How to Delete All Photos on Google Photos: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re looking to perform a digital spring cleaning on your Google Photos library? Perhaps you’re migrating to a new service, reorganizing your digital life, or simply starting fresh. Whatever the reason, the process of deleting all your photos at once isn’t as straightforward as you might expect. Let’s dive in and dissect the exact steps, caveats, and best practices.

Here’s the concise answer you’re looking for: Google Photos doesn’t offer a single button to delete all your photos at once. You’ll need to use a workaround by selecting a large batch of photos and deleting them, repeating this process until your library is empty. Depending on whether you’re using the mobile app or the web interface, the selection process will vary.

Deleting Photos from Google Photos: Step-by-Step

The methods vary slightly between the mobile app (Android and iOS) and the web interface (desktop). Let’s break down each approach:

Method 1: Deleting on the Web Interface (Desktop)

The desktop interface offers a slightly quicker method for batch selection, though still not a one-click solution.

1. Open Google Photos in your browser: Go to photos.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
2. Select the first photo: Click on the first photo you want to delete. This will open the photo in a larger view.
3. Initiate batch selection: Hold down the Shift key and scroll down to the last photo you wish to include in your initial batch deletion.
4. Click the last photo: While still holding the Shift key, click on the last photo. This will select all photos between the first and last clicked images. Google Photos will visually highlight the selected images.
5. Delete the selected photos: Click the Trash Can icon in the top right corner of the screen.
6. Confirm deletion: A pop-up window will appear asking you to confirm. Click “Move to trash.” The deleted photos will be moved to the Trash.
7. Empty the Trash: To permanently delete the photos and free up storage, click on “Trash” in the left-hand menu. Then, click “Empty trash” in the top right corner and confirm. Note that items stay in the trash for 60 days before being automatically deleted.
8. Repeat: Because Google Photos doesn’t allow selecting all photos at once, you will have to repeat steps 2-7 to select and delete the remaining photos in batches.

Method 2: Deleting on the Mobile App (Android and iOS)

The mobile app requires a bit more manual effort, but it’s certainly doable.

1. Open the Google Photos app: Launch the Google Photos app on your Android or iOS device.
2. Select the first photo: Long-press on the first photo you want to delete. A blue checkmark will appear on the photo, indicating it’s selected.
3. Select additional photos: Tap on each subsequent photo you want to delete. Each tap will add a blue checkmark, selecting the image.
4. Batch selection trick: For faster selection, after selecting the first few photos, you can try swiping down with your finger held down on the screen. This might allow you to select multiple photos quickly, but this behavior can be inconsistent.
5. Delete the selected photos: Once you’ve selected your batch, tap the Trash Can icon at the bottom of the screen.
6. Confirm deletion: A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm. Tap “Move to trash.” The deleted photos are now in the Trash.
7. Empty the Trash: To permanently remove the photos, tap “Library” at the bottom, then “Trash.” Tap the three dots (menu) in the top right corner and select “Empty trash.” Confirm your decision. Again, remember the 60-day grace period before automatic deletion from the trash.
8. Repeat: Repeat steps 2-7 until you’ve deleted all the desired photos.

Method 3: Using Google Takeout (For Backup Before Deletion – Highly Recommended)

Before you embark on this mass deletion journey, it’s highly recommended that you back up your photos using Google Takeout. This allows you to download a complete archive of your photos and videos before permanently removing them from Google Photos.

1. Go to Google Takeout: Navigate to takeout.google.com.
2. Select Google Photos: Under “Select data to include,” find Google Photos and check the box next to it.
3. Customize the download: You can choose to download all photo albums or select specific albums. You can also customize the file type (.zip or .tgz) and the archive size.
4. Create the export: Click “Next step” and choose your delivery method (e.g., send download link via email, add to Google Drive, add to Dropbox, add to OneDrive).
5. Start the export: Click “Create export.” Google will then prepare your archive, which may take hours or even days depending on the size of your library. You’ll receive an email when the archive is ready.
6. Download the archive: Download the .zip files and extract them to your computer. This provides you with a local backup of all your photos and videos. This is crucial before deleting everything!

