Tech Tips: Is your Google Photos storage full? Here’s how to free up space without deleting important photos..

We all rely heavily on Google Photos to preserve our everyday memories. However, problems arise when the allotted 15GB of free cloud storage fills up completely. Once it is full, not only does the backup of new photos stall, but essential services like Gmail and Google Drive also stop functioning.

You do not need to delete any important photos to resolve this issue. By simply trying out a few easy and smart tricks, you can free up a significant amount of space in your Google account. Let’s find out how...

1. First, identify what is filling up your storage
Before deleting any files, it is important to determine what is taking up the most space. To do this, go to the 'Manage Storage' section in Google Photos. Here, you will find details about large video files, screen recordings, WhatsApp backups, screenshots, and other heavy files. This makes it easier to decide what to delete and what to keep.

2. Remove blurry and duplicate photos
Google Photos often categorizes blurry images, screenshots, and multiple similar photos separately. Deleting files from these categories that are no longer needed can free up a substantial amount of storage while keeping your important photos safe.

3. Use the 'Storage Saver' setting
If you are backing up every photo in 'Original Quality,' your 15GB of space will fill up quickly. The best solution is to go to the app settings and select the 'Storage Saver' option. This smart method significantly reduces the file size of your photos and videos. The best part is that there is no noticeable difference in quality during everyday use or when viewing them on a mobile screen.

4. Move large video files elsewhere
4K resolution videos and long recordings are the biggest consumers of cloud storage space. If you do not need to keep these videos on the cloud permanently, transfer them to your computer, laptop, external hard drive, or pen drive. Once transferred, deleting them from Google Photos will instantly free up a significant amount of space.

5. Immediately disable backups for unwanted folders
Often, backups of various unwanted folders on your phone run in the background without you even realizing it. Check your settings to see if auto-backup is enabled for folders containing WhatsApp images, downloads, or screenshots. Immediately turn off backups for folders containing memes or forwarded images that do not need to be stored on the cloud.

6. Consider a Google One plan for more space
If you are a power user with a large amount of important data and do not wish to move your photos or videos elsewhere, opting for a premium plan is a wise choice. You can purchase a Google One plan tailored to your needs. It offers far more cloud storage than the basic 15GB allowance—space that can be utilized across Google Photos, Gmail, and Google Drive.

7. Keep these points in mind
Before deleting any photo or video, ensure that a copy is safely stored on your phone, computer, or another storage device. Additionally, periodically check the 'Manage Storage' section to prevent storage issues from recurring.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.