Google Photos is one of the most popular photo storage services available today, offering users a convenient way to store, organize, and share their photos. However, there may come a time when you want to permanently delete some or all of your photos from Google Photos. Whether you’re looking to free up storage space, remove sensitive or personal photos, or simply declutter your online photo collection, permanently deleting photos from Google Photos is a relatively straightforward process.
Understanding Google Photos’ Storage and Deletion Policies
Before we dive into the steps for permanently deleting photos from Google Photos, it’s essential to understand how the service stores and handles photo deletions. Google Photos offers two types of storage: High quality and Original quality. High-quality photos are compressed to reduce storage space, while original-quality photos are stored in their original resolution and file size.
When you delete a photo from Google Photos, it’s not immediately removed from the service. Instead, it’s moved to the Trash, where it’s stored for 60 days before being permanently deleted. This allows you to recover accidentally deleted photos within a reasonable timeframe.
Why Permanently Deleting Photos from Google Photos is Important
Permanently deleting photos from Google Photos is crucial for several reasons:
- Storage space: If you’re using the free version of Google Photos, you’re limited to 15 GB of storage space. Permanently deleting photos can help free up storage space and prevent you from running out of room.
- Security: If you have sensitive or personal photos stored in Google Photos, permanently deleting them can help protect your privacy and security.
- Organization: Permanently deleting photos can help declutter your online photo collection and make it easier to find the photos you need.
Step-by-Step Guide to Permanently Deleting Photos from Google Photos
Permanently deleting photos from Google Photos is a relatively straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Method 1: Deleting Photos from the Google Photos App
- Open the Google Photos app on your device.
- Select the photos you want to delete by long-pressing on them.
- Tap the Trash icon to move the selected photos to the Trash.
- Go to the Trash section of the app.
- Select the photos you want to permanently delete by long-pressing on them.
- Tap the Empty Trash button to permanently delete the selected photos.
Method 2: Deleting Photos from the Google Photos Website
- Go to the Google Photos website and sign in to your account.
- Select the photos you want to delete by checking the boxes next to them.
- Click the Trash icon to move the selected photos to the Trash.
- Go to the Trash section of the website.
- Select the photos you want to permanently delete by checking the boxes next to them.
- Click the Empty Trash button to permanently delete the selected photos.
Method 3: Deleting Photos from Google Drive
If you have Google Drive enabled on your device, you can also delete photos from Google Drive. Here’s how:
- Go to the Google Drive website and sign in to your account.
- Select the Google Photos folder.
- Select the photos you want to delete by checking the boxes next to them.
- Right-click on the selected photos and select Remove.
- Confirm that you want to permanently delete the selected photos.
Additional Tips for Managing Your Google Photos Storage
In addition to permanently deleting photos, there are several other ways to manage your Google Photos storage:
- Use the High-quality storage option: If you’re running low on storage space, consider switching to the High-quality storage option. This will compress your photos to reduce storage space.
- Use Google’s storage management tools: Google offers several storage management tools, including the Storage page, which allows you to see how much storage space you’re using and which files are taking up the most space.
- Consider upgrading to a paid storage plan: If you need more storage space, consider upgrading to a paid storage plan. Google offers several plans, including 100 GB, 200 GB, and 2 TB.
Common Issues When Permanently Deleting Photos from Google Photos
While permanently deleting photos from Google Photos is a relatively straightforward process, there are several common issues that can arise:
- Photos not deleting: If you’re having trouble deleting photos from Google Photos, try checking the Trash section to see if the photos are still there. If they are, try emptying the Trash to permanently delete the photos.
- Photos reappearing: If you’ve permanently deleted photos from Google Photos, but they’re reappearing in your account, it may be due to a syncing issue. Try checking your device’s syncing settings to ensure that Google Photos is not set to sync with other devices or accounts.
Conclusion
Permanently deleting photos from Google Photos is a relatively straightforward process that can help you free up storage space, protect your security and privacy, and declutter your online photo collection. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily permanently delete photos from Google Photos and manage your storage space more effectively. Remember to also use Google’s storage management tools and consider upgrading to a paid storage plan if you need more storage space.
What happens to my photos after I permanently delete them from Google Photos?
When you permanently delete photos from Google Photos, they are removed from your Google Photos library and cannot be recovered. This means that the photos will no longer be visible in your Google Photos account, and you will not be able to access them through the Google Photos app or website.
However, it’s worth noting that permanently deleting photos from Google Photos does not necessarily mean that they are completely erased from Google’s servers. Google’s data retention policies dictate that deleted data may be stored for a period of time before it is permanently erased. This is done for various reasons, including to comply with legal requirements and to improve Google’s services.
Will permanently deleting photos from Google Photos free up storage space in my Google account?
Yes, permanently deleting photos from Google Photos will free up storage space in your Google account. When you delete photos from Google Photos, they are removed from your Google Drive storage, which means that the storage space they occupied will become available again. This can be especially useful if you have a large collection of photos and are running low on storage space.
It’s worth noting, however, that if you have enabled the “High quality” or “Original quality” upload setting in Google Photos, your photos may still be stored in your Google Drive storage even after you delete them from Google Photos. In this case, you will need to delete the photos from your Google Drive storage separately in order to free up storage space.
Can I recover permanently deleted photos from Google Photos?
No, permanently deleted photos from Google Photos cannot be recovered. When you delete photos from Google Photos, they are moved to the “Trash” folder, where they are stored for 60 days before being permanently deleted. If you delete photos from the “Trash” folder or if the 60-day period expires, the photos are permanently erased and cannot be recovered.
However, if you have enabled the “Google Photos” backup feature on your device, you may be able to recover deleted photos from your device’s backup. Additionally, if you have synced your Google Photos account with other devices or services, you may be able to recover deleted photos from those sources.
How do I permanently delete photos from Google Photos on my Android device?
To permanently delete photos from Google Photos on your Android device, follow these steps: Open the Google Photos app, select the photos you want to delete, tap the “Trash” icon, and then tap “Empty Trash”. Alternatively, you can go to the “Trash” folder, select the photos you want to delete, and then tap “Delete”.
Make sure to check the “Trash” folder regularly to ensure that you don’t accidentally delete photos that you want to keep. You can also use the “Select all” option to delete all photos in the “Trash” folder at once.
How do I permanently delete photos from Google Photos on my iPhone or iPad?
To permanently delete photos from Google Photos on your iPhone or iPad, follow these steps: Open the Google Photos app, select the photos you want to delete, tap the “Trash” icon, and then tap “Empty Trash”. Alternatively, you can go to the “Trash” folder, select the photos you want to delete, and then tap “Delete”.
Make sure to check the “Trash” folder regularly to ensure that you don’t accidentally delete photos that you want to keep. You can also use the “Select all” option to delete all photos in the “Trash” folder at once.
Will permanently deleting photos from Google Photos affect my Google Photos albums?
Yes, permanently deleting photos from Google Photos can affect your Google Photos albums. If you delete photos that are part of an album, they will be removed from the album. However, the album itself will not be deleted.
If you want to remove an album from Google Photos, you will need to delete the album separately. To do this, go to the “Albums” tab, select the album you want to delete, and then tap the “Delete” icon.
Can I permanently delete multiple photos at once from Google Photos?
Yes, you can permanently delete multiple photos at once from Google Photos. To do this, select the photos you want to delete by tapping on them, and then tap the “Trash” icon. You can also use the “Select all” option to select all photos in a particular folder or album.
Once you have selected the photos you want to delete, tap the “Trash” icon to move them to the “Trash” folder. From there, you can empty the “Trash” folder to permanently delete the photos.