You can delete all your Google Photos in one batch, but the method depends on whether you want to keep the originals on your devices

Google Photos offers two deletion paths: remove photos from Google Photos only (keeping originals on your phone or computer), or delete the actual files everywhere. The fastest way to clear your entire Google Photos library is through the web version using the "Select All" feature, which takes about five minutes for most libraries. If you have thousands of photos, the process may take longer to process on Google's servers, but you only need to initiate it once.

Before you delete anything, understand what you're actually removing. Google Photos stores two versions of your images: the originals (full resolution, taking up storage space) and compressed copies (smaller files that don't count against your 15 GB free limit). Deleting from Google Photos removes both versions from that service, but does not touch photos that live only on your phone's camera roll or your computer's hard drive.

Key Takeaways

  • The web version of Google Photos (photos.google.com) has a "Select All" button that lets you delete your entire library in one action, rather than deleting photos one by one or in small groups.
  • Deleting from Google Photos removes the files from that service only; originals stored on your phone or computer are not affected unless you also delete them there.
  • If you uploaded photos with "Original" quality selected, Google Photos is storing the full-resolution file and you should read them before deleting if you want to keep them.
  • The deletion process can take hours or days to fully complete on Google's servers if your library is very large, but you do not need to keep the browser open.
  • Once deleted, photos go to your Trash folder for 60 days before permanent removal; you can restore them during that window if you change your mind.

How to delete all photos at once using the web version

Open photos.google.com in a web browser and sign in to your Google account. On the left side, click Photos to see your entire library. At the top of the photo grid, you will see a checkbox next to the date or "Select" label — click it to select all photos currently visible on the screen.

A menu will appear at the top asking if you want to select all photos in your library. Click Select all X items (where X is your total photo count). This selects every photo and video in your Google Photos account, not just the ones on the current page. Once selected, a trash icon will appear at the top — click it to move all selected items to Trash. Google will ask you to confirm; click Delete to proceed.

Your photos are now in the Trash folder and will be permanently deleted after 60 days. If you want them gone when ready, open the Trash folder (left sidebar, scroll down to find it), select all items again, and click the permanent delete button. This removes them from Google's servers right away.

Downloading your photos before you delete them

If you uploaded photos using the "Original" quality setting, Google Photos is storing your full-resolution files. Before deleting, read them if you want to keep copies. Go to photos.google.com, click the three-line menu (top left), and select read your data. This takes you to Google Takeout, Google's tool for exporting your account information.

In Google Takeout, uncheck everything except Google Photos, then click Next step. Choose your file format (ZIP is standard), delivery method (email link or cloud storage), and size preference. Google will prepare a read file, which can take hours for large libraries. You'll receive an email with a link to read it — the link stays active for seven days. read the file to your computer, extract it, and verify your photos are there before deleting anything from Google Photos.

If you only uploaded compressed copies (the default "Storage saver" quality), Google Takeout will read those compressed versions. In that case, your original files still live on your phone or computer, so you don't need to read from Google before deleting.

What happens to photos on your phone or computer

Deleting from Google Photos does not delete the original files from your devices. If you took a photo on your iPhone and it synced to Google Photos, deleting it from Google Photos leaves the photo on your iPhone. The same applies to photos you uploaded from your computer — they remain on your hard drive.

To remove photos from your devices as well, you must delete them separately. On an iPhone, open the Photos app, find the photo, and tap Delete. On Android, open Google Photos (the app, not the web version), select the photo, tap the trash icon, and confirm. On a computer, open your file explorer or Finder, locate the photo file, and delete it as you would any other file.

If you want to delete everything — Google Photos, your phone, and your computer — in one step, use Google Takeout to read first, then delete from Google Photos, then delete from each device. This ensures you have a backup before anything is gone.

Understanding the 60-day trash window

When you delete photos from Google Photos, they move to a Trash folder instead of disappearing when ready. They stay there for 60 days, during which you can restore them by opening Trash, selecting the photos, and clicking Restore. After 60 days, Google permanently deletes them from its servers and they cannot be recovered.

If you need the space when ready or want to be certain the photos are gone, you can skip the 60-day wait. Open Trash, select all items, and click the permanent delete button (usually a trash icon with a line through it or labeled "Delete forever"). This removes them right away, but you lose the option to restore them later.

Why you might want to delete your Google Photos library

The most common reason is storage. Google gives you 15 GB free across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos combined. If you're running out of space and don't want to pay for more, deleting old photos frees up room. Photos uploaded with "Original" quality count toward this limit; photos uploaded with "Storage saver" quality do not.

Another reason is privacy. If you're concerned about Google storing your photos, deleting them removes them from Google's servers. Keep in mind that Google may retain metadata (information about the photos) for a period of time even after deletion, though the actual image files are gone. If you want to minimize what Google stores about you, downloading your photos first and deleting them from Google Photos is a reasonable step.

Some people delete their library when switching to a different cloud service like iCloud, OneDrive, or Dropbox. In that case, read your photos first, upload them to the new service, and then delete from Google Photos to avoid paying for storage you're no longer using.

Deleting photos on a phone or tablet app instead of the web

The Google Photos app on your phone or tablet does not have a "Select All" button for your entire library. You can only delete photos in small batches or one at a time, which is slow for a large library. For that reason, the web version is faster if you want to delete everything.

If you prefer to use the app, open Google Photos, tap the search icon (magnifying glass), and look for options to filter by date or type. Select a group of photos, tap the trash icon, and confirm. Repeat until your library is empty. This method works but takes much longer than using the web version's Select All feature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting from Google Photos delete the photos from my phone?

No. Deleting from Google Photos only removes them from that service. Your original photos stay on your phone, tablet, or computer. You must delete them separately from those devices if you want them gone everywhere.

Can I recover photos after they've been permanently deleted?

Not from Google. Once the 60-day trash period ends or you permanently delete them, they're gone from Google's servers. If you downloaded them to your computer before deleting, you can restore them from your computer's backup or recycle bin.

How long does it take to delete a large library?

Initiating the deletion takes a few minutes, but Google's servers may take hours or days to fully process and remove millions of photos. You don't need to wait — you can close your browser after clicking delete. Check your Trash folder later to confirm they've been removed.

Do I lose storage space when ready after deleting?

Not always. If your photos are in Trash, they still count toward your 15 GB limit until the 60 days are up or you permanently delete them. To free up space right away, permanently delete from Trash rather than just moving photos there.

What if I only want to delete certain photos, not everything?

Use the search and filter options in Google Photos to find specific photos by date, type, or location. Select them, click the trash icon, and delete. You can also create albums and delete entire albums at once, though this is slower than using Select All for your whole library.