Free up Google storage space

If you need to clear storage space in your account, you can do it through Google One. Use the Storage Manager in the Google One app or on the website to preview and delete large Photos and Drive files. You can also discard or permanently delete items in Photos, Gmail, and Drive from Google One web. Learn the difference between discarded and deleted files.

Tip: Both paying and non-paying Google One users can use the Storage Manager. However, to use additional features, like family sharing and customer support from Google One experts, you need to sign up for a Google One plan.

Manage storage on your device

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google One app Google One.
  2. At the bottom, tap Storage.
  3. Under "Get your space back," tap Free up account storage.
  4. Under the category you want to manage, tap Review and free.
  5. Select the files you want to remove.
    • To sort files, at the top right, tap Sort . You can't sort some categories.
    • To preview files before you delete them, tap the photos, videos, and certain emails.
  6. After you select your files, at the top, tap Delete .
  7. To confirm, tap Permanently delete.

Issues with your storage space

Family members use too much shared storage

Storage space doesn't change after upgrade

It may take up to 24 hours for your new storage to become available. Check again in a day to verify if your storage space updates.

Available storage doesn't go up as much as expected

Tip: If you change your storage limit, it can take up to 24 hours for the changes to apply to your account.

A Google One membership replaces your current storage plan. The storage from your Google One membership becomes your new storage limit and isn't added on top of your existing storage.

If you got storage as part of a promotion, you keep the extra storage.

Learn more about how Google One works with existing storage.

Available storage doesn't increase after you delete files

You can't send or receive emails after the upgrade

If you change your storage limit, it can take up to 24 hours for the changes to apply to your account. In these 24 hours, messages you send or receive through Gmail can be affected. Try these troubleshooting steps:

  1. Sign out of your Google Account, then sign back in.
  2. Send a test email to yourself.
  3. If that doesn't work:
    • Open an incognito window and log into your Gmail account. Then, try to send an email.
    • Use a different browser like Internet Explorer or Firefox to open your Google Account. Try to send an email.

If you still can't send messages, wait 24 hours and try again.

What happens if you run out of space

All your files stay safe, but you can't store anything new. For example:

Gmail

You can't send or receive messages. Messages sent to you are returned to the sender.

Important: As of June 1, 2021, if you remain inactive or go over your storage quota for 2 years or longer, all of your emails may be deleted.

Google Drive

You can't sync or upload new files. You can't create new files in Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings, Forms, and Jamboard. Until you reduce the amount of storage you use, neither you nor anyone else can edit or copy your files. Syncs stop between your computer's Google Drive folder and My Drive.

Important: As of June 1, 2021, if you remain inactive or go over your storage quota for 2 years or longer, all of your emails may be deleted.

Google Photos

You can't back up any photos or videos. If you want to add any more photos and videos, you can free up Google storage space or buy more Google storage.

Free up storage space

Important: As of June 1, 2021, if you remain inactive or go over your storage quota for 2 years or longer, all of your emails may be deleted.

Learn more about clearing space on Google Drive.

Manage subscriptions not purchased on the App Store

If you use the Google One website or another device to sign up for a plan, but you don't buy a plan via the App Store:

  • You can download the Google One app onto your Apple device.
  • You can't change your Google One plan on your iPhone or iPad.

If you want to adjust your account and manage your membership via the app, you must buy a plan with an Apple subscription.

Step 1: Cancel your Google One plan

On your computer:

  1. Go to Google One.
  2. Cancel the Google One plan you previously bought.

Step 2: Buy a Google One plan with an Apple subscription

On your iPhone or iPad:

  1. Download the Google One app from the App store.
  2. Open the Google One app Google One.
  3. At the top left, tap Menu Menu and then Membership plan.
  4. Select a Google One plan.
  5. After you pick your plan, in the App Store, confirm your new subscription.

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