How to Empty Trash on Android Devices and Free Up Disk Space.
Learn how to empty the trash bin on your Android phone. If you are running out of space and need to delete trash files on Android, this post is for you. I show you a few steps using both the Gallery app and the Files by Google app.
I used a Sony Xperia 1V with Android 15 for these steps. Most Android phones work in a very similar way.
Sometimes you delete big videos or photos, but the space on your phone does not free up right away. That is because Android moves deleted files to a trash or bin folder first. Files stay there for about 30 days before being permanently deleted. If you need space right now, you have to empty that bin manually.
Why Your Phone Still Shows Low Storage After Deleting Files
When you delete a photo or video on Android, it does not disappear instantly. It goes to a bin folder, just like the Recycle Bin on Windows. The file still takes up space on your phone while it sits in the bin. After 30 days, Android automatically removes it for good. But if you need storage space today, you have to empty the bin yourself.
How to Empty Trash Using the Gallery App
This method only deletes photos and videos. It will not touch documents, downloads, or other file types. This is a good choice if you only want to clean up pictures and videos.
Step 1: Open the Gallery app on your Android phone.
Step 2: Look for the three lines menu button. This is usually in the top left or top right corner. It looks like three horizontal lines stacked on top of each other. Some people call this the hamburger menu.
Step 3: Tap on “Bin” or “Trash” from the menu.
Step 4: You will see all the photos and videos you have deleted recently. They will be permanently removed after 30 days.
Step 5: To empty everything, look for an “Empty” or “Empty bin” button. Tap it.
Step 6: Confirm that you want to delete everything permanently.
If you do not want to delete everything, you can also select specific files:
· Long press on one photo or video.
· Tap to check the boxes on the ones you want to delete.
· Tap the delete or trash icon.
· Confirm that you want to permanently delete them.
You can also restore files from the bin if you change your mind. Just select the file and tap “Restore.”
How to Empty Trash Using the Files by Google App
This method works for all file types – photos, videos, documents, downloads, and more. Use this if you want to clean up everything on your phone.
Step 1: Open the Files by Google app.
Step 2: Tap the three lines menu button in the top left corner.
Step 3: Tap on “Bin” from the menu.
Step 4: You will see all the files you have deleted. The app will show you how much space each file takes up.
Step 5: To delete everything, tap “Select all” and then tap “Delete.”
Step 6: Confirm that you want to delete permanently.
To delete only specific files:
· Tap to check the boxes on the files you want to remove.
· Tap the delete button.
· Confirm the deletion.
The Files app also lets you switch between internal storage and an SD card if your phone has one. Just look for the option at the top of the bin screen.
A Few Things to Know About the Bin Folder
Files stay in the bin for 30 days. After that, Android deletes them automatically. You do not have to empty the bin regularly if you do not need the space right away.
The Gallery app only shows photos and videos. If you delete a PDF or a Word document, it will not appear in the Gallery bin. You have to use the Files app to see and delete those.
The bin size shown in the Files app may not update instantly. Sometimes you need to close and reopen the app to see the correct free space.
How to Free Up Even More Space by Moving Files Off Your Phone
Emptying the bin helps, but moving large files off your phone frees up much more space. Here are two ways to do that. I show you how to do both.
Move files to an external SSD drive
You can connect an external SSD like the Samsung T7 Shield directly to your Android phone.
Step 1: Connect the SSD to your phone using a USB-C cable.
Step 2: Open the Files by Google app.
Step 3: Find the files you want to move. These could be in Internal Storage under DCIM for camera photos or Downloads for other files.
Step 4: Long press to select the files.
Step 5: Tap the three dots menu and choose “Move to.”
Step 6: Select your external SSD as the destination.
Step 7: Confirm the move.
Moving files is better than copying because it removes them from your phone right away. If you copy instead of move, you have to delete the originals manually afterward.
Move files to a computer
You can also connect your Android phone to a Windows PC or a Mac.
Step 1: Connect your phone to the computer using a USB cable.
Step 2: On your phone, swipe down from the top of the screen. Tap the notification that says “Charging this device via USB.”
Step 3: Change the setting to “File transfer” or “MTP.”
Step 4: On your computer, open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac). Your phone should appear as a drive.
Step 5: Open your phone’s internal storage and find your photos and videos. They are usually in DCIM > Camera.
Step 6: Drag the files to your computer hard drive.
Step 7: After the transfer completes, you can delete the files from your phone to free up space.
A tip if your device does not connect
Sometimes Android does not connect to a PC properly. Sometimes an external drive does not show up on Android. Try these fixes:
· Use a different USB cable.
· If you are using a USB-C cable, unplug it, turn the plug around, and plug it back in. USB-C works both ways, but some cables or ports are picky about orientation.
· Restart your phone and try again.
· Make sure your phone is unlocked when you connect the cable.
Important Reminder Before Deleting or Moving Files
Always make sure your files are safely transferred before deleting them from your phone. Check that the files open properly on your computer or external drive. Once you empty the bin or permanently delete files from your phone, you cannot get them back.
I hope this helps you free up space on your Android phone. Start by checking your bin folder. That is the easiest space to free up right away. Then think about moving large videos and photos to an external drive or computer for long-term storage.
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