How to Empty the Trash on an Android Phone

Are you looking to free up storage on your Android phone? You may have read or heard about clearing the trash, but what is trash, and how do you empty the trash on an Android phone? This tutorial includes everything you need to know about clearing the trash on Android without a system trash folder.

Good to know: did you know you can use your Android phone as a remote for Android TV? Learn how to set it up.

Where Is the Trash on an Android Phone?

You have probably heard the expression “send to trash.” Trash, on a device, is usually a folder that keeps your deleted items for several days before deleting them permanently. You can restore the deleted items before the final expiration date.

However, unlike the Windows operating system, Android doesn’t have a dedicated trash or recycle bin. However, there are some apps that offer a trash folder. If you are looking to empty the trash on an Android phone, you will have to check each app manually.

Tip: if you have an iOS handset instead, learn how to empty the trash on an iPhone.

How to Empty the Trash on the Google Files App

The trash folder on the Google Files app keeps the files for 30 days, after which they are deleted permanently. Here’s how to clear the trash in the Google Files app before that 30-day mark:

1. Open the Google Files app on your phone.
2. Tap the hamburger icon at the top and select “Trash” from the menu.

3. Tap on the circle next to “All items” to select everything in the Trash. Tap the “Delete” button at the bottom to empty the trash in the app.

Tip: learn how to find downloaded files on an Android phone.

How to Empty the Trash in the Google Photos App

Another popular app with a trash folder is the Google Photos app. Interestingly, Google Photos holds your deleted items in the trash for 60 days, provided they were backed up. The items that aren’t backed up will be deleted after 30 days. Follow these steps to empty the trash in the Google Photos app:

1. Open the Google Photos app on your phone.
2. Tap the “Library” tab at the bottom, then tap “Trash.”

3. Tap on the three-dot icon at the top and select “Empty trash” from the menu to delete everything in the trash folder.

4. Alternatively, if you want to delete only certain items from the Trash folder, tap “Select,” then select the items you would like to delete by tapping on them. Tap on “Delete” at the bottom.

How to Empty the Trash in Google Drive

Follow these steps to clear the trash in the Google Drive app manually; otherwise, the trash will be automatically cleared 30 days after deleting the files.

1. Launch the Google Drive app on your Android phone.
2. Tap on the hamburger menu in the top-left corner and select “Trash.”

3. Tap the three-dot icon at the top and select “Empty Trash” from the menu.

Tip: learn how to see the number of files in a Google Drive folder.

How to Empty the Trash in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides

As with Google Drive, the Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides apps also keep deleted items for 30 days in the trash folder.

1. Open the Google Docs or Sheets app on your phone.
2. Tap the hamburger menu at the top and choose “Trash” from the menu.

3. The deleted items will appear. Tap on the three-dot icon next to the item that you want to permanently delete and select “Delete forever.” Unfortunately, you must repeat this step manually for each file you wish to delete permanently.

How to Empty the Trash in Gmail

Gmail also keeps your deleted email in the trash for 30 days. Follow the steps below to empty Gmail’s trash manually.

1. Open the Gmail app on your device.
2. Press the hamburger menu to open the navigation drawer. Select “Trash.”

3. Tap on “Empty trash now” to delete everything in Gmail’s trash on your Android phone.

Tip: automate Gmail with these useful scripts and use your email like a pro.

How to Empty the Trash in Google Keep

Google Keep’s trash is cleared automatically after seven days. To empty the trash before seven days, follow these steps:

1. Launch the Google Keep app on your phone.
2. Press the hamburger menu at the top and tap “Trash.”

3. Tap the three-dot icon at the top and select “Empty Trash” from the menu.

Tip: check out the best Google Keep tips and tricks to use it like a pro.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between archive and trash on Android?

If available, the archive feature hides an item from the main view of the app but doesn’t delete it. To the contrary, the trash folder contains the already deleted items. Moreover, the items in the trash folder will be permanently deleted at some point. This isn’t the case with the archive, where items stay until they are unarchived.

Is there a way to clear the trash in the Google Messages app?

The Google Messages app doesn’t offer a trash folder. When you delete a message, it’s deleted permanently.

What are some other ways to free up space on an Android phone?

You can clear the cache and data of apps, delete unused apps, remove old files, etc. Check out our detailed guide on how to free up storage on Android.

All images and screenshots by Mehvish Mushtaq.