A writer for technology publication Android Authority freed 23 gigabytes of cloud storage in Google Photos after clearing thousands of old files.
The writer faced a common issue with cloud storage after discovering that more than half of a 100-gigabyte Google One plan was filled with over 47,000 media files. Rather than paying for a more expensive subscription tier, the author conducted a systematic library cleanup using five specific steps.
Google Photos is a cloud-based photo sharing and storage service developed by Google that integrates across mobile operating systems and web browsers. Users receive a shared storage quota across Google services, which can fill up over years of auto-syncing high-resolution photos and videos.
Excluding media uploaded before June 2021
The first step in the cleanup process was identifying which files actually counted against the Google storage limit. Google changed its storage policies on June 1, 2021, ending unlimited free storage for photos uploaded in its Storage Saver mode.
Photos and videos uploaded in Storage Saver mode prior to June 1, 2021, do not consume account quota. The writer noted that deleting content saved before that cut-off date would not increase available storage space. While removing older items can help organize a library, the writer excluded files uploaded before June 2021 to concentrate strictly on items occupying account capacity.
Deleting temporary screenshots
The writer then targeted screenshots instead of scrolling sequentially through the full photo collection. Screenshots frequently accumulate on modern devices from temporary tasks, such as recording utility meters, saving text chat exchanges, storing internet memes, or capturing web pages.
The cleanup was performed on a desktop computer using the web version of Google Photos. The author stated that the larger screen allowed faster selection of large groups of images, while the physical keyboard simplified bulk selection. Removing about 3,000 temporary screenshots freed approximately 2 gigabytes of storage space.
Using the Stacking feature for similar photos
To reduce image redundancy, the author used a built-in feature called Stacking. While Google Photos lacks a dedicated tool for finding identical duplicate photos, Stacking automatically groups similar images together. Users can open a stack, choose the best photograph to keep, and delete the rest.
The writer cautioned that the Stacking feature required manual verification because Google Photos occasionally groups images that are noticeably different. Reviewing each grouped set proved to be the most labor-intensive part of the process, but removing another 800 photos reclaimed roughly 3 gigabytes of space.
Locating large photos and videos
The fourth step focused on removing the heaviest files stored in the cloud. The writer utilized the storage management tools built into Google One to locate the largest files within Google Photos.
Mobile app users can access this menu by opening their account profile, selecting the option to free up space, navigating to the large photos and videos section, and tapping review. On the web interface, users can click the storage usage indicator on the left side of the screen and select large photos and videos.
Video files accounted for a substantial portion of the used space. The largest single video clip found during the review measured 2.3 gigabytes. Clearing out these large files freed more than 8.5 gigabytes of space in a single pass.
Reviewing short video clips
The final step involved a comprehensive manual audit of the entire video folder. The writer observed that the Google storage manager sometimes overlooks short video clips lasting only a few seconds. Although individual short clips consume modest amounts of data, hundreds of accumulated clips can occupy several gigabytes.
The audit uncovered forgotten files downloaded from social media platforms and messaging apps, including clips saved from TikTok, WhatsApp, and Instagram, alongside unboxing recordings and temporary media. The writer also found numerous short cat videos that no longer held value. Deleting more than 500 of these short video files freed an additional 9.4 gigabytes.
Recent changes to Google services
The cleanup guide comes as Google alters several core consumer tools. Earlier this month, Google disabled its standard desktop backup method for users who saved photos from computers to the Google cloud service.
In addition, news agency UNIAN reported that users are increasingly adopting alternative navigation apps instead of Google Maps. The replacement navigation software is available free of charge on Android and iOS devices, featuring full support for offline maps.
