You wake up. You check your phone. You see it. The red notification that says your cloud storage is about to be full. You check Google Drive. It seems to be empty. You check your pictures. Nothing looks wrong.
What happened to your space? Many people get shocked when they learn that Google stores files and background data on their devices without their consent. You are not alone in your dilemma. Many users of Android-powered smartphones have to deal with the same problem every day.
Luckily for you, this is not a virus or any hacking into your account. This is just how Google operates. The storage space in your Google account is shared between various apps. If you use Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos, then all of those take 15 gigabytes.
In this guide, I will show you exactly where your space is going. We will look at the hidden folders eating up your gigabytes. Then, I will give you safe, step-by-step instructions to clean up your account without losing your precious memories or important files.
Question: What is the process for removing hidden files to release space in Google storage?
Answer: In order to clear some space, one needs to empty their trash from Google Drive and Google Photos, remove big attachments from Gmail, as well as Android or WhatsApp backups. It is important to note that Google does not automatically remove hidden files until 30 days after deletion, hence consuming your storage limit.
Reasons why Google Storage gets full very quickly
It is important to know how the storage of your Google account operates in order to solve the problem. You are provided with 15 gigabytes of storage space when you register with your Google account. Such storage capacity seems to be huge; however, in today’s world, this storage gets filled very fast.
Imagine that the storage of your Google account is a bucket which can contain 15 gigabytes of water. All Google applications such as Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos are taking this water from the bucket. For example, if you have used 10 gigabytes of space in Gmail, you will have 5 gigabytes of storage left for Google Drive and Google Photos.
Those things which occupy the space are photos and videos in high resolution. For instance, one minute of 4K video takes up 400 megabytes of your storage space. Recording a few videos at a party may fill your Google account storage for the whole day.
You also have to think about the space that email attachments and app backups and shared documents use. All these things add up. Use up your 15 gigabytes of free space. That is why many people get a warning that says Google storage is full when they are not expecting it.
Is Google Filling Up Your Storage Space?
Let me clear one thing right from the start: Google isn’t doing anything underhanded. They are not doing something like taking your space just to make you opt for a premium plan.
But how Google deals with your data is very tricky indeed, especially if you don’t understand the policies of Google. Google’s policy on managing the data makes sure that your data stays secure. This means that the data that you delete will be stored for 30 days.
Now, what happens when you delete a file such as a picture or mail? The file isn’t deleted immediately. Instead, it gets into a trash folder. While the file is inside the trash folder, it takes up some of your space. People don’t realize this fact.
Additionally, background processes like automatic WhatsApp backups and device backups happen while you sleep. You do not actively choose to upload these files, so you do not realize they are taking up room. It feels secret, but it is really just automated.
Some Hidden Places for Google Storage
Now let’s see what places hide your gigabytes. It is necessary to explore these places to recover space.
Google Photos Backups
Google Photos is always the greatest storage consumer. Even with the help of the “Storage Saver” feature, the amount of photos can easily reach thousands.
But there is an additional danger in it. When you have switched off “Storage Saver” to save one good quality photo, then all the following photos are likely to be saved in original quality.
Attachments to Gmail
Gmail becomes a digital file cabinet for you where thousands of emails containing PDFs, documents, and pictures accumulate over the years. If the email was sent five years ago, you can rest assured that the attachment will remain in Google’s servers occupying your space.
The Google Drive Trash
It is the most popular hidden folder among users. If you remove a file from Google Drive, it ends up in the Trash folder. It stays there for 30 days.
If you had removed a 2-gigabyte video one week ago, it will be still occupying 2 GB of your storage space now. Most of the users have gigabytes of unnecessary files in the Google Drive Trash folder.
Spam folder
The spam folder on Gmail is generally something that is not even considered by most users. Spam emails are filtered automatically to the spam folder. However, if there are large attachments in spam emails, then they will add to the total storage used.
Google automatically deletes spam emails after 30 days. But if you suddenly start receiving a lot of spam emails with attachments, then the storage will be full within the month.
Device Backups
In case you are using an Android phone, it will be automatically backing up your device information into Google Drive. In fact, it will store your app information, phone records, and even settings of your system.
The fact is that these backups are quite invisible. One can never see them as if seeing a regular document. However, in case you had used several Android devices in one and the same account, you would definitely have huge invisible backup files stored somewhere in the cloud.
WhatsApp Backup
The WhatsApp backup file is saved in Google Drive. In case you are part of some group conversations, the WhatsApp backup might take up to 10 GB of your Google Drive space or more.
Every night at 2:00 AM, WhatsApp backs up all of your data – that includes your messages, photos, and voice messages. In case you don’t delete the chats from WhatsApp, your Google Drive will be taken up without your notice.
Shared Files
Other times, the files occupying your storage are those of other people. You may have shared folders in Google Drive that are stored in your “My Drive” folder, which occupies your storage space.
What to Use to Determine How Much Space Is Being Taken
Before deleting anything, you have to know for sure what is using all that space on your device. Luckily, there is a special feature on Google that makes it really easy to identify the problem.
Here is what you should do:
- Launch your web browser and visit one.google.com/storage.
- Enter your Google account credentials if you haven’t done it yet.
- The colorful pie chart representing your storage usage will appear.
This pie chart is extremely useful as it allows you to know how many gigabytes of storage space are used by Gmail, Drive, and Photos services.
If you have your Android smartphone, here is how you can do it:
- Open the Gmail application.
- Tap your profile photo located in the upper-right corner.
- Press “Manage your Google Account.”
- Scroll down and tap “Storage” in your account profile section.
Having seen this pie chart, you will immediately understand which direction you have to move in. If the amount of space occupied by photos is 12 GB, you got your answer.
