How to Delete Pictures From Google Photos: A Complete Guide
Google Photos is a fantastic service for storing and sharing your memories, but sometimes you need to declutter. This comprehensive guide will walk you through deleting pictures from Google Photos on various devices and platforms, ensuring you regain control of your photo library. We'll cover deleting single photos, multiple photos, and even entire albums.
Deleting Single Photos from Google Photos
This is the simplest method, perfect for removing unwanted individual pictures.
On your Computer (Desktop or Laptop):
- Open Google Photos: Go to photos.google.com and sign in.
- Locate the Photo: Navigate to the photo you wish to delete.
- Select the Photo: Click on the photo to open it.
- Delete the Photo: Click the three vertical dots (more options) in the top right corner. Select "Delete". Confirm the deletion when prompted.
On your Android or iOS Phone/Tablet:
- Open the Google Photos App: Launch the Google Photos app on your device.
- Find the Photo: Locate the image you want to remove.
- Select the Photo: Tap on the photo.
- Delete the Photo: Tap the three vertical dots (more options) and then select "Delete". Confirm your choice.
Deleting Multiple Photos from Google Photos
Need to remove several photos at once? This section shows you how.
On your Computer:
- Open Google Photos: Access photos.google.com and sign in.
- Select Photos: Click the checkbox next to each photo you want to delete. You can also select multiple photos by clicking and dragging your cursor across a series of images.
- Delete Selected Photos: Click the trash can icon at the top. Confirm the deletion.
On your Android or iOS Phone/Tablet:
- Open the Google Photos App: Launch the Google Photos app.
- Select Photos: Tap on each photo you wish to delete. You can select multiple photos in succession by tapping and holding the first photo, then tapping additional photos.
- Delete Selected Photos: Tap the trash can icon at the top. Confirm the deletion.
Deleting Entire Albums from Google Photos
Removing an entire album is a quick way to delete multiple photos simultaneously.
On your Computer:
- Open Google Photos: Visit photos.google.com and log in.
- Locate the Album: Find the album you want to delete.
- Delete the Album: Click the three vertical dots (more options) next to the album name. Select "Delete album". Confirm the deletion. Important Note: Deleting an album deletes all the photos within that album.
On your Android or iOS Phone/Tablet:
- Open the Google Photos App: Launch the Google Photos app.
- Locate the Album: Find the album you want to remove.
- Delete the Album: Tap the three vertical dots (more options) next to the album name. Select "Delete album". Confirm the deletion. Again, remember this permanently removes all photos within the album.
Understanding Google Photos Trash
Deleted photos and albums aren't immediately gone forever. They move to the trash, where they remain for 60 days before permanent deletion. You can recover them within that timeframe.
To access the trash:
- On your Computer: Look for a "Trash" or "Recycle Bin" option usually found in the left-hand sidebar.
- On your Mobile Device: Often located in the main menu (usually represented by three horizontal lines).
Permanently Deleting Photos from Google Photos Trash
After 60 days, photos and albums in the trash are automatically deleted. To permanently delete them earlier:
- Access the Trash: Find the Trash as described above.
- Select Items: Choose the items you wish to remove permanently.
- Empty Trash: Locate the "Empty trash" option and click/tap it. Confirm the action. This is irreversible.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage your Google Photos library, deleting unwanted images and reclaiming storage space. Remember to always double-check before confirming deletions, especially when dealing with entire albums.
