Google Photos is a popular tool for storing and managing photos and videos. With its automatic backup capabilities and free cloud storage, Google Photos has become a popular choice for people who want to preserve their digital memories. However, over time, your media library can become cluttered with unwanted photos and videos, which end up filling up the app’s “Recycle Bin.” In this article, you’ll learn how to effectively clear the Recycle Bin in Google Photos.
What is Google Photos Recycle Bin?
The Google Photos Recycle Bin is where deleted photos and videos are temporarily stored before they are permanently deleted. This feature is a useful layer of protection to prevent you from accidentally deleting important photos. However, over time, the Recycle Bin can accumulate a large amount of unwanted media, taking up storage space that you could be using more effectively.
Why should you clear your Google Photos Trash?
There are several reasons why you should consider regularly clearing your Google Photos Trash:
- Free up storage space: Photos and videos in the Trash still take up space in your Google Photos storage account. By clearing the Trash, you free up space that can be used to store new photos and videos.
- Privacy and Security: Even if you delete photos and videos, they can still be recovered from the Recycle Bin. This can pose a risk to your privacy, especially if you share your account with others. Emptying the Recycle Bin ensures that the content is permanently deleted.
- Organization: A cluttered Trash can make it difficult to find important photos and videos you want to recover. Clearing out the Trash can help keep your library more organized.
Now that you understand why it's important to clear your Google Photos Trash, here are the steps to do so:
Passo 1: Abrir o Google Fotos
Open the Google Photos app on your mobile device or go to the Google Photos website in a web browser. Make sure you're signed in to the Google account associated with your photo and video library.
Passo 2: Acessar a Lixeira
On the mobile app, tap the “Library” icon in the bottom right corner. Then tap “Trash.” On the website, you’ll find the Trash in the left panel under the “Library” section.
Passo 3: Selecionar mídia para exclusão permanente
In the Trash, you'll see all of your recently deleted photos and videos. To select items for permanent deletion, tap and hold a photo or video to activate it. You can select multiple items by tapping on them.
Passo 4: Excluir permanentemente os itens
Once you’ve selected the items you want to permanently delete, tap the trash can icon or the “Delete Permanently” button that’s usually located at the top of the screen. Confirm the action when prompted.
Passo 5: Esvaziar a Lixeira
To make sure that all selected items are permanently deleted, it is recommended to completely empty the Trash. On the mobile app, tap the three horizontal lines icon in the top left corner and go to “Trash”. Then tap the “Empty Trash” button and confirm the action. On the website, you will find the “Empty Trash” option in the left panel.
That’s it! Your Google Photos Trash is now empty, and you’ve freed up storage space on your account. Be sure to perform this action regularly to keep your library organized and protect your privacy. Keep in mind that once you’ve emptied your Trash, deleted items cannot be recovered, so do this with caution.
In short, clearing your Google Photos Trash is an important step in keeping your storage organized and your privacy protected. Follow the simple steps mentioned in this article to ensure that your media library is free of unwanted items and that you are using your storage space efficiently.