I accidentally clicked free up space in Google Photos and now I need help recovering my photos. Learn how to turn off free up space in Google Photos and prevent future accidental deletions with these easy-to-follow steps.
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Case 1: "I accidentally clicked on Free up Space And now I'm unable to recover my photo How to Recover??" --- Google Photos Community
Case 2: "I accidentally used the 'Free up space' feature on the google photos mobile app which deleted all my camera photos from my device. How can I revert this without having to manually download one photo at a time." --- Reddit
We've all experienced it: you're looking through your Google Photos, perhaps attempting to free up some space on your phone, then all of a sudden you press the "Free Up Space" button. When you realize what you just did, panic strikes. Don't worry, though! You're not alone if you've unintentionally pushed that button, and it's usually not a fatal situation. What occurs when you hit "Free Up Space", what you can do thereafter, and how to prevent it in the future will all be covered in this article.
Google Photos is an excellent tool for backing up your images and videos, as everyone who has used it knows. One of the features that the app has built in to assist you manage storage on your device is the "Free Up Space" feature.
The Purpose of the "Free Up Space" Feature
This feature's primary objective is to assist you in conserving phone storage. Upon selecting "Free Up Space," Google Photos deletes the previously backed-up images and videos from your device. In essence, it frees up space on your phone by deleting local versions of your media and uploading them to Google's cloud.
How Google Photos "Free Up Space" Works
Google Photos looks through your device to see which pictures and videos have already been backed up to the cloud once you hit that button. Your phone frees up storage space without erasing all of your contents by removing everything that has been safely uploaded.
>> You probably want to know how to backup gallery to Google Drive.
So, what exactly happens to your photos and videos when you accidentally click this feature? Let’s take a closer look.
Is It Permanent? Can I Undo It?
If you’ve just clicked "Free Up Space", don’t worry—it’s not permanent right away. Google Photos simply eliminates local copies of your files; it doesn't permanently erase them. You may always access the files from any internet-connected device because they are still accessible in your Google Photos account online.
Understanding the Impact on Your Photos and Videos
The photos and videos are not deleted outright. The local versions on your device are simply deleted and transferred to the cloud. You may still view, share, and download your material, but doing so requires an online connection.
Now that you understand what happens when you click the button, here’s what you can do if it was an accident.
The first thing to do is check your Google Photos app. Open the app and scroll through your gallery. You'll notice that photos and videos still appear. They just may not be stored on your device anymore.
Yes! Since the photos aren’t deleted but only removed from your phone’s storage, you can still recover them. Here's how:
Even though the "Free Up Space" feature only removes local copies, if you mistakenly delete a photo from Google Photos, it will go to the trash. To recover them:
1. Open Google Photos.
2. Go to the "Library" tab.
3. Tap "Trash".
4. You can restore any deleted items from here.
If you have Google One or another backup service, check if your files are still available through those services. Sometimes, backup services can create additional copies of your media.
Here are some recommendations to help you avoid future blunders if you've learnt the hard way.
You can disable the option if you're afraid you might press the "Free Up Space" button by mistake again. Here’s how:
1. Open Google Photos.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
3. Go to "Photos settings".
4. Select "Back up & Sync".
5. Disable the "Free Up Space" option.
A simple but effective way to avoid mistakes is to always double-check before hitting any button. Especially with storage-related features, you want to ensure that you know exactly what will happen next.
Here are several substitutes if you want to control your storage without utilizing the "Free Up Space" button.
Upgrade to a Google One plan if storage capacity is a persistent problem. More storage for your images, movies, and other files across Google services, such as Gmail and Google Drive, is available with a premium plan.
If you prefer not to rely on the cloud, external storage is always a reliable option. You can back up your photos to an SD card or external hard drive, ensuring they are safely stored but not taking up precious phone space.
>>Let’s learn how to sync Google Photos to external hard drives.
It can be a little unsettling to accidentally click "Free Up Space" on Google Photos, but it's usually not as bad as it looks. You may restore your photographs and videos by following a few easy steps, and they are still safe in the cloud. You may handle your storage without worrying if you know how the function operates, take the appropriate safety measures, and look into other options.
If you're looking for the best way to back up your Google Photos to other cloud services, MultCloud is your go-to solution. This excellent cloud file manager allows you to effortlessly transfer, sync, and backup your photos between multiple cloud platforms, like iCloud Photos, OneDrive, Flickr, and more, without the need for downloading and re-uploading.
With its user-friendly interface and seamless integration, MultCloud makes it incredibly easy to safeguard your precious memories by creating backups across different cloud services, ensuring your photos are never lost, no matter what happens to one of your accounts. Whether you're looking to create a redundancy system or simply manage your cloud storage more efficiently, MultCloud is the smart choice for keeping your Google Photos safe and secure.