Delete Bad Photos from Google Photos: A Step-by-Step Guide

Google Photos is an excellent platform for storing and managing your photos. It offers a range of features, including automatic photo organization, editing tools, and sharing options. However, with the vast number of photos we take daily, it’s not uncommon to have some bad or unwanted photos in our Google Photos library. These photos can take up storage space, make it harder to find the photos you want, and even affect the overall performance of the app. In this article, we’ll show you how to delete bad photos from Google Photos and keep your library organized.

Why Delete Bad Photos From Google Photos?

Before we dive into the steps to delete bad photos, let’s discuss why it’s essential to remove them from your Google Photos library. Here are a few reasons:

  • Free up storage space: Google Photos offers 15 GB of free storage space, which can fill up quickly, especially if you have a large collection of photos. Deleting bad photos can help free up storage space and ensure that you have enough room for your favorite photos.
  • Improve app performance: A large number of photos can slow down the Google Photos app, making it harder to navigate and find the photos you want. Deleting bad photos can help improve the app’s performance and make it more responsive.
  • Enhance photo organization: Deleting bad photos can help you organize your photos more effectively. By removing unwanted photos, you can create albums and collections that are more meaningful and easier to manage.

How To Delete Bad Photos From Google Photos

Deleting bad photos from Google Photos is a straightforward process. Here are the steps:

Method 1: Delete Photos From The Google Photos App

  1. Open the Google Photos app on your device.
  2. Select the photos you want to delete by long-pressing on them. You can select multiple photos at once.
  3. Tap the “Delete” icon (represented by a trash can) at the top-right corner of the screen.
  4. Confirm that you want to delete the photos by tapping “Move to trash” or “Delete.”

Method 2: Delete Photos From The Google Photos Website

  1. Go to the Google Photos website and sign in to your account.
  2. Select the photos you want to delete by checking the boxes next to them. You can select multiple photos at once.
  3. Click the “Delete” button at the top-right corner of the screen.
  4. Confirm that you want to delete the photos by clicking “Move to trash” or “Delete.”

How To Permanently Delete Photos From Google Photos

When you delete photos from Google Photos, they are moved to the “Trash” folder, where they are stored for 60 days. After 60 days, the photos are permanently deleted. However, if you want to permanently delete photos immediately, you can follow these steps:

Method 1: Permanently Delete Photos From The Google Photos App

  1. Open the Google Photos app on your device.
  2. Go to the “Trash” folder by tapping the “Menu” icon (represented by three horizontal lines) and selecting “Trash.”
  3. Select the photos you want to permanently delete by long-pressing on them. You can select multiple photos at once.
  4. Tap the “Delete” icon (represented by a trash can) at the top-right corner of the screen.
  5. Confirm that you want to permanently delete the photos by tapping “Empty trash” or “Permanently delete.”

Method 2: Permanently Delete Photos From The Google Photos Website

  1. Go to the Google Photos website and sign in to your account.
  2. Go to the “Trash” folder by clicking the “Menu” icon (represented by three horizontal lines) and selecting “Trash.”
  3. Select the photos you want to permanently delete by checking the boxes next to them. You can select multiple photos at once.
  4. Click the “Delete” button at the top-right corner of the screen.
  5. Confirm that you want to permanently delete the photos by clicking “Empty trash” or “Permanently delete.”

Tips For Managing Your Google Photos Library

Here are some tips for managing your Google Photos library:

  • Regularly review your photos: Set aside some time each month to review your photos and delete any that are bad or unwanted.
  • Use albums and collections: Organize your photos into albums and collections to make it easier to find the photos you want.
  • Use the “Favorites” feature: Mark your favorite photos as “Favorites” to make it easier to find them later.
  • Use the “Archive” feature: Archive photos that you don’t want to see in your main library, but still want to keep.

Common Issues When Deleting Photos From Google Photos

Here are some common issues that you may encounter when deleting photos from Google Photos:

  • Photos not deleting: If photos are not deleting, try checking if they are still in the “Trash” folder. If they are, try permanently deleting them.
  • Photos reappearing: If photos are reappearing after you’ve deleted them, try checking if they are still in the “Trash” folder. If they are, try permanently deleting them.
  • Storage space not freeing up: If storage space is not freeing up after deleting photos, try checking if the photos are still in the “Trash” folder. If they are, try permanently deleting them.