Important Considerations Before Deleting

• Synchronization: Deleting photos from Google Photos will typically delete them from all devices where Google Photos is synced, including your phone, tablet, and other computers.
• Storage: Deleting photos will free up storage space in your Google account, which may be important if you’re nearing your storage limit.
• Irreversible Action: Once you empty the Trash, the photos are permanently deleted, and there’s no way to recover them unless you have a backup. Therefore, backup using Google Takeout or another method is of the highest importance!
• Shared Albums: Deleting photos that are part of shared albums will remove them from those albums, potentially affecting others who have access.
• Linked Services: Be mindful of other Google services that may be linked to Google Photos, such as Google Drive or Google Arts & Culture. Deleting photos from Google Photos may affect their appearance in these other services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the process and address common concerns:

FAQ 1: Can I delete all photos at once on Google Photos?

No, Google Photos doesn’t offer a dedicated “delete all” button. You must select photos in batches and delete them iteratively. This limitation is designed to prevent accidental mass deletions.

FAQ 2: Is there a faster way to select photos in bulk?

On the web interface, holding down the Shift key while clicking the first and last photos in a range is the fastest method for selecting photos in bulk. On mobile, swiping down with your finger after selecting a few photos sometimes works but is less reliable.

FAQ 3: How long do deleted photos stay in the Trash?

Deleted photos remain in the Trash for 60 days. After this period, they are automatically and permanently deleted.

FAQ 4: Can I recover photos deleted from the Trash?

Once you’ve emptied the Trash, the photos are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered through Google Photos. This is why a backup beforehand is absolutely critical.

FAQ 5: Will deleting photos from Google Photos delete them from my phone?

If Google Photos is syncing photos from your phone, deleting them from Google Photos will also delete them from your phone’s gallery. Ensure you understand the syncing settings before proceeding.

FAQ 6: How do I stop Google Photos from syncing to my phone?

You can disable the “Backup and sync” option in the Google Photos app settings on your phone. This will prevent new photos from being automatically uploaded to Google Photos.

FAQ 7: Will deleting photos free up storage space in my Google account?

Yes, deleting photos will free up storage space in your Google account, which is especially important if you’re nearing your storage limit. The space is freed only after you empty the Trash.

FAQ 8: What happens to photos in shared albums if I delete them?

Deleting photos that are part of shared albums will remove them from those albums. Other users who have access to the shared albums will no longer be able to see the deleted photos.

FAQ 9: How do I download all my photos before deleting them?

Use Google Takeout to download an archive of all your photos and videos. This is a crucial step to back up your data before permanent deletion.

FAQ 10: Is there a way to automate the deletion process?

Technically, you could explore using third-party apps or browser extensions that claim to automate the selection and deletion process. However, be extremely cautious, as these tools may pose security risks or violate Google’s terms of service. Proceed with extreme caution and only use reputable sources after thorough research. It is generally not recommended.

FAQ 11: What happens if I accidentally delete the wrong photos?

If you haven’t emptied the Trash, you can restore the accidentally deleted photos by selecting them in the Trash and clicking “Restore.” If you’ve already emptied the Trash, and you don’t have a backup, they are gone permanently.

FAQ 12: Does deleting photos from Google Photos affect other Google services?

Potentially, yes. Be mindful of how Google Photos integrates with other Google services like Google Drive. For instance, if you are backing up photos to Google Photos from a Google Drive folder, deleting those photos from Google Photos will not delete them from the Google Drive folder. But, any photos displayed in Google services that are solely from Google Photos will be affected.

Deleting all your photos from Google Photos requires patience and careful execution. By following these steps and considering the FAQs, you can effectively clean your digital library while minimizing the risk of data loss. Remember to always back up your data before making irreversible changes!