Gmail offers 15GB of free storage for each new account, and that space fills up fast. It is shared across all Google services, whether it’s Photos, Drive, or anyGoogle Workspaceapps you use. To get extra room in your Gmail storage, upgrade to a paidGoogle Onestorage plan or clean up existing files. We walk you through some digital cleaning tips to try when your Gmail storage is full. Try these tips on your desktop rather than a5G Android phoneor iPhone for an easier time managing files.
Delete large files from your Google account
The Gmail storage is shared by other Google apps. A large file saved on your Google Drive can block Gmail from receiving new emails. Instead of deleting hundreds of emails, delete a few large files from your Google Drive to free up space.
How to delete large files in Google Drive on your desktop
1.OpenGoogle Driveon your desktop
2.ClickStorageon the left side of the screen. Your files are listed from largest to smallest.
3.Select the large files you want to delete, then click thetrash bin iconat the top to move the selected files to theTrash folder.
4.Open theTrashfolder by clicking thetrash bin iconon the left.
5.Click theEmpty trashoption at the top, then clickDelete forever. All the files are deleted from your Google account.
How to delete large files in Google Drive on your phone
1.Open theGoogle Drive appon your phone.
2.TapFilesin the lower-right corner.
3.TapNamenear theMy Drivetab at the top, then selectStorage used. Your files are arranged from largest to smallest.
4.Long press the file you want to delete.
5.Tap thetrash bin iconat the top, then tapMove to trash.
6.Tap thethree stacked lines iconin the upper-left corner, then selectTrash.
7.TapEmpty trashat the top to delete files from your Google account.
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Get rid of junk mail
Emails from retailers, mailing lists, and other automated lists can quickly take up storage space. Delete these promotional emails from your Gmail to free up some space. We show you how to do that using a shortcut on the desktop and a smartphone.
1.OpenGmailon your phone and desktop.
3.On a desktop, click thecheckboxin the top bar to select all messages at once. To select all emails on your phone, long press one email and tap theSelect alloption that appears.
4.Move the emails to the trash by selecting thetrash bin iconat the top.
5.Open theTrash folderin the Gmail sidebar. On your smartphone, tap thethree stacked lines iconin the upper-left corner, then selectTrash.
6.SelectEmpty trash nowto remove emails from your Gmail storage.
Delete emails with large attachments
If your Gmail storage is full, large attachments are likely to blame. Emails with text don’t take up much storage space, but those with large attachments such as documents, videos, or photos can quickly consume your 15GB of free storage.
Delete emails with large attachments using these steps:
1.OpenGmailon your phone or desktop.
2.Use the search bar at the top to search forsize:5m. Gmail displays all emails that are 5MB or larger.
3.Select the emails you want to delete and move them to the trash by clicking thetrash bin iconat the top.
4.Open theTrashfolder in the Gmail sidebar. On your smartphone, tap thethree stacked lines iconin the upper-left corner, then selectTrash.
5.SelectEmpty trashnowto remove emails from your Gmail storage.
Empty your Gmail spam folder
Google automatically moves emails it considers spam to the spam folder. These emails are deleted after 30 days. When you want to free up space instantly, clear out the spam folder.
2.On your desktop, clickMoreand selectSpamfrom the expanded menu. To open the spam folder on your phone, select thethree stacked lines iconand tapSpam.
3.In your Spam folder, selectDelete all spam messages now.
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Delete photos and videos from Google Photos
Your Gmail storage works with Google Photos. Backing up photos and videos to Google Photos can eat up most of your free 15GB of storage. To free up space for Gmail, delete photos and videos from Google Photos. Be sure to download them to your device to keep them safe.
How to delete media from Google Photos on your desktop
1.Navigate toGoogle Photoson the web.
2.Click the graycheckmark iconin the upper-left corner of the photo or video you want to delete.
3.Click thetrash iconin the upper-right corner, then selectMove to trash.
4.Select theTrashicon on the left and clickEmpty trashin the upper-right corner.
5.ClickEmpty trashagain.
How to delete media from Google Photos on your phone
1.Open theGoogle Photosapp on your phone.
2.Long press to select the photo or video you want to delete.
3.Tap thetrash can iconin the upper-right corner, then tapAllow.
4.Tap theLibraryoption in the lower-right corner.
5.SelectTrash.
6.Tap thethree dots iconin the upper-right corner, then selectEmpty trash.
7.TapDeletetoremove the photos and videos from your Google account.
