I Accidentally Clicked "Free Up Space" in Google Photos – What Now?

Quick Search:

• I Accidentally Clicked "Free Up Space" in Google Photos – What Now?
• What Does "Free Up Space" Mean in Google Photos?
• What Happens When You Click "Free Up Space"?
• What to Do If You Accidentally Clicked "Free Up Space"
• How to Avoid Accidental Space-Freeing in the Future
• Alternatives to "Free Up Space" in Google Photos
• Conclusion
• Bonus Tip: Best Way to Backup Google Photos to Other Clouds

I Accidentally Clicked "Free Up Space" in Google Photos – What Now?

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.

What Does "Free Up Space" Mean in Google Photos?

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.

What Happens When You Click "Free Up Space"?

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.

What to Do If You Accidentally Clicked "Free Up Space"

Now that you understand what happens when you click the button, here’s what you can do if it was an accident.

Check Your Photos and Videos

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.

Can You Recover Photos After "Freeing Up Space"?

Yes! Since the photos aren’t deleted but only removed from your phone’s storage, you can still recover them. Here's how:

1. Use Google Photos Trash

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.

2. Check for Backup Options

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.

How to Avoid Accidental Space-Freeing in the Future

Here are some recommendations to help you avoid future blunders if you've learnt the hard way.

1. Disable "Free Up Space" Feature in Settings

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.

2. Double-Check Before Clicking

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.

Alternatives to "Free Up Space" in Google Photos

Here are several substitutes if you want to control your storage without utilizing the "Free Up Space" button.

1. Using Google Photos with a Paid Plan

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.

2. Backing Up Photos to External Storage

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.

Conclusion

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.

Bonus Tip: Best Way to Backup Google Photos to Other Clouds

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.