Carry out these manipulations if you want to avoid receiving the fateful memory overload messages.
Why optimize your Google Photos space?
Google Photos is a fantastic solution for saving your memories in the Cloud. However, space is limited, especially for free accounts which must make do with 15 GB for all Google Drive, Gmail and Photos services. When you reach this limit, you quickly feel the consequences: inability to upload new photos, slowdown of certain services, and the need to upgrade to a paid subscription to continue using your account. Before you invest in more storage, try these tips to free up space without spending a dime.
Tip 1: Remove duplicates and unnecessary screenshots
Duplicate files can take up unnecessary space in your storage. They are often difficult to detect manually, in particular because on Google Drive, it is possible to save the same file under several names. s. Luckily, the Files by Google app can save the day.
- Download Files by Google (it’s free and pre-installed on many Android smartphones).
- Access the application, then click on the “Clean” menu (icon at the top left).
- Select the Remove Duplicates option.
The feature automatically lists all photos or videos appearing as duplicates or triples in your library. You can choose to delete either the duplicates one by one, or to delete everything at once. But don’t worry, the application keeps a single copy of deleted files to avoid any accidental loss.
The application is also effective at deleting old, unnecessary screenshots: between tickets from past events, remembered conversations or tips found online, they accumulate quickly. This is an easy category to clean up with the help of Files by Google:
- Return to the Clean tab of the application.
- Look for the Delete Old Screenshots option.
There too, you can view them and refine your selection before deleting everything with one click. Be selective if you care about certain captures, but for the majority of them, purging is welcome.
For images, another option is available directly in the Google Photos application: click on your profile photo at the top right, then go to the settings of the Google Photos application. If you haven’t already, enable the “Stack similar photos” option. You will then notice that some similar photos are displayed together, and that a small number appears at the top right of the photo preview. You can open the photo and keep only the one that interests you.
Tip 2: Detect and remove blurry photos
Not all of your saved photos are worth keeping. Lots of blurry or poorly framed shots clutter your space unnecessarily, and deleting them can save you a lot of space. For this too, Files by Google is effective:
- Go to “Clean” again via the Files app.
- Scroll down and find the Remove Blurred Photos option.
- As with duplicates, you can either delete everything in one click or review each photo before deleting it. Tip: Take a few minutes to review the photos provided, as the algorithm can sometimes make a mistake and include shots that it thinks are low quality, but that you care about.
Tip 3: Compress your photos to save space
To regain a little more space, compression can be an effective solution, although a little radical. This option slightly reduces the quality of your photos and videos to save up to 70% space. Here’s how to enable this feature:
- Log in to Google Photos through your browser.
- Click on Settings (small wheel at the top right).
- Find the Storage Space Saver option and enable it.
Warning: this function is irreversible, so think carefully before activating it. If image quality is a priority for you, opt for regular cleanings instead. Indeed, there is no miracle: if the photo weighs less, it is because its definition will drop significantly!
Some precautions before cleaning
Before you start cleaning up your Google storage, keep these tips in mind:
- Check your backups: Make sure important photos are backed up elsewhere (external hard drive, USB drive, other cloud service).
- Be careful with shared photos: deletion on Google Photos or Drive may affect other users. Check if the files are shared before permanently deleting them.
- Schedule regular cleanings: If you take a lot of photos, a quick cleaning once a month will prevent further saturation.
Enjoy optimized space now
You will have understood, the Files by Google application is the ideal assistant for cleaning up your storage and avoiding switching to a paid solution. With these simple but effective tips, you should be able to free up a lot of space on your Google account. Whether it’s removing duplicates, unnecessary screenshots, or compressing your files, every little bit counts to avoid having to pay for more storage.
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