Looking to clear out your Google Photos? Whether you’ve transferred your photos elsewhere or simply want to free up space, deleting pictures from Google Photos can seem daunting. There isn’t a single “delete all” button, but several methods make the process manageable. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to delete pics from Google Photos efficiently.
Mass Deleting Photos in Google Photos
While Google Photos doesn’t offer a one-click solution to delete everything, you can select multiple photos for deletion. Here are two approaches:
Deleting Pics from Google Photos on the Web (Recommended)
The web interface offers the most efficient way to delete large quantities of photos.
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Access the Date-Sorted View: Visit photos.google.com/search/_tra_. This URL displays your photos sorted by the date they were added, offering a smoother experience than the standard homepage.
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Select the First Image: Click the checkmark on the top-left corner of the first photo you want to delete.
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Scroll and Select in Batches: Scroll down using your mouse wheel or the “End” key on your keyboard. Periodically, hold down the “Shift” key and click the last photo in the batch you want to select. This will highlight all photos between your initial selection and the last clicked photo. This method allows you to select hundreds of photos at once.
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Delete the Selected Batch: Click the trash can icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
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Empty the Trash: Permanently delete the photos by emptying the trash. You can find the trash folder in the left-hand menu of Google Photos.
Deleting Photos in the Google Photos App
Deleting multiple photos in the app requires a slightly different approach:
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Zoom Out: Pinch your fingers together on the screen to zoom out and display as many photos as possible.
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Select and Drag: Press and hold on the first photo. Without lifting your finger, drag diagonally across the screen to select multiple images.
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Delete in Stages: The app might not handle selecting thousands of photos at once. Periodically lift your finger, tap the trash icon to delete the selected batch, and then repeat the selection process. Alternatively, you can select all photos from a specific month by tapping the checkmark next to the month name.
Other Methods for Managing Google Photos Storage
Beyond mass deletion, consider these options for managing your Google Photos storage:
Google Photos Quota Management
While not enabled by default for all Google accounts, quota management offers two helpful features:
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“Large photos & videos”: This feature identifies space-hogging files, allowing you to target and delete them.
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“Convert existing photos & videos to Storage Saver”: Compress your images to reduce their file size and save storage space. This will impact image quality. This is a good option if you are near your storage limit and don’t want to delete photos.
Third-Party Browser Extensions
Browser extensions designed for mass deletion of Google Photos are available. However, use caution with these tools as they are not officially supported by Google. Research and choose reputable extensions, and always back up your photos before using any third-party tool.
Conclusion: Choosing the Best Method for You
The best method for deleting pictures from Google Photos depends on your specific needs and the number of photos you want to remove. The web interface generally provides the most efficient way to delete large quantities of photos. Remember to empty the trash after deleting photos to permanently free up storage space.
