Google Photos is a popular photo and video storage service that offers unlimited storage for high-quality photos and videos. However, there may come a time when you want to delete your Google Photos account or remove specific photos and videos from the service. In this article, we will guide you through the process of deleting Google Photos, including how to delete individual photos and videos, how to delete an album, and how to delete your entire Google Photos account.
Why Delete Google Photos?
Before we dive into the process of deleting Google Photos, let’s explore some reasons why you might want to do so. Here are a few possible reasons:
- Storage space: If you have a large collection of photos and videos, you may be using up a significant amount of storage space on your device. Deleting Google Photos can help free up space on your device.
- Privacy concerns: If you’re concerned about your photos and videos being stored on Google’s servers, you may want to delete your Google Photos account.
- Organization: If you have a large collection of photos and videos, you may want to delete some of them to keep your collection organized.
How to Delete Individual Photos and Videos
Deleting individual photos and videos from Google Photos is a straightforward process. Here’s how to do it:
Using the Google Photos App
- Open the Google Photos app on your device.
- Select the photo or video you want to delete.
- Tap the three vertical dots on the top right corner of the screen.
- Tap “Delete” from the menu.
- Confirm that you want to delete the photo or video.
Using the Google Photos Website
- Go to the Google Photos website on your computer.
- Select the photo or video you want to delete.
- Click the three vertical dots on the top right corner of the screen.
- Click “Delete” from the menu.
- Confirm that you want to delete the photo or video.
How to Delete an Album
Deleting an album from Google Photos is also a straightforward process. Here’s how to do it:
Using the Google Photos App
- Open the Google Photos app on your device.
- Go to the “Albums” tab.
- Select the album you want to delete.
- Tap the three vertical dots on the top right corner of the screen.
- Tap “Delete album” from the menu.
- Confirm that you want to delete the album.
Using the Google Photos Website
- Go to the Google Photos website on your computer.
- Go to the “Albums” tab.
- Select the album you want to delete.
- Click the three vertical dots on the top right corner of the screen.
- Click “Delete album” from the menu.
- Confirm that you want to delete the album.
How to Delete Your Entire Google Photos Account
Deleting your entire Google Photos account is a more involved process, but it’s still relatively straightforward. Here’s how to do it:
Using the Google Account Settings
- Go to the Google Account settings website on your computer.
- Click on “Data & personalization” from the menu.
- Scroll down to the “Delete a service or your account” section.
- Click on “Delete a service.”
- Select “Google Photos” from the list of services.
- Click “Delete” to confirm.
Using the Google Photos App
- Open the Google Photos app on your device.
- Go to the “Settings” menu.
- Scroll down to the “Account” section.
- Tap “Delete Google Photos account.”
- Confirm that you want to delete your account.
What Happens When You Delete Google Photos?
When you delete Google Photos, all of your photos and videos will be removed from the service. However, it’s worth noting that:
- Photos and videos may still be stored on your device: If you have photos and videos stored on your device, they will not be deleted when you delete Google Photos.
- Photos and videos may still be shared with others: If you have shared photos and videos with others, they will still be able to access them even after you delete Google Photos.
- You may lose access to certain features: If you delete Google Photos, you may lose access to certain features, such as the ability to use Google Photos to back up your device.
Alternatives to Google Photos
If you’re looking for alternatives to Google Photos, there are several options available. Here are a few:
- Amazon Prime Photos: Amazon Prime Photos offers unlimited storage for Prime members, as well as features like photo editing and sharing.
- Microsoft OneDrive: Microsoft OneDrive offers 5 GB of free storage, as well as features like photo editing and sharing.
- Apple iCloud Photos: Apple iCloud Photos offers 5 GB of free storage, as well as features like photo editing and sharing.
Conclusion
Deleting Google Photos is a relatively straightforward process, whether you want to delete individual photos and videos, an album, or your entire account. However, it’s worth considering the potential consequences of deleting Google Photos, such as losing access to certain features or having photos and videos still stored on your device. If you’re looking for alternatives to Google Photos, there are several options available, including Amazon Prime Photos, Microsoft OneDrive, and Apple iCloud Photos.
