Unlike a desktop computer, Android doesn't offer a universal recycle bin that stores your deleted files. Instead, most apps manage their own trash can, which you need to empty individually to free up storage space on your phone. Here's how to do that.
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In this article, we’ll cover how to empty the trash for Google Photos and Google Files, two of the most popular apps for this operating system. If you’re using a different app, check your “Recently Deleted,” “Trash,” or similar locations to find and remove your deleted files .
To permanently delete your photos and videos, first open the Google Photos on your Android phone.
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- In the bottom row of photos, tap “Library.”
- On the “ Library ” screen , at the top, tap “ Trash .”
- On the “ Trash ” page , in the upper right corner, tap the three dots.
- From the three-dot menu, select “Empty Trash.”
- At the prompt, select “Allow” to confirm your choice.
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And Google Photos will permanently delete everything from the trash.
If you use Files by Google as your file manager and want to empty your trash, first open the Files by Google app on phone .
- When the app starts, in the top left corner, tap the menu (three horizontal lines).
- In the menu that opens, select “Trash”.
- On the “ Trash ” page , your deleted files are displayed. Here, select all your files by choosing “ All items ”. Then, at the bottom, tap “ Delete ”.
- In the message that opens, select “Delete”.
