To permanently delete all your Google Photos, you need to follow a two-step process: first, move the photos to the trash, and then, empty the trash. This ensures that the photos are removed from your Google Photos library and subsequently from Google's servers.
Step-by-Step Guide to Permanently Deleting All Google Photos
Deleting all your photos from Google Photos requires careful execution to ensure permanent removal. Here's a detailed breakdown:
Step 1: Move All Photos to the Trash
This initial step removes photos from your main Google Photos library, placing them in a temporary holding area.
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Access Google Photos: Open your web browser and go to photos.google.com. Log in to your Google account if prompted.
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Select All Photos:
- To select all your photos, find the most recent photo in your library.
- Click on this most recent photo.
- Scroll all the way down to the very bottom of your Google Photos library until you see the earliest photo.
- Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and click on the earliest photo. This action will select every photo between the first and last clicked, effectively selecting all your photos.
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Delete Selected Photos: Once all photos are selected, click the Trash can icon (or "Delete") usually located in the top right corner of the screen.
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Confirm Deletion: A confirmation pop-up will appear, asking if you want to move the selected items to trash. Click Move to trash to confirm.
- Note: Photos moved to the trash will remain there for 60 days before being automatically deleted permanently. However, to delete them immediately, you must proceed to Step 2.
Step 2: Empty the Trash to Permanently Delete
This final step ensures that your photos are irrevocably removed from your Google Photos account.
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Navigate to Trash: On the left-hand menu in Google Photos, click on Trash (or "Bin").
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Empty Trash:
- In the Trash section, you will see the photos you just moved.
- To permanently delete them all, click on Empty trash in the top right corner.
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Final Confirmation: Another pop-up will appear, warning you that emptying the trash will permanently delete all items in it. Click Delete permanently to confirm.
- Warning: Once you empty the trash, these photos cannot be recovered.
Important Considerations Before Deleting
Before proceeding with the permanent deletion of all your Google Photos, it's crucial to consider the following:
Back Up Your Photos
Once photos are permanently deleted, they are unrecoverable. It is highly recommended to download a copy of your entire photo library before initiating the deletion process.
- Google Takeout: The easiest way to download all your data, including photos, is by using Google Takeout.
- Go to Google Takeout.
- Deselect all services except "Google Photos."
- Choose your preferred file type, archive size, and delivery method (e.g., download link via email).
- Create the export. This process can take hours or even days depending on the size of your library.
- Manual Download: For smaller collections, you can select albums or specific date ranges in Google Photos and use the three-dot menu to download them.
Understand the Impact
- Irreversible Loss: Once permanently deleted from the trash, photos are gone forever from Google Photos and Google's servers.
- Shared Albums: If your photos were part of shared albums, they will be removed from those albums for all participants once deleted from your account.
- Linked Services: Deleting photos from Google Photos might affect other Google services or third-party apps that were linked to your photo library.
- Device Sync: Deleting photos from Google Photos generally does not delete them from your device's local storage unless you have "Sync & backup" enabled and specifically choose to "Free up space" after deletion. Always check your device's settings.
Quick Deletion Process Summary
| Action | Description | Recovery Window | Irreversible? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Move to Trash | Removes photos from your main library and places them in the Trash folder. | 60 days | No |
| Empty Trash (Permanently) | Deletes photos from the Trash folder, removing them from Google's servers. | None | Yes |
