Google Photos’ storage-management tool helped me find files I could choose to delete, including blurry photos, screenshots and large videos. I reclaimed 10GB, but that was my personal result—not a typical or guaranteed amount. The tool surfaces candidates; you decide what, if anything, to remove.
What Google Photos’ storage-management tool does
Google describes the tool as a way to check remaining space and clean up storage. Its recommendations can surface backed-up items such as blurry photos, screenshots and large videos. You review the items and select what to move to trash; Google does not decide which files matter to you.
For some deletions, Google may show an estimate of how much account storage you could recover. That estimate and the categories shown can vary. Google does not promise that using the tool will free 10GB—or any particular amount. My 10GB result reflects the files I chose and their storage status.
On a computer, go to photos.google.com, open the Storage section and review the recommended cleanup categories. Select only the items you want to remove, then move them to trash. Google warns that content permanently deleted from Photos cannot be recovered with Google Takeout.
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Choose the right kind of storage to free
“Manage your storage” addresses Google Account storage. “Free up space on this device” removes local copies from an Android phone after backup. These actions solve different problems:
| Goal | What to do | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Reduce Google Account storage | Review and delete selected backed-up items through the Storage section. | Available account quota can increase only when deleted files were counting against it. |
| Reclaim Android phone storage | In Google Photos, tap your account profile, then “Free up space on this device.” | Local copies are removed; backed-up items remain viewable in Google Photos or at photos.google.com. |
| Get more Google Account storage | Consider Google One, where available. | Adds purchased storage rather than deleting files. |
After using the Android device-storage option, removed items may not be available in the phone’s built-in gallery or offline. Google says photos and videos newer than 30 days may remain on the device.
Rank #2
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Check backup before removing anything
Google’s guidance is direct: “Before you delete your photos, make sure that they’re backed up.” Confirm backup status before using “Free up space on this device” or deleting files you want to keep. If an item has not finished backing up, removing its local copy could mean losing the only copy.
For cloud cleanup, inspect the proposed selection carefully as well. Items moved to trash may be recoverable under Google Photos’ trash rules, but emptying trash or permanently deleting content can make the deletion irreversible.
Rank #3
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
When a deletion actually frees Google Account storage
A Google Account includes up to 15GB shared across Google Photos, Drive and Gmail. Deleting a photo does not necessarily increase available quota: it matters whether that item counted against storage in the first place.
- Storage saver and Express quality items uploaded before June 1, 2021 do not count toward Google Account storage under Google’s current policy.
- Original quality uploads count toward storage regardless of upload date.
- For other items, rely on the Storage section’s information rather than assuming that deletion will produce a particular recovery.
Google announced that new Photos uploads began counting toward free or purchased account storage on June 1, 2021. That date matters when evaluating older uploads; it does not mean every item uploaded before then is exempt, because Original quality uploads count regardless of date.
Rank #4
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
If cleanup is not enough
If you still need more shared account capacity after reviewing files, Google One is Google’s option for buying more storage where available. It is separate from cleanup: one reduces usage by removing selected files, while the other adds storage capacity.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- [Upgraded Version] - This external hard drive features a mirrored logo stripe combined with a striped anti-slip design, and the rounded corners of the casing make it easier to grip. The stripes also have a heat dissipation function, ensuring stable and fast data transfer.
- 【Ultra-thin and quiet】 - The motherboard adopts JMicron 578 noise-free solution, giving you a quiet working environment. Lightweight and portable size designed to fit in your pocket for easy portability.
- 【Ultra-Fast Data Transfers】 - Pairing this external hard drive with JMicron 578 solution USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 interfaces enables blazing-fast data transfer. It boasts theoretical read speeds of up to 125MB/s and write speeds of up to 103MB/s.
- 【Plug and Play】 - With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use.The hard disk chip is wrapped with an aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data.
- 【What You Get】 - 1 x Portable Hard Drive, 1 x USB 3.0 Cable, 1 x User Manual, Gift-type shell packaging ,Three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
