Deleting photos from Google Photos can seem daunting, especially if you’ve amassed a large collection. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough on how to safely delete all your photos from Google Photos without losing them from your devices. We’ll cover different methods, explain Google Photos’ syncing mechanism, and offer tips to prevent accidental deletions.
Why Delete Photos from Google Photos?
Several reasons might motivate you to delete your photos from Google Photos:
- Privacy Concerns: Google’s access to your photos and metadata raises privacy concerns for some users. While Google implements security measures, your data is still subject to their policies.
- Storage Limits: Google Photos no longer offers unlimited storage for high-quality photos. Deleting photos can free up space or avoid potential charges.
- Switching Platforms: You might decide to switch to a different photo storage service with better privacy features or pricing.
Fig 1: Google Photos Settings Page
Deleting Photos: Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s how to delete photos from Google Photos while keeping them on your devices:
Method 1: Using the Google Photos App (Android/iOS)
- Disable Backup: Open the Google Photos app, tap your profile picture, go to “Backup,” and disable “Backup photos & videos.” This crucial step prevents deleting photos from your device when you delete them from Google Photos. Remember to disable backup on all devices linked to your account.
- Delete Photos: Select the photos you want to remove and tap “Delete.” They’ll be moved to the trash.
- Empty Trash: Navigate to “Library” -> “Trash,” tap “Select,” then “Delete all” to permanently delete the photos.
Fig 2: Deleting Photos in Google Photos App
Tip: Selecting multiple photos on the app can be tedious. Enabling “Stack similar photos” and setting the layout to “Month” can make batch selection easier.
Method 2: Using Google Photos on a Computer
- Disable Backup (on all devices): As with the app method, first disable backup on all your devices.
- Access Google Photos: Open a browser and go to photos.google.com.
- Select Photos: Use Shift-click to select multiple photos or Ctrl-A to select all. Ensure all thumbnails are loaded by scrolling manually.
- Delete Photos: Click the trash icon and confirm “Move to trash.”
- Empty Trash: Go to the “Trash” section and click “Empty trash” to permanently delete them.
Fig 3: Deleting Photos using Google Photos on Desktop
Understanding Google Photos Syncing
Google Photos syncs your photos across all linked devices. Key points to remember:
- Disabling backup is essential before deleting photos to avoid losing them on your devices.
- Deleting a photo from Google Photos with backup enabled will remove it from all synced devices.
- The “Free up space” option deletes photos from your device after they’re backed up. Use cautiously.
Fig 4: Files App Menu on a Pixel Phone
Stopping Google Photos Completely
If you wish to stop using Google Photos:
- On iPhone: Uninstall the app as you would any other app.
- On Android: While you can’t uninstall the pre-installed app, you can disable it in Settings -> Apps -> Google Photos. Disable the app, force stop it, and deny all permissions.
Fig 5: Disabling Google Photos on Android
Conclusion
Deleting all photos from Google Photos involves several steps, but following this guide ensures you can do so safely without losing your precious memories. Remember to disable backup on all your devices before deleting anything and understand how Google Photos sync works to avoid unintended consequences. Consider alternative photo storage solutions if privacy is a primary concern.
