How to Delete Backed Up Photos on Google Photos | No Data Loss on Device

Summary

Some people enabled the backup option for photos, and their pictures fill the storage of Google Photos to the max. If you are in the same plight, you can delete the backed up photos on Google Photos. Perhaps you worry the deletion will remove your photos on your mobile phone, tablet, or computer. Actually, we have found the solutions, and share them in this guide.

Part 1: How to Delete Backed-up Photos on Google Photos Automatically

For the convenience, the app of Files by Google is designed to automatically delete the photos backed up in Google Photos. If your photos are saved for 60 days, or your Google Pixel device's storage is less than 25%. However, please notice that the automatic deletion of back-up photos is only accessible for Pixel users on Android S and later.

Tips: Android S refers to Android 12, "S" is the internal code name for Android 12.

Here's how to delete backed up Google photos with Files by Google:

Step 1: If you don't want to remove the photos from your device, please turn off the backup feature on Google Photos in advance: open Google Photos, tap your profile picture and "Photos settings" > "Backup", and then switch it off.

Step 2: Please open Files by Google on your Android device, and tap "Menu" on the top left.

Step 3 : Click "Settings" > "Smart Storage", and choose "OK". Once done, the app will remove those photos backed up on Google Photos over 60 days.

Part 2: How to Delete Photos from Google Photos Backup Manually

If your phone is not Google Pixel, or the Android OS is older than Android 12, you can manually delete your photos from Google Photos. This manual deletion is suitable for all Android devices and computers.

Guide on how to delete photos on Google Backup manually:

Step 1: Open the Google Photos app on your mobile device, and then sign in with the Google Account that you backed up your photos. Then toggle off the "Backup" option in "Photos settings".

Step 2: Select the photos that you want to remove, and click "Delete". Then go to "Trash" to remove the photos completely.

Part 3: Back Up Photos to Computer Without Google Photos

When the cloud storage on Google Photos is used up, you can back up your photos to your computer with an alternative to Google Photos. For instance, you can use Samsung Backup and Restore. This is a direct backup program, transferring all pictures from Android to a PC or Mac via USB or Wi-Fi at once. There is no restriction of quantity or quality. As long as your computer has enough capacity, you can back up countless images and other files.

Main features of this backup and restore software:

- Back up photos to a computer with original quality.

- Allow you to access your photos on your computer directly.

- Restore your backup photos from your computer to any Android device.

- The backup and restore of contacts, videos, apps, documents, text messages, and more, are supported.

- Compatible with Android OS 6.0 and upper, including Android 14.

Download the backup software.

Here's how to back up your photos to your computer:

Step 1: Connect your Android device to your PC or Mac with USB. If you want the wireless backup, please connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi.

Step 2: Launch the Samsung Backup and Restore software, and it will prompt you to enable USB debugging on Android. Once done, click "Backup".

Step 3: Tick off the "Photos" option, and tap "Browser" to select a location. Finally, click "Back Up" to transfer your Android photos to the computer.

Part 4: FAQs on Photo Backup of Google Photos

Q1: How long does Google Photos keep my deleted photos and videos?

Google Photos keeps your deleted photos and videos in the trash for 60 days before permanently deleting them. When you delete your photos from the trash, they will be unrecoverable.

Q2: If I deleted my pictures from Google Photos, would they be removed from Google Drive?

No, deleting your pictures from Google Photos won't automatically remove them from Google Photos. Drive and Photos are separate services with different functionalities. Thus, if you want to upload your photos to Google Drive and Google Photos, you need to upload them twice.

Q3: Do photos stay on Google Photos if I delete them from my phone?

Yes, as long as you upload your photos to Google Photos successfully, they won't be removed after you delete the photos from your smartphone's local Gallery app.

Conclusion

Everyone can delete backed up photos on Google Photos without trouble, and there is no secret or skill in the process. As long as you follow the guide above, you can remove your pictures directly. Furthermore, you can back up your photos to a computer without Google Photos because there is an alternative called Samsung Backup and Restore. This program can back up different file types efficiently. If you don't want to purchase additional cloud storage space, you can utilize your computer's storage.

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Sophie Green Chief Editor

Sophie Green, Chief Editor of Samsung-messages-backup website, has been focusing on the realm of Android Recovery, Android Transfer (Backup), Android Device Tips, Phone Clean, and Phone Transfer technologies. Recognized contributions on leading platforms attest to her esteemed expertise and reliability.