How to Delete Recently Deleted Photos and Free Up Storage Space
If you’ve ever found yourself in a situation where you’re running low on storage space, you might have overlooked the Recently Deleted folder on your phone. Many users don’t realize that deleted photos are still stored in this folder, taking up valuable space until they are permanently removed. So, if you’re wondering how to delete recently deleted photos and free up space on your device, you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through the process for both iPhone and Android devices, helping you optimize your storage and keep your phone running smoothly. Additionally, we’ll discuss tools like WinfrGUI, which can be used for recovering deleted files, just in case you change your mind.
What Are “Recently Deleted” Photos?
The “Recently Deleted” folder is a feature available on both iOS and Android devices, where photos that have been deleted are temporarily stored before being permanently erased. This gives you a grace period of up to 30 days to recover any photos you might have deleted by accident. However, these photos still occupy storage space, so if you need to free up room, it’s important to delete them manually.
Why You Should Delete Recently Deleted Photos
There are several reasons why it’s important to delete photos from the Recently Deleted folder:
- Storage Space: Your phone’s storage may be limited, and even deleted photos still take up space until they’re permanently removed.
- Privacy: If you’re concerned about privacy, permanently deleting photos ensures they can’t be recovered by anyone with access to your device.
- Device Performance: Excessive files can slow down your device. Regularly clearing out unnecessary files, including photos in the Recently Deleted folder, helps keep your device running smoothly.
How to Delete Recently Deleted Photos on iPhone
When you delete photos on your iPhone, they aren’t removed immediately—they’re moved to the Recently Deleted album, where they stay for up to 30 days before being permanently erased. To free up storage space or ensure sensitive photos are fully removed, you’ll need to delete them manually.
Step-by-Step: Permanently Delete Photos from “Recently Deleted”
- Launch the Photo app from your iPhone’s home screen.
- Tap on the Albums tab located at the bottom of the screen.
- Scroll down to the Utilities section and tap Recently Deleted.
- Delete Photos Permanently
- Tap Select in the upper-right corner.
- Tap Delete All to remove all items permanently, or select individual photos and tap Delete.
⚠️ Note: Once deleted from this folder, the photos are permanently removed and cannot be recovered using the Photos app.
Permanently deleting items from this folder helps free up storage space and ensures that sensitive or unwanted images are completely erased from your device.
Related Tip: Want to recover lost cloud photos instead?
👉 How to Recover Permanently Deleted Photos from Google Photos
How to Delete Recently Deleted Photos on Android
When you delete photos on Android using Google Photos, they’re moved to the Trash folder, where they remain for 30 days before being automatically deleted. To free up space or permanently remove sensitive images, follow these steps:
Steps to Empty the Trash in Google Photos:
- Launch the Google Photos app on your Android device.
- Tap Library from the bottom menu.
- Tap Trash (or Bin, depending on your region), where deleted items are stored temporarily.
- Delete Permanently
- Tap Empty Trash to remove all items at once,
- Or select specific photos and tap Delete to remove them permanently.
🔔 Note: Once deleted from Trash, these photos are no longer recoverable via Google Photos.
Device Variations: On some Android devices (e.g., Samsung Gallery), the deleted photos may be stored in a separate “Recycle Bin” or “Recently Deleted” folder under the default gallery app. The steps are similar, though menu names may differ.
How Deleting Recently Deleted Photos Can Free Up Space
Although photos you’ve deleted are temporarily stored in the Recently Deleted folder, they still occupy storage on your device. Deleting them from this folder ensures they are permanently removed, freeing up space on your device for new photos, apps, and files. Depending on how many photos you have, this can result in significant storage recovery.
For example, a 50MB photo may not seem like much, but when you have hundreds or thousands of photos in the Recently Deleted folder, it can add up. Regularly clearing this folder is a simple yet effective way to optimize your device.
Additional Tips for Managing Storage on Your Device
In addition to deleting Recently Deleted photos, here are some other ways to manage your storage:
- Clear App Cache: Many apps store temporary data in the cache. Clearing it can free up space without affecting the app’s functionality.
- Use Cloud Storage: Store photos and videos in the cloud using services like Google Drive or iCloud, freeing up physical storage on your device.
- Delete Unused Apps: Remove apps that you no longer use to reclaim space on your phone.
These tips, in addition to deleting Recently Deleted photos, will help keep your device running efficiently.
You may also Interested👉 How to Recover Permanently Deleted Photos from Google Photos after 60 Days
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Sometimes, users encounter issues when trying to delete photos, such as:
Problem 1: Photos not deleting from the Recently Deleted folder.
- Solution: Ensure your device is up to date, or try restarting it to resolve any glitches.
Problem 2: Photos reappearing after deletion.
- Solution: Check your cloud settings to ensure deleted photos are not being restored.
If you’ve accidentally deleted important photos and need to get them back, WinfrGUI can help. This free file recovery tool is designed to restore files from storage devices, even those that may have been deleted from the Recently Deleted folder.
FAQs: Freeing Up Space & Photo Deletion
Q1. How long do photos stay in the Recently Deleted folder?
Photos remain in the Recently Deleted folder for 30 days before being automatically and permanently removed.
Q2. Can I recover photos after they’ve been permanently deleted?
Once photos are permanently deleted from the Recently Deleted folder, they’re typically unrecoverable. However, recovery tools like WinfrGUI may still help retrieve them, especially if they haven’t been overwritten.
Q3. What are other ways to free up space on my phone?
Besides deleting photos, you can free up space by clearing app cache, removing unused apps, and transferring files to cloud storage like Google Drive or iCloud.
Q4. Does deleting photos from the Recently Deleted folder also free up iCloud space?
Yes. If you’re using iCloud Photos, permanently deleting items from the Recently Deleted folder will also free up space in your iCloud storage.
Q5. Will my device automatically delete Recently Deleted photos after 30 days?
Yes. Both iOS and Android devices automatically remove photos from the Recently Deleted or Trash folder after 30 days, unless you delete them manually sooner.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to delete recently deleted photos from your device, it’s easy to reclaim storage space and ensure your privacy. Whether you’re using an iPhone or Android, regularly clearing the Recently Deleted folder is a simple but effective way to keep your phone running smoothly.
By following the steps in this guide, you’ll have more storage available for photos, apps, and other important files. Additionally, if you’ve ever accidentally deleted something you didn’t mean to, tools like WinfrGUI can help you recover lost files, giving you peace of mind knowing you have options for restoration.
Also Read👉How to Find Backed Up Photos on Google: Full Guide