Safe Method for Clearing Your Google Storage Space
Now you know where the files are hiding, so now it’s time to clear them out. Here’s how you can safely delete hidden folders from Google.
Step 1: Delete Files From Google Drive Trash
This is the quickest method to get your free storage space instantly.
- Access Google Drive from either your computer or mobile device.
- Navigate the left pane and click on “Trash.”
- Tap on the “Empty trash” option located on the upper right corner.
- Agree that you really want to delete all items forever.
Note: Once you have done this, you cannot undo your action. Double-check before you empty your trash.
Step 2: Deleting Large Attachments in Gmail
There is no requirement of deleting any important emails to make room. It is sufficient to remove large attachments from your emails.
- Access your Gmail account using PC.
- Write has:attachment larger:10M in the search box present in the top of the screen.
- It will show you all those emails which contain an attachment greater than 10MB.
- Select all old and unnecessary emails and press the trash bin.
Step 3: Deleting Old WhatsApp Backups
It doesn’t matter if you delete your old WhatsApp backup because there will be no loss of WhatsApp messages as they are present in your phone.
- Sign in to your Google Drive account.
- Click on “Storage” option available in the left panel or search for “WhatsApp.”
- Look for folders named “WhatsApp [Phone Model].”
- Right-click on the backup file and select “Remove.”
- Move to your Trash and delete the content from there.
Step 4: Remove Google Photos Trash Items
When you delete images in Google Photos, they move to the trash. The photos remain there for 30 days, just like Google Drive.
- Open the Google Photos app or website.
- Click “Library” at the bottom or side.
- Select “Trash.”
- Click “Delete all” at the top.
- Confirm your choice.
Step 5: Delete Old Backups of Your Devices
To delete old phone backups, you need to go to a specific Google settings page.
- Go to google.com/settings/storage on your web browser.
- Look for “Device backups.”
- You will see a list of all the Android devices linked to your account.
- Find an old phone or tablet you no longer use.
- Click “Delete” next to that specific backup.
Things You Must Not Do When You Want to Delete Something
Sometimes, when you really need to get rid of something, it is very easy to make a mistake. Let us look at some mistakes you must not commit when clearing your Google account storage space.
Do not directly delete any shared file. In case you received a file that was shared with you and want to get rid of it, simply deleting it will only help you get rid of it for your own view. You can still be using up space on your Google account.
You should always check the trash before you empty it. We sometimes delete things that we actually need. When you delete something from the Google Drive trash or the Photos trash it is gone for good. Take five minutes to look at what’s in the trash before you delete anything from the trash.
Do not go around deleting system app data without a reason. If you start digging around in the settings of your Android phone you might delete some cache from Google apps by mistake. This can cause problems, with your Google account syncing on your Android phone.
Tips to Prevent Google Storage from Filling Again
Once you free up your space, you want to keep it that way. Here are some smart Android storage tips to prevent your account from filling up in the future.
Turn on Storage Saver in Google Photos: Go to Photos settings and make sure “Storage Saver” (formerly High Quality) is turned on. This compresses your photos slightly so they take up much less space. You will not notice a difference in quality on your phone screen.
Change WhatsApp Backup Settings: Open WhatsApp, go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup. Change the backup frequency from “Daily” to “Weekly” or “Monthly.” You can also choose to exclude videos from backups to save massive amounts of space.
Use “Free Up Space” in Photos: Google Photos has a built-in tool that removes photos from your phone’s local storage if they are already safely backed up to the cloud. This frees up space on your physical phone, though it does not free up Google cloud space.
Unsubscribe from junk mail: Less spam means fewer hidden attachments eating your Gmail storage. Take a few minutes to unsubscribe from promotional emails you never read.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is my Google storage full when I have no files?
Your storage is likely full because of hidden files. Check your Trash folders in Google Drive and Google Photos. Also, look for old WhatsApp or Android device backups, as these do not show up in your normal file list.
- Does emptying Gmail trash free up space?
Yes. When you delete an email, it goes to the Gmail trash folder. It stays there for 30 days. You must go into the Trash folder and click “Empty Trash now” to permanently delete the emails and free up your Google storage.
- How do I find hidden files in Google Drive?
Google Drive does not have a secret folder, but it does hide backups. To see them, go to google.com/settings/storage on a web browser. Scroll down to “Device backups” to see the hidden files taking up your space.
- Can I delete WhatsApp backups from Google Drive?
Yes. You can safely delete old WhatsApp backups from Google Drive. Your current messages on your phone will not be deleted. Just be aware that if you ever lose your phone, you will not be able to restore those older messages.
- Does Google Photos use storage if I have Storage Saver on?
As of June 2021, all new photos backed up to Google Photos count against your 15 GB limit, even if you use Storage Saver. However, photos compressed with Storage Saver take up much less space than original quality photos.
- Why does my phone say storage full but Google Drive is empty?
Your phone has two types of storage: local device storage and Google cloud storage. If your phone says it is full, you need to delete apps, photos, or videos from the physical phone itself. Clearing Google Drive will not free up physical phone space.
- How long does Google keep files in the trash?
Google keeps deleted files in the Trash for 30 days. After 30 days, the system automatically and permanently deletes them to free up your Google account storage.
- Do spam emails take up Google storage?
Yes. Emails in your Spam folder, including any images or attachments inside them, count toward your 15 GB limit. Google deletes spam automatically after 30 days, but a heavy flood of spam can fill your storage before then.
- What happens if my Google storage gets full?
If your storage reaches 100% capacity, you will not be able to send or receive emails in Gmail. You also will not be able to back up new photos or videos, and your Android device will stop backing up its app data.
- How do I bulk delete old emails in Gmail?
You can use search operators in Gmail. For example, type “before:2020/01/01” in the search bar to find all emails older than 2020. Check the box at the top to select all matching emails, then click the trash icon.