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How do I clear Google Photos?

Published in Google Photos 3 mins read

To clear Google Photos, you need to delete the photos and videos you no longer want to keep. Here's how to do it:

  1. Go to Google Photos: On your computer, navigate to photos.google.com/login and sign in to your Google account.

  2. Select the Photos/Videos: Browse your photos and videos and choose the ones you want to delete. Click on the checkmark in the upper-left corner of each item to select it. You can select multiple items at once.

  3. Delete: Once you've selected the desired items, click the Delete icon (trash can) at the top right of the screen.

  4. Confirm Deletion: A confirmation message will appear. Confirm that you want to move the selected items to the trash. They will stay in your trash for 60 days before being permanently deleted.

  5. Empty the Trash (Optional): To permanently delete the photos immediately, go to the "Trash" or "Bin" section in Google Photos (usually accessible from the left-hand menu). Select the items in the trash and choose the "Delete permanently" option. Be aware that this action is irreversible.

  6. Undo (If Needed): If you accidentally delete a photo, you can click Undo at the bottom of the screen immediately after deleting to restore the photo. You can also restore photos from the trash within 60 days.

Important Considerations:

  • Synchronization: Google Photos syncs across devices. Deleting a photo from Google Photos will delete it from all devices connected to that Google account where backup and sync is enabled.

  • Google Drive: If you have Google Photos set to back up to Google Drive, deleting a photo from Google Photos will not delete it from Google Drive, and vice-versa. If you have uploaded the photos to Google Drive directly, you need to delete them from Google Drive separately.

  • Storage Space: Deleting photos from Google Photos frees up storage space in your Google account, which is shared between Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos.

  • Backup and Sync: Verify that Google Photos Backup and Sync is turned off on devices where you want to retain the photos you've deleted from the cloud.

By following these steps, you can effectively clear your Google Photos and manage your storage space.

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