What happens to my Google Photos if I delete the Google Photos app?
Deleting the Google Photos app from your device does not delete your photos. Your photos are stored in the cloud and can be accessed through the Google Photos website or other devices where you have the app installed. To delete your photos, you need to delete them from the Google Photos website or through the app on another device.
It’s essential to note that deleting the app will only remove it from your device, and you will no longer be able to access your photos through that device. However, your photos will still be available on other devices and through the Google Photos website. If you want to delete your photos, you need to follow the steps to delete them from the Google Photos website or through the app on another device.
How do I delete multiple photos at once in Google Photos?
To delete multiple photos at once in Google Photos, you can select the photos you want to delete by long-pressing on the first photo and then tapping on the other photos you want to delete. Once you have selected all the photos you want to delete, tap on the trash can icon at the top right corner of the screen. Confirm that you want to delete the selected photos by tapping on “Move to trash” or “Delete.”
Alternatively, you can also use the “Select all” option to delete all the photos in an album or folder. To do this, open the album or folder, tap on the three vertical dots at the top right corner, and select “Select all.” Then, tap on the trash can icon to delete all the selected photos.
Can I recover deleted photos from Google Photos?
Yes, you can recover deleted photos from Google Photos, but only if you act quickly. When you delete a photo, it is moved to the “Trash” folder, where it is stored for 60 days. During this time, you can recover the photo by going to the “Trash” folder and selecting the photo you want to recover. Tap on the three vertical dots at the top right corner and select “Restore” to recover the photo.
After 60 days, the photo is permanently deleted, and you will not be able to recover it. Therefore, it’s essential to act quickly if you want to recover a deleted photo. If you have deleted a photo and want to recover it, go to the “Trash” folder as soon as possible and follow the steps to recover the photo.
How do I delete my Google Photos account?
To delete your Google Photos account, you need to delete your Google account. Deleting your Google account will delete all your Google data, including your Google Photos. To delete your Google account, go to the Google account settings page, click on “Data & personalization,” and select “Delete a service or your account.” Then, select “Delete your account” and follow the prompts to confirm.
Please note that deleting your Google account will delete all your Google data, including your Google Photos, Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services. Therefore, make sure you have backed up any important data before deleting your Google account.
Will deleting Google Photos delete my device’s photos?
Deleting Google Photos will not delete the photos stored on your device. Google Photos is a cloud storage service that stores your photos online, and deleting the app or your Google Photos account will only delete the photos stored in the cloud. The photos stored on your device will remain intact.
However, if you have enabled the “Backup & sync” feature in Google Photos, deleting the app or your Google Photos account may stop the backup process, and new photos taken on your device may not be backed up to Google Photos. To continue backing up your device’s photos, you need to enable the “Backup & sync” feature again or use another backup service.
How do I delete photos from Google Photos on my computer?
To delete photos from Google Photos on your computer, go to the Google Photos website and sign in to your Google account. Select the photos you want to delete by clicking on them, and then click on the trash can icon at the top right corner of the screen. Confirm that you want to delete the selected photos by clicking on “Move to trash” or “Delete.”
Alternatively, you can also use the “Select all” option to delete all the photos in an album or folder. To do this, open the album or folder, click on the three vertical dots at the top right corner, and select “Select all.” Then, click on the trash can icon to delete all the selected photos.
Will deleting Google Photos affect my other Google services?
Deleting Google Photos will not affect your other Google services, such as Gmail, Google Drive, or Google Calendar. Google Photos is a separate service that stores your photos online, and deleting it will only delete the photos stored in the cloud.
However, if you have enabled the “Backup & sync” feature in Google Photos, deleting the app or your Google Photos account may stop the backup process, and new photos taken on your device may not be backed up to Google Photos. Additionally, if you have shared photos with others through Google Photos, deleting the app or your Google Photos account may affect the shared photos.