iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Before deleting photos to free Google storage, check Google’s storage manager: your quota is shared across services, and the Photos library may not be the main thing using it. Google says videos and large photos usually take up the most storage, but only your account’s service breakdown can show what is consuming your quota. Some older photo backups do not count at all.
What counts toward Google Account storage?
Google’s standard personal-account allowance is up to 15 GB shared across Google Drive, Gmail and Google Photos. Google’s current storage guidance also lists WhatsApp backups among the items that can use shared storage. The 15 GB figure is a default allowance, not a guarantee of the capacity on every account; paid plans, promotions, account type and Workspace arrangements can change it.
Depending on the account and content, storage use can include:
- Photos and videos backed up in Original quality, and Storage saver (formerly High quality) or Express quality media backed up after June 1, 2021.
- Gmail messages and attachments, including items in Spam and Trash.
- Google Drive files such as PDFs, images, videos and Meet recordings, plus items in Drive Trash.
- Files created or edited in supported collaborative apps, including Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings, Forms, Recorder, Vids and Pics, subject to Google’s applicable date rules.
- WhatsApp backups on Android, as well as Android backup data such as SMS/MMS, call logs, device settings and app data.
- Hidden app data and background system files.
Storage attribution also depends on ownership. Files shared with you generally use the owner’s quota; copies you make, files you add to a shared folder and files you own are exceptions. This is one reason Drive for desktop’s local disk usage may not match your Google cloud quota: a streamed file can use little local space while remaining in cloud storage.
#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.
Why deleting photos may not free any space
Some older photo backups are exempt
Google’s documented rule distinguishes photo backup quality and date. Original quality photos and videos count toward storage regardless of when they were backed up. Storage saver (previously High quality) and Express quality media backed up before June 1, 2021 do not count toward the quota. Deleting those exempt items will not recover quota space.
Visible does not always mean quota-consuming
A photo can appear in Google Photos without being the reason your account is near its limit. Check the account’s storage breakdown and the backup details before removing anything. Google’s Photos storage manager may show categories such as large photos and videos and, for some items, an estimate of storage that could be recovered; an estimate is not always available.
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.
Find what is using your quota
- Start with the storage manager. Open Google’s storage manager and review the use-by-service breakdown and suggested cleanup categories. Use the breakdown to decide whether Photos, Drive, Gmail or another listed service deserves attention.
- Inspect large Drive files if Drive is a major share. Open Drive’s storage view, which orders files by size. Review large videos, PDFs, old copies and recordings, paying attention to which files you own.
- Search Gmail for large attachments if Gmail is a major share. Enter
has:attachment larger:10Min Gmail’s search box, then inspect matching messages before deleting them. The query finds messages with attachments larger than 10 MB; it is a search filter, not a promise that every result will be a useful cleanup target. - Check Photos only after identifying it as a substantial contributor. Consider backup quality, backup date and file size. Google’s general guidance says videos and large photos usually take up the most storage, but that qualitative tip is not a ranking of every user’s account.
- Review trash and spam before permanently emptying them. Gmail Spam and Trash and Drive Trash can continue to count against storage until emptied. Check the contents first; emptying these folders permanently deletes items.
Choose the right way to get more room
| Route | What it changes | Best fit | Important trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean up cloud data | Reduces quota use only when you remove items that count toward the quota. | You can identify unneeded, quota-counting files in the relevant service. | Deleting content can be permanent; removing exempt older photo backups does not free quota. |
| Add Google One storage | Increases available Google cloud capacity rather than removing content. | You want to keep content in Google services and need more room. | It is a paid option; plans and availability vary by geography and account. |
| Export a copy, then decide about originals | Creates a copy outside Google; the export itself does not reduce Google quota. | You want an archive elsewhere and are prepared to verify it before removing cloud copies. | You must separately delete intended originals in Google to reduce quota. An external hard drive can store a local export, but does not itself change Google storage use. |
Exporting photos is not the same as deleting them
Google Takeout can copy supported photos and videos to an outside destination, but Google states that the transfer does not delete the originals from your Google Account. After exporting, open the archive and verify that the files you need are present before deciding whether to remove any cloud originals. Keep in mind that Takeout cannot necessarily recover items that have already been deleted.
What to expect after cleanup
After a large deletion, Google says storage totals can take 48–72 hours to update accurately. Check the storage manager again after that interval if the displayed total has not yet changed. If your account is at its storage limit, Google’s storage guidance also explains how limited storage can affect services such as Gmail, Drive and Photos.
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.
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.
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.
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.