Conclusion

Deleting bad photos from Google Photos is an essential part of managing your photo library. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can delete bad photos and keep your library organized. Remember to regularly review your photos, use albums and collections, and use the “Favorites” and “Archive” features to make the most of your Google Photos experience.

What Is The Purpose Of Deleting Bad Photos From Google Photos?

Deleting bad photos from Google Photos is essential for maintaining a clean and organized photo library. Over time, your Google Photos account can accumulate numerous low-quality or unwanted images, taking up storage space and making it challenging to find the photos you need. By removing these bad photos, you can free up storage, reduce clutter, and make it easier to locate your favorite memories.

Additionally, deleting bad photos can also help improve the overall performance of Google Photos. With a more streamlined library, the app can process and load your photos more efficiently, making it a better experience for you. Furthermore, if you’re using the free storage option, deleting bad photos can help you stay within the storage limits, avoiding the need to upgrade to a paid plan.

How Do I Select Multiple Photos To Delete In Google Photos?

To select multiple photos to delete in Google Photos, you can use the “Select” feature. On a computer, hold down the Ctrl key (or Command key on a Mac) while clicking on the photos you want to select. On a mobile device, long-press on a photo until it’s selected, then tap on additional photos to add them to the selection. You can also use the “Select all” option, which is usually represented by a checkbox icon, to select all photos in a particular album or view.

Once you’ve selected the photos you want to delete, you can proceed to the next step, which is to delete them. Make sure to review your selection carefully, as deleting photos is a permanent action and cannot be undone. If you’re unsure about deleting a particular photo, you can always unselect it before proceeding.

Can I Recover Deleted Photos From Google Photos?

Deleted photos from Google Photos are moved to the “Trash” or “Bin” folder, where they’re stored for 60 days. During this time, you can recover deleted photos by going to the Trash folder and selecting the photos you want to restore. After 60 days, the photos are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.

It’s essential to note that if you’ve deleted photos from the Trash folder or used the “Empty Trash” option, the photos are gone forever and cannot be recovered. Therefore, it’s crucial to review your deleted photos carefully before emptying the Trash folder, to ensure you’re not accidentally deleting important memories.

How Do I Delete Photos From Google Photos On My Mobile Device?

To delete photos from Google Photos on your mobile device, open the Google Photos app and select the photos you want to delete. You can do this by long-pressing on a photo until it’s selected, then tapping on additional photos to add them to the selection. Once you’ve selected the photos, tap the “Trash” icon, usually represented by a trash can, to move the photos to the Trash folder.

Alternatively, you can also delete photos from within an album or view. To do this, open the album or view, then select the photos you want to delete. Tap the “More” menu, usually represented by three vertical dots, and select “Delete device copy” or “Move to Trash.” This will delete the photos from your device and move them to the Trash folder.

Will Deleting Photos From Google Photos Also Delete Them From My Device?

Deleting photos from Google Photos will not automatically delete them from your device. However, if you’ve enabled the “Backup & sync” feature, deleting photos from Google Photos will also delete the local copies on your device. If you want to keep the local copies, you can disable the “Backup & sync” feature before deleting the photos from Google Photos.

It’s essential to note that if you’ve deleted photos from your device, they will not be deleted from Google Photos, unless you’ve enabled the “Backup & sync” feature. In this case, deleting photos from your device will also delete them from Google Photos.

Can I Delete Photos From Google Photos Using The Google Photos Website?

Yes, you can delete photos from Google Photos using the Google Photos website. To do this, go to the Google Photos website and sign in to your account. Select the photos you want to delete by holding down the Ctrl key (or Command key on a Mac) while clicking on the photos. Once you’ve selected the photos, click the “Trash” icon, usually represented by a trash can, to move the photos to the Trash folder.

Alternatively, you can also delete photos from within an album or view. To do this, open the album or view, then select the photos you want to delete. Click the “More” menu, usually represented by three vertical dots, and select “Delete” or “Move to Trash.” This will delete the photos from Google Photos and move them to the Trash folder.

Is It Safe To Delete Photos From Google Photos?

Deleting photos from Google Photos is a safe process, as long as you’re careful and review your selection carefully. Make sure you’re not accidentally deleting important memories or photos you want to keep. Additionally, be aware that deleting photos from Google Photos will also delete any edits or changes you’ve made to the photos.

It’s also essential to note that deleting photos from Google Photos will not affect any shared albums or links. If you’ve shared photos with others, they will still be able to access the photos, even if you’ve deleted them from your Google Photos account.

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