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Google Pixel • Slow or full • 10–30 minutes

Free up space from photos — Google Pixel

Safety firstDeleting in Google Photos can delete the item from Google Photos and synced devices. Use Free up space only after Backup complete appears.
First protect the photos you want to keep. After Google Photos says the backup is complete, you can remove only the phone’s local copies.

  1. Check for an Android update

    Open Settings > System > Software updates > System update, then tap Check for update. Follow the on-screen steps if one is available.

  2. Confirm the photos are safely backed up

    Open Google Photos and tap your profile picture. Look for the words Backup complete. This check matters because the next step removes local copies from the Pixel. If you see a number of items remaining instead, keep the Pixel on Wi‑Fi and power and wait before continuing.

  3. Remove only copies that are already backed up

    After Backup complete appears, tap your profile picture > Free up space on this device. Read how much space Google Photos can free, then tap the button. This removes backed-up copies from the Pixel while leaving them available in Google Photos.

  4. Review device folders that may not be backed up

    Open Google Photos > Collections > On this device. Open Screenshots or another folder and look for a crossed-out cloud symbol or a backup setting. Touch and hold only an item you do not need, choose more items if wanted, then tap Trash.

  5. Review the largest cloud items separately

    Open Google Photos > your profile picture > Photos settings > Backup > Manage storage. Open Large photos & videos to find items using the most Google Account storage, and delete only items you do not need.

  6. Empty the trash only when sure

    Open Google Photos > Collections > Trash. Review the items first, then tap More > Empty Trash > Delete permanently only when you are sure.

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