How to Update the Storage Plan
- Open the Google One app or access Google One;
- Tap Subscribe or Change plan;
- Select the desired plan and complete the payment process.
Media Backup and Security
Before deleting any photo or video, it's important to ensure your media is safe. Here's how you can back them up.
- Open Google Photos and go to Settings;
- Enable the Backup and Sync option;
- Make sure your photos and videos are being saved automatically in the cloud.
Deleting photos and videos without having made a backup is risky. Once deleted, you will not be able to recover them unless you have a copy saved elsewhere.
Alternatives to Expand Storage
When Google Photos storage runs out, there are several alternatives to expand its capacity without losing important files. Although buying more storage in Google One is the most direct solution, other options can also be considered, depending on your needs.
- Google One: Simple and Integrated Expansion
Google One offers paid plans that increase the shared space between Google Photos, Google Drive, and Gmail. In addition, you can share the plan with up to 5 people and have access to specialized support. It's a convenient option for those who already use Google services.
- Other Cloud Storage Services
If you are looking for alternatives outside of Google, services like Dropbox, OneDrive, and iCloud are good options. They offer different storage capacities, with free and paid plans, and can be ideal depending on other devices you use. The advantage of these services is easy synchronization between devices.
- Physical Storage: A More Traditional Option
Devices like external hard drives or portable SSDs offer large storage capacities at a one-time cost, with no monthly fees. Although practical and safe, they require a bit more manual management and care with regular backups.
- Cost and Benefit Comparison
The choice between cloud and physical storage depends on your preferences. The cloud offers ease of access and convenience, while physical storage has the advantage of not having recurring costs. Evaluate your needs to choose the best option.
Restore Items from Trash
If you accidentally deleted photos or videos in Google Photos, don't worry: it's possible to restore them easily. When an item is deleted, it goes to the trash and stays there for up to 30 days before being permanently deleted. This recovery process is simple and can be done in a few steps.
To restore items, follow these steps:
- On Android or iOS:
- Open Google Photos and tap the Trash icon (usually located in the side menu or bottom bar);
- Find the items you want to restore;
- Select the files and tap the Restore option.
- On computer:
- Access photos.google.com and click the Trash menu;
- Select the items to be restored;
- Click Restore and that's it, your files will return to the Google Photos library.
It is worth noting that when restoring items from the trash, they will occupy space in your storage again. Therefore, it is important to monitor the available space in your Google account to ensure you are not reaching the storage limit.
Tips for Efficient Storage Management
Keeping Google Photos storage organized and optimized is essential to avoid running out of space. Here are some effective tips for managing your content:
- Do regular cleanups: perform periodic cleanups on your storage, deleting photos and videos that are no longer needed. This helps free up space and keep everything organized;
- Reduced quality option: Google Photos offers the “Storage saver” option. When using it, you store photos and videos with reduced quality, but without losing much of the original quality. This saves a good amount of space;
- Delete duplicate photos: often, duplicate photos take up space unnecessarily. Use search tools to find and delete these duplicates, ensuring more efficient storage;
- Check the trash: before deleting anything permanently, check your trash. Deleted photos and videos stay there for 30 days, giving you a chance to recover them if you regret it;
- Consider Google One: if your storage is running out, consider subscribing to Google One. It offers additional plans to expand storage and keep your files in high quality without worrying about space.
Frequently Asked Questions about Storage in Google Photos
Below, we will clarify these questions in a practical and objective way, to ensure you have all the necessary information to manage your storage space effectively.
1. Can I restore files I deleted from Google Photos Trash?
No, once items are deleted from the Trash, they are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. Therefore, it is essential to check and ensure that the files you want to delete are really ready to be removed.
2. How do I know if I am using Google Photos storage correctly?
The best way to check this is by accessing your Google Account and checking the available storage. Google Photos shares space with Gmail and Google Drive, so it's important to monitor space usage across all platforms to ensure you don't exceed the limit.
3. Is it possible to store photos and videos in high quality without taking up so much space?
Yes! Google Photos offers a backup option in “Storage saver”, which allows you to reduce the quality of images and videos, helping to save space without losing a significant amount of quality.
4. Should I pay for Google One to have more space in Google Photos?
Not necessarily. If you need more space and don't want to worry about deleting photos or videos, Google One offers paid plans that expand your storage space. However, if you prefer not to pay, you can try to free up space with the tips we offer throughout this article.
Conclusion
Freeing up space in Google Photos is essential to ensure you always have enough space for new files and keep your device running smoothly. Follow the tips and steps in this guide to optimize your storage, keeping your photos and videos safe and well organized.
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